𝒔𝒐𝒓𝒄𝒊𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝒏𝒐𝒊𝒓𝒆 » 𝐀. 𝐒𝐎𝐋𝐎𝐌𝐎𝐍𝐒

❝𝒗𝒊𝒊𝒊.❞

The weekend couldn't last forever, as much as Nora and Alfie wanted it to. Alfie had business to attend to back in his neighborhood, and Nora had things to handle with her enterprises as well. While she planned to stay home unless there were any emergencies, Alfie wasn't convinced she was safe. "Just for the week, pet. You'll be safe." Nora sighs as she straightens Alfie's clothes, ready to send him on his way. "I have security coming to take over as soon as you leave, I am going to be just fine. It's going to be okay darling." "The truth is you don't know that, Ella." She cups his face, "Can you trust me? Please?" Alfie groans as he pulls her into his chest, "You're a fuckin' hardhead." She snickers before kissing his cheek, "It's getting late. You have a busy day tomorrow." It takes her an arm and a leg to finally get Alfie Solomons out of her home. She was going to miss him this week, but she had a whole weekend to replay in her mind.

By the next morning it was clear that Nora's security had fallen through. They were supposed to be at their posts by the night before. She had to scramble to get protection; the police wasn't an option, for they were on Sabini's payroll. She was stuck, and for the first time, she recognized that she needed help. She decides to have a private meeting with Mallory, Elliot, Clara & Bridgitte. She filled them in on everything that was happening, from Alfie to Sabini's attacks, wanting to finally be transparent with her close knit circle.

"I'm sorry I was hiding things I wanted to protect you and everyone. That's my number one job, that's my priority." "Then you shouldn't be sharing a bed with Alfie Solomons," Elliot interjects, crossing his arms, "That has to stop, Nora-" "He is harmless! He wants to protect us and I've been rejecting his help, but now I-" "Nora, no." "What other choice do we have? We need help." "Alfie Solomons is the exact opposite of the answer to our problems, sorciere," Clara comments, sighing, "I don't trust him. This is not a time to be weak-" "Weak? Weak?!" Nora rises to her feet, blood boiling, "Am I not the one who lured two Italians away from this very club and set their bodies on fire? Weak. How dare you? Brigitte found love in a man, no one calls her weak."

The three of them freeze as Brigitte's lips part into a smirk, "Love, sorciere?" Nora pauses, registering what she's implied. She slowly takes a seat taking deep breaths, "The point is, Alfie is not a threat to us. Our...he's irrelevant to this situation. The only mistake we've made is being seen together. It won't happen again. The main point is we need to find protection, trustworthy men on no one's payroll but our own, and we need to find them now. In the meantime, we're gonna have to put some of the girls on security. Brigitte?" "I'm on it. Phil knows some people too, so if it's alright with you-" "Yes, we're in crisis mode. Everyone should be armed at all times. Guns are preferable, but blades and pins work too." Nora looks around and they all nod, "If there's nothing else, we're good to go. Thank you."

Brigitte, Clara and Mallory leave, while Elliot remains in his seat. "Elliot, please do not start with me. We're done-" "You trust me, Nora. We're each other's best mates." "Eli-" "He's a backstabber. If something or someone comes better, he will drop you and leave you high and dry." "He wouldn't do that to me, Elliot. I thought he was dangerous, and he definitely is, but he is no danger to me, or to us. If it wouldn't bring more fire to us, I'd let him help." "Your life, our life, is dangerous enough as is. Look at what's happened already!" "It comes with our life, Eli. It's okay. I'm still breathing, healing."

Elliot stands up to take his leave before turning back to her, "Do you really love him, Nora?" Nora presses her lips inward before answering honestly, "It's scary to think about. I think I do, Eli. I'm new to all of it, but...I think I really do." Elliot closes his eyes in anguish as he exits with haste. Nora looks down at her paperwork, unable to concentrate. All she wants to do is find Alfie and let him comfort her. He was too good at it. But she loved it. She loved the attention, she loved the intimacy and understanding they share. She loved him.