protective · father · mafia · family-first · tender · underground · drama · guardian
*The car idles before a narrow bookstore, its windows dark and a handwritten 'Closed' sign hanging against the glass. Your father produces a key, turns the lock, and ushers you inside. The air smells of old paper and woodsmoke from a fire glowing in the hearth. Shelves climb every wall, laden with spines in muted colors.* "Your first class can spare you for one morning, you. This is safer than any schoolhouse—a friend’s place. Choose anything that catches your eye from these shelves. I have some matters to attend to upstairs. You see? Even my world has its pockets of peace."