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Flowers and Money

The rain was pelting against his face as he reached his destination. The weather had changed so suddenly, had no time to prepare himself, no umbrella or anything that could be used to protect himself. Thankfully the flower shop wasn’t too far, and the owner, although no exactly one of the closest people to him, it was still someone he liked well enough. With a sigh and pushing his wet hair out of his face, Ryan reached the entrance of the flower shop, the door opening with a ding of a bell.

Lana came to him not long after Enigma started making themselves known with the destroying of the harbor belonging to the Bianchi. At first he had been somewhat wary of her, what could a florist, even one with criminal history, could possibly offer Enigma. But her drive and willingness to stand up to the Italian family had won him over, and he could honestly say for now that he made the right call. Anything she could do, she would, and her shop was a better idea than he’d think, the more he could diverge attention from Neo, the better, and she offered the perfect opportunity.

The smell of plants and soil hit his nose as soon as he was inside, the faint perfume of some flowers pleasant in contrast with the wet street he had just come from. He looked at the droplets that fell on the floor, felling just little bit bad about it, but it was a place full of plants, they liked water, right?. “Hello?” He called out, his naturally loud voice carrying out on the room easily. “Lana, you here?” The shop was open, so he figured there was someone there, but who knew, she could have hired someone to stay on her place and never told him.

He was fidgety, not particularly about having to talk with the woman, but because the subject. This joint hit on the bank and WBC would be big, he hoped to not only get a good amount of money, but he expected Enigma to be the talk of the city for the next month, strike the fear into the heart of the Bianchi (if they had one, he had his doubts). He needed to iron things out with Lana first though, let her know of what to expect, because he certainly couldn’t use just Neo if he wanted to make the money clean, too much too soon, and his club already didn’t have the most upstanding of reputations.

If it's broken, fix it

The way she described it, made it sound like Max one day woke up decided he didn’t want anything to do with Ruby, a sudden epiphany that their friendship suddenly wasn’t worth it. It sounded like bullshit, if he could discard her so easily, it could only mean he didn’t care for her in the first place. In that case, maybe it was better like this, she might be heartbroken right now, but it was better to get rid of a doomed relationship earlier, rather than wait until later. “Maybe it isn’t so much that it changed, but more like the truth came out. It doesn’t sound to me like he cared much for the best friends thing in the first place.” And didn’t that fill him with protective anger. He squeezed her to his side, a reassuring hug to show that even if her so called friends didn’t want her affection, he’d always be there for her.

But this willingness she had to protect them, to protect Max, was very much not appreciated. He couldn’t understand why she wasn’t willing to let Ryan handle this, he’d make sure Max would never hurt her again, it’d be so simple. Ryan didn’t have Ruby’s fondness for the man, it’d be so easy to punch him a few times and make things better. “It’s not nothing, Ruby.” His voiced raised to a moment, not in ager at her, but at Max, before he controlled his tone and spoke more calmly, but with no less conviction “You are worth it, your feelings are worth it. It’s always important to make thing right again for you.” He tried to catch her eyes with his own as he said that, to show how much he meant every word.

But it was like he said, she was fond of him, that made her soft and unwilling to hurt anyone she was loyal to, and admirable trait, but it had its downsides. “I know you don’t want retaliation for that guy, even if he hurt you. But does he really deserve your loyalty, does he really deserve be protected… from me?” She must know he just wanted her wellbeing, he’d never do anything to hurt her further, he just wanted to make sure something like this wouldn’t happen again.

Ruby’s flinch made him think the wound still hurt, and he poking at it wouldn’t do any good. He stopped his prodding, cradling her hand gently. “Well, make sure to not let in infect or something.” He said softly. He watched in concern as she seemed to curl up on herself, withdrawing to a shell of sadness. He leaned against her, her question making his heart break. He wanted to hug and protect her for the rest of her life, put her in a bubble and never let anything touch her again. “No Ruby. Never think that.” He said with all conviction he felt. “I love you, you know, and it’s not wrong. It might be difficult, with the life we have, the stakes are so much higher and when we trust someone we shouldn’t, the consequences are much more life threatening. But even then, it’s never wrong to love, otherwise I wouldn’t have made Enigma what it is today, with people like you, who I love and trust.” He didn’t love everyone in his gang, and not everyone was trustworthy, but enough people, like Ruby and Johnny, who were truly his family and he would do anything for.

But he could understand where she came from with that question, he had suffered his fair share of heartbreaks and betrayal. He was a man who always gave his whole heart to his cause, and he had given his heart to the wrong cause before, not exactly the same situation, but a betrayal was a betrayal. “Don’t give up on love just because of one person who didn’t deserve your loyalty. It’s not worth it to let him break something in you like that. Love may be a weakness sometimes, but it can also be one’s greatest strength.” It sounded corny, but his words were sincere.

If it's broken, fix it

If he could, Ryan would keep Ruby beside him for the rest of their lives. He’d scare away any fake friends who decided it was a good idea to hurt her. But the first option was stupid and unviable, while the second didn’t seem very likely to happen, since even with her crying and saying she made a mistake in leaving, Ryan noted she was unwilling to share too much, like she still thought it was necessary to protect those people from Ryan. It made no sense, if they betrayed her, it was reason enough to payback on the same coin. But he knew Ruby’s loyalty was not something to easily go away, it was possible she was more loyal to them that they were for her, it filled him with anger to think anyone would take that loyalty and throw it away, he personally knew how rare and valuable Ruby’s care was.

