Rom sat back in his new place, after all that he had witnessed the bombings of his empire. The business that he grew from the ground-up, nothing had been the same ever since that business with Ally. He found himself suffering, their business had reached into the pits of the Carida Cartel. Where he found himself on the run, to the point where some of his old allies and partners had died, nothing had remained in Detroit. All he knew now was that he needed something anything, he still had his own plans for the Cordelia's as well as Carida's....

"Boss, we have a person here by the name of AllyGarcia, she seems to be waiting for you..."

A cool smirk played at his lips, one thing was something he had not experienced in a good while. The other side of things, something he truly wished to take and grasp for a while, Ally had proven to be someone that he could trust for moons to come. Things that he had never really seen himself was his stance. 

Recently with the move to Las Vegas, he needed a new chain, a supply and where else to get it but a few former allies in the Rey Organization? With ties to Columbia and Peru, Rom would possibly find himself in deeper shit. Including Arms Dealing and Drug Smuggling, all for the sake of getting more money, it's all he craved right now. 

Standing to his feet, he wondered how he looked. Probably like he hadn't slept in days, this is the one thing that always bothered him, how he forgot sometimes. After a move like this, dropping everything, he didn't even recover any money from the casino. A lot of people died in that place, hopefully Rom would be able to collect something from it. 

"Tell me, have our other guests arrived as well? We'll need to see what they can provide on the West Coast. We need this and I will not be having BULLSHIT derail me...alright? This happens..."

He nodded, the guy was scared for his life then. Rom shook him away, right now, he wasn't exactly in the mood to entertain himself. He needed this, Santos would pay, with or without help, he could do this. All he needed was a little something, and that was backing, he would find himself with support, guards, and money soon enough.

Yet, he soon heard the roar of many motorcycles, this was going to be perfect. After all, what was a meeting without some overseers to make sure things didn't get too out of hand?

With, the leather jacketed men walked in, settling themselves. Before they finally walked up to him, just as the sole party and their bodyguards from the Rey Organization seemingly walked in. This was going well, right now, all he needed was ally, a positive start with both suppliers ready to meet with him.

"Rom, we're here now, we need to know what the fuck is going on and how it affects all of us. For months now, you've left the Las Vegas people out of your dealings. We let you be, you never strayed, you keep to your place...now I hear you and this Asian chick, goes by Allison, Alessandra, Alexandra, attack Santos Carida's suppliers...that's ballsy I tell you...what do you want from us?"

They knew, yet he sat down, giving them time as Ally was ever so slightly late. What was up with her? Rolling his eyes, he had to sometimes wonder if she was ready to make money....

Ally was red-faced and flushed when she entered the room. Seeing Rom in such a powerful position made her smile and widen her eyes excitedly. But he didn’t seem to look very satisfied when she had arrived past the agreed time of the meeting. Her smile quickly changed to a slight frown. The leather jacketed men had their eyes on her for a quick moment, perhaps analysing her attitude and appearance, before turning back to Rom. “Shall we get back to business then, since your… sidekick is here now.” One of the men that was standing a little further away started to snicker. He was frustrated, already wanting to get things over and done with.

As Ally stood beside Rom now, she thought about why she was really here. Was it to make money? Well, not entirely. Just like Rom, she wanted to make sure that they had some strong and hopefully logical men to back them up when push came to shove. She scanned the anticipated guests standing before her. She gave a nod to Rom, signalling him to continue on with the plan. It was time for her cue to speak soon.

She brought out a yellow confidential folder from her black, leather handbag. Then she handed it over to the head of the Rey Organization. Enclosed was the detailed plan in writing as well as a written agreement that would secure their newfound connection.

“So… we’ve told you what we want. But it’s your call how you go about it. The only thing we ask is that you don’t leave any bloody footprints and clear evidence of us being there. The last thing we want is the media in our faces. We have ENOUGH attention right now.” She waited for the men to look through the documents.

While they were doing that, she leaned closer and whispered in Rom’s ear, “we shouldn’t make this any longer than it has to be, Rommy. We now need to discuss our new involvement in arms trafficking and drug smuggling.” She looked Rom in the eye, while her lips terrifyingly close to his ear, every word clear as crystal. She pulled away quickly when she heard someone speak.

