❀Guns and Roses❀

[Acolyte Offerus]

Michael Hacker

Michael slept better than he had in months. Occasionally he'd wake up and see her hand still there, and her body perfectly aligned. Several times during the night he'd maneuver his way out of her underneath her and just gaze at her for a while. In addition he also scoured the house and checked the locks, since Natalie wasn't known for her forethought. It always paid to be paranoid, Michael thought. Sliding back into her nook at 4am he began to doze pleasantly. Until he heard two monkey's banging around in the kitchen. Michael was awake long before the smoke alarm went off. As Natalie sprinted from the room he got up casually, and draped his jacket over his shoulders and walked in to the kitchen. "Paulie, Luca. I think you have some work to do as soon as you're done here." he said, practically spitting venom at them as he went to wash his face in the bathroom.

Coming back out he toweled off his face and combed his hair a bit before re-entering the kitchen and staring daggers at the older brother. "I'll see you later Natalie. Luca come see me when you're done, you too Paulie." he growled the warning as he stalked from her house. His anger, there but under control. He entered his own house, deathly quiet so early in the morning. Michael went into the kitchen to find Natalie's left-overs from last night and he began to dig into those as he mulled over how to deal with the two boys. A simple hit? An execution? Decisions decisions....

 

[Artificial Laws]

Natalie had gotten both of the boys dressed and prepared, doing there hair and making them look handsome, handing Luca his buss pass, she kissed his forehead. "Make lots of friends, and dont let them push you around just because your new, alright mister?" She said, getting a simple nod from the older boy before he left. Natalie fussed over Paulie, combing his hair and fixing his little shirt before taking him to school, droping him off as she then went to the store, using all her extra money to get them clothes and a bed sheet, plus she ordered a smaller bed for Paulie. When she got paid next week, she would decorate their room for them. She hummed as she filled their closet, now home from shopping and getting some alone time, fixing their bed and vacuming the rug to clean the mud stains from Luca, getting them out easily. After an hour of them being in school, she started to work on the school work she missed, almost falling asleep at her desk.

 

[Acolyte Offerus]

Michael Hacker

Michael had a Busy day ahead of him. Between a bookie who thought he'd skim off the top and the search for another pimp to replace Maletta he had his hands full. On top of dealing with Paulie and Luca, his original plan, shot to pieces by Natalie's interference... Shaking his head he focused on the task at hand, the guy bleeding at his feet. Flanked by two of the families button men a shop keeper decided to try and not pay for his protection this month. Needless to say, he has decided to pay now. After Bruno and Fontaine smashed him up a bit. Sliding his hand in his dinner jacket, Michael retrieved a pack of cigarettes. Although not a smoker it, according to his father made him look much more intimidating. Taking a long drag of it he threw it at the shop keeper. "I don't suppose we'll have problems like this again, will we?" Michael smiled, ferocity evident in his eyes as he turned and left the small butcher shop. Turning to Bruno. "Find Paulie, bring him to me, I'll be at the Farm." he said quietly as he turned down the street, followed closely by Fontaine. The 'farm' was another word for the Execution grounds that the family owned, Paulie would know what is going to happen....But he'd be powerless to stop it. Michael smiled wickedly as he tossed the cigarette into the road and grabbed a taxi.

 

[Artificial Laws]

Luca had come home first, doing his homework and helping Natalie around the house. They talked, and started to make a snack when Paulie came home. Natalie smiled, rushing to the door and giving him a hug. "How was your school day?" She asked, kissing his little cheek and leaving a light pink lip mark on his cheek, the he poked at. "Good." He said, starting to warm up to her and smiled. "We learned about lions." He chuckled, handing her a book he was supposed to read. "Can we read it?" He asked, itching the back of his head before they heard another knock on the door. "Hmm?" Natalie called, opening it. When the two men asked for Paulie, she gave them an odd look. "Okay...Just, bring him back before Eight, we eat dinner and nine." She said, kneeling down to kiss Paulies other cheek, leaving another light pink lips mark. Paulie frowned, looking at the book then to the large men. "K-kay.." He muttered, stepping outside with them and walking.When they got to the 'farm', Paulie was crying silently, tears streaming down his face and smudging the kissy lips on his cheek, but he still smelt like Natalie's lipstick, a light honey smell that danced around the room as he cried.

