Mikki De'lucca

"We gotta go, Mikki.. Now!"

You jump to your feet, almost slipping on the wet tile when you hear the urgency to Colt's tone as he races into the bathroom, snapping you from your lost spiraling thoughts and bringing you back to your senses.. "W-what? Why?"

He grabs a towel, reaching in to shut the water off before he wraps the soft, pale grey terry cloth around your shoulders and bustles you into the closet..
"I'll explain on the way.. I need ya to get dressed.."

You gape at him, not comprehending anything.. What is happening?.. "Colt, I don't understand--"

He gives you no time to argue, sweeping into command.. And he is.. You can practically hear the gears of his mind whir as he turns, tossing a long black and white flowery dress over to you.. Instinctive reflex has you reaching out catch the slinky cotton between shaky fingers..

"I need ya to move a little faster, Sugar.." You comply with his insistence, since he appears edgy, buzzing with urgent energy..

You move quickly to pull the dress over your head without any underwear, letting the towel fall around your ankles beneath it.. The thin fabric clings to your damp skin, and one thin straps slips from your shoulder when Colt grabs your hand..

"Wait-- My phone--"

He shakes his head firmly.. "Leave it, it's jacked, Little Darlin'.."

You fumble along behind him, almost tripping over your own feet in the haste.. "No I need it.. If Oliver calls--"

He stops, turning around to take you gently by the shoulders.. Colt's icy blue eyes search yours seriously.. So seriously your breath hitches..

He is worried.. And that freaks you out.. Because the last time you saw that look in a mans eyes, they had been Charlie's..

And and it had been the last time you'd ever seen them..

"Sugar, this place ain't safe.. You're not safe.. I need you to hear me, if we don't get out now.. I don't know that you ever will.. Something is wrong here, Mikki.. Understand?"

You nod slowly.. "That's what Charlie said.."

His stern narrowed gaze softenes on you.. "Then Charlie's a smart guy, and you should listen to him.."

You shake your head.. You had come home for a reason.. Charlie would never have understood or agreed to what you have been doing.. You doubt Colt will either.. Hell, you don't even entirely understand it yourself.. What had started as revenge has now become a way to simply torture yourself..

"Charlie is dead.." You affirm in an effort to undo some of the crazy assumptions the Cowboy must be making..

He sighs softly.. "Yeah, sweetheart.. I know what you meant.."

You sigh in defeat.. "I at least need my bag.. Please, Colt.. My-- my meds are in there.."

You glance over to your handbag slung over the bottom of the bedpost.. His head tilts in confusion, but he doesn't waste time arguing about it, striding over to scoop up the leather purse before bundling it into your arms when he returns.. "C'mon now, Sugar.. Stay with me.."

Colt pulls you out into the hallway, locking the bedroom door from the inside before he pulls it closed.. You don't know what good that will do to keep the scene inside from being discovered, but maybe delay it.. If only for a few additional minutes..

The house is quiet as you slip downstairs, it's too early for anybody to be awake yet, even the service staff would still be sleeping..

Once you make it outside, inhaling the crisp morning air has skin rising with goosebumps and your nipples pebbling beneath your sheer dress to poke visibly through the fabric as you briskly cross the drive to the garage, clinging weakly to Colt's arm the entire time..

You feel so tired.. And your head aches.. Really fucking aches.. "My car is--"

He leads you towards the shiny red Ford pickup truck parked by the far end of the drive.. "No, we'll take mine.." He opens the door for you, looking over his shoulder to make aure nobody is watching..

"Colt, what happened?.. Why are we running away?"

He doesn't answer you, instead closing the door, jogging arounds the hood of the truck to slide in behind the wheel, driving down towards the gates that lead out of the house..

As the sensors click into motion and the gate begins to slide open Colt casts a wary glance over at you.. "You alright, Sugar?

You know you must look like hell and honestly, you feel like it..

Confused and numb, you stare out the window as the De'lucca estate disappears in the rear view mirror, lost in your own scrambled throughs.. "Y-Yes.. No.. I dunno.. I don't understand.. What happened?"

Tipping your head back you let your eyes fall closed as you run your fingers through your damp, tangled hair.. Taking a few deep breaths, trying to find your centre or some semblance of zen..

"Alright, so.. Try not to freak out--"

Looking over you see his knuckles turn white from how firmly he grips the steering wheel.. "I make no promises, Cowboy.. Please, just tell me, why are we running away?"

He hums hesitantly.. "Uhh.. Mikki, sugar.. I'm pretty sure you killed Dax.."

Dax is dead?

You cant believe your ears, it seems impossible, only hours ago he had been giving you shit, how is it possible that he is dead.. And even more unlikely, how is it that you could have killed him?.. Its impossible..

"Mikki? Did you hear what I said?" Colt shakes you from your shock..

"What?.. No.. That's not possible--" You twist your hands together.. Dax was a dick head, sure, but you didn't want him dead.. You didn't want to kill him..

"You need to tell me what really happened, Darlin'.. Tell me the truth.. I can't help you if you don't.." The same man that had been easy and warm is gone, this version of the Cowboy is frustrated and maybe even a little suspicious..

"I told you.. I don't know--" A sinking feeling begins to gnaw at the base of your belly.. "Wait.. You don't believe me?"

He frowns.. "I didn't say that.."

"You don't fucking have to.. Stop the truck, Colt.."

He looks over at you exasperated.. "Sugar--"

"Stop the fucking car, right fucking now!.. OUT, I WANT TO GET OUT!" You shout temper rising fast and with a grunt Colt veers off to the roadside, pulling into a small gas station, muttering beneath his breath..

"What the fuck am I doin' here.. ..Never signed up for this shit.. Bratty fucking bitch.. Babysitting a spoiled little princess--"

Ignoring his attitude you swing the truck door open and jump out onto your bare feet.. Irrationally pissed off.. Or maybe its completely rational.. You don't know anymore.. You don't know what is true and what isn't.. You haven't in a very long time..

Charlie's voice is echoing in your ears.. 'Temper, temper, baby.. Keep it together.. You got this..'

You pace beside the truck a few times trying to walk off the fury..

"Mikki--" The Cowboy emerges from the driver's seat with a face of frustration..

"Shut up.. I don't even know if I believe you anymore.. No.. No, no I don't trust you.. I can't.. How do I know you didn't do this?! How do I know Dax is even dead.. How do I know Angelo didn't put you up to this?" Your thoughts spin in circles..

You can't trust him..

You can't trust anyone..

Colt rounds the truck, curoisty burning in his gaze.. "Why would he do that, Mikki?"

You can't answer honestly..

That it's possible your father discovered the truth, that you tried to have him killed..

That the recent assassination attempts against the Godfather, had been orchestrated by his own daugher.. His own flesh and blood..

A betray for a betrayal.. And no matter how many times Charlie's ghost would try to talk you out of attempting it again.. You will never listen..

"I told you-- I don't fucking know!" You snap harshly, glaring up at the frustratingly strapping cowboy..

"I think you do know, Sugar.. And I already told you, I don't work for Angelo De'lucca.."