Honey and Blood Don't Mix

@ Sweet.Persephone
Orlando felt Rosemary’s fingers in his hair and smiled. He turned his head enough to look at her, a big smile on his face. He mouthed the words ‘I love you’ before going back too his conversation on the other side of the phone. Now that Rosemary knew he was much more candid in his conversations. He didn’t have to focus on his wording and make sure something didn’t slip. He was much more vulgar and straight to the point in front of her now. It felt good not to have to hide it from her.

Orlando finished the call and slid his phone into his pocket before he made his way into the the kitchen. “Good morning, beautiful.” He murmured and moved over to Rosemary. The man placed a kiss on her head before he moved to the table to sit down. His eyes glanced at the countertop and he smirked as he saw the reminents from their fun the night before.

Orlando yawned and looked across the room at Rosemary. “I know you’re still a little freaked out by what I do, but would you ever help me with it?” He asked and raised an eyebrow. “Not any of the actual like gang stuff I’d never ask you to put yourself in danger. But like you’re studying business. I think you could help me do the books and accounting stuff. I think you could help me make it so I can actually run it like a real business, y’know. Buy a building. Make a fake business and launder more money. I think you’d be the perfect person for that.” He said and looked down, shrugging his shoulders. “Just a thought I guess.”

@ BadStreetBoys

"Good morning, handsome," Rosemary purred to Orlando as he made his way over to her. Once he pressed a kiss against the top of her head, a smile came over her lips and she reached out, taking his hand for a moment and squeezing it before letting go. She moved her attention back to the half eaten bowl of cereal in front of her, at least until Orlando started to talk again.

Though his words caused her to let out a little sigh and glance off to the side. "I am not so sure that I would." Rosemary told him. "Although I am accepting that it is what you do for a living, I am not so interested in possibly getting caught and thrown in jail." She turned her head to look back at him. "Though I think that if you get caught, you want me to as well so we can share the same jail cell," Rosemary teased Orlando.

"Besides, I like the idea that if you were ever to get caught, that I have a possibility of saying that I had no idea what was going on. And it still sounds... dangerous, even if I would just be working on books." Rosemary turned back to her cereal. "Besides, who is going to send us things into the jail if both of us are stuck there? I think you'll want me on the outside so I can send you good stuff." Rosemary joked before taking another bite of her cereal.

@ Sweet.Persephone
Orlando nodded slightly, he was disappointed. But he also thought she still might come around to the idea of helping him if he brought it up slowly enough. “Honey, my family has done this for generations, and no ones gone to prison yet.” He countered with a goofy grin. It was true. He and his father and grandfathers had never gone. Sure some of the low level guys got caught and did time, even some of his higher up men had. But the top, they never had. “Plus I’m big and dumb how am I supposed to do business math.” He teased with a fake pout.

“What’s dangerous about math?” He said and laughed. “You’re just telling me I’m getting the right amount of money each week. And if I’m not I’ve gotta knock someone’s head around.” Orlando laughed At her comment. “Well I mean, I have guys to do that shit. Trust me, Rose, I’ve got plenty of connections.” Orlando began to make himself a bowl of cereal. He would bring it up again. If only to ask for her help because he really wasn’t sure if he was doing everything right.

Orlando began to munch on the cereal, occasionally glancing at Rosemary, a smile on his face. “What plans do you have today? Besides telling Vincent that you sorta like the bad boy?” He asked with a grin, taking another bite. Orlando finished his bowl and drank the milk from it. From his seat he gently tossed the bowl and spoon into the sink, hen turned his attention back to Rosemary. He checked the time, he knew he would have to head out soon.

@ BadStreetBoys

She glanced back over at Orlando, thinking over what he was saying. It still wasn't what she wanted to do. To run the books and profit margins for a criminal empire? He said that it wasn't dangerous but... just getting involved into something like that could get her in trouble. Hell, just being associated with Orlando could get her in trouble. No, she didn't want to just increasing her risk of something happening.

