"I'm in for piracy."  She admitted, "As for your sister, all I'm saying ... if only to make sure I don't sign myself up for a massive ass-kicking ... is that we don't talk about the discussions had during our drunken luncheons to anyone but one another.  She and I have to keep to the code of sisterly omerta.  BUT ... if I was the sort to do so, and I wasn't afraid of what she might do to me, I might ask when was the last time you did something fun with her ... you know, the two of you together?"

Realizing what Gavin found fun Tara might not she added, "And I mean something SHE enjoyed too."

Gavin sighed.

"We're just very different people. Her idea of fun usually winds up boring me. My idea of fun usually winds up stressing her out. I do what I want; she doesn't even know what she wants most of the time."

He shrugged.

"I can hear her now..."

His voice took on Tara's practical tone.

"Gavin, you must realize that you're not only representing yourself, but our whole crew and the entire city of Philadelphia. You must be on your very best behavior, reserved and polite. And under no circumstances should you do what you're thinking-"

Cutting off Tara and leaning forward, Gavin kissed Bella passionately.

"See? She'd be freaking out right now."

Grinning, he kissed her again.

Fresh off her flight from visiting Los Angeles, still with her sun hat on and glasses, she made her way through the airport exits. She has had a nice time visiting the beach and felt revived, there was something special about the sea air. She had also picked up some sweet treats for the family and have had been informed of a new family business in Downtown, Detroit.

"TAXI!" she shouted as she raised her hand to get one to stop. "Where to? I will take you anywhere, but not 12th Street!" the driver asked as he placed her luggage into the boot of the car. Lushie nodded, she had heard of the troubles in that district, it was one of the reasons she felt she had to get off her sun lounger at the beach and make her way home, "Please take me to Bennys Bar, in Downtown" she said as she saw the relief appear over the mans face. She got into the car as the driver did too and started to head off in the direction of Downtown. "I guess things pretty bad in 13th then?" Lushie asked the driver for him to snap in response, "Bad? Bad? I am on my 3rd windscreen! Its a war zone!" he said making Lushie feel bad for even asking. 

Soon enough the taxi pulled up beside the entrance to Bennys Bar, "Here you go Miss" the driver said a lot calmer as they both got out of the car, to fetch her luggage from the boot of the car. "I am sorry you have been caught up in the crossfires, here's the money for the fare and some extra. Don't argue, just take the gesture" Lushie said as she handed him over a wad of cash as she also thanked the man for the service. 

The cab drove off and Just as planned, Lushies bodyguards were there waiting for her as she greeted them. "Amber can you take my luggage back to the HQ for me please?" she asked one of them to run the errand for her as Amber picked up the luggage to comply as Lushie picked up the shopping back with the sweet treats to go enter the bar.

As Lushie entered the new bar, that's been opened by Vincent_Costello, she took a look around and was quite impressed. He had done the place up rather nice and by the looks of it, many had already had a fair few drinks under their belt. She smiled as she made her way over to the bar to order a drink, "Hey, congratulations on here Vincent" she said as she placed her shopping bag down by her feet, "May I have a double vodka martini please?" she asked as she ordered herself a drink. 

While she waited for her drink, Lushie could not help but wonder to why things seemed to be so calm, peaceful as if nothing was going on. People were socialising as if all was well. Has she missed the action? Have it all blown over? Compared to the going on in 13th Street, Downtown seemed the total opposite, "Well least it's not overspilled to here then" she said as her drink landed in front of her, "Thank you" she continued to say as she lifted her drink to take the first sip. 

Isabella gave Gavin a stern look and placed her index finger on his lips giving him a playfully annoyed look.  "Your sister doesn't object to your kissing me - in fact she encourages it.  She thinks I'm good for you."  Isabella smirked, wondering what that might have done to Gavin's mindset on the matter.

"In fact, she encouraged me in the strongest of words to spend more time with you."  She crossed one leg over the other and put space between her and Gavin.  "However, I won't say another word about it.  That was a very private and personal conversation between two women who have a great respect for each other and besides, I was so drunk I only remember about half of what was said reliably.  Your sister could easily drink me under the table I think..."

