Written In Blood

The three rows of french doors to the ballroom were open wide to allow in the fresh air. The soft sound of the violin players on the right side of the room echoed delicately through the white-walled room. The crystal chandeliers sparkled like diamonds down on the guests below. The place was beautiful and it gave off the feeling of warmth as well with the lights soft glow. Eliminating peace and tranquility to those who dared to take the moment to just relax and let their guard down. The Capo's wife outdid herself this time. The place almost gave off a feeling of love.

Wine glasses and champagne flutes filled people's hands as they mingled. Plastic smiles plaster to people's lips. People Amelia's age huddled in groups to gossip and eyeball the bachelors that were present. Talking about who they'd love to marry, or who they were already promised to. The made men of the Mafia kept vigilant eyes as they played the part of party-goers. No dought they were probably still carrying a weapon or two on their person. Not wanting to be caught in an ambush without anything on them.

Raising her glass of red wine, Amelia took a small sip of the expensive drink. At any normal party, she'd be in huge trouble for drinking underage. Yet, at a party hosted by one of the most powerful men of the Chamorra Mafia, she was safe. She was protected by the men of the family. She was their property and they would see that she was safe. A small smile played its way onto Lia's lips as one of the girls she was forced to spend time with made a terrible joke and the other girls giggled. Boy talk wasn't Lia's forte', she would rather talk about movies or the latest book she read. Not about who kissed who and got in trouble.

The discussion that the girls around Amelia halted after a couple of moments. An Amelia who wasn't paying attention looked up to see what had caused the group to halt their assault on someone's reputation. There, at the entrance to the ballroom, stood a man who could suck all of the oxygen out of a room. His dark hair, strong build. He looked like he could command armies with a look, make people bow with a single word. "I can't believe he showed up." One of the girls murmured, Isabella, Amelia could briefly remember her name being. "Right? I heard he's the only one with enough guts to ignore the Capo's invitations." The girl who Amelia believe was names Valentina murmured and then stuck her nose up in the air like a little snob.

"Amelia!" The annoying voice of Isabella snapped sharply, causing Lia to jump slightly and look towards the girl who pretended to be Lia's friend. "Huh? Sorry, what?" Amelia asked quietly, not sure what she had missed. Isabella scuffed and flipped some hair over her shoulder. "Don't stare at that monster, he'll make you his next victim," Isabella told Lia and then turned back towards Valentina and started to talk once more. Risking another look, Lia glanced towards the doorway to see who this supposed bad guy once more. Except, he wasn't there. The fact that the mysterious guy wasn't there was a little upsetting, but Lia tried to not let it show. Instead, she took another sip of her wine and turned towards her friends, pretending that she was once again interested in their topic of discussion.

As Bones stepped into the ballroom, a slight hush fell over the whole crowd. It was a strange occurrence for Bones to come to an event like the gala that was being thrown. There were a few reasons for that fact, mainly many in the family felt uncomfortable around him. The work he did for the Capo, wasn't the most pleasant and his attitude towards the work was off putting to some. Today however Bones felt he should appear, not just out of respect for the work down by the Capo's wife, in organizing everything, but also because this was the first time the family would be all in one place in a long time.

Instinctively his eyes scanned around the room, and Bones calculated how many exits there were, and roughly how much firepower was present hidden in waist bands, or purses. Too many, and more than enough, Bones concluded, still he felt more comfortable knowing his own iron was tucked away in his coat. As his eyes washed over a group of girls, he paused seeing a young dirty blonde, she was new around here, and quite intriguing.

Bones approached the boss, and greeted him, briefly informing him of the successful completion of his last task. Bones kept the details to himself, understanding that what had been done, should never be discussed, and especially not in front of the fairer sex. He bowed lightly, before disappearing back into the crowd, to locate something to drink.

Bones had found his way to the make shift bar, and was lent on it, waiting for his drink. His eyes watching about the room carefully. It was almost like, he was watching expecting something to kick off, like it always usually did, when the Capo invited him to an event.

@ FallenHope95

@ A Drop On the Window
Not even half a glass of wine in and Amelia already felt light-headed. She wasn't a drinker, her father kept most of the alcohol at home in his office anyways. Even if it was out where she could get it though, Lia wouldn't touch the stuff. The burning feeling, the warmth that it created. It all made her feel uncomfortable. Less in control and she hated it. Not being in control of one thing in her life bothered the hell out of the little Italian girl. Her father and stepmother controlled so much, she ached to be able to deal with one thing and if that one thing was her sobriety at a party? Then so be it.