“I hope that you’re aware that what you’re asking for is… a little bit beyond our resources. Carida… has many tricks up his sleeve when threats like these come his way. If you want to take away everything that man has worked for in his life, then this plan of yours will need to be reviewed and changed everyday. I also suggest instead of attacking head on, we should be attacking from the inside. Perhaps I can recruit undercover spies to work as employees in Carida’s warehouses… They can get us inside information, and will be required to report back every night. I assure you… that is the best way. We’re talking Carida here.”

The main man's voice trembled throughout the room.

Obviously, his presence was one of a kind. Perhaps even stronger than Carida's. 

Bowing his head, his eyes still meeting those of Ally for a moment longer than necessary. He nodded, turning his head and meeting the eyes of Antonio Rey, the man had always led this organization from the rumours he heard. It was not something that he would forget, he owed the man a lot of his current business. Then there were the others who would be involved, this is where things got more interesting, as if something was circling around him. 

"Antonio, you always seem to have a certain idea on what we should do. This is about us and how we need to move against Carida. The man does not deserve leniency, nor does he deserve to get the jump on us. I do not mind sending a few of our men in to see how we do this, yet we cannot rule out the fact that he may be suspicious of those he meets, aye?"

Like that, the Irish in him came to play with ease as the thick accent soon came out and all eyes in the room were on him. They believe him, it was clear and Rom was glad for that. Yet, he was not going to be sacrificing Ally. One, she had been seen already. Secondly, she was the only one who could even come to understand him. 

Also, as always, he wished to protect her. She was a survivor on her own, as she always stated. Only, the way she always rose to the challenge and had brought him to such moments where he knew she would need protection. She was a star, one that he would make sure remained under his protection. 

"The Angels here, Konnor and his men, are the muscle, needed in the case of war and possible bodies. I am not going to lie, what we are doing, planning to take on Mexico's biggest supplier is no small task. Yet with your help, Rey, I know this is possible. Just let me do this, for all of us alright? How we move, let me start, then end this with such ease that it wouldn't cause you unneeded stress, aye?"

Giving the man, what seemed pleading, yet it was clear they thought the power lay with them. It was cute, he turned back to Ally, giving her that kind smile. Surprisingly, one that was genuine. As if, well, as if one could not contain his true self when with one of the closest people who had brought him here. 

AllyGarcia walked into hell with him, there was no doubt in him that they would be walking out of hell for what they would be doing. With nothing more than a small wink, he noticed that everyone looked at him, they were hungry and they believed him. All....except one, Konnor Marx, the look he gave him.

Well it was clear, he saw through what Rom was doing, such for the greater good or however he would choose to word it. Everyone except Konnor and possibly Ally was putty in his hands. 

When the Irish in him jumped out, Ally was surprised, but also amused and it kept her entertained for a while. But when she remembered why she was there, she became serious again. This time, Rom’s problem was bigger than Ally had thought. A war had already broken out in the streets, and she still needed more time before another one would come. When Rom proposed that he would call the shots instead of Rey, it seemed to shock him. Ally glanced at Rom, and he was very convincing with his words. One could not possibly just turn away from what he just said. It gave Ally all the reassurance she needed. 

Despite everyone’s first reaction, they all eventually agreed with the plan. When the meeting was over, she wanted to have a little talk with Konnor Marx… maybe get him to go with the plan. During the meeting, she kept on noticing that he was giving Rom death stares. He was heading out the door and she stopped him with her sweet smile and a gentle tap on his shoulder. She wanted to make sure that everyone who was in on the plan was fully on board with everything. Teamwork makes the dream work, eh? 

“Hi.” Konnor raised a brow, his bushy eyebrow hairs turning upwards. When he didn’t respond, Ally continued to speak. “I know that… this is a hard task for everyone, but I really just want to vouch for my good friend Rom here… He knows what he’s doing. Everyone just needs to work together,” Ally smiled. She was, however, slapped with a response that left her unsatisfied and perhaps a little resentful. “You don’t see it? My, you’re more naïve than I thought. He’s got you wrapped out his little finger.” Ally lifted her chin and stared blankly at him. “You’re lying,” Ally said defensively. She searched the office to find Rom, she didn’t get any weird vibes from him, so maybe Konnor was lying to save himself. When Konnor had finally left, she escaped to the bathroom to freshen up and talk her out of confronting Rom. 

