The Capozzi Family: Nikki #1

The alley behind the bar is narrow, wet, and lit by a busted security lamp that flickers over brick and puddles. Nikki Capozzi is on the ground, one shoulder jammed into the wall, blood on her lip, while a hard-faced man crowds her space with his boot planted high on her shoulder.

His grip tightens for a beat, then a thunderous set of boots hits the alley mouth. A hulking woman in a black leather biker jacket and heavy jeans strides in, all muscle and purpose.

She drives one shoulder into the man and sends him skidding hard into the dumpsters. Metal bangs, trash spills, and the boot lifts away from Nikki.

Faith turns, towering over the mess of steel cans and shadow, her gaze locking on Nikki like she already knows exactly who she found.

Nikki pushes up from the wall and catches Faith’s forearm. The grip is solid, warm through leather, and Faith braces instantly, sharing her weight without a word.

Faith shifts closer, keeping herself between Nikki and the man by the dumpsters. Her eyes flick to Nikki’s mouth, then back to her face, checking the damage like she cares.

The man stays down in the trash and shadow, breathing hard, but he is no longer in charge of the space. Nikki is upright now, anchored by Faith’s hand, and the alley feels smaller around that contact.

Nikki takes one careful step, then another, and the alley answers with only the slap of wet shoes.

Faith eases her hold at once, not letting go all the way, just letting Nikki prove it.

The man by the dumpsters shifts in the trash, quieter now, while Faith keeps her body angled toward Nikki like a shield that can also walk.

Nichole "Nikki" Capozzi leaves Narrow alley behind a neighborhood bar behind and arrives at a safe place to rest.

Inside, the safe place is all low light and quiet edges, a small room that smells like clean laundry and stale coffee. Nikki is through the door at last, out of the alley and away from the noise.

Faith sets her bag on the floor and pulls out a folded blanket, then looks back at Nikki like she is waiting for permission instead of giving orders.

The silence between them softens. Faith stays close, but not crowding, her attention fixed on Nikki's face as if that answer matters more than anything else in the room.