Promises and Pomegranates

Kallum “Kal” Anderson grew to love silence, stillness, and calmness as a child. It became an “obsession.” Stimuli can make him feel weak and dysfunctional, so he starting using violence to satisfy his destructive tendencies. This is what brought him to work for Rafael “Rafe” Ricci, the leader of one of Boston’s premier crime families. Though he is a doctor, he enjoys violence. When he met a woman named Elena, however, her “forbidden[ness]” became an even greater temptation. He thinks of himself as Hades and her as his Persephone and “new obsession.” Kal says that Elena surrendered her soul to him the night she asked him to have sex with her and take her virginity.

Rafe slurps his tea, driving Kal into a rage. Rafe watches the video of Kal having sex Elena Ricci—Rafe’s oldest daughter. The video angers Rafe because Elena is engaged to someone else. Kal explains that someone dropped off the flash drive at his house, blackmailing him with a list of demands. