Chapter Five The Beginning

Val follows them to the elevator, pressing the button for the ground floor. The penthouse descends smoothly, carrying them down into the city’s pulse. The lobby is all marble and understated wealth. Security nods as they pass-they know better than to acknowledge him directly. Outside, the morning air hits crisp and cool. Enzo pulls eagerly toward the park, his leash taut with anticipation. Val’s hand finds the small of Zora’s back as they walk, a casual claim that draws a few lingering glances from passersby. That coffee place-the one on 5^th with the terrible espresso machine but perfect pasties-is three blocks east. Val walks beside her like he belongs there, like she belongs next to him, as if they have done this a thousand times not just now. She swallows and looks around her to find several people staring, starting to feel uncomfortable she asks what’s going on are they staring because of our age difference or is it something else?

Val’s Jaw tightens, he’s used to the stares-recognition mixed with fear. People know who he is, even if they don’t know his name. His hand doesn’t leave he back as he responds. They know me don't look at them. look at me, or look ahead. This is part of my world, Zora people stare because I’m dangerous. Because they wonder what you’re doing with me. His voice is calm, but there’s an edge underneath-a warning for anyone watching. He glances down at her and asks are you okay with that? She looks around at all the eyes then back at him and says I’m not sure what to say it feels strange are they judging me or what?? She asks. They pass a woman in a designer coat who quickly looks away, a man across the street mutters something to his companion. He takes her hand and says They're not judging you. They’re assessing the situation. Trying to figure out who you are and why you are with me.

Val steers them toward the coffee shop, his grip steady, comforting as he continues, Some think you’re being coerced. Others think you’re after money, a few probably wonder if you're brave or stupid. He stops at the corner, waiting for the light; However what really matters is you not them and what you think. Enzo sniffs at a fire hydrant, unbothered by the attention. He follows up with In my world, being seen with me means something, protection, status, danger, I am making a clear statement by touching your back like this it states don’t mess with this woman, loud and clear depending on who’s looking. Are you having second thoughts? His dark eyes meet hers. Pleading her to say what he needs..

She contemplates his question and reply's No just trying to ascertain all the information I am a need to know kind of girl you can’t keep me in the darkness even for my protection it doesn’t work that way for me. He nods once-a man who respects that about her. They reach the coffee shop, he orders for both of them without asking-he’s learned her preference-then finds a corner table away from windows. So he just chooses to be honest with her and says. You want the truth? I’m connected to every major operation in this city. Drugs, gambling, protection rackets, real estate laundering. People owe me money. Some owe me blood. There are families who’d use you to hurt me. Men who’d see you as leverage. His eyes are steady and unflinching. Zora that’s why people stare that’s what you’re walking into. Still want to know everything? He asks full of apprehension.

When she finally answers after Enzo settle at their feet and she thinks about how to say what she’s thinking. Yes and I want to know if I can influence any of it? I am particularly interested in stopping the influx of fentanyl into mixing with other drugs if people want to use then at least let them be safe and not full of crap they aren’t asking for. He leans back in his chair, studying her with new intensity. He takes a slow sip of coffee; you’re a counselor, you see the damage firsthand. The fentanyl thing- that’s not my operation, it’s the Castellano family pushing it through the street dealers. Cheap, potent, profitable, they don’t care about bodies loose one they still gain 10 more. His fingers drum once against the table and he meets her eyes. I could cut them off, make it clear it stops, or they stop. But that’s a war, blood, retaliation. You’re asking me to start a war over harm reduction? It’s not a refusal, it’s a question-testing whether she understands what she’s asking of him.