"You have plenty of connections, enough to find yourself a great accountant." Rosemary said with a smile as she stood up from the table. She walked over to him, pressing a gentle kiss against Orlando's cheek before heading over to the kitchen to wash out her bowl. "And I am sure you can offer more than enough money to someone to ensure that they won't be skimming off the top. Though, I imagine they would be too scared to do that with the idea they might get shot and buried somewhere." She stuck her tongue out at him. "I think you have it handled without me."

Rosemary leaned against the wall, looking over at him as she crossed her arms. "Not the exact words I am going to say to my brother but yes I will be talking to him today about you. Besides that, I have a lot of homework to get done, that I have been avoiding for days so going to focus my attention on that. And you'll be heading off to work today?"

@ Sweet.Persephone
Orlando sighed but nodded, he would accept it for now. But he knew with Rosemary in his life he had to integrate her in some way. It would be so that his gang accepted her as one of them, then they would protect her with as much vigor as he planned to. They didn’t have many women in the gang and they few they did have were the most protected of anyone besides Orlando. They were like little sisters to everyone and no one wanted to see them in danger or hurt. He tapped his fingers on the table for a minute before relenting.

“Okay honey.” He murmured and smiled up at her. He rolled his eyes with a chuckle as she stuck her tongue out at him. “You’re right I do have enough but I do not trust anyone with my money or my finances. Or really any of that stuff. The only people who know about it are me and my father.” He told her with a grin. “Yes shot let’s go with that.” He said and laughed. That was one way to scare people, but Orlando knew much better ways to get his point across.

Orlando smirked slightly, he enjoyed teasing Rosemary about Vincent. The man hoped for the best in this conversation but his instincts always told him to prepare for the worst. “Well let me know how that conversation goes. Yes I’ll be at work but you know I’m always available to you.” He murmured and took her hand before kissing her knuckles. “Speaking of, I do have to get going. If you wanna come over later, Wel you know where the spare key is.” He said and laughed. Orlando got up and moved to Rosemary’s side, he kissed her on the lips before kissing her forehead. “I love you, I’ll talk to you later baby.” He said befor he grabbed his coat and headed out the door.

@ BadStreetBoys

Rosemary pulled her jacket tighter around her body as she glanced up at the sign of the restaurant. She knew that Vincent was in there, and she was a little more than just nervous to tell him that she had gotten back together with Orlando. Although Vincent had assured her that he wasn't pleased about the break up, and just wanted to ensure that Rosemary was safe, she knew that was a lie. Of course her older brother was glad that she had broken up with Orlando. It was what he wanted from the beginning, and she understood why. Orlando lived a dangerous life but... Well Rosemary found it impossible to not want to be with him. It was going to be a rough lunch.

Heading inside, Rosemary glanced around until she saw where he was sitting. She took in another deep breath before heading over to him, with a smile on her face. There was no reason to let him think that something was wrong before she told him. She just wasn't sure if she should tell Vincent at the beginning of the lunch or towards the end.

"Hey," Rosemary said as she walked up to the table. She slid off her jacket, hanging it on the back of the chair before sitting down across from him. "How is it going? Were you able to get here okay?"

@ Sweet.Persephone
Vincent was surprised when Rosemary wanted to meet up for lunch again. He thought she just wanted some more information on Orlando to help get a little more closure. As much as he hated the man for trying to get with his sister, he understood her being hurt by the breakup and wanted to help her through it in any way that he could.

Vincent arrived a few minutes early, he was led off to a table and sat playing a game on his phone as he waited for Rosemary. He heard her approach and quickly shut the game off and turned his attention towards his baby sister. “Hey Rose.” He said and smiled. “It’s fine, I’m fine. Are you doing okay?” He said as worry seemed to fill his eyes. “Of course I did.”

Vincent smiled up at the waitress as she came over and asked for a drink order, he ordered a coke before his attention was back on Rosemary. “I know you’re having a hard time with your breakup, why not come by the club sometime? There’s plenty of regulars there who I think you’d connect well with. I hate seeing my baby sister so sad.” Vincent said to her as he began to look at the menu. “You deserve better than that lowlife anyways, Rose.”