"Amelia! There you are!" Came an all to a familiar voice. Turning to its owner, Lia did her best to show an apologetic smile to the older woman. A disapproving look flashed across the woman's face at the sight of Lia. "I still can't believe your father allowed you out of the house in that atrocity." Her stepmother, Stella murmured when she was a couple of steps from Lia. "I thought it was pretty." Lia murmured, her brows furrowed as she looked down at the pretty black dress. It made her look taller and slimmer in her opinion, and any little allusion of height was an advantage that Lia accepted. Especially since she was barely five feet even.

"Pretty isn't going to get you marries Amelia." Stella murmured as she shook her head in disbelief. Then, she allowed a small sigh to escape from her lips. Followed by a motion for her to follow. "Come, your father has someone he's like for you to meet," Stella told Lia, and without waiting for a reply started to walk away in her obnoxious orange dress. Releasing a sigh, Aelia excused herself from the girls pretending that she was their friend and followed after her stepmother. Keeping her head up and walking tall as she moved through the crowd after her stepmother. Acting every little bit a young woman that she didn't feel in the least bit.

As her father came into view, Amelia's eyes focused on the man to her father's right. He was tall, had light brown hair and his eyes were a light brown. Average would be the best description for the man. "Ah, Amelia my dear." Her father started once Lia was in earshot. "I'd like for you to meet Niccola. He's the son of a fellow captain." The man smiled politely down at Lia. "Hello, sir," Lia said politely and offered her hand, and couldn't help but to blush as the man raised her hand and kissed the back of it before lowering it. "Please, just call me Niccola," Niccoa told Lia and flashed what could be assumed as a flirty smirk. Although, it didn't cause a flutter in the pit of Lia's stomach as one would assume. "Would you care for a dance?" Niccola asked Lia. A hopeful note in his voice as he spoke.

Normally, Lia would have politely said no. She wasn't the best dancer, and this guy wasn't doing anything for her. Not to mention that she wanted as little to do with this life as possible, which also meant to possible betrothal's, but the look that her parents were giving her were pushing on terrifying. Almost threatening her to dare go against this honor. "I would like that very much, Niccola," Lia said politely, and also realized that the man hadn't released her hand anyways. Meaning he had no intention of taking no for an answer.

So, being led onto the dance floor. Amelia placed a hand on Niccola's shoulder while he placed a hand on the middle of her back. Acting every bit of a gentleman as he could be in their uptight community. Then, they started to dance to the classical music that was filling the room. Niccola's voice drowned out the music as he spoke about this or that, not in the least bit seeming out off that Lia wasn't adding very much to the discussion.

Much to Amelia's disapproval, Niccola had kept her for two whole danced before excusing herself by saying that she needed to powder her nose. Using the phrase her stepmother told her to use to get out of any conversation or situation with a man that she didn't want to be in. A small sigh Lia's lips as she walked towards the little bar area. "May I have a glass of red, please?" She asked in her most innocent voice. Which got her a flirty smile in return from the bartender as he got her a glass without saying anything.

While she waited for her drink, Amelia looked around the room once more. People were still mingling about. Dancing, talking, probably making deals and trades as well. Then, as she turned back towards the bar, Lia about jumped out of her skin as she realized that she was standing a couple of feet from the man her friends warned her about. Her bright green eyes widened and she quickly turned away from him. Hoping that he didn't catch her staring, and wishing that the bartender came back with her glass of wine soon.

The bar provided a decent vantage point across the entirety of the room, as such Bones, didn't really disappear from there. He watched as the short little girl was introduced to a man, he vaguely recognized, and was pulled onto the dance floor. He sipped his drink and just lent on the bar, making very little small talk to the bartender.

Although his role was, necessary, Bones was not a member of the community that people reached out to socially. It seemed they only had his contact details, incase they needed something. Which used to bother him, but was normal at this point. What was beginning to annoy him more now though, as watching all the pretty young woman paired off in deals or trades. Bones understood he could never get away with marrying an outsider from the family, not with what he knew.

The risk to the family would be too great, if Bones started talking, he both figuratively and literally knew where bodies were buried. So the fact that the eligible woman within the family were constantly being used as bargaining chips or tokens, and he was never considered, was a sore point for him.

After being lost in thought for awhile regarding Niccola, Bones finally noticed the short beautiful girl was at the bar, and she'd been staring for a moment. He smiled softly at her, "relax, I'm harmless, unless you threaten the family," he said softly. He extended his hand to her, "People call me Bones," he introduced himself. He was still considering whether to tell her about where he knew Niccola from or not.

@ FallenHope95

@ A Drop On the Window
Having lowered her gaze to the mahogany wood of the bar. Amelia prayed that the dangerous man beside her had just thought of her as some foolish girl and ignore her. Just like how he seemed to brush off all of the looks that others in the room were offering him. Like he was a ghost who was just passing through. Like everyone was just a speck of dirt that didn't require his attention in the least bit.

Then, it was like God was mocking her as the man beside her opened his mouth. Glancing up slowly, Amelia caught sight of his dark amber eyes and felt her body freeze as she locked eyes with him. Her hand moving on its own accord to take the offered hand of the scary stranger that was standing in front of her. "Lia," Amelia spoke quietly. Then, almost instantly blushed and cleared her throat as she straightened her posture. "Amelia." She rephrased, heat still coated her cheeks as she looked up at the man. Her heart was fluttering at an insane pace. Nerves or fear, she didn't could what could be the cause, but what she did know though, was that this man stirred things in her that she didn't understand.

"Bones." Amelia murmured quietly as she tilted her head to the side ever so slightly. A look of confusion appearing on her face as the nickname slowly swirled around her mind. Then, she realized why her friends were so terrified of the man in front of her. "Like, the one in the stories?" She murmured, her brows furrowing together in confusion before embarrassment fueled Lia and she quickly looked down in subservience. Bones, the enforcer for the Chamorra. The guy that's said to be able to kill someone with just a look. The one who was rumored to be the reincarnation of death himself. That Bones? Was that really the stranger that was in front of her right now?

Bones smiled softly, pleased that she introduced herself, and didn't just offer a quick acknowledgement and walk away. He watched her get flustered, and felt bad. He listened to her words, and her question. "I suppose my reputation has proceeded me then, Amelia" he said softly. He lifted her hand to his lip and kissed it softly.

"Don't be nervous," he said gently. He stepped back, "I'd watch that Niccola if I were you, he has a thing for hurting women, I've had to bury more than one of his play things," he said softly. He paused for a moment, this was one of the first times, he'd spoken about his work, to anyone, other than the boss, and it felt oddly nice.

He sipped his drink gently, "Amelia, I haven't seen you around before, are you new?" he asked softly.

@ FallenHope95

@ A Drop On the Window
The small forced smile that Amelia had been holding onto finally slipped. Bones, the scariest man in the family was right in front of her. Speaking to her as if he couldn't just take her down in one precise strike. Her green eyes follow as he leaned down and kissed the back of her hand. Goosebumps raised along her arms at the sensation. Her cheeks surely turning the same shade of red as the wine that was placed on the bar counter for her.

Then, as Bones stood up straight. Amelia's brows furrow as he spoke of Niccola. "How do you-" She stopped herself, deciding that she didn't want to know how he knew that she had just talked to the man. Nor did she want to know what he'd done to these supposed playthings. Reaching out with her free hand, Amelia grasped the stem of her wine glass lightly and raised it to her lips as she glanced at Bones through the corner of her eyes. Wanting to keep an eye on the stranger as she sipped the drink.

"I am new," Lia said quietly as she lowered her drink after a couple of sips to help calm her nerves. "My father is Romano Bianchi. He was promoted to Captain last year. An I recently came of age, so this is my second social function." Amelia explained, looking down at the dark red liquid before looking back up towards Bones. She wanted to ask him why he chose tonight to show up, rumor has it that he didn't usually attend these sorts of things. Plus the fact that he could so easily tell that she was new to all of this made Lia feel nervous.

