Mark Ricco

He fucking hates being around Alexei.

Mark never would want the facts confused. He hates being around Alexei, but he doesn't hate Alexei. Everything he does, in a way, is about Alexei. His wanting to head the Italian side of the family is about Alexei because then Alexei will have to acknowledge his existence, and that's in the least of what Mark is willing to accept.

He wants things the way they were before Cassandra died and before that girl came between them.

Mark doesn't have a family. His mother, Alexei's Aunt, was a young spitfire who fell in love with an up-and-coming crime boss. His father was known as Ricco, and the older, more established Smirnov family didn't find him suitable for the crime princess, but his mother loved his father, and her family never forgave her for the betrayal.

The family only keeps him around as a pawn, and Mark knows it.

No one truly cared about him his entire life, that is, besides Alexei and Cassandra. So his hatred of being around Alexei comes from his hatred of feeling alone, outcast, and looked over. He knows Alexei loves him because one time, long ago, Alexei would tell him and show him. Now Alexei acts as though he can't even stand to look at him.

It hurts.

Mark sniffs the crushed pills off the fold out of the stall. His nose buzzes, and he leans his head against the opposing wall, and his eyes close briefly before there is harsh knocking on the stall. He already knows.

"They want you back out there. " Alexei's tone is clipped and hurried.

Mark chuckles to himself.

Alexei acts as though spending one moment breathing the same air will make him the worse person on the earth. It's incredible how different things used to be. Mark hates that Alexei keeps this wall between them. Every chance Mark gets, he tries to force Alexei to forgive him. They've both done fucked up things to one another.

Mark opens the stall and immediately feels like shit.

Alexei looks at him with unrestrained disgust. Alexei knows he's high. Mark thinks to himself about how they used to have fun together. Alexei used to do everything he did. Alexei gave him his first line of coke. Alexei was a part of his first threesome. Alexei used to look at him and smile.

"You're high!" Alexei spits out the accusation with incredulity. They are in the midst of a meeting.

Mark shrugs and thinks to himself how torturous this sit-down is. "The better to withstand your asshole cold shoulder."

Alexei scoffs and scowls, not wanting to address their estrangement, ever. "One day, you are going to need to get your shit together. You can't party all the time and do drugs every waking moment. You would think your punk father taught you that by watching it be his downfall. "

Mark feels scalded.

Alexei puts up a farce of hated, but Mark sincerely believes Alexei could never hate him. How could Alexei ever hate him? Mark thinks about how Alexei was the first and only man he's ever kissed. Alexei kissed him first. They used to be so close, and they used to keep each other's secrets.

"Alexei, just gets the fuck out of my face, okay?!" Mark itches to get to the table and drink.

Mark wants this day over so he can return to Tammy and she'll make the hole in his chest feel better. He wants to drink and feel as though all of this is coming to an ending soon. It would never be his choice to be around Alexei as things stand. However, he plots even at this moment away to make Alexei forgive him.

Alexei makes a sound of irritation, and it's because Mark is intent on self-destruction. He feels guilty knowing he's a part of Mark's pains. "Suit yourself. "

Mark thinks for a moment. Maybe this is a good moment to try to get Alexei to talk. Usually, Alexei wouldn't say two words to him. The fact Alexei is even admonishing him can be a hint that he's growing weary of the feud. Maybe Mark can find out what Alexei thinks about Tammy.

"Alexei..." Mark calls out to him.

Alexei turns and looks in his direction but not at him. Nothing seems to make Alexei more upset than when Mark says his name. Mark knows why, but he also knows that's what betrays Alexei's cruel act. If he didn't give a fuck, it wouldn't bother him.

"How long are things going to be like this? I'm sorry. I keep saying it. . .I'm fucking sorry Lexi, Alex. . .Alexei." Mark says every name because, with Alexei, you never know who he is in a moment.

Alexei is unpredictable like that.

He can just become someone else, and few people know every side of Alexei, but Mark knows him. Mark knows the true him, the him that Alexei is running from. He tries to maintain his dignity, but he would do anything to make Alexei be his friend again. Why can't Alexei stop with his stupid pride and caring what others think?

Alexei takes a deep breath and walks in a half-circle before running his fingers through his blond hair. Suddenly he comes at Mark with natural aggression. "I told you not to ever say my fucking name again." Alexei uses his forearm to choke Mark.

Mark resists fighting for air or pushing him off. This is the closest they've been in a long time, and maybe it's because Alexei has switched to some other personality and trying to strangle him, but Mark accepts that Alexei isn't quite himself right now. "Alex, Come on. . . "

Alexei sneers and applies more pressure to Mark's throat. "You listen here, little bitch; I know you're fucking betraying me again. You fucking attention-seeking. . ."

Mark looks right into his eyes.

