Meanwhile, out in Las Vegas....

[Omar]

[[Posting as Eduardo Panucci...]]

Lying here in bed with this scamp is kind of comical. Actually, it's kind of disgusting. It was unbearable how many times I felt physically sick to the point of wanting to vomit, as I hammered away at her body. Still, she was, how shall we say...quite "pliable?" *Toothy smirk.*

Anyway, as long as the benefits are as good as I think they will be for playing out this machismo farce, then I'll play along. It seems as though Sophie is completely under my spell. Sad to say, I find it is true and can't understand...good girls really do go for shithead guys, HA!

Anyway, I hope it's enough to keep her on the leash because this kind of thrusting is definitely not my cup o' tea. I guess it does help to envision her father's face as I lay down the plumming on his pride & joy. Ho ho, how ridiculously sweet- not only am I giving it to him up his ass financially by letting him think he has a partnership with me in the Bellagio (when all he's really doing is taking the steady rap for me in terms of paper trail), but I'm soiling the one thing he THINKS is pure and good in his life! Shakespeare couldn't have scripted it any better, baby...

But still, I miss Mario's touch. I long for his strong command and conquering. And it's not like him to stay away this long- even he knows he can't find a bitch as willing to please as me.

So what's keeping him? He knows I'm always working the angles, and usually he has something worthwhile to contribute- especially if it involves increasing stature. Donatelli, well, he's always been Al's little bitch, so no worries there. But Mario...he acts so brotherly in front of the oh-so-fucking-mighty Alfonso Tommasi, but I know him...Deep down he's as sick and tired as I am of Al's grandstanding. Hell, Al wouldn't be where he is today if it weren't for Mario and me- but, of course, mostly me.

I'm the one who gets his hands dirty.
I'm the one with the real cajones.
In fact, fuck it- I am THE workhorse that everyone rides on for a free pass.

Fuck.....

Well, enough of that. I've been making moves without you knowing it Al. And I suspect Mario's done no less- he's just not telling me about it neither. As for Don...well, if he were actually man enough to think of dropping a squirt of piss before your say-so, Al, I'd be the first one to suck his dick.

No, I'm not scared of you Alfonso Tommasi. Nor your lackey Donatelli Giacomo. If I acted in haste, I'd have dropped you both like third period French. But now is not the right time- I need you. More specifically, I need what you left behind in New York. Oh yes, I know all about that Al. Sophie is my eyes and ears. What I need to figure out is the involvement of this "Soprano Family" with your original benefacting Genovese Family. But good things come to those who wait, and I've been waiting for the better part of nearly twenty-seven years to pull the rug out from under you Al, my "dear" buddy...

Though, I AM suspicious of you Mario Bastianelli. And just because I happen to play the submissive role in bed to you doesn't mean I've shared everything I have with you. Oh yes...you've seen what I've done to people who cross me. You don't know this, but you're on very fucking thin ice loverboy. And if you should fall, you had better believe I am going to be waiting for you there. And if you're not careful, you're going to look up only to find the blowtorch that caused your descent in my hand.

...That's a promise.

[Omar]

[[Posting as Mario Bastianelli...]]

Feeling Syn's soft nakedness against my more rugged one...Feeling her warm breath against my chest, as I watch hers rise and fall...And this delicious drag of an early morning Winston truly reminds me of what it means to be alive, of how precious this joy is, and how just how fierce my resolve is in intending to make it last as long as possible.

Over the course of the past few days since we've both spent the time in secret as husband & wife, I've been filling in Syn with all the dirty details of my "work." I don't think my own mother could be as understanding and forgiving. Smiling in blessed gratitude, as I whisk away a lock of her hair caught on the corner of lips. The cool morning breeze enters from the crack of the cabana-esque room we share, so I tuck her in more with the satin sheets surrounding us...

Feeling at ease, I let the cig carry my thoughts to other matters....

Syn is the reason why I live. My work? No- it simply serves as my attempts at building a shrine in worship of her. To many this will sound absurd- but who gives a fuck about them anyway? In life there are two kinds of people: those you give, and those who take. I'm accustomed to the latter, as I am of others to perform the former. There's only trouble when you don't give it willingly. [ ]

Of course, I share the waters with other sharks. And, yes, I'm man enough to admit I'm not a self-made man. I've been given scraps from another's table- Alfonso Tommasi's table. But I've grown full off of this. Now's the time to venture off for my own pickings- even if it means Al is looking to take the same articles as me. See, I don't mind returning favors- but not when your wealth is based on the sweat off of my own brow. Ironic isn't it of how the thing that kills friendships is loyalty...