Movement in the crowd caught Lia's attention and a small frown slowly appeared on her lips. Niccola had spotted her and was heading their way. Only, he paused and seemed to hesitate as he spotted Bones. Her father appeared a couple of seconds later and paused as well as his eyes landed on her and for the briefest of moments. Lia was almost certain that her father showed fear, before quickly masking it. "I think I'm being summoned," Lia said quietly as she glanced back towards Bones. He was a terrifying man, and yet. She also found him fascinating to talk to. Even if everything that came out of her mouth was like word vomit.

The corner's of Bones' mouth curled into a smile, an odd expression for the man, as she blushed further. He listened closely to her words, "Ah Romano, yes I heard about his promotion, I look forward to seeing you more often then, if you are likely to attend more events," he said gently.

Bones looked up as the men approached, drawn to their approach as she was. He watched as the man, quickly lost interest, and moved away. Then as her father approached he nodded softly. "Well I'll leave you to it, Amelia," he said lightly. He finished his drink and slowly left the bar. He walked past her father, "Mr Bianchi," he acknowledged as he kept moving.

Bones had not had any dealings with the new captain directly, but an enforcer like himself, with the range of duties he had, and his reputation. There is no doubt that one of his jobs, or tasks, benefited or was set into motion due to Romano.

@ FallenHope95

@ A Drop On the Window
As Bones got up and left, Amelia silently watched the terrifying man. She really had no idea how to react. He was nice enough to talk to. A tad bit mysterious, but not in a terrifying sort of way. More of an intriguing sort of way. She wanted to talk to him more, but because of her naive and shy self, she knew that it'd be a terrible idea.

"Amelia Rosa Bianchi." Lia's father drew out as he approached her. A flicker of surprise flashed in Lia's eyes. Not because he said her full name in a public setting, but because he actually seemed to remember her full name. Usually, he just called her Lia like everyone else and then simply told her to do something. Not once initiating a conversation with her. "What in the world were you doing with that man?" His tone was quiet and harsh as he moved closer to her. Grabbing onto her upper arm harshly. A couple of people looked their way, but then they quickly looked away. Surely this little incident would be the talk of the rest of the night. "Nothing, we were just talking," Lia replied to her father's words.

A sneer slowly appeared on Romano's lips at the words that left his daughter's lips. "I talked Niccola Abella into dancing with you, and this is how you repay me?" He scuffed. The frown on Lia's lips deepened. "He's asking about you, Lia. You should feel lucky that a man like him is looking at you." Dread filled the pit of Lia's stomach as words that escaped from Bone's lips filled her mind. Niccola was abusive, he's killed women before. "I don't want to marry him," Lia said quietly, which caused her father to tighten his grip on her arm once more. "If he asks for you, then you will. There is no discussing this topic." An with that, Lia's father started to lead her towards the door where her stepmother was standing. Surely, her talking to Bones had been the tip of the iceberg and made her parents want to leave the lime life early.

It saddened him that his presence seemed to cause so much distress and commotion at the gala. Bones was made even more angry seeing Amelia being man handled by her father, it was not the way family was supposed to act. He made a mental note, to mention it to someone when he got the chance.

Seeing the commotion continuing, he made his way to the Capo, "I think that is my queue to disappear Sir, apologies for causing a scene, Sometimes I think these people fail to remember who keeps them out of jail, and safe," he said softly before bowing and turning towards the door.

Bones began heading for the door, the same one the Bianchi's were heading too. He placed his hand on Romano's shoulder, "I'd loosen that grip sir, you wouldn't want to give the wrong impression here in public would you," he said, the tone of the statement speaking volumes.

@ FallenHope95

@ A Drop On the Window
Keeping her gaze cast downward obediently, Amelia followed her father towards the door. Not bothering to look up as they moved through the crowd. Embarrassment was written all over her face. She could practically feel the eyes boring into her. Judging her. No dought this will affect her worth in the eyes of the men who were still unattached to a woman. A piece of property for them no less.

Only once her father stopped walking did Amelia dare to look up. Her lips pursed into a thin line as she heard Bone's voice. Her gaze flickered up towards her father as she allowed the words to wash over him. Romano Bianchi wasn't one to let people talk about how he disciplined his daughter and wife, abuse was a common thing, but being talked down to by someone like Bones surely sent the man into a corner. Still though, not wanting to make a bigger scene then was already being witnessed. Her father made a show to release Lia's arm and instead grab her arm. Then, without saying anything else, he started to leave once more.