Was she really wrapped around his finger? Is that what everyone in the room thought? Ally didn’t see herself to be that way though, she was simply helping him out just how he had helped her. A friend doing another friend a favour, she didn’t see what was wrong with that. When she went back out, she waved her hand towards Rom in greeting. “Hey. The meeting went well.” She fell into the swivel office chair opposite him and leaned her head back, sighing in relief that it was over and they could finally get to doing more of the dirty work. She suddenly checked the time on her wristwatch and pursed her lips. The day moved so quickly. She wanted to make sure that all the things on the to-do list for today would be done. 

“For this move against Carida, it would be good if we could get our hands on all the building maps of Carida’s drug factories. We need to know the ins and outs.” 

Rom played at the business for a moment, things like this, he knew that when he announced it, things seemed more different. There was a certain power that came with that level, everyone saw that between the three of them, only one of them would come out and truly lead all of them, Rom knew that he had to be the one that brought himself to this level. His choices had to shape the West Coast's arms dealing and business for the foreseeable future....

"It did, something that I don't think I'll be forgetting...what did you and Konnor discuss? You seemed a little.....off after."

Rom's voice was soft, a genuine soft, he could not help but want to help her. AllyGarcia was one of the closest people to him, yet, he didn't feel all bad. After what he had promised her, given her, and needed her for. She was someone that could know so much, yet he decided not to give her that much, something that would have hurt both of them in the end. Only he never saw it in such a way...

"I just want to make sure you're okay, alright? I don't want you getting mixed up in the...politics of all these moves. What it will mean for us, alright? I want to make sure that this doesn't bounce back and punch us in the gut."

He meant those words, around her, he didn't know what had happened. Rom's word were full of an unseen promise of protection, his manipulations, his games, his ways of deciding that he knew best were for them, BEST. In his head, always, what he wished and what he wanted for both of them, it was best for them. 

"Whatever Marx says, however he wishes to play at his role, I just want to make sure that in the end of this, however we are, you can trust me. Alright? You can always, Ally."

Turning in the chair, he decided that he could do with a drink, only he stopped for a moment. Meeting her eyes, he saw it there. And it hurt, she took on Marx's words before, rolling his eyes with a slight wolfish smirk, he found himself a bottle of bourbon. Pouring himself some soon after, finding himself in a desperate attempt to forget this.

Taking a more than gracious sip of his bourbon, he raised the glass to her and decided to move on cause that could not be the whole point of their business, how it moved and how he wished to make sure that everything remained the way it was meant to be. So how would he do this? How could he show Ally what he meant, there was always one way, with a sly grin. 

"Come on, I need to show you something, alright? It'll be quick and fun, this is how we're going to do things..."

Rushing forward, finishing his drink in the process. Rom took Ally's hand with a soft smile, walking through many doors, which led all over the place before finally, there was the backroom. This is where all the work laid, with that, he gave Ally one final look, winking as he let go of her hand and raised his arms to the blueprints....

"I took the time to do this myself, I have many partners in Mexico, those who wish to see the end of the Carida's. This is only the shite he has in the US, I can put a team on it but that doesn't sound like justice to me, I want to make sure that...he gets crippled...he pays, that he knows what it feels like to have one of your greatest assets taken from you...no quarter will be drawn."

With this, the look that Rom gave her was one that she would know and understand well. Rom moved forward, looking over the blueprints. There already was one in mind, a plan to give them what they really deserved in the end of this. Yet he knew, he would need Ally for this, he always did.

“Nah, don’t worry. Konnor was just being Konnor. I just wanted to check on him after the meeting. You know how he is,” Ally quickly said back, but she wasn’t completely convinced herself.  

When Rom had gotten a hold of her wrist as he led her down a hallway and past a series of rooms, she felt the burning sensation when he let go. For a moment she wanted him to keep his hand there, but things like that were too good to be true. And what was she supposed to say anyway? Things weren’t like how they used to be. When she processed where she was, she became impressed with the blueprints. It seemed as though he was one step ahead of her. She traced her fingers along the blueprint, checking all the different exits and the many hallways that left her head spinning. Ally smiled when she looked up, nodding in a smug manner. “Ay. I see what you’ve done here… So THAT’S why you didn’t let me access this room yesterday. Ha.”

Ally tilted her head in a childish manner, before walking closer to inspect the bullets along with a Browning .303 machine gun that were laid out on the desk underneath the blueprints pinned on the corkboard. “Damn. Never learnt how to use these big boys before. Care to show me how to disassemble it?” Ally sensed his movements behind her as she held the gun, waiting for it to be taken from her. She watched carefully. “Hm,” she leaned closer while squinting her eyes. “You’re going to use this on Carida and his men? I heard that only a few people have access to these guns since they’re supposed to be used for the fucking World War 2. Apparently its super reliable in times of war. I mean… damn. Rommy, I’m loving the savagery here.” After watching Rom take apart the machine gun, she decided to try for herself.

It was hard at first, but she got it done eventually. She asked Rom if he could time her. “Pretty good for a first timer,” Ally shrugged. She held back on trying it out at the shooting range. As she put down the gun on the table, she felt Rom’s eyes on her. Oh, of course. This was his baby. Rest assured, Ally was careful. She turned her attention and back to him, nodding. She was ready to get on with the day. On the way out of the room, she told him that the proposed assassination plans were still going to need more changes in the coming days. “I’m not saying we need to rush, but we need to rush, you feel me? Never know these days, Carida be outside right now with each of his men lined up against the entrance. We gotta keep on our toes at all times. But… you know that already.” Ally reached Rom’s office, and she shut the door behind her.

In Rom’s presence, she truly felt invincible. They were a powerful force together, though it wasn’t good to be too confident because that never ended well. Look what happened to the Gonzales brothers.

Ally held up the documents that had been previously read by Rey and his organization. She put them back down again, looking out the window in thought. Then she looked back at Rom with her eyes wide. “You mentioned wanting to CRIPPLE Carida. I have another method of attack we could use against him. I’ve heard about how he’s on the payroll of so many gangs and corrupt cops since he supplies a fuckload of drugs to them. Maybe we could… drop a hint of destruction… like  lacing the drugs with fentanyl. That’s bound to make him lose a lot of clients and he might earn a few more enemies.”

"You want to isolate him? Doing so requires a certain amount of power, especially in those kinds of guns...it's for a bigger, gruesome, an attack that would make the recent take down of the Gonzales Brothers look like a simple gangland shooting. I need you Ally, alright? I'm not willing to put you any danger that could cost you your life, I already lost G- Someone else...."

Rom's vulnerability was heard, not shown, as if he needed to show it. Right now he wanted to make sure that all of this went the right way, it had to go somewhere but he wanted to protect those that weren't pieces, she was something else. AllyGarcia was not a piece on chess board, she was someone that had stood by him, yet he had done it before, why was now so hard?

Because he would have been faced with having her blood on his hands if they went for an attack? He was scared, there he thought it. His life went from white picket fence to white lines of cocaine. This was not something everybody did, yet he found that he was made for it, this life had been made for him or he would have been dead...

"But you are the one that is making the choices here, if you wish to do this, as we always say, I'll support you. Whichever you wish to cut from him first, whether it be...blood, cash, or coke, I'll be here, always."

It was as if he had spoken an oath to her, yet he shook his head, remembering the words about Konnor. The man had always been, well, difficult. He and his ways of doing business, it didn't mesh well with the bikers ideal. Yet they had an understanding, one that allowed Rom to make some money in the end. 

Still, something clawed at him as his hand clenched underneath the table before heading for the bottle again. Tapping his fingers, he turned his head looking at her. She had got her answer, yet why did he feel like the bridge between them had got more spacious. 

That moment, remembering the way she asked for his help, the gun, the small moments, was he focusing entirely too much on his way to revenge? Was he forgetting that she...was his friend and not a sword for him to wield and keep sheathed as he saw fit? Rom didn't really know, moments like this one, where he would find himself becoming self-serving, it ate away at him.

"I feel you alright Ally, rushing often leads to us making mistakes and doing that now of all times? It will lead into a problem that leaves us wounded...we need to wait, trust me, alright? Still, the idea you gave, picking away at his defences. It could leave him defenceless, no one simply is untouchable, there are always people and we will find them..."