She chuckled.  "My point, however, was that she misses seeing you around.  Siblings are meant to give each other grief and she needs to get out from time to time and she's relied upon you for a lot of years to force fun upon her... just, maybe, make sure it's in small doses.  Tara-sized-bites of fun."

She waved the waitress over for another whiskey.  "I am glad we decided to come out tonight.  Really, I needed this."

Eddie stepped inside from out of the cold that was surrounding him outside. He’d come to Detroit on business, and wanted to stop in somewhere to rest up for a bit before he could take his flight back home to Philly. 

Meddle went over to the bar counter and placed his order for a drink. 

“I’ll take a shot of whiskey get you get a chance, my friend.”

Gavin sighed. He didn't like the idea of Tara meddling in his life; she excelled at her attempts to control him. But that was a discussion for another day. Still, about the two of them not spending much time together?

"Maybe you're right. It does seem like lately it's either her or me, rather than both of us. But yea, I'm also glad we came out. Especially if we get a poker game going."

Gavin winked, then caught sight of Eddie_Stobart at the bar and waved him over.

"Eddie! How the hell are ya?"

Hearing his name being called behind him, Eddie spotted Gavin. Funny thing was, he had called down to Tara's office in Philly earlier that day to arrange a meet with Gavin as the two hadn't been properly introduced yet. They had spoken maybe once or twice before now, but Eddie was rather glad to see his associate.

"Gavin, how the fuck are you? I called down to see you at your sisters place but you weren't in. I guess this is where you was hiding eh?"

Gavin chuckled.

"I need hide, Eddie. I just... tend to move around. Find myself some adventures, you know?"

Grinning, Gavin made his introductions.

"Isabella-Luciano, Eddie_Stobart. Eddie, Isabella. Isabella is one of the dons of this great city of Detroit, and Eddie is one of up and coming stars in the true Race Street family. You play poker, Eddie? And what were you looking for me about? Not in trouble, am I?"

Isabella gave Eddie her hand.  "Charmed."  She said with a bright smile.  "Any friend of ours working for Jack Mezzo, is truly welcome here.  Especially if you have money to lose in my poker game tonight.  Granted, most of it is bound to end up in Gavin's pockets.  He's a shark."  She winks at him.

She looks around, "Where the hell is William_Bowden???  If he doesn't get here soon I'll be too drunk to remember losing to you Gavin.  And I'd at least like to see my cash before it disappears into your pockets."

William hated waiting. He much preferred charging in and facing a problem head on. That's what made this whole experience with the FBN so frustrating.

That and Gavin. William was trying to put on a show of not taking offense to Gavin being here before he'd been told but it was a tough sell. He knew the poker game was going to be more of the same so when he walked into the bar and was shown to the gambling room he wasn't surprised to see Gavin seated alongside Isabella. Eddie was a surprise though. William stopped one of the servers before he reached the table.

"Whiskey, straight, don't let the glass stay empty."

Plastering a smile on for Isabella's sake, William approached the table and took a seat across from her. He'd promised to be calm about her doings with Gavin and he wasn't about to go back on that by forcing himself into the middle of whatever was happening. He'd keep them both in clear sight though. He had a feeling it would do more to avoid any awkwardness than the alternative. Turning first to Isabella, his smile became genuine.

"Thanks for asking me along, Angel. A good card game is just the thing for times like these."

Looking to Gavin his smile flattened to its previous state.

"Gavin, it'll be a pleasure to have another go at you. And your wallet."

Finally, William turned to grin conspiratorially at Eddie.

"Mr. Stobart, I should have known that I'd find you wherever money is changing hands. How goes it my friend?"

There were moments, brief ones, where she thought about never making a choice at all.  That maybe she could try to enjoy the best of all the men in her life instead of picking only one.  Usually, these moments were fueled by copious amounts of alcohol.  THIS was one such moment.

William was stunning.  He had a powerful gate - even in a suit she could see the lines of his well-defined fighter's muscles and it sent her blood thundering through her veins causing her to flush slightly.  She could tell he was ruffled, still.  He'd been ruffled ever since he arrived in Detroit - no doubt bitter that Gavin had been here with her, that he'd known about Elias first... perhaps even been the one to comfort her in her most distraught moments. 