Glancing over her shoulder, Amelia offered Bones a small smile as thanks and then followed after her father and stepmother.

(Want to do a time skip to something?)

Bone's let the pair of them leave, he'd made his point, and his threat. He then made his own way to his apartment.

Unlike many of the other members of the Chamorra family, who lived in luxury, with nice big houses, and very public lives. Bones, lived a minimalist life, the reality of his job and it's real consequences followed him in the back of his head. If any one in the family was gonna go to jail, it would be Bone's, after all he was the enforcer the very publicly violent member of the mafia.

As such, Bones' apartment, consisted of two rooms, his bedroom and on-suite, and the kitchen dining area. The place wasn't a slum, but it was simple, not extras, just what he needed. Bones' garage however, was were he spent most of his time, and kept all of his tools and toys.

It was several weeks before Bones was requested for a job for the family, he was needed at the compound. He packed up his tools and slipped them into the passenger seat of his car, a beautiful black Lamborghini Huracan. He then adjusted his tie, and climbed into the car, driving to the compound.

@ FallenHope95
[Sure]

@ A Drop On the Window
The weather in May was it's usual hot self. It was ninety something degrees out, perfect weather to sit outside and enjoy the soft warm breeze. Relaxing in her chair, a small sigh escaped from Amelia as she stretched her legs out and then stretched her legs out before putting them back under her chair and crossing them at the ankle.

The ice cubes in Amelia's lemonade clinked slightly as they started to melt. Her bright green eyes looked out towards the distance where nothing but wilderness ranged. Her friend Rosa sat in another chair, enjoying the shade that the large table umbrella was allowing them. "I wish we were allowed to use the pool," Rosa mumbled quietly as she glanced towards the right towards where a beautiful pool sat unused, beckoning for the girls to come and take a dip.

"But we can't, we'd be a distraction and my dad already told me to act my age," Amelia mumbled quietly, tearing her gaze from the pool and towards the vast nothingness once more. "But it's nearly a hundred degrees out, and they're making us wait out here while they do go knows what inside," Rosa complained once more before standing up from her seat. "We need to listen to them, Rosa, or they'll get mad we disobeyed. We're going shopping after this, remember?" Rosa ignored Amelia and kept walking towards the pool.

With each step, annoyance started to fill Amelia that Rosa wasn't listening. "Rosa," Amelia said in a warning to her friend and then stood up to walk after her friend. She called her name once more and then reached out to grab her friend's arm before she could jump into the pool. Then, in a flash, her supposed friend had somehow pushed her into the pool instead. Causing her dress to stick to her body as she became soaked.

A coughing fit escaped from Amelia as she surfaced and rubbed the water from her eyes. "That wasn't funny!" Amelia called after her friend who was laughing at her misfortune.

Bones' was surprised to be called as he made his way to the Capo's home, that he should divert to the Bianchi's place. Surprised and a little excited if he was honest with himself. Once he pulled into the driveway, he climbed out of the car, and headed inside, to talk privately.

The home was beautiful, and as he walked past the sun room, he noticed the short little thing from the Gala, sunning out by the pool, along with another woman. He kept walking, he was here on business. It was a tense conversation, between the two men, but apparently the Captain had an issue, that required his expertise. An ongoing persistent issue. Bones gathered the information he needed and began thinking of ways to remove the issue, in a permanent way.

After their business was concluded, Bones looked around the place, "you have moved up in the world Romano, good for you," he said lightly. He thought for a moment, "you should be aware, the young Niccola, has a problem with breaking his toys, in case you care," he said lightly. At that he moved towards the door.

@ FallenHope95

@ A Drop On the Window
After a couple of moments of laughing at her misfortune, Rosa finally reached out a hand to help a scowling Amelia out of the pool. To which, Amelia gladly accepted and then returned the favor. She pulled her friend into the pool with her. A squeal escaping from the other girl and a loud laugh from Amelia.

"Lia! You ruined my dress!" Rosa screamed once she surfaced. Lia laughed once more and then swam away from her friend a bit before splashing her with water. "That's what you get!" Lia said and then squealed and covered her face as she was splashed with water once more. The two continued to laugh and splash water at each other until the back door opened and a very angry looking Romano appeared in the doorway.