Not that Al would even know the meaning of the word. He's constantly traveling- but always back and forth to the same place. New York...why New York? Unless things are a mess and he really doesn't have much control on his situation as he would like for us to believe. That stiff sitting behind his desk is suspiciously not like him at times- cracks of genuine grins here and there definitely make me feel uneasy. But Salvatore would never be able to be out here in the desert without Diego's okay. And the Genovese already hold a firm grip on the gambling out east on the Atlantic Strip, so why muscle in on us? Al's got be low-balling with another power in NYC- but who?

Too many questions with you Alfonso. Even worse, you leave behind no hints to any answers. And frankly, that's not good enough for me. Not anymore...

So why not team up with Ed to even the odds that Al has with Don living in his pocket? Because I don't trust the crazy motherfucker. One moment in time when we were both nothing but boys sentenced as men for a misdeed done against our fellow man...we were all lonely then, all missing the scent and touch of a girl....but for some reason they always picked on me, leaving Eduardo alone...but, no, even then I wouldn't let that stand...I'm a taker, remember? And so, I took it out on Eduardo....And it's sad because to this day he thinks I love him....when in truth, I'm also just a creature of habit.

But I've grown and grown out of certain habits. And I am sorry for any part I may have played in destroying the psyche of the young Panucci all those many years ago...Yes, no one knows it, but I probably am responsible for his instability of mental state because of what I did to him....Which is one reason why I stay away from him...for fear of how he will extract his revenge on me once he discovers my new found happiness.

[quiet one]

(posted as syn previous to Mario waking up)

She had watched him sleeping, so peaceful and calm.  A smile curled upon her full lips as she leaned over and placed a kiss upon his soft lips before nestling against his naked body, hers fitting so perfectly against his as her head rests upon his chest.
She thought about all that he had told her over the last few days.  She couldn't love him anymore than she did already.  That in itself was a rather interesting story, the story of how she fell in love with Mario Bastianelli.  As her eyes closed she can still picture that one night in his hotel room with all the other girls that had been asked by Mario, Ed, Al and Don to join them for the night. 

She had been watching Mario on and off all night.  She was just another stripper in the club, another dancer, no more special than any of the other girls she worked with that night.  As she danced on the stage her last set, the music was softer, sensual.  Her eyes locked with Mario's and she danced for him and he watched only her.  Yet she was still surprised when she had gotten the invitation to join them in their hotel room for a party.  Sure she did things with the other girls, but she wasn't accustomed to going out after with men from the club.  There was something different about Mr Bastianelli.
Once in the room she mingled with the girls and the other guys in the room, each guy having picked out who he was going to be with that night.  Cindy and Samantha had their eyes on Mario yet he only watched her as she moved through the room.  She hadn't talked to him the entire night but she watched.  Watched how he interacted with everyone, especially Ed.  There was something between those two, she knew it.
The party was winding down and still she hadn't talked to him all night long.  Seeing Cindy and Sam crawling all over him she said good night to the small group she was talking to and moved to gather her things.  She was surprised when she heard Mario call out.  "Everyone leave."  He paused for a few moments before he continued.  "Except for Syn."
Much to her surprise she turned and felt the sting of blush colouring her cheeks.  She was not the blushing type and yet here she was doing just that.  The look on Cindy's and Sam's faces were priceless, something she wouldn't have wanted to miss.  Even Ed seemed surprised that she had been asked to stay and he had been asked to leave.  oh well.  And though she had her own place; to this day she still hasn't spent a night away from Mario, unless he had been out of town on business of course.  She was his secret for now.  She knew she needed to be but she also knew from that very moment that she would love this man for the rest of her life.

Back from her thoughts and remembrances to the here and now.  A long tapered finger rolled along Mario's chest before she paused and looked at her finger.  That band of gold encircling her finger, both having moved the rings to fingers of the opposite hand earlier in the night.  It would be safer, not just for Mario but for her too.  Mario told her how he feared what Ed might do should he find out about his wife, his lover.  Ed has been jealous of Syn before, and so as far as he knew Mario had ended it with the leggy redhead.  But she wasn't deterred that easily, hadn't been then and won't be now.  She would stand beside Mario, no one knew she was there which helped and something she hoped gave him a secret strength, a strength that would help him to over come all that he needs to.  She loved him.

Her love for him would help both of them get through what ever they needed.  Let Ed or Al plot and plan, she was here for Mario.  To love and support and to be a strenght when he needed, or that soft cushion for him to curl up against.  She was his and nothing or no one would stand in the way of waht they had.  She would support her husband with her last breath, no matter what he would do or has done.

