Falling For The Mob

52 Stick it out

~Honestly I am loving the next few chapters so much I'll just update everyday for a bit. :P

Addy

Within twelve hours, Sam manages to work out all the details of her plan, which isn't surprising given how determined she is. It probably also means that she hasn't had a wink of sleep or given herself a moment to collect her thoughts. Not that she has many thoughts right now. When she gets tunnel vision, she is completely unresponsive and unpredictable. Which is exactly why Jack sent me here, to clean up whatever mess she has made till now.

Her sparring alone is a hassle to clean up. Half the furniture on this floor needs to be replaced, the gym needs a high-end cleaning crew, and I need to sign off on double pay since the remainder of the security team needs to run overtime.

Bleeding guards and broken furniture are nothing new to me, but what I am not prepared for is the broken heart that comes with seeing Zoë's red eyes and puffy cheeks as the elevator swings open. Within a second, my arms are around her, to which she lets out a chuckle. She was probably waiting on the elevator to bring her down just as I came up. Even if the guards didn't brief me, I somehow knew she would be here.

"Addy, I need to get to work." She laughs in my long hug before I finally let her go.

I wiped a stray tear from her cheek. One day soon, Sam is going to realize what she is losing, and I need to make sure the fallback isn't as bad. "Can I drive you to work? I think we still need to talk some more."

I try explaining Sam's convictions, that to her, leading means not caring. Her thoughts are misguided, to say the least. I tell Zoë how much Sam has changed because of her and what she means to her. Through my explanations, Zoë silently stares out the window, only looking back at me when the car comes to a stop in the hospital parking lot. Looking at the woman beside me makes my heart ache, she never deserved this.

"She wants to break up with me, doesn't she?" Zoë finally breaks the awkward silence.

I shake my head. I really don't know what else to do or say. I wish I could offer her more comfort, but the ball is in Sam's court. She needs to turn around and fix this. She needs to prove herself to Zoë. "I know right now it's hard to believe, but you really do make her happier. It's just that this version of Sam is difficult to handle, especially given the fact that she is convinced that it is the best thing for everyone. Things have become so much to handle, this is her only way to hide how powerless she is feeling."

"And the only reason she hasn't broken up with me is that you stopped her. If Sam wants to stop feeling, the logical move for her would be to get rid of me. I saw it in her eyes last night, there is no point in denying it, Addy."

My stomach churns with nausea, I should have known that she would draw this same conclusion. "Zo, I'm really sorry. I just..."

"It's okay." She wipes another tear as she cuts me off, but quickly regains herself. "I'll stick it out with her, Addy, as long as I can."

Zoë

"For someone who just came back from the most beautiful city in the world, you have a bleak expression." My eyes shoot up from the computer to find Tony leaning over the station, his eyes mirroring my sadness. "What happened to you, Mami?"

Ever since Addy dropped me off, I have done nothing but bury myself in work in hopes of not thinking about Sam. I haven't even allowed myself to process the newest information I have been given.

"Nothing, I just have a lot of work to get done." I smile, but I don't have the energy to be convincing enough.

"Go home, your shift ended an hour ago." He's right, but going home right now is the least appealing thing to me. I'd probably not get a wink of sleep either way.

"Maybe I should just take a nap on my couch."

He stares at me silently, both of us well aware that I won't be sleeping on my couch either.

His eyes light with sudden inspiration. "Did you hear about the terrorist attack this weekend?" He tries distracting me, though futile, his attempt does not go unappreciated. "There were three bodies suspended in the air, but they were quickly removed. Apparently, the major news outlets have been forbidden to show anything, but there is enough on private websites." He takes out his phone and begins scrolling till he finds what he is looking for.

My eyes open in shock as he shows me the screen. Gutted bodies, walls painted in blood, and threats written for the entire city to see. This happened right across from the Claymore building. Her office window would have had a front row view to the carnage. No wonder Sam had her entire security system adjusted. Maybe that's how my access accidentally got wiped.

A bitter taste enters my mouth. Deep down, I know it wasn't an 'accident', she would never overlook my clearance as a small detail.

As this crosses my mind, my phone buzzes with a message from Sam asking if I will still be staying with her tonight. I told her I would be back an hour ago. The fact that she is asking for me brings new hope, and I quickly pack my things to go home.

I walk into the living room to find her on the couch nursing a glass of whiskey in one hand and a stack of files in the other. The bottle on the table is empty, and there is no doubt in my mind that she drank it all in the last two hours.

Only for a brief second, her eyes are removed from her papers to barely acknowledge my existence with a slight nod before returning her focus. I already know that this is going to be another cold night. Even if she is standing in front of me, she is not here with me. I was an idiot to think that her text meant she was actually missing me, that she actually wanted me here.

Beginning my nightly routine, I step into the shower with hopes of washing my entire day away. Just as I am about to finish up, the door opens and Sam steps inside. Again, she seems to look through me instead of at me as she waits for permission to touch me.

Fully aware of how I felt last night, I took the chance and pinned her against the wall. Dropping to my knees, I dive in, giving her everything I have in me. I need to make her feel something, but when I get back up, her eyes are as empty as I left them.

We soon dry ourselves off, and Sam rolls to her side of the bed with her back towards me. I spent the next half hour fighting my urge to reach out and touch her, she made it abundantly clear that this means nothing to her anymore.

I do my best to make no sound as warm tears roll down my face and begin staining the pillow, but I know she can hear my labored breath. She makes no move or tries to comfort me in any way. Just like last night, I am left feeling used and empty.