Walking towards her, Rom gave her that soft smile as he wished to give her some kind of comfort to let her know that...he understood this need for rushing. She wishes to protect all of those involved him, he thinks, mainly himself. Only he knew, that would place them back with a situation like the Gonzalez Brothers, someone was...bound to die, he knew that much...

"I just want to make sure that you're safe, I know, this is your choice but I've lost enough, do you understand that? I need to make sure that least you survive, alright? Cause this cannot be us rushing head first into a trap, like last time..."

It was her, his fingers ever so slightly grazed her wrist before letting it fall to his side as he bowed his head with a tiny smile. It was sad, yet he had said it. Just like he always did, he just wanted her safe.

The almost-mention of Gerry’s name made Ally frown. It hurt to think about, and hurt even more when she thought about how it could have been prevented. But really, was anyone even prepared for the kind of danger they had encountered? As Ally sat across from Rom, she was drawn to his eyes. They seemed to hold a certain sense of vulnerability, but that only happened for a second, and his demeanour switched. Once again, he had reassured her that he’d always be there for her. Her smile widened. She got up and poured a drink of whiskey on the rocks for him. “We still haven’t gotten drunk as fuck yet together. I promise, that’ll be soon. Right now, we’ll settle for this whiskey,” Ally smiled sheepishly as tried to brighten the mood. She was glad that he understood that there was no rush in this plan of his. Slowly, but surely – that was the right approach. She eyed him through the glass cup as she took a sip of her drink.

The feel of his fingers brushing against her wrist was something out of the ordinary, but she welcomed it. Then she looked away and stared at the ground. She was suddenly flashed with a dozen of memories.

It hit her hard. Ally knew better than to mix pleasure with business. Heck, the consequences had already presented itself to her. She wondered, if Xav was looking down on her from heaven in that moment, would he condemn her for getting attached to Rom?

Attached.

Attached.

Attached.

The word kept repeating in her head until she got sick and tired and finally spoke up. She was surprised to find that she hadn’t stuttered when she told Rom that she’d go meet up with some people who could potentially help with working undercover for Carida. “Cya soon.” Then she walked out of Rom’s office, a fake smile plastered on her face. On the way to her car, she thought about what had happened. She cringed at herself for acting so… putty in his hands. Ally just cared so much about him… or was it a bit too much?

She arrived at the agreed meeting place, a team of hoodlums who happened to also be Ally’s old gang mates. “Hey Ally, can we trust this Rom guy?” They said to her when they were talking about the attack plan over dinner. At this point, Ally had lost her attention on her lasagne, despite how delicious it was, now she was savouring the interest of her friends in him. “You know how I am, don’t you Tony? I’m picky with who I choose to be in my close circle of friends. I’ve known him for a long time… even before all this gang stuff. There’s a reason why I’ve stayed all this time,” her words affected her friends deeply, it seemed. That’s all they needed for them to be fully convinced. Ally, was certainly picky, and for good reason. Later, they each parted ways and agreed that they’d drop a visit to Rom’s office the following morning to introduce themselves and speak of what they can bring to the table.

"You know, eventually...she's going to figure out what you've done, right?"

Rom tensed, the man who had been the protégé to Gerry, Finn. He had a certain way of playing the game, of allowing himself to be the one that gave Rom his council, whether he would wield it or not. Something that was very much noticeable, it was always going to be this way for them. 

"Notice what, eh Finn? Tell me what Ally is going to notice..."

Finn moved forward, entering the room moments after he knew Ally had left, the man always had a knack, knowing when and how to strike. Being this way, always, it was not something Rom enjoyed but he took himself to enjoy this anyway. 

"She will notice the lingering looks, touches, getting closer to her most of all but that's not the thing at the top of the list. The one above all, is the manipulation. You're playing a game, one that is not going to be ending well for you, tell her the truth. You're using this...partnership to play a long game, one that does not end with the death of Carida. It ends with the deaths of Cordelia and Carida. With you, at the centre, taking control of supply and distribution...."

Turning his head, he met the man's eyes and he saw the blank look he was getting in response. The man that didn't exactly care, he just wished for his boss to get to the truth of the matter.

Rom knew that this move, one that would have consequences reaching into a severe war, in which was the reason he enlisted the Angels and Rey's, they knew the way to operate and let him take the centre stage with them having a place at his side. If they so wished, yet he also knew that AllyGarcia would wish to know.