That last thought, the thought of loving him carrier her off to sleep, so deep in sleep she did not feel the stirrings of Mario as the sun began to peek through the dark drawn curtains of the room, their room.

[quiet one]

(posted as Syn)

Over the last few days she had listened to Mario talk about his suspicions and his life.  A life she has suspected but until he told her had only been privy to bits and pieces of what he wanted her to know.  She would have been okay with that, but now, knowing all that she knows makes her stronger to Mario than anyone realizes.

She will stand by him and support him in anyway possible.  The fact that Ed still seems to have feelings for Mario will only make things easier, in her mind anyway.  What would Ed do if he found out she was still around.  As far as she knew Mario had told Ed a few months ago that he and Syn were over.  What would Ed do to see her showing up on Mario’s arm?  That would be an interesting turn of events. Perhaps it’s time to let their marriage be known, though keeping it secret would have its advantages.  She would be able to be that silent unknown.  Mario was careful, he always was.  They had gone away to the Cayman’s for a weekend and got married there.  If anyone wanted to dig, well it would take them a while to find it and a lot of money to bribe the right people for the right information.

As she stood looking out the window of the hotel room she smiled, it was one of those devilish smiles, the ones that she keeps hidden.  She was about to enter a world that she knew better than most, a world that she had left a long time ago.  Her father had been a small time muscle man for the mob in Chicago.  Growing up she was always too aware of what he did and who he worked for, he like Mario didn’t keep her in the dark.  If push came to shove and she had to she knew people.  Her father had been killed when she was 14, she walked away.  It was a choice she had been given, walk away or become involved.  She still knew people, still kept in touch with some of them from time to time; or rather they kept in touch with her.  She never accepted money, though it was offered many times, see her father had been killed when he stepped in front of a bullet headed for one of the big guns, just who it was she never knew, but she knew it was someone important from the money she had been offered and the money that she knew was sitting in an account somewhere waiting should she ever change her mind.  Perhaps now it was time to do just that, to stand up and support Mario, perhaps it was now time for that more specific talk of where she comes from and who she knows.  Oh yes, she would be able to support her husband in all ways possible.  Stepping away from the window she picked up the phone and dialed Mario’s cell, getting his voice mail she left him a rather sensual message telling him she needed to talk to him when he was free, it wasn’t important and could wait till they were alone.  As she hung up that devilish smile turned to one of seduction and intimacy as she headed towards the door grabbing her purse.  She had some shopping to do, this conversation called for a perfect outfit.  She honestly wasn’t sure how Mario would respond.

[Omar]

[As Mario Bastianelli...]

The weekend was spent away from the Love he kept clandestine to others, and instead with possibly the one man he loathed the most. It was sickening the way he would make frequent calls to his pet Sophie- you'd think a con man like Eduardo would do a better job of lying to cover up for himself. But no, not when he tells a girl over the phone that basically he loves her- and his hand is resting on my lap in the back of a shady limo. I would have liked nothing more than to take that knife of his out of the apple he was cutting and stick in him instead.

But I can't. Not yet, anyway. Whether the weasel buys it or not, I can't really tell for sure, but I have to do everything I can to keep him away from Syn, from finding out the truth.

I was hoping that he would be his usual loud-mouthed-self reveal some grandiose plot to takeover Vegas. Surprisingly, he kept talking about things he usually considers a waste: the pursuit of happiness, marriage, children, and even God. Clearly a sign that he was up to something- something that didn't necessarily include me...or, worse, something no good that did include me.

When I was alone in my hotel room, I noticed I had missed a call from Syn. Hearing her voice in the message she left definitely reminded me that there is reason to smile in life. Yet, it was bittersweet because I miss her when I'm lying next to her...how would I take it, God forbid, if one of us...or neither of us would ever be able to do that again? With this in mind, along with the knowledge of Eduardo watching my every move, I checked out with an escort to her place. Escort she may have been, but one on my roll and someone I remember as a friend of Syn's. I slipped her a note that said that of course I would meet Syn at whatever time and place of her choosing, and it included a different number to reach me at in case of trace attempts by anyone.

He was anxious for his lover's reply, as the sultry tone of her voice had harvested patches of goose bumps all over his body...but more so because he was wondering if the urgency she was talking of was just fuel to add for the explosion in bed, or if she was in some kind of trouble that she was reluctant to let out entirely for respectable reasons...

