if the mafia can learn to love

[assassinrue]

Nikolai was restless. He knew this mostly because Mamu watched him from the doorway of his bedroom, her tail flicking irritably behind her. He had made a deal to stay away from Avi but every part of his body told him otherwise.

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

The next day was Saturday, so Aveline went to the animal shelter for her volunteer hours. "Hey, Julia," she said as she entered. The receptionist greeted her and then picked up the phone when it rang. Aveline grabbed her volunteer badge and then went back to the kennels to clean up.

[assassinrue]

Nikolai hid in his apartment that day, planning. The heist he was about to pull of would make the Wests wealthy, they'd be able to defend their turf in ways the other gangs wouldn't see coming, and he, he would be so rich he could possibly leave.

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

Aveline spent most of the day there, giving the dogs and cats attention and helping the people who came in looking to adopt.

[assassinrue]

It was time. Nikolai kissed little Mamu on her head and left, silently stalking the streets until he reached one of the two banks in the neutral zone. He tightened his tie, buttoned his suit, and stepped inside. There was a reason he had the tattoos he did, and he was about to prove why.

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

By then, Aveline had left the shelter and was on her way home. She turned onto the block where the bank was a moment after Nikolai stepped inside.

[assassinrue]

"Hello, how may we help you?"

"My name is Alex Gardner, I was scheduled for an interview today." Nikolai handed over his fake ID and blessed the mafia for his connection to the best hackers. Alex Gardner had a life. He was 26, engaged, had recently moved from a quaint little town in Wyoming, graduated at the top of his class, and had a perfectly clean criminal record except two speeding tickets in high school.

"Of course! Let me get Nadia, she will be interviewing you today."

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

(Nice touch with the speeding tickets, lol)

Aveline glanced into the bank as the passed by, something inside catching her attention. She could only see the back of his head, but wasn't that... What was he doing at the bank? He really hoped he was there to make a deposit.

[assassinrue]

(im a professional )

Discretely, Nikolai looked around him as he waited for Nadia, outside the glass doors, the girl was looking in at him. He smiled a little and brought up his hand to wave, just barely.

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

Aveline groaned quietly. Nearly every part of her was screaming to get the hell out of there. She was pretty darn sure some shit was about to go down, and she was no hero. She didn't think she could foil a bank robbery, but could she just leave when she knew something was about to happen?

[assassinrue]

Nikolai cocked his head at hear and adjusted his tie again.

"Mr. Gardner? This way please."

Nikolai followed the severe woman to her desk right next to the front doors. One wall was glass, just like the doors next to it and there was a faint tell that it was bullet proof. She kept a small safe just behind her desk but not hidden from view. It was a good safe, the Signature TL30, it could withstand fire, had multiple layers of boltwork mechanisms, and antipenetration. He resisted a sneer. A good safe, but he could crack it in 45 seconds.

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

Aveline sighed and entered the bank, cursing her stupidity. It was probably too late anyway, and she was most likely putting herself in the middle of a possible shootout. Her eyes tracked him as he followed a woman into an office. What was he planning?

[assassinrue]

Moments later, Nikolai emerged. He had gotten the job, as he knew he would, and he already knew how to crack half of the safes in the banks.
"Well hello, Pree."

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

"Why the hell do you call me that?" Aveline asked. "And what were you doing in there? I know you weren't applying for a job."

[assassinrue]

"What should I call you instead? And yes I was actually." He smiled deeply at the woman who had just hired him and she walked over, glanced once at Avi, then turned to him. "I'd like you to start tomorrow morning at 8, our other man just called in sick."

"Yes Ma'am." He waited until she was gone to look back at Avi.

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

Aveline gaped at him for a second. "You applied for a job at a bank? What-- No, never mind. Don't tell me. I don't want to know your evil plans." She turned away from him and walked to the door. She paused after pushing it open and glanced back at him. "My name is Aveline, by the way."

[assassinrue]

Nikolai smiled deeply. "A lovely name."

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

"And yours?" she prompted. She'd like to have a name to put to his face, even if it was a face she should be avoiding.

[assassinrue]

Nikolai stepped close to her so that he could whisper. "You may call me Nikolai."

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

Aveline shuddered a bit at his proximity, but she quickly pulled herself together. She stepped back and flashed a smile. "And Nikolai?" she said. "You look like you ran into a brick wall." Then she stepped out the door, letting it swing shut behind her.