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Legami Familiari (Shayde x Fathom)

He fetched a damp washcloth and began wiping away the caked on make-up Adrien forced her to wear. If the man wanted to fuck a clown he could go join the circus for all Evan cared. This though, he began tenderly patting at the worst of her welts, was far too much for a young woman. If something wasn't done soon she would be broken, and Evan wasn't sure if her pieces could be recovered.

"I can kill him." The words left his mouth before the thought had even formed completely in his mind, but he continued, "I traded your life for mine Mia. Let me give you the same deal. My life for yours." His damp hands took hers and held them comfortingly. He reached a finger under her chin, raising her gaze to meet his. "So kiddo," he used the name he called her growing up, "what d'ya say? Wanna shake on it?"
 
Mia’s eyes snapped up to his, and there was something behind them that drowned out her fire. Fear. “No!” She quickly shook her head, her chest tightening at the thought of Evan trying to take Adrian on in a fair fight. No, she couldn’t let that happen. They would kill him, and then she would still be trapped here without anyone who gave a damn. “You can’t.” She felt her bottom lip tremble, she wanted so desperately for him to swoop in, grab her so they could just run away together, but if they did there wouldn’t be peace. Constant looking over their shoulders. That wasn’t a life she wanted. “He’s going to get bored with me in a week.” She said almost sounding hopeful. Taking the rag from his hands and swiping away the streaks of mascara. Without the coverage of the concealer the marks across her face stood out even more, and Mia flinched looking at them in the mirror.

“We don’t have the numbers to kill him and get out alive.” She muttered, meeting his gaze through the mirror. “What am I gonna do Evan?” She asked her voice cracking . “I can’t keep doing this, but I can’t ask you to sacrifice yourself for me either.”
 
The room felt more confining than it actually was as Evan paced around it. "I know," he said almost dismissively, "I know we can't do that, but I can't think of much better." He slammed his fist into the top of the desk. Paper clips jingled and pens bounced and rolled at the force of it. He saw the act make Mia jump once again. The skittish nature she had developed in only a week was heartbreaking. Even if Adrien did 'tire of her' what was going to be left after that week. The thought turned his stomach into a cacophony of knots.

"I'm just a tough guy your father took a liking to Mia." He turned around to face her fully. "I break bones and smash faces, and I kill the occasional crackhead with a psychopath brother. I'm not the smartest guy around. Maybe if I was I could've made a better decision for you."

"I should have just ran with you the day after the motel. I think that's the last time I heard you happy."
 
He looked as trapped as she felt. Pacing the walls like a tiger in a cage. “You didn’t make this decision for me.” She said with a small sigh, sitting back down holding the damp rag between her hands. “This…..arrangement.” She said looking down at the ring on her finger. “Has been in the works since I was fifteen.” She looked up, giving him a small smile. “I never wanted any of this.” She gestured around at the golden plated fixtures and the thousand thread count linens. “My entire life I spent trying to get his attention. A fraction of his time. For him to want to spend time with me. For him to just…..want me. Now, I’d be more than willing to never speak to him again. I’d be happy to be broke and penniless if it means I get to get out of this world. And we both know there’s only one way out of it. Especially for women, and men like you. The ones who see too much, hear too much, we could never just be left alone, because we’re lose ends.” She said with a huff. “I just want to be able to be myself. I hate that stupid dress they’re putting me in. And the shoes, nightmare. The cake is a monstrosity that looks like it was thrown up on by a florist. Everything is just so……perfect. It’s maddening really. I’d like to just……mess it up.” She was venting now, once the words started coming out there was no stopping them, and when she had finally unleashed all of the grave injustices she felt like she had endured over their time here Mia stood, facing Evan. “I’m so sick of being their perfect little puppet.” She muttered, before grabbing the front of his shirt, pulling him in for a kiss.

It was sloppy, unplanned, and a little painful given how tender her face was, but the longer it lasted, the more she felt herself melt against him. All the tension and stress melting away into just the pair of them existing in the same space. “I’m sorry. I….i shouldn’t have.” She stammered, pulling back, her fingers brushing against her bottom lip. “All I know, is that in this room full of people today, only one of them seemed to care about what happened to me.” Her eyes met his once more.
 
She listed off every reason they should just accept their roles and behave, but none of them were a good reason. They were necessary for survival, and that was when it collapsed in on him. He had done nothing but survive since the day the Perelli family adopted him. The mafia life was almost instantly ingrained in his entire being, but in doing so he never learned what really living was. Then there were the various brushes with death over the years, the most recent being what landed them both in the room together at that moment.

He wanted to say something to her, but before he could speak she had gripped his shirt and thrust her mouth against his. He instinctively reached for her wrists, but as his fingers closed around them his touch softened. The kiss was dirty and intense, their tongues fighting for ground against each other. The pain in his eye burned, but the passion he felt for her burned hotter. He was about to pull her closer when she pushed back away, apologizing.

"Mia," her name came out breathlessly from his lips, "I-I don't know what that was, but you are right about one thing." He pulled her back into his own grasp, but instead of kissing her he just placed a hand gently in her hair. He pulled her face carefully against his chest and began rocking her slightly. "I do care about you, have for a very long time." The secret left his mouth and he was glad to be rid of it.
 