She could imagine what Will thought of Gavin for doing such a thing... his good nature would see Gavin's actions as taking advantage when in truth it was she who took all the advantages of Gavin - always using this man who, as it turned out, actually was far nobler than anyone gave him credit. 

She drank her whiskey watching Will as he came towards the table and greeted everyone so properly.  Always, even in this state, he was golden - a child of the sun itself in all that he did and touched.  While Gavin, her fantastically gifted devil, danced her through shadows and teased every wicked adventure she never known to crave.  He was always tempting her to ecstasies, ever higher & more delightful; but William always remained constant, steady, and true and in that he was something of mana from Heaven.  Respite from the whirlwind that was Gavin's presence - the unending chaos that was so much fun, but also exhausting.  William was a rock in the storm, unassailable and unsinkable.  The last bit of sweetness in the bottom of a long sitting cup of tea.  Everything she told herself she'd always wanted to tie herself to, forever.  And here he was, wanting nothing more than to make that dream a reality... and yet, it was Gavin's lips she could still taste even now.

How did I come to be so cursed and so blessed? 

When William sat across from her, she startled ever so slightly.  She turned to Gavin and smirked, offering him the deck to deal from first.  Gavin's best bet of the night, that William would sit on her right side and not across from her in a seat that could easily become a throne of pleasure, had been a failing one.  It was cause for some mild amusement if nothing else... Gavin was seldom wrong (in her limited experience) when it came to pleasure. Truth was, if she'd been honest from the start, she never would have believed Gavin's suggestion Will would sit on her right side.  She suspected his reasons for choosing the seat furthest from her had more to do with Gavin's closeness to her & his desire not to be so near that which cut him like a knife.  

Some part of her wanted to slip her foot out of her shoe right this moment and welcome Will to the table properly just to let him know this bitterness of his was misplaced.  He too had her attention and affection... but no, that would be too cruel to Gavin & she could allow Gavin to steal Will's money as she joked earlier... if she did help Gavin win that way, it might seem she was giving one an advantage over the other.  That perhaps, despite her protests, she DID have a favorite.  No.  She'd know which of them held her heart (if any of them) in due course and she wouldn't allow anyone to believe they were favored above the others... at least that small thing she could TRY to do well since she could not undo what fate had done with their lives. 

With Gavin so near to her, and Will feeling so foul, she adjusted her mischievous plan to distract and steal into something sweeter.  It was something she would have done without prompting a year ago when courting men - something genuine & innocent.  It was, in many ways, more vulnerable - if she was being honest.  What she'd done in Montreal at the poker table certainly drove a man wild with hunger... but this was subtle and more powerful in its own way. 

Every human alive remembers that first touch.  That moment when someone of the opposite sex touches them with intention... the touch they yearned for and never knew they wanted until the moment was upon them.  It's a feeling that is seldom recreated in life because as one as an adult one has no need to resist or refuse lust... the innocence of love is lost with the innocence of youth.  Washed out to sea in tides of desires fulfilled.  BUT... on rare occasions, such as this one, when a touch has been resisted for a significant amount of time and finally comes to pass in secret ... well, even the gentle brush of a finger or foot could make one's heart quake with joy!  

Under the table, Isabella slid her foot forward and come alongside Will's.  She did nothing overtly sexual in nature, but spooned her foot tight alongside his and did not move.  The touch could not be mistaken as accidental. She watched his eyes, waiting to see that he noticed her.  She would say nothing to hurt Gavin, but gave the barest hint of a smile to Will hoping to communicate to him without words. 

You're not alone.  I'm thinking of you too.  Please, don't be sad.

She focused upon her foot, as if somehow he would feel the touch more keenly or understand it's meaning - it was a foolish thing to think... but she dared not move her foot, hopeful some part of her non-verbal communication might be received.

"So, what are we playing?"  She finished off her second whiskey feeling pleasantly buzzed already.  "Texas Hold 'em?  Name your game, Dealer."  She said to Gavin, waiting for his instructions for the more mundane game being played at the table tonight.

