Faustini ✔️

ventisette

Sebastian and Rafael could barely see each other as they waited for Landon in the back of his car. Rafael became irritated. "I won't lie, Sebastian, I'm a little annoyed with how easy this all is." Rafael began. "I mean this guy has no guards, no driver- Is he even rich?" Rafael wondered. 

"It's probably easier for him not to have guards, he doesn't have to pay them out." Sebastian turned to Rafael. "He's very shady."

"Or humble." Rafael joked. 

"Humble, just like you right now, acting as if our job isn't a challenge." Sebastian carried on. "Who am I kidding? You could kidnap someone in broad daylight and no one would care, this is New York after all." 

As the two continued to talk, a shadow passing by caused the duo to mute themselves. Sebastian readied himself, holding a plastic bag in both hands. The car door opened and Landon sat down. Sebastian wasted no time in lounging his hands forward from the gaps between the front seat and the wall. He put the bag over Landon's head and held it in position until he stopped moving. 

As Landon struggled, Rafael snickered. "He probably thinks the strangler's after him." 

"What's to say he isn't the strangler?" Sebastian mumbled. "A taste of his own medicine- that's the saying, isn't it?" 

Once Landon tired, Sebastian took back the bag and stuffed it into the backpack. With a grunt, he pulled the tall man into the backseat and zip tied his hands behind his back. "Well, he does match the victim profile... Brown hair, possibly dark-eyed, I'm too scared to pull his eyelids back to see." Rafael then became distracted. "Can I drive?" 

"Sure." Sebastian responded, buckling himself into the backseat, keeping an eye on the unconscious Landon. 

Leo's driver pulled up outside Leo's apartment building. Rita gulped. "Are you sure you want to go in there?" Rita asked. 

Leo shrugged. "We need to get rid of our stalker one way or another."

Rita shook her head. "I won't allow you to be a martyr, at least not yet. Not when I'm starting to like being around you." 

"A martyr? That's dramatic." Leo laughed. 

"Whatever." Rita retrieved another poison ring from her purse. "I'm not okay with this, so at least wear this so I know you're safe." 

"You're not turning into a hippy, are you?" Leo scoffed at the ring. 

"No, idiot." Rita flicked back the casing at the top of the ring to reveal a needle. "I gave one to Elena earlier, but I think you need one too." 

Leo hesitantly accepted the gift. "It's the thought that counts- but if I really needed to defend myself I'll use the axe in the storage closet." Rita, unsure if Leo was joking or not, forced a smile. Leo took note of her uneasiness. He inched over and slowly wrapped his arms around her. "I'll be fine, I've lived this long, haven't I?" 

Leo eventually shifted away from the hug, but Rita seemed like she never wanted to let go. "Take care." Rita wished him one last goodbye before he left the car. 

Upon entering the penthouse, Leo encountered Letha packing her bags. Leo was met with shock. "What're you doing?" Leo asked in panic. 

"Dad asked me to drop off Layton on my way to Lila's house." Letha explained with an agitated tone.  

"At this time of night?" Leo stammered. "No, you can wait until morning- you don't want to get kidnapped."

Letha threw the piece of clothing she had in her hand on her bag. "Why are you acting like you care? You know he's doing this to spend time with you, the favourite. How could you complain about that?"