“I…that was, stupid, and selfish, and and….Evan I’m sorry. That was so out of line.” She apologized again, even as he pulled her back against him. Mia allowed herself a second to close her eyes. To just enjoy the way it felt to be held, to be seen. She felt the rocking motion, flashback to her first night tied to the bed. The way he had been so quick to come help her instead of letting her suffer alone in silence. He paid attention. Even now, she knew that gentle rocking back and forth was for her benefit, and she allowed her arms to tighten slightly around his waist. The weight of his words settled between them, making her pull back and study his face. “You realize they will kill us if they find out.A-Adrian.” The monsters name was enough to make her stammer. Adrian would torment her and laugh while he forced Evan to listen to her screams. “We have a week to figure it out, right?” She asked trying not to sound too hopeful that they could manage to walk away from this mess without the world burning to the ground around them.
 
"One week," Evan repeated as he let her go reluctantly, "We'll figure out something." He knew the words were just an empty promise. However, if they offered even a modicum of comfort he would soil his mouth with the lie. "Right now you need to finish cleaning up. I'll be posted outside of your room tonight, don't worry."

With a light kiss to her forehead he turned and exited the room. As he walked down the hallway his fingers dug into his palms. What the hell are you doing?! Every instinct he had built up over the years screamed at him to just sit and be a good dog. He desperately wanted someone to tell him what to do, because the only thing he wanted in that moment was De'Salvatore dead at his feet. The earthquake going on in his chest came to an abrupt halt when Carlisle's voice cut through the haze.

"Perelli, did you get the girl situated?" His lips were curled in disgust as he looked at Evan's battered visage. "God you look like shit."

"Yeah," he replied almost dismissively, "she's getting cleaned up." He didn't care to keep the conversation going and was about to walk away, but Carlisle spoke again.

"Good, boss wants you...now."

Evan shook his aching head and threw up a hand for Carlisle to lead the way. When they entered the boss's office Anthony Sorrento was sat behind his desk taking a long draw of his Cuban cigar. He silently motioned to the chair opposite himself and Evan took a seat.

"Thank you Carlisle," the elder said," I would like to talk to him alone." Carlisle nodded, though his face conveyed his annoyance. Without a word he closed the door behind him. "Evan," the boss began slowly, "you've been through...a lot the past week. I want you to know that I understand, but you need to rein your shit in immediately."

Rein MY shit in? Really? The thought broke through any semblance proper mob etiquette and before he realized it he had slammed a fist on the desk. "She's your daughter! How the fuck can you just give her away like a bargaining chip, to De'Salvatore of all people?!"

Anthony sat his cigar down and interlaced his fingers as he faced the younger man. "First, my business dealings are none of your concern. Secondly, you are the part of reason I am 'giving her away', or did your brains get scrambled in that beating?"

Evan sat back and slumped into the chair a bit. He knew the boss was right. That day still loomed largely over him, even if he had paid his dues. "I'm going to protect her, even from her husband if I have to."

The Don smiled, a genuine smile, and took another draw off his cigar. "Listen son, there's a reason I chose you as her guardian."

Evan listened on as the boss told him everything, his emotions running the gamut from anger, to disbelief, to horror...
 
Mia gave a nod, waiting for the door to close behind him before the silent, angry tears she had been holding back spilled. She was so mad at her father for using her like this. Mad that Adrian couldn’t be a good man, maybe then it would at least make doing her family duty somewhat bearable. Mad that her entire life had to be flipped on its head just because of what was between her legs. She quickly wiped away the tears, slipping into a simple, off the shoulder silky cocktail dress, and some flats before making her way to the door. When she was certain she looked well enough, Mia took a shakey breath, reaching for the knob and giving it a twist. She had been expecting Evan to greet her, instead she was met with Carlisle. The shock of it must have amused him, since his own lip twitched upwards before sliding back into his usually stoic expression. “Miss Sorrento. I do believe your fiancée is waiting for you in the parlor.” He gestured down the hall to his right, and Mia balked slightly. “Actually, I was hoping to talk with my father before I joined them.” She moved, trying to go around him to the office but he side stepped her the entire way. “I’m sorry, Miss, but I’m afraid your father is in a very important meeting with Mr. Perelli. Besides, Mr. De’Salvatore wishes to see you before he carries his mother back home.”

Without waiting for another answer the glorified butler ushered Mia off down the hallway. Each step felt like walking through quicksand, the closer she got to the parlor where Adrian and Vanessa were waiting felt like drowning. When she pushed open the door Adrian’s face lit up with mock concern. “My love, are you feeling better?” He asked.

“Don’t worry, it’s just me. You can drop the act.” The words slipped out before Mia had a chance to rein them in and she could see the shock cross Adrian’s face before the anger. He glared at her, those steely grey eyes of his promising to make her pay for the remark, but Mia refused to cower to him. Her back stiffening slightly. “I may be promised to be your wife, but the way I see it, I still have a week as a Sorrento. I will be conducting myself as such. The dress, this wedding, it’s all bullshit, so I won’t fight you on the semantics of planning it. I’ll be a good little puppet for you in public and I’ll behave myself the way a good wife should, but know that every second I stay bound to you is another second you will have to look over your shoulder. The next time you strike me, Adrian, whether you think it’s warranted or not, I will kill you.” There was no room for arguing in her words, and for a second Adrian almost looked……impressed, but then he let out a deep, bellowing laugh that deflated all that ego she had put into the words.