Zora thinks about how frightening that sounds and responds with. No, I’m asking you to make them deal straight fentanyl is fine if they want it than that’s what they get but no more mixing into coke, meth, ect. Do you think that you could make that happen in this city? She asks wanting to make things fair and safer on the streets. He’s quiet for a long moment. Processing her thoughts. His fingers still on the coffee cup. That’s..actually smart. Harm reduction through force purity. The Castellano's won’t like it. They’ll argue it cuts into margins. But if I frame it right-position it as protecting their market, keeping users alive longer, more repeat customers-they might bite. A slight smile touches his mouth-respect..yeah he has massive respect for her already he thinks and he leans forward. I’d need leverage something they want more than the mixing profits and I’d need to enforce it.. Hard. You realize what you’re asking? This makes you part of my operation, not just with me-in it… you ready for that? Enzo shifts, sensing the shift in tone. His dark eyes searching hers. She has no doubt about it she says very quickly If it means saving lives then yes and I would also like to support your clients if they start to fuck up you send them to me kind of a forced supported treatment program before they end up in jail or dead.

He sets down his cup slowly, carefully. You’re offering to rehabilitate my people he asks shocked by her offer. There's something almost vulnerable in how he says it-like he’s watching her understand the full weight of what she’s proposing. And he points out

That changes everything, Zora as he reaches for her hand across the table, He continues Most of them won’t want help. They’ll resist, some will relapse, you'll get attached and they’ll disappoint you. She reiterates to him the real facts..I’m sorry but your right but wrong at the same time..Val; Yes they will relapse and some will disappear and fail but that is the nature of the job with helping any and all addicts, I don't get attached, I can’t. I bring my best to them they choose to use it apply the information or not. Their success or failure is not on me it’s solely on them. My job is to educated and support what they do with that information is solely up to them. His thumb traces her palm and he states I see I understand and will support that fully I can make that happen. I’ll send them to you before the system does. You just became my most dangerous asset. Not because of what you can do for me-because of what you mean to me now.

She contemplates what he says and acknowledges how this changes things for both of them. Hmm why because I’m not stupid or scared? She looks over the top of her cup at him through her eyelashes and grins. He leans back, a slow smile spreading across his face and says Because that and because you just volunteered to walk straight into the darkest part of my world-knowing exactly what it is. His gaze holds hers over the rim of his cup as well. Most people run when they see the truth but you, you’re already planning how to fix it. He sets the cup down and takes her hand in his. That makes you either the bravest woman I’ve ever met, or the most reckless. Enzo brushes up against his leg.. and he said as he chuckles Probably both.

Val’s phone buzzes again, this time he glances at it, his expression hardening slightly before he silences it and looks back at her, We need to heal back soon. There’s someone I need you to meet. she looks up at him silently stands up and reaches over and kisses him gently in front of everyone making her claim on him clear to everyone in the room. She then walks towards the door and reaches out her hand and says then let’s do this and smirks at him with a knowing gaze. Every head in the coffee shop turns. The kiss-public, deliberate, unmistakable-sends a message through the room like electricity. Val’s hand comes up to cup her jaw, deepening it for just a moment longer than necessary. When he pulls back, there’s a flash of something dangerous in his eyes, possession, pride. He stands, taking her outstretched hand without hesitation and states Let’s go my lady. The grin on his face was as wide as the grand canyon at being claimed.

They walk across the street to the park and enter the off leash area for Enzo to run for a bit. He looks around at everyone gazing at her and he swells in pride. He says to her Next time he needs to go out for a walk I want to come, I enjoy the looks on their faces as I put my hand son you, He chuckles darkly and she just shakes her head as she gets the leash back on the dog and he gestures for them to go. The walk back to the penthouse is different now. Faster, his grip on her hand is firm, proprietary. Enzo keeps pace, sensing the shift in energy.

As the enter the building this time the doorman smiles at her and welcomes them in warmly and he notices the change as if her presence makes him more presentable more acceptable, he thinks to himself. They step into the elevator as one this time not as strangers committed to the start of something special and they both feel it. The elevator rises, Val’s jaw is set, focused. When the doors open to his penthouse, Enzo bounds ahead while Val pulls her toward his office-a space she hasn’t seen yet. A man sits waiting inside, expensive suit, scarred knuckles. He stands when they enter. Zara this is Marco, My consignee my right hand man. He’s been with me for 23 years and I don’t know what I would do without him. Marco finally meet Zora the woman you've seen me obsess over for the last 3 months, it looks like she’s going to accept me. Val says and shuts the door.