[quiet one]

(posted as Syn)

As Syn sat in the back of the limo on her way to the airport she couldn’t help but smile as she thought of Ed and the look on his face yesterday.  She was quite pleased with herself even though she knew she was taking a big risk.  Mario always had the cool emotionless face, he was always good at poker and this for both of them would be one of the most important poker games of their lives.
She had made the call to Jimmy telling him she wanted to see him, no point in surprising the man with a “Hey Jimmy I need your help with something oh and can I get access to that account in the Cayman’s.”  Her boss being a little afraid of Mario had no problems giving her the time off.  She would only be gone a few days and seeing as the other girls didn’t mind working a little extra it wouldn’t be a big deal.
Mario knew where she was going and she had been told by him not to give away any information, which well she would be very good at keeping to herself.  Jimmy wouldn’t ask anyway.  He was too smart for that, what he didn’t know wouldn’t come back to bite him in the ass. 
As she approached the airport the limo stopped and she got out even before Sam could.  A small carry on was all she needed for the day or two away and so it was easy enough to handle herself.  Sam nodded and tipped his hat as she went inside.  Glancing around she watched to see if anything was out of the ordinary.  With Ed’s reaction yesterday she wouldn’t be surprised if that jealous no good slime bucket had her followed, wanting to know if she and Mario were an item or not.  That jealous conniving weasel was always out for either power, sex or both and the sex part just happened to be with her husband.  She wasn’t too impressed with that but Mario had assured her nothing had happened between him and Ed since she and Mario had been together.  Not that in the beginning she would have cared, but now, now that she had a ring and a promise of love, devotion and faithfulness that was important to her.  Though she imagined there might be a time when that will be tested, something will happen that will show her the bond they both share goes beyond those words.
She called Mario’s voice mail and left a message, a voice mail that only he had access to and one that they could both leave messages for each other at.  Mario had a sneaking suspicion that soon everything would be bugged or we would be tailed or something.  And even though she needed to be close to Mario and being a part from him and him from her would be one of the toughest things either of them had to do, when she got back from Chicago she was heading back to her own apartment.  No more risk and no more taking chances with her living in the suite at the hotel.  It would be quick meetings, a little rendezvous here or there and surely lots of time on the phone. 
She was back on the payroll so to speak as one of the many escorts that are on Mario’s payroll.  And even though Ed had called her all that he had yesterday he was just as she has thought many times before, jealous, extremely jealous.  According to Mario no other girl had ever stepped in between the two before.  Not till her.  But then again no other guy had affected Syn like Mario did either.
They called her flight and she gathered her carry-on and headed to the desk.  She again stopped and looked around checking to make sure that she was not being followed.  Chicago awaits, Jimmy would pick her up at the airport and then she would do what she needed to and come home.


(more to come with the meeting between Syn and Jimmy)

[Omar]

[[Posting as Eduardo...]]

He had been brooding and taking out his anger in sexual torment on Sophie. [By the way, just in case you see this, Pat, wanna get back to me? I did send you out an email about the plots, but I'm also wondering how you've been- we haven't heard a peep from you lately!  ] Fucking she was an odd one, too. He closed his eyes, as he took in a deep drag and rested up against the headrest of his bed. He held the dying embers of his Merit cig close to Sophie's sleeping face- and smirked as she frowned and stirred in her sleep. Ah, girls- they truly were a peculiar species.

One girl in particular is the cause of his persistent frustration these days. That good-for-nothing tramp of a dancer...How dare the cunt cut into a private discussion. And that annoyingly low, coy voice of hers, combined with the way she twirled her hair in her fingers- the scent of which only made it the more like she was taunting him. But even more surprising is the way Mario let it slide. He didn't notice it at the time, but Mario would usually kill those you intruded in matters of "business"- so why the sudden change in character? Had all the soft comedy Mario had been playing with that floozy messed with his better judgement?

Obviously he knew both the bimbo and Mario were lying to him- there was much more underneath the surface of what they are masquerading around with. She had to be dealt with, but there was no way he could tail her- not without irking the suspicions of Mario. He twirled his switchblade on his index and split, causing blood to rush out of the new laceration. Tonguing the slit, as he continued to fume in this thoughts. However Syn had managed to poison Mario the way she did- Mario was equally stupid for falling for her wiles the way he has. Her fine hair to match those annoyingly deep eyes of her. Some well-placed protrusions here and there. Pouty lips- possibly collegian injected. Runways for legs that led to the same point of erotic blastoff. But that's all she was, in his estimation: nothing more than a doll. One to be primped, dressed, fed, displayed....

Suddenly a wicked smirk slowly surfaces on his face. Mario wanted a doll, did he? Then maybe that's exactly he would get then. He just wondered if Mario knew that it was customary for dolls to come in boxes...