The Gig [Finished]

[accalia]

Tony swears vigorously at that. First time Vic's actually heard Tony swear. "They're all like that under there.... d-arn it!" he explains, changing to a mild curse half way through as he remembers Vic's around.... "well then.... Where's safe to go for takeaway?" Tony gives up.... apparently the only thing that's suitable for cooking on in the house is the one skillet he used for bacon and eggs earlier, and it is still soaking in the sink. That is how you care for cast iron, right?

[yamikuronue]

Vic hesitates. "You know... I mean, if I stick around and all, assuming it's safe, maybe I could help get this place in order... in lieu of rent?"

[accalia]

"Sure." Tony grunts, pulling out the phonebook "Is Antonios on fifth and broadway part of the family, or not?" he asks, reaching for the phone.

[yamikuronue]

"It is. Uh, but I can just hide upstairs or whatever." Antonio's has great pasta...

[accalia]

"They don't deliver this time of day." Tony explains.... well guess he's got to figure out if he got kicked out same as Vic. Least ways he can handle himself better than Vic... Still better grab his jacket with his badge, might be a good idea to have a reminder of the power he can wield if things go sideways "Whatcha want to eat? the number seven with extra bacon?" Tony asks, naming one of Antonios most beloved dishes.

[yamikuronue]

Vic gives a small smile. "Yeah, sure."

[accalia]

Tony nods and dials, it takes barely a minute to place the order for two number sevens and then tony's on his way out the door. "i'll be back, but just in case.... the emergency kit's in the safe, the combinations's under my bed."

[yamikuronue]

The pickup goes smoothly enough, but it's clear something has changed: the staff aren't friendly with him, and while they serve him without hassle, there are pursed lips and cold eyes making it clear they're waiting for one wrong move to kick him out.

Looks like it's back to square one, then. But he's not out, not yet. Probably.

[accalia]

Tony returns to the house with the food, more uncomfortable with the exchange than he should have been. That was... It really felt like his badge was the only thing keeping them from jumping him. parking the car he brings the orders back into the kitchen.

"Soup's on."

[yamikuronue]

Things are quiet the next day at work; Vic keeps his head down, nervously, but nobody seems to be coming to look for him in the middle of a police station.

Things don't remain quiet. There's no activity from his side job, but it's clear he's been left out of something big: there's a turf war going on out over the new development out in the east, and they're seeing a lot of unexplained bodies turn up. Thankfully, nobody Tony knows real well, but a few faces he's seen around. If this doesn't get settled soon, it might turn into a state of emergency, and nobody wants state trooper attention, not cops or Family.

Which is why it's a bit of a relief when Tony gets his next assignment, via a curt, suspicious-looking muscle who stops him outside work. "Job for you." A job means, if nothing else, some little insight into what's going on, and maybe a chance to help smooth things over.

[accalia]

"A job?" Tony asks coldly "When I and my friend were turned out on our ears for being honest? Right. Let's hear it at least, I'll decide if i'm willing to do it if i get an apology, or... something else"

Tony's not at all interested in being friendly to this man, but he is at least polite.... barely.

[yamikuronue]

"I thought you liked livin'," he points out, with a grunt. "Be a shame I had to remove a liability." Still, he looks Tony up and down before continuing. "You're picking up a package for the boss. Nice, cush job."

[accalia]

"I like living, 's why i'm leaving well enough alone. Got a deadman's switch in case something happens, but so long as nothing does then I do nothing too.. Or are you telling me that we were thrown out in error? Should I bring the kid with me to get told that in person?"

Yeah Tony's got information that would bring not only the state troopers but the FBI down on the family stashed away, it's not much information, barely enough to bring their attention, but it's enough. If they start looking carefully they'll find more.... and if Tony disappears or dies, well it'll be found and make its way where it shouldn't, but if he's fine it stays secret and hidden. That's Tony's Sword of Damocles. Both protection and danger, and powerful in both aspects. Maybe too powerful.

[yamikuronue]

"You ain't been thrown out yet. You planning to quit?" the man asks, eyes narrowed. "Kid's out. Nobody touches Boss's daughter and gets away with it."

[accalia]

"Well ain't this awkward then." Tony replies, smiling cruelly "The kid I trust, you I don't. Kid says that ain't what happened and he's my friend. He came to me, and asked me to help him. I believed him, I still do, I helped him and I stand with my friends. So... I guess that's your answer.  If there's talking to be had, I'll talk. But if there's no talking to be had, well either we smile and walk away, or it all comes crashing down, for all of us."

Yep. Rock meet hard place. Sure Tony can call down the exact sort of trouble that could scour the family clean from this place, but to do so would spell his doom, either from retribution from the family, or from the investigation itself showing his interactions with the family. But of course Tony doesn't want the house of cards to come toppling down, that's why he's willing to talk.