@ BadStreetBoys

As her eyes met his, Rosemary could feel some of the anxiousness creeping into her chest. The worry in Vincent's eyes were as clear as day. And she knew the only reason he was looking at her like that was because he thought she was going through a particularly bad breakup. She reached her hand up, rubbing the back of her neck, looking off to the side of the restaurant. "It's been okay," She murmured to him.

With the menu in front of her, Rosemary decided to turn her attention to that. She glanced down, looking all of the food options. Though as Vincent continued on, she started to tap on it lightly. It seemed Vincent was more than ready to talk about Orlando, maybe she should just say something now that he had brought it up?

"I am not sure that I would want to come do that," Rosemary said, wanting to turn down Vincent's invitation. "I mean how well do you really know them anyways? They could be like..." She trailed off, her lips pursing a bit before deciding to continuing on. Though her eyes shifted up from the menu, looking over at Vincent to gauge his reaction. "Besides, Orlando wasn't that bad. He is not some kind of low life... His job is a bit scary, that's all."

@ Sweet.Persephone
Vincent shook his head. “I know them, Rose. They’re good people. And even then you could just come for fun. Don’t have to look for a new date right away.” He said and laughed softly. Although this expression changed a bit as she began to downplay Orlando’s true job. He furrowed his eyebrow in confusion. He didn’t even know the half of what that man and his gang were capable of and she was just thinking it was a little scary?

“Rosemary, it’s more than a bit scary.” He said concerned. “This guy is probably a murderer, you’re better off without him. Safer without him. I gave you the information I had and I don’t even know everything.” He set his menu down as he focused his full attention onto his sister. “He’s a lowlife who’s gonna end up dead or in prison. You are going to go somewhere. You’re gonna be some big shot businesswomen, Rose and I can’t wait.” He said and reached out to squeeze her hand. “You don’t need any man holding you back.”

@ BadStreetBoys

The more Vincent spoke, the tighter she felt her chest getting. This was not going to go over well. Though Rosemary also didn't want to hear anymore of this. She just had to tell him the truth, allow Vincent to get all of his screaming out now and then hopefully, he could get over this quickly.

Rosemary took in a deep breath, squeezing Vincent's hand gently before pulling away. "I just think you're being a little dramatic about the whole thing. And, I just don't believe that Orlando is going to drag me down or be who you make him out to be. And he's more than just what he does during the day. But, the truth is Vinny, is that I like him. I like Orlando a lot and we're dating again."

She watched the man closely, waiting for Vincent to blow up, which he most certainly was going to do with this new information.

@ Sweet.Persephone
Vincent frowned as she spoke, the frown only worsening the more the words poured out of Rosemary’s mouth. He was shocked and disappointed in his baby sister. He was sure that he had won after showing her who Orlando really was. He took a deep breath and looked down at his hands, which he folded on the table for a moment.

“What the hell are you thinking?!” He yelled, in an almost hushed tone, trying not to draw attention to them. “This man literally runs the crime syndicate of the city. I told you to look up his name, have you even seen what he’s capable of?” Her brother was pissed. Vincent had to keep his sister safe. “If he doesn’t hurt or kill you his lifestyle definitely will. Rose I love you and you’re so smart. But this is the dumbest fucking thing you’ve ever done.”

To say Vincent was irate was an understatement. The man knew his sister was just as stubborn as him, so he began planning a backup in his mind. If he got the mob boss arrested, he had to stay away from Rose. There was no way she would visit him in jail. “I just don’t get how someone so smart can be so dumb.” Vincent shook his head in disappointment. “What did he do to you Rose? You’re smart and pretty and funny. You can do so much better than some lowlife scum like that.”

@ BadStreetBoys

Rosemary glanced around the restaurant as Vincent started to hush yell at her. It seemed that the way he was talking wasn't really drawing attention, which was good. She didn't exactly want others to be a part of their situation, but at the same time there was a reason Rosemary decided to have this talk out in public. Vincent wasn't really the type to make a scene. Which meant she didn't have to listen to him scream at her at the top of his lungs.