 

[Acolyte Offerus]

Michael Hacker

Michael had ordered a special gun for this occasion, a short snub-nose revolver. Left loud. It was a gun to scare and intimidate and blow a person's brains out at close distance. When Paulie appeared in front of him on the farm, The boy was obviously shaken and scared. Pulling his revolver from his waist on his back he pointed it at the ground and shot it. The sound sent birds running for the hills. "Paulie...I told you and Luca to leave Natalie alone...Now you're living with her? Poor taste. You had such a bright future ahead of you. Not anymore I suppose." Michael said with a slight shrug, feigning sadness. "On your knees boy." he barked and the men standing behind him kicked him in the back of the knees sending him sprawling into the soft soil. Standing behind him he pointed the gun at the back of Paulie's head letting him feel the barrel pressed against him. "Bang. I could kill you now..." Michael said softly, as if whispering to Paulie alone, "I won't... But you and Luca need to leave Natalie's house. She doesn't need your influences, if I ever see you mutter another syllable to her, Luca will be here, but for real." Michael dropped the gun and stuffed it back into his waistband. "Now go." he waved him off as he turned back to his own awaiting car and got in. Thoroughly happy with himself.

 

[Artificial Laws]

Paulie gulped, rubbing his teary eyes while the two men brought him back to Natalies house. Running into it, he by passed Natalie, who was dealing with Luca to help him with social studies. "Paul-" Is all she could say before he ran back and grabbed Luca's hand, pulling him to the bathroom, trying to keep calm. "W-we need t-to leave." He said, chocking on the words. Luca frowned, sitting on the seat of the toliet. "Micheal?" He asked sighing. "It is'nt OUR fault his lady is to caring, he needs to check himself, he can't control where we live, sure, he's our boss and stuff, but still!" He said, getting angry. Natalie, who was a snoop, had an ear to the door. She frowned, opening it and leaning against the window. "Please, explain?" She asked, looking serious. Luca's eyes buldged out of his head. "I-I meant...Uhm. I-I." He muttered before Natalie swept Paulie into her arms, kissing his child cheek. "No one, even if it is Micheal, is making you leave, they'll have to go through me." She said, hugging Paulie tightly, as if he were her son. Luca frowned. "Natalie...You dont get it, we have to.." He muttered, in a hushed tone. Natalie looked at him sternly, sighing. "I've lived alone for the past year, and I hated it Luca, I've always wanted to be a mother and now I have the chance, I know this sounds dramticly selfish, but it's for your sake not to live in a god damn bus anymore! If Micheals pushing you two to leave, he can talk to me about it, not a seven year old!" She said, putting Paulie down. "This is ridiculous, and he's making himself look like a ruthless thug." She said with a sigh.Luca starred at her, watching her stare back at him with her light, but serious brown eyes. Was this the first time so was yelling? No, it couldnt have been, she sounded experienced with it, like she did it all the time back in the day. Sweet, but deadly. He though before she went to go lay Paulie down.
Truth was, Natalie had five older brothers, but they were only a year apart from each other. Her father was a big drug lord before she was born, and later gotten into the quiet mafia buisness when she was five. Natalie was a...Bossy child, always keeping out for her brothers sake, and her oldest brother always got in the most trouble, especially since her father had tooken him into the mafia.Natalie never, let anyone touch her brothers in harmful ways, always getting infront of things, like guns or knifes, and since she was her fathers 'princess' noone darred to touch her. Her brothers taught her how to hold a knife, and how to fight, it was easy to her, and it was almost like she grew up like one of them, besides the boobs of course.