Gavin was perfectly content to wait until Bella had the plan she wanted. If him sitting around, drinking, and playing cards was "helping Detroit"... well, then he needed to help Detroit more often. Gavin watched William_Bowden with interest as the big man entered the room. If that was his best poker face... well, then this would be easier than he thought. Still, despite William's status as a rival, he couldn't help but like and respect the big fella. Gavin's smile was generous as he slapped William on the side of his shoulder and grinned. 

"Maybe you'll have better luck at my wallet than me."

With a wink, he returned to his seat as Isabella questioned what game they were playing.

"Texas Hold 'em. No limits... as always."

He grinned as he dealt the cards.

The cards went out and the games began - both the one of cards and the social jabs between two boys desperately wanting a girl's attentions.  Will was playing strong to start, but Gavin had a real way of getting under his skin.  And as Gavin declared himself the Ace and Will the King of the table (and likely her heart) Will faltered.  Gavin, was a true card shark.  For a time it seemed he was unstoppable. 

Isabella's whiskey never went dry and she'd lost count of the glasses she'd obliterated.  To say she was tipsy was a mild understatement.  Two million five lost she finally sat out. 

Will had pulled ahead for a time but then was TROUNCED by Gavin utterly as William went all-in on a King High Flush ... Gavin, ironically had the ace.  The salt was so strong at the table she could taste it in her drink.  The two were getting more and more serious and she feared where this was going to end.  What had been friendly jabs at first had a bit more of an edge with money lost and egos on the line. 

The hour was pretty late, she considered telling the boys she was packing it in and heading home to the Tower.  Perhaps that would end it?  In fact, she should - she had spent more money at the table than she had to spare with her father's increased tribute expectations.  Which, SHIT, in all the excitement about Elias she'd was late with for the second week running!  If she wasn't his daughter then he'd likely send goons to rough her up...

Which was EXACTLY what she started to think she was hearing when the sound of shattering glass and the voice of a panicked waitress reached her ears.  Neil stepped up to her side while her other bodyguards went upstairs to investigate and did not return. 

It might be a disagreement over cash or a drunk patron.  Or...

"WHO OWNS THIS FUCKING DUMP?!?"  A man in a fine suit asked as he came strutting into the room flanked by a group of men Isabella had never seen before - some of whom made William look small by comparison.  

"Whose the fuck are dese clowns?"  Isabella slurred quietly to the men at her table.

One goon had a bat in his hand which he proceeded to swing at a large mirror on the wall sending it in shards raining down.  Isabella startled, women screamed, mafioso all around the gambling hall was suddenly VERY aware they were in the middle of... something - but what?

One of the men grabbed a petite brunette waitress by her hair and growled into her face which was twisted up in pain, "Get your fucking boss, right now, Toots - tell him the Drew McMasters' 12th Street Mafia would like a fucking word with his 'Ivory' ass!"

Isabella blinked hard, they were here to fuck up her people!   NOT on watch, especially when hyped up on liquid courage and wanting a fight so bad she couldn't stand it.  She shot up out of her seat, "I'M RIGHT HERE, SHIT HEAD." She proclaimed.  "You got something to say to me?"

"Don Luciano?"  The man almost purred, he was clearly surprised but also pleased with himself.  "Boys..." He said to his goons.  "The Godfather wants a word with that fucking cunt, GET HER!"

That was when ALL HELL broke loose.

Gavin moved as "GET HER" was still echoing against the walls. He launched himself over the table and connected with the chin of the first man who'd come after them. It leveled the goon, but it left Gavin vulnerable to the next approaching enemy.

Fortunately, or perhaps as Gavin had planned, Will was able to intercept- if he chose to do so.

William hadn't heard of these bastards before, but he was thankful to have an outlet for his frustration at Gavin. When things started moving he pushed away from the table just in time to see Gavin's wild shot at the first man. As the second came at Gavin from the side a part of Will's mind said he could leave him to his overconfidence. It would be a fitting way to drop the high he was riding.

It was never really an option though. Gavin was family no matter how much they competed and fought. Will's feet were pushing him forward without hesitation to launch into the next thug. He was a big man, maybe even big enough to keep up with Will if they'd traded blows. Fortunately, William wasn't planning on that. Instead he grabbed one of the poker chairs and broke it across the man's head, dropping him to the floor in a heap.