Her eyes turned back to him, the frown on her face was deep. "He didn't do anything to me, Vincent. I just..." Rosemary took in a deep breath. "I saw everything, okay? I read all of those news reports about him. And I know that he runs a literal crime syndicate." Her voice was low, keeping the conversation between them. "Okay, it's not that I don't understand what he does or what is going on. But you only know him from all of that. I know Orlando, the real Orlando. He means so much to me. I care about him so much and when we were broken up for the few days it felt like my world was ending. It was nothing like any of my breakups before, it pained me to my core. I didn't do anything, couldn't find the will or the desire to do anything because I thought I would never see him again. I know this sounds crazy, we've only been dating for a month but Orlando is - Honestly, Vincent, I think he may be my soulmate. I have never felt like this about someone before."

Rosemary held onto her menu, looking away as she felt her face growing a bit red. It felt so odd talking about Orlando like this but it was how she felt. "Orlando would never hurt me. He's not like that. I don't even think he would ever even want to say something that might simply upset me. He's so good to me, he cares about me so much. Orlando loves me. And I know that he won't let anything hurt me either. Yes, his life is a little scary but when I am around him, I feel so safe. So loved. He's an amazing boyfriend and in so many ways, he's better than any person I have dated before. I just can't imagine my future without him, Vinny. I know you don't understand but can you please give him a chance for me?" Rosemary looked up at him, reaching out to take his hand. "Please, for me. I promise you'll see that he's good for me."

@ Sweet.Persephone
Vincent could not believe the words he was hearing come from his little sister’s mouth. She had always been the smart one in the family snd here she was sounding like an absolute idiot. That lowlife had brainwashed her and it irritated Vincent beyond believe. He could feel his face turning red and his hands shaking from the anger. How could his sister love a gangster like him?

Vincent swallows hard to prevent himself from yelling and causing a scene. “You’re being stupid, Rose. You really are. He’s brainwashed you are something. You’re too good for him, you deserve better. You don’t know what he’s capable of. You don’t want to get caught up in this life you could end up in prison or dead.” Vincent shook his head. He had to figure out how to keep that evil man from his sister. He had seen what Orlando was capable of when he was still a lowlevel mobster, he didn’t want to imagine what the man could do now.

Vincent stood up and shook his head at her. “You’re gonna regret this Rose. You need to stay away from him.” He said keeping it simple. Vincent grabbed his keys off the table before he headed out to his car. He didn’t want to take his anger out on Rosemary who didn’t deserve it. It was that piece of shit who deserved it. Vincent sat in his car, tapping his fingers on the wheel. He decided to go back to the car shop. He wasn’t sure what he was going to do, but something needed to be done about this asshole.

When Vincent arrived he saw Orlando talking on the phone and pacing outside. As he sat and watched an idea came to his head. Orlando couldn’t mess with Rosemary if he was stuck in a prison cell. Vincent pulled out his phone as he dialed the number to the police station, having memerized it from needing to use it at the club often. “Hello yes I’d like to report a suspicious man carrying a gun. Yea it’s down by the Burton Auto Shop. He’s over 6ft tall, big, mid twenties. I dunno it’s just weird.” Vincent smirked as he hung up and knew officers were on their way. He knew they would gladly take any reason they could to arrest the mobster.

@ BadStreetBoys

Once Vincent stormed out, Rosemary's head dropped forward into her hands. Tears were welling up in her eyes but she tried her best to stop, wanting at least enough time to get out of the building. With that goal in mind, Rosemary reached into her bag and dropped down enough money to coverage their drinks before getting up and hurrying out of there.

She pulled on her coat as she walked out of the building, getting the hood and zipper up in an attempt to cover some of her face. Rosemary walked out to the sidewalk, calling a cab as she pulled out her phone. Though by the time one of the cars pulled over, thick tears were already running down her face. She got in, telling the woman the address before turning her face away and clicking on Orlando's contact.

As the phone rang, Rosemary pulled the hood down farther. Although she couldn't stop the sniffles and little sobs she was making, at least she could stop the cab driver from watching.