 

[Acolyte Offerus]

Michael Hacker

After smashing a rouge Bookie's face in with a frying pan, Michael was feeling pretty well. He handled his affair with Paulie without a hitch and this would also double as a test of faith for the younger Brother. Would he break? Squeal to the Police? Only time would tell. Michael wasn't worried however, there were two people who would collaborate his story and a handful of other who would denounce Paulie as a story teller with Psych problems. Whistling as he strolled back into his own home he turned and looked at Natalie's shack...Better safe than sorry... he thought to himself. He decided to check and make sure they had already vanished. Michael knocked gently on the door, a smile from one edge of his face to the other.

 

[Artificial Laws]

Natalie blinked, looking away from the dinner table to the door before sighing and telling the kids to stay where they were. Leaving to open it, she frowned, anger filling her eyes when she saw Micheal." Walking out, she closed the door softly and stood infront of him, her arms crossed over her white t-shirt. "Stop whatever your doing." She said simply, frowning some. "They didnt choose to stay here, I did." She muttered, sighing and rubbing the back of her neck. "I dont know whats going on, and I dont want to know. But all Paulie squealed to Luca was your name and I happened to be listening." She leant against the wall, her figure shortening more than it already was to them. "I want them here. I don't want to live alone anymore Micheal, the house is so empty when I'm home, I dont like it. But....With them around, It's...Like I actually have a family to live with again." She looked down, glancing at him to see his face a few times. "Don't take them away from me, they're getting an education, eating right, getting sleep. Paulie's only seven, he's a little kid, and he can be so respectful when your nice to him. And Luca's growing into a young man, I'm sure he wouldnt like to go live on the streets again." She wipped her worried eyes, sighing. "Don't make them leave...Please." She begged, sniffling some. She wanted a family, more than anything, and if it meant two already raised boys, then so be it. All her brothers left to different states, her parents passed away, she didnt want to live alone...She knew it sounded selfish, but it was for the boy's sake also. Her face looked soft now, her eyes pleading him with their look.

 

[Acolyte Offerus]

Michael Hacker

Michael's face softened at Natalie's genuine care over the two boys. He frowned, thinking. "Nat...These are not guys who you should live with...these are dangerous kids..." he said softly, looking at her impassive face he sighed. Moving forward and wrapping his arms around her back gently he hugged her. "I didn't know you were so lonely, you never said anything to me..." he said quietly against her. Breaking the hug he smiled at her briefly before opening the door and stepping inside. Staring directly at Luca he smiled at the button man. As a cat would smile at a rat before eating it. He moved behind the two and whispered into each of their ears. "Never bring our business into this house. If either of you lays a hand on Natalie, I will butcher your whole family." he said with venom dripping from his words. He smiled and stood up and put his shoulders on the two of them. "So Nat, what's for dinner?" he asked smiling.

 

[Artificial Laws]

Natalie smiled and made a plate for him, setting it down. "Just some homemade chicken and dirty rice." She said, sitting down in her chair next to Luca, who had eaten his food already. Natalie giggled some. "I just gave you that." She said, stuffing a piece of chicken in her mouth. Luca smiled. "I was hungry." He muttered "I can tell" She smiled watching Paulie pick at his food. "Dont like the rice?" She asked, making Paulie look up nervously and glance at Micheal. "N-no. I love it." He lied, not wanting to get yelled at by Micheal. After they were finished, Natalie put Paulie to bed and Shooed Luca off to go do something. A moment of silence went by before Natalie hugged Micheal tightly, smiling. "Thank you." She muttered, standing on her tipetoes and giving him a friendly kiss on his cheek. "Wanna go for a walk? I think Luca can watch Paulie." She put on a white sweater, slipping on some slippers. "Or do you have family buissness to attend to?" She asked, putting her hair in a loose bun.

 

[Acolyte Offerus]

Michael Hacker

The food was, as usual, delicious. Michael was constantly watching Luca and Paulie for any sign of discontent with Natalie or himself. Seeing them run off, Paulie to bed, Luca to do some 'homework' he looked at Natalie's perfect angelic face as she kissed his cheek, causing him to burn up. Turning away and glancing at his watch he knew he needed to see his father to give him an update on Matella, but after last night Michael was in no mood to deal with his old man. Turning back to Natalie, his emotions in check, he smiled at her and extended a hands towards her. "Sure, need to work off that food." he smiled gently as he opened the door for her and stepped outside.