"That's one Gavin. Don't make it a habit." Will didn't get a chance to say more as the rest of the intruders were pushing past their fallen friends and forced him to focus on defending.

Gavin winked back at Will as he scrambled to his feet and charged at the crowd of thugs approaching them, not giving Bella time to move.

Gavin's hands moved faster than Bella had ever seen; Will had seen them move that fast, but only once. He threw himself into the crowd of assailants, sending out rapid strikes against multiple opponents. He did damage- a decent amount, by the way the wave of enemies halted, but in throwing so many punches he'd left up little defense. His reflexes allowed him to dodge a couple of them, but there was no dodging the fist that emerged from the crowd and connected with Gavin's chin, stunning him momentarily. A few more punches landed before a giant of a man lifted Gavin up and threw him back towards the poker table. He landed on it with a crash as the table tipped over. 

Bella saw his face twisted with pain for a moment; then he was on his feet, leaping over the table and stumbling- this time moving to support Will in a much more cautious fashion. 

Draven happened to be walking by the new bar and looked up at the stars that night. They seemed to twinkle down on Detroit and she couldn't help but smile. Hearing a scream come from the bar she stepped back around the corner and looked in the window. It had seemed that some thugs were in there attempting to rough up a few of those she called family. 

"Damn it... Why does this always happen.." Draven looked down at her smoke and then felt for her gun that she had on her thigh. She drew in one last puff and then casually walked up to the door. Drawing in a deep breath she threw open the door and then watched for a moment. 

Ducking abruptly, she felt the cool liquid splash from the wall onto the back of her shirt, as she heard the glass shatter behind her. Taking a few more steps in she let the door shut behind her and then gave a grin at Isabella. 

Isabella ducked beer bottle flew just over her head.  Gavin and Will were doing one hell of a job keeping her out of harm's way and it was SERIOUSLY pissing her off.  She didn't call out the asshole in charge just to stand back and watch people fight for her!

Gavin crashed into the poker table, splintering it at her feet - the lovely gambling hall was already becoming a demolition zone!  Taking up a leg of the table she crouched down low and smacked a guy, who was beating on Will;s face pretty hard, in the kneecaps.  

Looking towards the door she notices more men were coming!  This wasn't a street gang, and this wasn't a simple bar fight - it was the start of a fucking war!

"WE GOT COMPANY!"  She screamed out to the mafiosi in the room.  Isabella dodged a foot meant to kick her upside the head while she was low, but ran right into the fist of some asshat who she'd never seen coming.  For an instant, she saw stars and nearly sicked up all over her assailant as a consequence.  

The man grabbed her arm, calling out to his boss, that he had her... but Isabella wasn't done fighting, not by a long shot.  She pulled up the table leg with one arm - not hefting it with her full power - but none the less laying it hard upside the man's head sending him to the floor.  

Isabella spun round, expecting more trouble when the door came open again; instead, she got the best news she'd had all day!  Draven, her father's right-hand man loomed largely over the chaos, backlit like some avenging angel by the street lights.  If Draven was here that meant her father, Godfather Salvatore_Luciano had to know about this self-proclaimed Godfather McMasters and his 12th Street Mafia!  Maybe Draven was leading a group of men to help her Tower people fight them off!

"WELCOME TO THE PARTY DRAVEN!"  She called out dodging the next man's trying to take her captive.

Draven wasn't quiet sure what she had stepped into but she was damn sure before she got too far involved that she was going to get a drink. Dodging a few flying beer bottles she made it to the bar, and then casually reached over, grabbed a bottle popped it open and then took a large swig. Seeing the bartender huddle down in the corner of the bar she tossed him a few bills and smiled. 

The beer she had seemed slightly not as refreshing as she had hoped for and then suddenly felt a hand hit her across the face. Turning she stood face to face with none other then one of the mobsters that had tried to take over their city. 

"Really you fucking little shit..."  She used her free hand and wiped a bit of blood from the corner of her lip and then before the guy could swing again she grabbed him by the back of the head and smashed his head into the wood of the bar. Bits of the wood splintered up and stuck into his skin. Pulling him up she repeated the proccess until blood sputtered from the guys mouth. 

"Want to do that again?" She took one last swig of her beer then broke the bottle over the mans head. 

"Who the fuck is next."