worth a thousand words

They were all risking a lot. Dominic had spent most of last night thinking this over and over again, wondering if it was worth it, knowing that the moment they set foot on Lorenzo's property again and took that money, there was no going back. He knew this, he knew it all, and he wanted it. He wanted to put a bullet straight into that man's skull and take what the man stole. He'd done it through blood and violence, and it wasn't going to stop until someone handled it.

Maybe this was selfish to take the money. But fuck, this damn government was so corrupt that it would go straight back into fueling the wrong people again. After everything he and his brothers had gone through, they had barely anything to show for it. This was their opportunity to get rid of a tyrant and live a more peaceful life. A very well-off life, too.

Jeff had a solid plan, as he always did. There was a reason why this team was so good, and he trusted each and every one of them with his life. This last mission wasn't just for himself- it was for the boys, for Rosalita and her brother. They all deserved it. They could do this. He just had to keep reminding himself of that.

Dominic was hoping for good news as he carefully made his way through the narrow streets, finding the back door to Rosa's place. He knew the route by heart now, knew when it was safe to visit, what neighbors to look out for. It was like clockwork now, and he thought nothing of it as he opened the screen door and was greeted with a very-on-edge informant. His hands went up in surrender immediately, and he tried to keep the guilt off of his face. She was already frightened and stressed- what was she going to think when he asked for one more favor?

"Lo siento. I should've knocked." She should also lock her door, but he didn't say that out loud. His intention wasn't to make matters worse, although it was going to be inevitable. Rosa was lowering the knife, so he stepped in further, letting the door shut behind him.

'...I got it.' His eyes immediately lit up and he moved his way to the camera. It took him a moment to figure out how to rewind, backtracking a little before he intently watched the shaking scan of the house; his lips curled into a relieved grin at the sight of the money. It was there, and it was a lot. "This is perfect, Rosa." Dominic set the camera aside for now as he regarded her in soft appreciation. "You did well, this is exactly what we needed." Then he paused, and his expression sobered, clearly hesitating. "But...I do need one more favor."

He didn't like this, he really didn't. How could he? It was one thing to ask his teammates to risk their lives, doing something they've done on numerous occasions, but Rosa? She didn't belong in this world of terrorism, deceit, and death. Perhaps it was why he had involved her so much, in order to make this happen and get her out. Dom really didn't know, and his thoughts were cut short by her defensive reaction, one he had seen coming and very much deserved.

Is that what he did- asked and made promises that he couldn't keep? Did he come across as uncaring or selfish? 'How could this not be enough?' He actually flinched at her words, his posture slackened before he sighed heavily. "I know, Rosa...I know..." Although he was attempting to apologize to her, it sounded like he was just murmuring to himself, at a loss for words. Seemed like the cowardly thing to do.

Watching her turn away from him, he hesitated just a moment before taking that step closer, gently resting his hands upon her shoulders. His voice was quiet, hesitant as he finally spoke again. "I know I'm asking a lot. If there was another way, I wouldn't ask this, I wouldn't...do this to you." Dom wasn't sure if she believed him, but to be frank, he had never lied to her before and wasn't about to now. "But we need another van inside the compound, otherwise, there's no getting the money out..." There was a pause, and his voice got a little quieter. "And then I can't get you out."

There wouldn't be an out for anyone. They'd likely die in this damn country.

He hadn't counted on this. For the three years he'd been here, searching for Lorenzo, he never expected her. He never anticipated needing another's help. It was like, one day, she had suddenly just appeared and made all of this whole mess a little clearer. Dominic often wondered if he would have been able to find Lorenzo without her, and here he was, placing her in more danger.

Yet, he was doing it to also save her. Or was he simply telling himself that to try and feel better about all of this? Dominic could share these thoughts, but then that would mean he would have to come to terms with feelings he was purposely trying to keep buried deep, forcing them to remain a questioning "what if" before he stupidly complicated things further.

He kept her too long. He held onto this informant for too long. He should have let her go months ago.

Swallowing the lump in his throat, he was drawing his hands away as she finally turned to look at him again, and he was attempting to ignore the guilt he felt weighing him down with each passing second. His gaze did not waver from her, though, because he wasn't lying. He wasn't hiding anything from her. Nothing important, anyway.

"No, you're justified," he told her gently, his jaw clenching again as he felt that overwhelming need to comfort her in some way. "I'll get you both out of this country with new papers and money. I promised you that." And he didn't go back on his promises. "But I need that extra van."

It was this delicate balance that he wished he could ignore. Rosalita had been very helpful in the last year. She had found Lorenzo's house after she was taken under his employ. Although Dom spent these last three years searching for the bastard, trying to find a way in to handle him, all it took was trusting a pair of lovely hazel eyes. Rosa had been the key, and yet, it required putting her further in harm's way. Dominic didn't want to express just how much that bothered him, but at the same time, didn't want the woman to think he was heartless. He was worried for her, far more than he let on.

Just right now, if she didn't get them that van, there was no getting anyone out of this mess. Not easily, anyway.

"Thank you, Rosa," he said quietly, still wishing he could take it back. Wishing he could take all of it back. A part of him realized, once they pulled this off, once they got her and her brother out of here, that would be it. She would be gone. Dom really wished that didn't bother him so much.