----

One of Romano's men was a traitor, he's suspected for a couple of weeks now but he's finally gotten proof. He would have gladly taken the prick out himself, but that would be going against the Capo as harming another made man was against their way of life. So, even though he didn't want to, he had to settle for contacting Bones.

Hatred for the Enforcer filled Romano's bones, but he would gladly accept the help to straighten the situation out. Especially if it meant keeping his beautiful wide and son safe. Once things were done being discussed Romano stood from his seat and moved to follow Bones towards the door. A small scowl appearing on his lips as he mentioned Niccola. The arrangement for the engagement announcement was almost complete and the fact that he knew that Niccola was mentioned was quite annoying.

"Well, some things need to be broken to learn to behave." Romano countered, knowing what Bones were getting at but not really caring. Amelia was from his first marriage, one that he didn't want in the first place. So he could honestly care less about her. "Besides, he's the only one who's offered for her hand. She's been eighteen for two months now." Romano mumbled then, his attention shifted as he heard the screams followed by laughter. "What the hell?" Romano mumbled and then moved towards the back door. His annoyance only grew as he saw Amelia and her friend clothed and in the pool. "Amelia!" Romano called as he opened the back door and glared at the girl in the pool.

Bones stayed cool, trying not to let his annoyance show on his face. At situation such as that, within the family, would only reach Bones' attention, or be worth mentioning if a trail of bodies was implied. It showed Bones, just how little the man cared about his daughter, that fact along with his rush to get her engaged, so young.

Bones, was allowed to ask for a girls hand, but he always felt awkward thinking about that. Most women in the family had a pretty skewed view of him, even without meeting him. That is one of the reasons he had never done it.

As the giggling and laughed echoed through the house, Bones smirked slightly, inside. He followed Romano outside to the pool area. He looked at her, in the pool, with her dress sticking to her form. "Amelia, how are you?" he asked softly. Bones almost considered making his interest known, but he knew how little respect Romano had for him. In fact he knew it bordered on despise.

He kept his arms behind his back, "Send him around to the bar to pick up some information, I'll take it from there," he said finally to Romano.

@ FallenHope95

@ A Drop On the Window
Both of the girls stopped what they were doing as soon as Romano's voice echoed outside. Amelia's bright green eyes widened and she looked forward like a deer caught in headlights. Then, her eyes shifted towards Bones as he appeared next to her father. "S-sorry. We fell in." Amelia told her father as she looked towards him. Moving towards the edge, Amelia debated on getting out but stopped herself. It would be considered scandalous getting out in wet clothing in front of a man she wasn't related to or engaged to.

"Hello, Bones. I'm doing well. How about you?" Amelia said politely as she looked at the Enforcer. Doing her best to offer him a small smile, and then sinking a little bit lower into the water to hide her blush.

--

A grumble escaped from Romano as Bones talked to Amelia. "I'll do that. Tomorrow sounds good?" He asked, glancing at Bones through the corner of his eye before turning his back to the man and heading inside. He called one of the servants and started to order her to bring out towels for the girls.

Bones nodded softly, "tomorrow works, thank you,' he said lightly. He looked down at the girls in the pool, "I am doing just fine, thanks for actually asking," he said lightly. That was something that Bones noticed in the way people dealt with him, as opposed to the others in the family, if it was a Bones' issue, it was straight to business no pleasantries.

"Enjoy your swim, it is a nice day for it," he said, before turning back towards the front of the house, and his vehicle.

It was odd to him, he'd only spent a couple fleeting moments with the girl, but she had shown him more courtesy than most of the captains and made men in the family. The only member of the family that knew his value, and made sure that Bones knew it too, was the Capo. After all, it's dirty business having to take out a made man from your own family.

@ FallenHope95

@ A Drop On the Window
Looking away from Bones, Amelia slowly moved towards the steps as a servant arrived with towels for the girls. A small smile as thanks was offered as Amelia accepted the towel and wrapped it around herself as she walked out of the pool. Her gaze kept on the gound as she felt her father's eyes burning a hole into her skin. Pissed and disappointed that she had yet again gone against his wishes to stay out of the pool.

Walking over towards the sun chairs, Amelia chanced a glance up and watched as that Bones guy left. Why he was even at her house was beyond her, her dad never brought Mafia business to the house. But, he was an enforcer, so it must be a huge situation if he of all people was the first one to be brought over.