She'd been right, of course. Catalina had always trusted her gut, and true to form, it followed her until death.

During the 'meeting' she held with Konnor, a waiter interrupted, beside himself in a blind panic. Words spilled out of him, right there in front of the man clad in leather.

"There's an urgent call, Ma'am! They're dying!"

"Who?" Both she and Konnor stood at the same time, but Catalina was the one on the move, towards the kitchen where the phone there was dangling from its cord on the wall. Catalina reached down for it, heard the click behind her head, and released a knowing laugh before the bullet exploded and her world went black.

***

A week later, a blue-eyed, raven-haired woman appeared at the clubhouse door. Several oversized bikers blocked her path, but she didn't fear them like any sane person would. 

"You don't understand. This is important, I have to speak to Konnor. It's regarding Miss Rey...Byrne. I worked for her. At the restaurant, I was a chef there," she added quickly.

"Please, just tell him it's about... Lina."

Many of the brothers looked at her, wondering why she made the journey here.....Konnor hadn't even made it back yet, Joel looked over at them, wondering what the fuck was going on. Only then the tell-tale roar of Konnor's bike was heard throughout, many of the brothers smiled but two of them kept their eyes on this woman. Why....why would Konnor need to know about Catalina Rey? 

"He's right over there if you wish to talk with him, although making the journey here...that's gotta be something. Why didn't you talk to anyone back in New York? Actually...don't answer that."

Konnor had been a bit different since that week of murder, his eyes were filled with a coldness seemingly. Almost like he could only focus on the club life and that he did, he was already making the preparations for the trip to Ireland. He spoke with many of the other brothers, knowing that was going to be one of the many things that he needed to take care of first.

"What's this Zaza? What's she doing here, one of yours?"

Konnor bluntly asked as he narrowed his eyes on the woman for a second before dismissing her like she was nothing. Not even paying her any mind, it was clear that he was in no mood for surprises. 

"No...she asked about you, wanted to talk about Lina.."

Konnor raised an eyebrow. He looked at the woman for a second, directing her inside the clubhouse with a bob of his head. Deciding to see what she wanted to talk about, he had a tiny bit of hope for something...he had no idea what to expect though.

Tall, dark, and troubled. It was the most fitting description one could give this Konnor fellow, but she knew the minute he pulled up on his bike why her late boss had gotten all glossy-eyed and dreamy-looking when she spoke of him that day she died. Catalina had come into the restaurant all out-of-sorts and moody, getting things in order before she left for Columbia. 

"City. I need you to do something for me, in case I don't make it back."

Symplicity had paled at the words, but accepted the envelope that was being held out to her.

"Give that to Konnor. Remember the bikers that came in a few days ago? The one in charge. There's an address written on the back of the envelope, it's pretty far out but you can find it easily enough. Make sure he gets it," she'd said, and then, as if she'd summoned him, the man himself had shown up, and everything about Catalina's demeanor had changed. City had watched from the kitchen like an avid voyeur while the two had made awkward small talk and, at one point, she was almost positive they kissed. 

And then the awful thing had happened, and a man had entered through the back, threatened them, forced them all into the walk-in cooler, leaving one young waiter to go out and tell Catalina there was a call for her. They'd all heard the single gunshot, and no one wanted to go out there afterwards, even though it had been so damn cold on there.

Now, here she was, a romantic at heart who hoped she was giving this man a love token from the woman they'd both lost.

"I don't know what's in there. I do know that you made her very happy. I hope I'm lucky enough to find something special like that one day," she said, then turned to go. She had packing to do and a plane to catch, Chicago was waiting. But as she walked away, it was sure difficult not to turn around and glance back at the man who'd really and truly captured Donna Rey.

Inside the envelope is an enormous sum of cash and a brief note:

Konnor,

Money is such an impersonal gift to give, but I know what it can do for you, and the club. 

There are so many other things I would have preferred to give, but time and fate simply didn't allow it. 

Yours,

Lina

"Hey, wait for a minute...sit down."

Konnor motioned for her to take a seat, looking over at one of the prospects...motioning for them to bring over two glasses and a bottle of Irish Whiskey. He looked down at the letter, looking back at this woman for a second before giving her a look. His eyes soft as he poured himself a drink. 

"She...huh...well then"

He knew that it was private but since he heard that she died....he had been down the drain, drinking and half the time not even realizing where he was. Konnor knew that he was worrying his brothers but he really couldn't even care, he had failed another person and he had only then realized how he even wanted her then. 

"Just what will you be doing now with Li-...Catalina's businesses all over the place?"

He asked in that roguish rough tone once more, as if trying to keep back the emotion...his eyes were sad, soft, and filled with anger at himself. He could have done more, and yet he did not.