She was saying his name, and it took him a second to snap back to the moment. "Yeah?" He waited patiently, blinking to try and clear his head as he gave her his full attention. 'Just...just be careful.' Strangely, that stilled him. He wasn't entirely sure why, but he watched her in the silence that lingered, calculating his next reply.

After a lingering pause, he grinned, but it didn't seem to reach his eyes like it normally did. "This is a solid plan," he assured her, one of his hands nearly reached out for her arm but he shoved both into his pockets instead. "We're gonna pull this off, and you and your brother will be safe." I promise, he nearly said again, but he refrained. Things could always go wrong, and Dominic knew better than to make so many promises. It was just hard not to with her.

He was trying not to sigh at himself, at everything right now, and tried to shift the conversation. "Have you eaten anything today?" She appeared so shaken, and he wasn't willing to just leave her alone just yet. He was telling himself it was to make sure that she was alright, but it was also to ease his own concerns.

He had to slip out of that seriousness, otherwise, he would get sucked in and spiral down into something he shouldn't. He already felt like he was getting too close, letting emotions come into play when they shouldn't. Things had been normal at first, just with every informant he's had, but Dominic had been quick to realize that things had changed. She was different- and that could be dangerous for him.

So, if she viewed him even slightly in a dimmer light, it was perhaps for the best. Of course, looking after her wellbeing when it wasn't completely necessary right now probably wasn't helping things. He really had to stop contradicting himself and going against his own rules.

"Well, we should remedy that, hmm?" He was turning to rummage through her small kitchen as though he belonged there, not having a clue if she even had anything remotely edible. Were this his own kitchen in the tiny apartment he'd been renting, it would be completely empty. "Or, better yet, where's your favorite place to go around here?"

Now, see, this was the exact problem. Didn't he see or hear himself? Distance, Dom. He could still ensure that she ate and took care of herself, making sure she would be alert enough for what she had to do, but this? Even his buddies mocked him for it.

Was he not thinking or was he not thinking how bad of a idea it possibly could be to go out anywhere for too long of a time? This was what happened when he lived in a rented room for so long and barely cooked for himself these days. His mind automatically "went out", and they probably could have laid low for a bit to grab food. Or, at the very least, he could have brought something back for her.

'Estas loco?' Yeah, he heard that a lot these days. His comrades had originally thought he was out of his mind with this plan...and yet, they remained. Who was crazy now? That's right.

Dominic chuckled lightly before she was immediately putting him to work. Chop vegetables? Sure, he could do that. He liked to think he was pretty good with a knife, whatever the scenario might be. So, he was reaching for one before setting to work; offering a sideways glance in the middle of chopping as she began to hum quietly. His eyes crinkled at the corners as he tried to suppress his grin before drifting his attention back to the produce.

Whether it was the actual song she was humming or not- because he only heard bits and pieces here and there- it was enough to make a particular one spring to mind. Dom was biting his tongue, though, however, silence wasn't always so easy for him and eventually his foot began to lightly tap against the floor as he finished with the onion and moved on to the peppers. His lips began to move, silently mouthing the song playing in his head before he very faintly began to sing under his breath, focused on the task in front of him.

"Y tu mente y la mía están en sintonía, eres el motivo que alegra mi vida...Esa melodía que rompe el silencio..."

When he let himself zone out, he barely registered what he was doing. It was a nice reprieve when his job always had him on edge, needing to pay attention to every little thing, every little detail all around him. Normally, Dom kept himself reeled in even around Rosalita, but maybe the stress of the upcoming mission had him forgetting exactly where he was because he wanted to forget everything for a short while.

So, he hadn’t noticed her sneaking off to retrieve her phone until the very song he’d been singing to himself (or so he thought) began to play. Those eyes blinked, looking up and over to her in sudden bewilderment.

’You're not gonna get away with that sneaky singing around me, Dominic.’

Then, she was dancing, and it took him a moment to realize what else she said. Something about karaoke, but the hint of challenge in her voice made it all quite clear...he just knew he shouldn’t, as innocent as this was and should be, would be. Deep down, he could hear the guys pulling his chain, and it would be very difficult to feign ignorance if they saw her right now.

She was an asset, nothing more.

Yeah, but that ass, though…

”I have no idea what you’re talkin’ about…” Dominic chuckled quietly and shook his head, turning back to finish cutting up the peppers. Not to drop a stereotype, but the Latin in his blood was making it very difficult to ignore a good dance beat. It had also been a while since he last joked around and just allowed himself to relax. Honestly, he shouldn’t even be there right now, and should have left shortly after she gave him the footage.

He didn’t want to be an idiot and fuck this up. Not this one, not her. She was going to do one last thing for him so that he could get her and her brother out of this place.

Still, it was only a few seconds that passed where she might think he wasn’t going to give in, as he thought this over and over again, telling himself to ignore her challenge. The stupidity was quick to win out, however, and soon Dom was tapping his foot again; dancing lightly in place as he decided to sing just a little louder this time along with the music.

”Se ha vuelto mi medicina...Y poco a poco yo me estoy sanando…” When he finished those peppers, he set the knife down carefully and turned to her once more- like the fool that he was, Dom grabbed her gently by the wrist and spun her around before her drawing her closer in some lazy salsa steps. ”Son esos labios los que me tienen atado, como loco enamorado, Sin darme cuenta ya me has conquistado…” It seemed as though he knew most, if not all of the lyrics to this particular song.