 

[Artificial Laws]

She smiled, taking his hand in hers gently, walking out into the crisp air, as she giggled some. "I saw you blush!~" She teased, smirking. "It was adorable." She poked his cheek quickly with her free hand, the other intwining her fingers with his. "Hmm, to the park or somewhere else?" She asked, looking around as it started to get windy out. She sneakily scooted closer to him as she waited for him to make a decision, trying to not get hit by the wind, though it was useless because it was basically coming from everywhere. With a little shiver, she gave up, putting her free hand in her sweater pocket and biting her bottom lip softly. She hated fall sometimes, especially with all these leaves to pick up, it was so much work. But, Winter and Fall were amazing seasons for romance, fireplaces, hot chocolate, snow. Her favorite was the fireplace though, it gave off that lovely light and heat, plus you could cuddle up next to it with that special someone, or have a indoor picnic next to it! The seasons just had so many love and hate things about it.

 

[Acolyte Offerus]

Michael Hacker

Pushing her gently he chuckled at his own childish emotions. Feeling her press closer to him, his blush returned again, seeing her shivering he stripped off his own over-coat and pulled it onto her shoulders. "Maybe you'd like to stay inside? It is rather chilly out here, I wouldn't want you to catch a cold." he said softly, now pressed against her tightly. His hand still radiating warmth from her touch he decided. "Lets go see a movie huh? It'll be inside at least." he smiled at her as he pulled out his cell phone to hail a taxi to take them to the luxury center of the town where all the best movie theaters existed. As he dialed he went through a check-list of his preparations, knowing full well how dangerous it would be to take a girl on a night on the town without some sort of escort and a gun. Men were always hunting Michael. After calling the taxi he dialed his father's Caporegime or Underboss, Peter Tessio, "Hey I'm heading down to Moonlight Cinema, send some guys." he said curtly before hanging up the phone. Turning to Natalie he smiled, "Just a precaution" he told her.

 

[Artificial Laws]

Natalie raised a curious eyebrow, hearing him ask for 'guys'."We're going as a group?" She asked, handing him back him jacket. "You're gonna catch a cold. I dont need it~" She said, smiling some as she leant on him some, collecting some warmth from him as they waited for the cab. "And why in the world would we need protection. It's a movie." She said, not knowing about his career. After a moment, she gasped. "I forgot my wallet!" She said, rushing back insdie and coming back out, locking the door and standing by his side. "Now you dont have to waste your money." She said, sliding her boyish wallet in her back pocket. She didnt like purses that much, they irked her. When the cab came, she slid into the back seat, buckling up and rubbing her arms to get warm from the cabs heat. The cab driver sighed, looking at Micheal. "Where to?" He asked, looking a bit like he was high. The man had a stublly chin and was a bit fat, a black coat covered him and a hat pulled down to his ears made him look older and cold. Natalie coughed, rolling down the window a tad to get the smell of B.O. and weed out of her face.

 

[Acolyte Offerus]

Michael Hacker

Sliding in next to her he looked at the man for a good 15 seconds before passing him off as a burner. "You know I'm paying for you right?" he asked her grinning, Money was not something to be concerned with, Michael thought. Imagining the millions he'd have access with just from his credit card. The Taxi began to pull away and Michael instinctively felt himself inching towards Natalie, his body touching hers. He looked out the window casually, as if he had no recollection of him moving at all. He quietly whistled a tune trying to act ever more nonchalant around her, all the time thinking about her, thinking about warming her up. With a shake of his head he dispelled those thoughts, focusing instead on the road and the driver, Michael's training instinctively kicking in, always be prepared for the next hit-man, his father taught him. That training still lingered in him as he watched the driver, his own hand reaching for the small automatic handgun he kept in his trousers.