@ Sweet.Persephone
Orlando frustratedly hung up on one of his men just as Rosemary began to call him. A smile spread across the man’s lips as he saw her name. He saw the time snd realized her meeting with Vincent was probably over and it must not have gone well. If it had Orlando would have heard about it tonight after they got him. “Hey baby, you okay?” He asked as he answered the phone. The man began to pace again, he had a bad habit of pacing while he spoke on the phone.

Orlando could hear the sobs from across the phone as soon as he answered. “Was it Vincent? Or do I have to kick someone’s ass?” He asked softly. His heart hurt thinking of Rosemary being upset. Orlando glanced up for a moment as he saw a flash of red and blue, his eyebrows furrowing together. A moment later he saw two police cars pull in front of his shop.

Orlando moved towards the cars, he couldn’t tell if he was more pissed or annoyed. These pigs had no reason to be at his shop. As he was approaching them two of the officers pulled guns and pointed them at him. “Hey what the ducks he shouted quickly holding his hands in the air snd showing them all he had was a cellphone in his hand. “Drop the cell phone, Burton!” The officer called out. “What the fuck is this about? Why are you here?” He said as he placed the phone carefully in his pocket. The first officer kept his guntrained on Orlando as the other moved over and began to pat the man down. “We got a call of a suspicious man with a gun.” The officer retorted. Just as the officer said that the other one killed a gun off of Orlando’s ankle. “Well lookie here, I know you don’t have a permit for this, Burton.” The officer said smugly. Orlando glowered at the men, but followed orders as he was put into cuffs and in the cruiser. Orlando’s phone was still on the call as they began to drive back towards the station. “You know Burton you can make this shit so much easier for yourself. We’ve got you on one thing, now we can find all your other shit.” Orlando scoffed. “Well officer I’m invoking my right to an attorney and my right to remain silent, so that’s all you’re getting from me.” The man growled lowly, clearly pissed.

@ BadStreetBoys

"No, I'm not okay," Rosemary whimpered into the phone. "And it's Vincent. Y-you don't have to go beat anyone up. But we didn't even make it to ordering our food a-and I-i." The young woman started to cry harder though she forced herself to quiet down once she heard commotion on the other end. At first she was just trying to figure out what was happening on the other side, but that became clear as she heard Orlando getting arrested with a gun on him. Could this day get any worse?

The woman took a deep breath, forcing herself to stop crying as she tried to think over what to do. Though it was hard to think as she listened as her boyfriend was getting dragged off to jail. Fuck. Maybe Orlando was about to get caught for everything. Nervously, she started playing with the zipper of her coat. Though as she paid for her cab and got out of the car, Rosemary could hear Orlando invoking his right to an attorney. It gave her an idea but she was going to have to get in contact with someone else.

Rosemary hurried into Orlando's house, using the hidden key to get in. Once she calmed down the loving pup, Rosemary headed to the house phone and called the shop. When someone picked up, she told them that Orlando was getting brought to the police station and that he needed his lawyer - if anyone knew who that was. The man on the other line assured that it would be handled and with that, Rosemary waited.

@ Sweet.Persephone
Orlando knew that these officers were going to absolutely revel in the fact they had arrested him. He wanted to wipe the stupid smug smirk right off their faces. But the man’s father had taught him well, he knew he had to be smart and stay calm. Orlando remained silent for the rest of the ride. He needed to call his attorney as soon as they arrived at the station, but he doubted that would happen. These officers weren’t on his payroll and he knew they just be some lowlevel street cops, thinking they would make it big for arresting the crime boss.

As they arrived the officers tugged the man out of the cab, purposely slowing him to smack his head off the car door frame. Orlando glared at the officer but followed inside. He was still cuffed as they began to take his mug shot. “Hmm and here I thought these things came off.” He mocked. Orlando went through the process of getting a mug shot taken, his fingerprints done, his personal items being held, and being brought into an interrogation room.