“You ever threaten me again, Princess, and I’ll slit your fucking throat. In private, or right here in your Daddy’s sitting room. Makes no difference to me as long as you give me an heir I don’t care what happens to you in between.” With that he shoved past her, his mother in tow as they left.
 
Evan left the office, his head reeling from more than the concussion he was surely nursing. The Don had unloaded a secret to him, hell more than one, and he didn't know what to say. Only, he couldn't really say anything because he had sworn Evan to stay quiet. There would be no second chances if he fucked that up. Evan felt like yet another blade had been hung above his head, threatening to impale him at the slightest misstep.

He was walking down the hall when he saw Adrien and Vanessa leaving. At least he knew Mia should be safe for tonight. He was making his way towards the sitting room when he came across her standing there. She had an unreadable expression on her face, but it was a welcome distraction from everything else he had to digest. "Mia," he stepped up to her and instinctively put his hands on her arms, "did he hurt you again?" He realized what he was doing and let his hands drop to his sides. "S-sorry, I shouldn't touch you like that."

There were many things he shouldn't have been doing where she was concerned. A little bit of tender affection was the least of the crimes she had suffered. "C'mon, let's get you to your room. I'll be posted right outside if you need me for anything." He turned around and started to lead the way...
 
Mia snapped out of her thoughts when Evan’s voice sounded out in the space. “Hey.” She offered him a small smile at the concern he had for her, and was disappointed when his hands fell from her arms, shaking her head in answer. “No, I….i threatened him.” She said breathing out a laugh the realization of what she had done finally sinking in. “I told him if he hit me again I’d kill him, and that as long as we were married he would need to sleep with one eye open.” She hesitated just inside the door, watching Evan lead the way back to her room. He had managed to get a little bit down the hall before she left the den, not quite ready to be back in her gilded cage.

“What did my father want?” She asked curiously, jogging for a second to catch up with his steps before falling along beside him. Her old man had seemed to take a liking to Evan, and while it hadn’t exactly ended well for her, she was beginning to grow a fondness for her kidnapper. Or maybe it was just a fondness for the way he looked at her, like she was a person, and not just some pawn to push around on a giant chessboard. Maybe she just enjoyed the way he seemed to understand her. This world was glamorous from the outside, money, status, it made for a tempting life, but once you were trapped in the glittering web you could really see the bodies and destruction it was built on.
 
The question stopped him in his tracks. So, she knew he had met with the boss. Mercifully that was all she seemed to know, but there was a conflict raging inside of him. She should know what he knew, it affected them both. The problem was, could she keep her composure if she knew. After what she said about Adrien he doubted it, but this was not something he should be allowed to decide by himself. With his decision made he pulled Mia into her bedroom and closed the door, locking it.

He stood, his back against the door, as though he was scared she would try to run. That was still an option, but he had made his choice. "I spoke to the boss, and he let me in on why this marriage is so...delicate."

He studied her face as he continued, "You always said you wanted to cut ties with your father. Well, he's not your father. Your mother was pregnant when they met and everyone assumed the kid was his...but you aren't. He has kept you around to use as a playing piece all these years."

He wasn't sure what else to say. Should he tell her the rest, or just stop there and deal with one fallout at a time? If only the answer were simple, but in matters of the mob they usually weren't.
 
He looked like he wanted the earth to open him up and swallow him when she asked. “Sorry, Carlisle said something about dad summoning you.” She said not wanting him to feel like she was asking him to betray her father’s confidence, even if that was exactly what she was asking him to do. They made it to her bedroom, and Evan pulled her inside his voice hushed as he spoke.

Her eyes widened when he told her about the predicament. The earth tilted, and suddenly she couldn’t hear anything else he was saying. Flashbacks of her life replayed over and over in her head. Her fathers standoffishness, they way he never seemed to actually want to interact with her despite her desperate attempts to connect with him. He had never been cruel, never raised his voice save for the threats he had hurled at her when she had run off. No one ever questioned it. Why would they? She was the spitting image of her mother. Both parents had dark hair and eyes, it would be easy enough to pass her off as his own, especially if they told everyone she was premature, which they had done.

Her entire life, was a lie. Was there a man out there that knew about her? Did her mother ever get to tell him she was pregnant before being forced into the Sorrento family? Did he try to fight for her? Or worse, had he decided she wasn’t worth it? She didn’t even realize she hadn’t said anything for several seconds as she processed it. “He….was selling me.” She finally got the words out. It was the truth. Yes he had invested into her, but the worth she provided in terms of territory for him was astronomical in comparison. So many times she had grit her teeth, shouldered the compliments that made her uncomfortable, smiled and nodded when she just wanted to scream, all in the name of familial loyalty, and there was no family to be loyal to.
 
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