"Me? I'm just a chef. Her businesses were hers, but from what I've gathered, they're probably just shutting down with no one to run them. I loved working at the restaurant, but I can't work for free. I got a job offer in Chicago, working in one of those fancy hotel restaurants. Money's good, and I don't want to stay in New York anymore. Hardly anyone does," she said, then realized she'd not even given her name.

"I'm Symplicity. It's a stupid name, I know. Most just call me 'City', she said, then lifted her glass and downed the shot like a pro. 

"What's next for you? I guess you can't say, super-secret club business and all that. You had a connection to a mob boss though, which means there was business afoot. Are you affected, now that she's gone?" She hadn't meant to say it that way, but there it was. "Sorry. I meant... Sorry. I don't always think before I speak," she said, then shifted around on her chair uncomfortably. It all sort of made sense, now. Konnor was an attractive man, sure, but there was something else there, too, and whatever had gotten Miss Rey outta sorts when he was around, seemed to be having the same effect on her. 

"New York business is hardly mine...I guess I no longer have a reason to be around there, besides a few trips that I'll be making. Besides that, nothing much. Symplicity, huh?"

Konnor had drunk and studied her for a moment, there had to be something there...why? She was trusted to deliver a letter, her, out of everyone else. That was not something he found quite curious...something that he wished to investigate further, a simple chef, chosen to come out here and just...well...deliver a message. 

"So tell me...Symplicity, why did Li-Catalina trust you of all people to deliver this message? I don't get that, is there something you're not telling me?"

Konnor asked as he slipped his sunglasses off, his eyes narrowing on her for a second. He heard her ask her questions, he chuckled bitterly, somehow sounding a bit hurt at her words but shrugged it off. 

"What's next for me? I guess I continue and find a way to patch up...well to patch up the loss that she left...something that won't be easy."

Konnor knew that he was speaking about two things at once, only he wondered for a second if she would get it. He had no doubt that she would. She seemed smart, aware enough to stay off the radar and that type of thing was admired in many circles.

City smiled. 

"I'm just a simple messenger, Mr... Konnor. I don't know why she chose me to deliver that letter, she trusted me I suppose, but it's probably not a coincidence that I happened to be the only one who saw her get off of the back of your bike that day," she said, watching him carefully now. She knew. She knew there had been something between them.

"I really should be going," she said as she stood. "Thank you for the drink. If you're ever in Chicago, look me up. I'll be working at the La Salle, you can't miss it. I'll make you dinner," she said, looking at him a little too long after she'd made the offer. She was tempted to offer more, anything to remove the sadness that was taking up residence in his eyes. 

"Oh Well then...I offered her a ride on my bike, she accepted it. Just doing my civic duty, I guess Sym, I'd do the same with you."

Konnor spoke softly, not in a rough or roguish tone but seems like he was letting a real side of him out. A new york accent seemingly came out as well, almost like he had suppressed it a little but he coughed, going back to his usual style of saying things. 

"And...just how are you getting there? I could take you to the airport...unless...you'd rather not be seen with the Outlaw...to maintain such an innocent reputation Sym. I mean you're not doing yourself any favours, many women who come here...they're not viewed in the best light."

Konnor spoke with a somewhat hard but teasing edge as it did seem like the booze was affecting him, only there was no haziness in his eyes. Only that sadness, seemingly continuing to come to the surface. Only then he suppressed it, his eyes stayed on her as slipped his sunglasses back on. 

"Oh? Make me dinner? Well then...I have to offer you a ride, it's the least I could do. I'd feel safe knowing that a friend of Lina's or an associate would be safe getting back to the airport."

He stood up, looking down at her for a second before smiling waiting to hear what she was going to say. He did find himself wishing to help her, wanting to make sure that she was fine...safe...protected.

City nodded along politely as he spoke; it was enjoyable to her, watching him hem and haw around the feelings he had, still had, for her late boss. She tucked her thumbs into the front pockets of her jeans and looked up at up when he offered her a ride.

"That would be nice. I already sent my boxed belongings ahead, just have a small duffle left to carry on. I need to get my roommate's car back to her," she said, throwing a thumb over her shoulder to indicate the small sedan she'd driven up in.

"If you think I give two shits about what people think, though, you got another thing coming, Mr... Konnor," she said before she tipped him a wink and turned to go. She was halfway to the car when she stopped and turned around.

"8pm flight tonight. I'll be at the restaurant. The remaining staff is having a get-together there... basically we're not letting all those good cuts go to waste before someone either locks the doors or burns the place down. Miss Rey would have wanted that. If your afternoon is clear, you should come by. You could get two dinners out of me!" She grinned, then gave him a little wave as she climbed in the car, started the engine, and drove off.