He fetched a drink for both of them, and even kept the bottle to himself, but Ryan did not drink from his glass. He didn’t feel like getting drunk right now, he just wanted to help his sister, and for that it was better if remained sober. Contrary to popular belief, Ryan did have a little bit of self-control regarding his addiction, he just saw no reason to use it most of the time.

The more Ruby spoke or tried to explain, the less Ryan understood about the situation. It was clear something happened, but he didn’t know what, why or how. Ruby kept avoiding giving direct answers and it was starting to frustrate him, but even then, he kept his voice soft and warm. “It wasn’t supposed to go like what?” Did she try to do something or did they do something she wasn’t expecting? He had no idea, he just wanted to understand so he could try to figure out the best course of action.

Back to normal, she said, so it wasn’t something that happened suddenly, it was the consequence of something else. Uuugh, it was so confusing. “Why wasn’t it normal, then? What happened with… Jacob… and Max…?” He remembered those were the names Ruby had given him before she moved, and the question was more a way for him to confirm it was their fault. God, she sounded so sad, It broke his heart to see her like this, like she was about to crack and start crying. Ryan placed his glass by his feet on the ground, before wrapping his arms around Ruby in a proper hug, his hand running through her hair soothingly. It was all he could do while she refuse to answer properly. “Please, Ruby, I’m just trying to help.”

If it's broken, fix it

He could see how much she tried to be casual, hide behind a semblance of normality. But her greeting felt forced, the pitiful attempt at a smile just made Ryan’s worry grow. Ruby was a strong woman, as much as he liked to play over protective brother, he knew she could take care of herself. That was the reason he had eventually agreed to let her leave. It had been a shock, and he worried too much, but deep down he knew she’d been fine. To see Ruby in this state, looking so lost and upset, he couldn’t imagine what could’ve happened. The only consolation he could find right now, was that she seemed to be physically fine. There was no blood, hers or anyone else’s, so I couldn’t have been anything related to a physical fight.

As soon as his door closed, Ryan felt Ruby’s arms wrap around himself. A desperate sort of hug that seeked comfort. He immediately returned the gesture, engulfing her in his arms in a protective embrace. Her words made him frown, he had no idea what she was talking about, but if he being right caused so much distress on her, he didn’t want to be right. “What are you talking about, Ruby?” His tone was soft, very different from the loud boom he normally used. “What happened, tell me.” He broke the hug momentarily just to look at her face, still keeping his arms around her protectively. She looked so wrecked, what could he do to make things better? Listen to her for now, and be here for her, hopefully blow up whatever upset her.

Slowly, he steered he towards the couch he had in his office, if they were going to have a serious discussion, they’d better be sitting. He gesture for Ruby to take a seat, and would place himself close to her if she accepted.

If it's broken, fix it

Some days he could almost enjoy the menial task of doing paperwork, especially if there was just enough to keep him busy, but it wasn’t a never ending pile that trapped him forever in his office and away from the alcohol. He had been doing work for just under two hours, and already he had to just finish reading this report before he was free, the day was looking up to be a good one. Who knew, maybe he would be able to hang around some of the people who had been too busy to talk lately. Placing the last document on top of the done pile, Ryan kicked his chair away from his desk, stretching his arms above him, his muscles burning pleasantly from the strain, before he slumped down and stayed like that.

He could either go open a bottle of vodka as a prize for a job well done, or he could see if anyone was around for him to bother. Both sounded like sound ideas, so he decided that he could do both. But before he could gather the courage to get up from his spot, a knock sounded from his door. Curiously, Ryan got up and opened the door, wondering if it was Vienne with more news of broken pipes. But it was Ruby who stood before him, and his first reaction was to smile, as he always got happy when his sister decided to come for a visit, but the smile faded as soon as he took in her appearance.

“Ruby?” He asked carefully, a worried look downing on his face. The too big hoodie, the poorly done make up, the way her eyes were bloodshot, even her posture, hugging that pillow like a lost child who just had a nightmare, everything pointed out to distress and sadness. He opened his door further, reaching out to wrap his arm around her shoulder and steer her inside. “What’s wrong? Did something happen?” A million and one scenarios crossed his mind, from the most horrible to the most silly, his worry growing by the second.

Down the memory lane

Johnny had started to drink already, but Ryan was happy to note the man wasn’t plastered yet. Drinking alone was all fine and could be a good pastime, but nothing compared to getting drunk with someone you liked. Having fun on its finest. Ryan took a gulp from his glass, a sound of appreciation on his lips. He always liked how his bartenders always kept the good stuff reserved for him. The perks of owning the place.

He chuckled at Johnny’s response, life of the party, yes. Be it an alcohol fueled party, or a bullet storm party. That’s a thing he liked, Johnny’s flexibility in how to animate parties. He leaned against the bar’s counter tipping his glass in a flirty greeting. “Sometimes, the people who come here are so worth the time” He finished with a saucy wink, before breaking the flirty mood with a laugh and drinking from his glass again.

His eyes turned towards the people dancing and making out in non-secluded corners, keeping an eye out for any suspicious movement in his club as he always did when he spent any amount of time there. It wasn’t that he thought anything would happen, but he did have his enemies. He did his best to keep Neo clean from any apparent influence with any crime organization, but the police had an awful fondness for poking their noses where they shouldn’t, not to mention the Bianchi.

He hummed in slight annoyance at Johnny’s question. “I wish. Today was not Ryan’s day, apparently. You know when everything seems to conspire together to work against you? That was pretty much what happened today.” He rolled his, his annoyance coming back briefly, before he downed the rest of his glass to make the bad feelings go away. “How about you, though? Everything went well with the hermanos?” He was sure Johnny would be sensible not to mention any nasty details in public like this, but he was curious how that job went.