Of all of Alexei's personalities, Alex is the most violent of them all. Yet Mark still can't help but feel safe. Mark never feels safe, but he knows Alexei would do anything for him. "Go ahead and hit me. Won't you feel better, won't you forgive me? "

Alexei releases pressure on him and backs up, blinking in a way that lets Mark know he's slipping into a different awareness. Alexei's switches are so subtle. "I'm never putting a hand on you, you, you sick fuck. Stay the fuck away from me, Mark, and stop whatever stupid fucking thing you're doing. I will never ever fucking forgive you. "

Mark can't help but get the last word. "The only reason you won't hit me is that you know you'll fucking like you fucking weirdo, fuck you, Alexei!"

Mark watches Alexei's body stiffens at the truth. Alexei has a problem with being attracted to pain and causing pain. It was a low blow, but Mark wants Alexei to hurt at this moment, the way his unforgiveness hurts him. Alexei storms out of the bathroom, and Mark sinks to the floor, banging his fist on the floor beside him, and when anger fails, he sobs.

Mark would never want the facts confused, he hates being around Alexei, but he could never hate Alexei Smirnov.

Tammy

Alexei Smirnov hasn't left her mind in days.

In one moment, she'd witnessed more than what she needed to see in him. It was by sheer luck she avoided that kiss. Usually, Tammy is all in for a good time, but Alexei wasn't a man to play with. Besides, she has something with Mark, and she wants Mark. Why can't she get Alexei out of her head?

That kiss, which never happened, will remain a tension between them that Tammy refuses to give into. She will not see Alexei as anything other than what he is, something that is trying to come between herself and Mark. Tammy feels frustrated and wishes Amber would have left her alone.

They are out at a mall. Amber looks over at her. "Are you sure nothing is catching your eye? We have tons of money. You can get whatever you want. "

Tammy tries to remain polite. She doesn't have an issue with Amber. "I'm cool. Let's get a pretzel or something. I guess being out is better than staying in that house all day. "

Amber smiles, and one dimple dots beside her full cherry lips. "You have to loosen up, Tammy. I don't know why you are all in your head about things. Mark is cool, and now that you're here with Alexei, nothing terrible is going to happen. "

Amber keeps saying things like 'here with Alexei,' and it's irritating. Every time Amber says something of the sort, it's like the universe telling her that her time with Mark is short, that they aren't happily ever after. Just thinking of losing him makes her feel panic. She's never felt so attached to anyone before.

"I'm not here with Alexei, I am here with Mark, and we are here because your father has forced us all to be. " Tammy says as they sit at a food court table.

Amber rolls her eyes. "Whatever you say, Tammy, but Alexei has been asking so much about you. "

Tammy sips her lemonade feels her stomach flutter. "What have you been telling him?"

Amber smiles again, lifting an eyebrow in the same manner as her brother. "Mostly all of your strengths. I've told him about how you were up for the promotion and how badass you are. He's very interested. "

Tammy continues to sip the lemonade. She doesn't want Alexei very interested in her, not the true her. She only needs Alexei to slip something to feed Mark and be rid of the unfortunate meeting and events since. Tammy doesn't like this change of course between herself and Alexei. Alexei can't want her.

"You seem to think very highly of your brother. " Tammy finally says upon deciding to get a bit of information out of Amber about the man in question.

Amber takes a deep breath and sort of looks off to the side before bringing her gaze back. "Alexei is a complicated man but a good man. My brother would never admit it, but he's a romantic, and I fear he's so afraid of being hurt that he keeps himself too guarded. "

Tammy takes in the information critically. For whatever reason, Tammy doesn't trust Amber in her gut. Then again, she considers that maybe she's frustrated that Amber so openly wants her with her brother.

"I don't see anyone hurting your brother. " Tammy rolls her eyes at the thought.

Alexei Smirnov is sex on legs, and his sister is dumb to think that any woman would be getting the better of the sick man. Besides, who is willing to cross a man that brands people in his spare time? Tammy immediately realizes she must be the fool, the only fool.

"Alexei is complicated, but if you take the time to know him, I think you'll find that you two have a lot in common. I think you should like try to get to know him. "Amber suddenly turns very serious and looks pensive as she takes a bite of her pretzel.

Tammy laughs. "Alexei and I have things in common. Yeah, I'll believe that when you kiss my ass. "

Amber laughs as well. "Well, you both like art, and between you and me, he likes your art. He's been looking for your original pieces everywhere and has one hanging in his bedroom. I think he has a crush on you. "

Tammy swallows hard. That isn't great news. Maybe in another world, it would be something that puts butterflies in her belly and make her feel like an accomplished artist, but right now, it feels like fate is kicking her in the stomach, once again. She doesn't want Alexei to get too close. How much closer can he get than her art. He's going after the real her, and Tammy feels powerless to stop it.