"Finn, I lost Gerry, I lost Ron, I lost my friends from my life as a white picket fence douche. I got into debt and now this!? Cocaine, Guns, and Blood is all I know! So you're standing there, telling me that, I need to tell her, that she needs to know when I want to protect her more than anything is not eve what I want, alright!?"

And with that, Finn nodded his head, yet there was that glint, disapproval, something Rom was never used too with his people, his men, his allies. This was something that he had never thought up, ever. Yet here it was now, something for him to get done, craning his neck to the side, he watched him. 

"Don't you think she suspects already? Konnor got into her head, we know it. Cut it off, tell her, brother. Trust me, she just wants the truth, alright!? No lying, this is what is needed...didn't you see the way she rushed out of here like she was...worried or scared? Eh!?"

Rolling his eyes, Rom knew what he was talking about. Sighing, maybe this was what should him...she was his partner, someone that made it clear. His manipulations with her would stop, something would need to be put to rest, and already, he had the idea for but, of course, this was already going to be a part of his games, his manipulations....

"Fine, I'll talk to her alright? I'll be sure to let her know everything that I'm planning, you're right. She deserves to know the plans, what happens, it determines our future and how far I am willing to go to protect her...."

This was just the truth of the matter, both of them knew what they were willing to do. Rom knew that he wanted to secure his future, yet Ally, that protection, even if she had the survival and ruthlessness to make it on her own. She came to him, and he did not want that again. Ally would not run in fear for her life, again. 

That was a promise, she would be protected, meeting Finn's eyes, the man knew he would talk to her...he just hoped, she understood his reasons. Yet, something told him, gnawed at him that this was going to be something she wished to help him on, as she always promised...like he did.

With this, Rom stood to his feet, leaving his office and heading into his bedroom as he gave Finn a small look as he would be on watch tonight. 

His eyes did not close as his head met the pillow, all he knew was the rushing thoughts of what was to come. His eyes finally closed as the thoughts slowly ceased, circling around one thing...

A bright start to the early morning was not on Ally’s priority list, but seeing the sun and taking in that vitamin c made her feel more alive. It was the next morning now after yesterday’s meeting with Rey Organization. She settled for a single toast and black coffee before getting ready and heading out the door. Her hair was tangled when she arrived to Rom’s office building, far from how it was when she initially left the house. “Next time, I’m not rolling the windows down,” she blushed as she patted her hairs down.

Then she placed a cup of hot cocoa in front of Rom and sat down with him to prepare the financial documents. “So, we’re going to dedicate today’s time to making sure that we have the right funds to pay back everyone who’s involved AND also to buy weapons. As we discussed briefly yesterday, we don’t want to fall short. Rest assured though, when we take out Carida out of the drug business, we’ll be rolling in mint condition bills.” It was apparent that Ally was very determined in contrast to how she was acting the day before. She forced herself to forget about what Konnor told her, however it was time to talk to Rom about her concerns. 

He was a friend, and friends don’t keep secrets from each other. Do they? 

She decided to leave it until after she talked with Rom about the money situation. Right now, it was more important. Ally rested her chin in the palm of her hand looking deeply focused, the other hand holding up a shop advertisement. “Hey, Rom,” she showed him the flyer she picked up that morning on her way to buy the hot cocoa. “They set up shop last week. They’re called Vegas Guns & Accessories. I know that Armed in America is our go-to store for armoury, but these guys… maybe we could get better prices from them. Worth a shot anyway,” Ally suggested with confidence. She knew how tough it was last time she and Rom talked with their usual supplier of armoury.

Safe to say that… it didn’t end too well. 

As she looked at Rom, she observed his reaction. Her mind went back to Konnor Marx. This was the perfect time, she thought to herself. They were together, alone, and no one was going to come in and disturb them. The privacy didn’t last long though because she suddenly turned her head around at the sound of someone knocking at the door. She didn’t remember seeing someone on her way inside the building. “Is that Finn?” Ally raised a brow, delighted to have his presence around, yet wished that he could disturb them another time. 

But come on, it was Finn. Ally could never stay mad at him for more than 0.5 seconds. He seemed to have a way with his words, maybe he got that from Gerry. Or Rom. Either way, he was well spoken and seemed to be the only one that could sway Rom in making certain decisions.