“What do you have to question me about? You caught me red handed, open and shut case. But doesn’t matter anyways. I want my lawyer and I want to remain silent.” Orlando said snd glowered at the officers. He placed his cuffed hands on the table and tapped on it as the officers left the room for the moment.

@ BadStreetBoys

The moment Mr. Reynolds received the call about his best client being taken off to jail, he was on his way to the police station. In fact, the man had literally taken a U-Turn in the middle of the road and canceled his next few meetings on the way there. He had a lot of clients but none of them mattered as much as Mr. Burton. And that definitely showed at the end of every month when he got his check.

When the man walked into the police station, asking to see his client, the officers were thrown off that Mr. Burton's lawyer was already there. After all, he had not gotten his chance to call yet. Though, the man was there and they could not turn away his lawyer. So they allowed him into the interrogation room begrudgingly.

"Good afternoon, Mr. Burton." Mr. Reynolds said as he walked into the room. "I got a call saying that a little birdie told the shop you were brought in today. Though Mr. Davids did not know why they had arrested you. So tell me what brought you in today and then I'll work on getting you out of here by tee time." The man joked lightly.

@ Sweet.Persephone
Orlando was frustrated as he sat alone in the room. Though his eyes moved up as the officers stepped into the room again. “My lawyer?” He asked and the first officer shook his head. “You know, Orlando, there was a shooting down by the docks a couple weeks ago. Someone from the south side ended up dead. That’s not too far from your shop is it?” Orlando stayed silent and the cop continued. “We know you and your gang were the ones who killed that boy. Now was it you? Or one of your lackeys. Maybe if you tell us we can cut you a deal with the DA, and you’ll be out early enough you can go cause some havoc in the nursing home.” The officer said with a laugh.

The second officer began to pipe in. “Oh or what about that new methanphetamine that has hit the streets. Who else could afford a drug like that? Do you really want to go to federal prison for drug trafficking? They’re a lot harder on you upstate than here. We are here to help you. Just give us some info and we can help.” Orlando glared at the men but knew to keep his mouth shut. Soon after another officer came in and quickly grabbed the two and dragged them out as Orlando’s lawyer had arrived unexpectedly.

Orlando was surprised that the interrogation stopped but grinned at Mr. Reynolds. “There’s my favorite person.” He said as he reached out with both hands, since he was still cuffed. “That must have been my girlfriend. We were on the phone when I got arrested so she heard it. And of course those idiots didn’t know. They’re clueless.” He said and laughed heartily. Orlando loved his lawyer. “Well apparently someone reported a suspicious man with a gun. Now did I have an illegal firearm on me? Yea. But no one could see it so I don’t know who called. Also those idiots didn’t stop questioning me about the recent shooting snd some new drugs. I mean I have no idea about those things but I think it’s just so rude to question a man waiting for his lawyer.” Orlando said with a big smirk on his face. “Oh man, you’ll have to come by the house sometime and meet the girl. Shes.. amazing man.”

@ BadStreetBoys

Mr. Reynolds glanced down at Orlando's hands as he moved to shake his. The man was quick to shake Orlando's hand but was also shaking his head at the same time. "Still have the cuffs on then? Must be a serious charge then." He said as he moved to sit down on the same side of the table as Orlando. He set his briefcase down and pulled out a notepad and a pen, ready to take down whatever he needed for later.

"Oh yea, you got a girlfriend now? Well good thing she's quick on her feet otherwise I wouldn't be here right now." He said with a laugh, nudging Orlando as he did so. "Alright, from your story sounds like someone is out to get ya but that's just me thinking out loud. Now lets focus on the charges here. Possession of an unregistered firearm is a fine up to $500 or jail for two years. Now, I won't be able to let you walk out of here with nothing since they caught you but we'll get you out by dinner with only the fine. Maybe I can see your girl when I drop you off at your house. As for their speculations, don't answer anything about that. We both know you didn't do it and besides, their just talking out of their ass."

Mr. Reynolds turned to Orlando, giving him a wink. "Now tell me, where did you find the gun today? And what held you up from bringing it down to the police station as a good citizen would do?"