Ever since she walked in, Finn's words had continued hammering away at him. Nothing had stopped, ever, Rom didn't find himself like others. There was always a lot of things to walk past, this was one of those many things. One thing that he didn't want to let go of or allow himself to be controlled by it. With a small smile, one that had him leaning forward and listening to her words before the other things bounced into his head, he knew what he had to do.

Nodding his head that it was indeed Finn, Rom knew there was no way he was going to be escaping him and Rom knew that this was something he had to take care of. Regardless of the games he wishes to play. One could not shoulder the plan all alone. So they had to move with one another, something like this could not be kept from her. So he played around for a moment, wondering how to play this, yet the way she had paused and observed him for a moment.

Rom would admit, he had barely listened when AllyGarcia wished to change suppliers. He had spoken with her about that? There was so much to discuss, leaving her out like this, would do so much more damage than he thought possible. With his eyes narrowing slightly at the sight of Finn. He gave the man a small nod, something he returned. 

"Ally, there's something that needs to be said about all of this...the suppliers, the plans, the drugs. All of it is a minimal part in a much larger plan, something that is going to have an impact on the West Coast as a whole. I wanted you out of this, I wanted you safe..."

Rom finished the hot cocoa now and surprisingly, it did calm his nerves. He found that sometimes, that old trick never really worked. So he took it with ease and decided that this was the thing that would bring him to new heights. What more was he to say? Meeting her eyes, there was a lot more to say, he could see the reaction already...one thing he wished to prevent...

Standing to his feet, the planner, the manipulator paced in his office as he shared a small look with Finn. The man nodded, once more. Telling him to shoulder through it, to barge through the obstacles if needed. He had support, none of that was changing, yet one of his closest...allies needed this closer. Needed something because leaving this out would spell blood...more than its fair share.

"I lied to you, the moment when I said that we were only taken down Carida. I lied, I intend to place my own men inside Mexico to become it's newest suppliers and distributors. I intend to become the leader of Mexico's warring cartels through sheer force. They are leaderless, one of the reasons why I kept getting looks from Konnor...he knows this type of thing."

Of course, Konnor knew this play well enough, the rumour being that he got his own friend sent to jail to maintain the drugs and guns within his club. He wished to protect its future, this is the type of play he was doing, of course, he didn't lie to his friends to do so. This was a not war, it was something more and now he and Ally were about to be at the centre of it. If she was still with him after this.

Finn watched the scene, already seeing his boss sit ever so slightly closer to Ally, he shook his head, rolling his eyes. The man was something alright, yet it was clear, he wished for a real understanding. Finn knew what he was doing, he supported it, the boss wished for someone to follow him through to the end, something like that, a bond that could never be broken. It was going to be glorious.

"I manipulated my words into meaning that it would be for the betterment of everyone that I took leadership, the control had to rest with me. Leaders have to make that difficult decision, I am doing that and I will bear the consequences in whatever way they come. This is going to be more than a war, Ally. It's going to be a struggle, a battle that might seem to have fifteen parts but will end with my head or theirs with a bullet lodged in their foreheads..."

Leaning forward, his hands ever so slightly reaching out to cup her chin, bringing her eyes to meet his dull grey, ones that used to be so devoid of life. Yet now, there was a prominent sadness and understanding of betrayal. Now it seems like everything depended on this single part of the conversation. Her words, that encouragement. It was something he did not want.

Only he knew the way these went and he knew that sometimes, things had to happen the way they were meant too. Maybe he was always going to become something of a player, the game that called for him. Only here he saw the difference with that effect, he removed his hand from her chin, not allowing himself to even influence her. 

"I want you by my side Ally, I want you to be there when I assume the control of what is....rightfully.....mine! That is not going to be changing but this will always go smoother if you were to be at my side during these moments and I know that much, it is your choice. You didn't sign up to be a piece on the board, and I am telling you, this, is more than that to me..."

The always went unsaid, as if a promise or oath. As always, it was there for them, something that they would always have or so he thought. It all hung onto what would be said here, how it would be said and how they would move forward. Rom knew he meant his words, how it worked and how it would go from here.

Meeting Finn's eyes again, he nodded to him. This was for the best, sitting down in his chair, Rom met her eyes again. Giving her the time she needed. He knew that this was going to be big, she just...she needed to know.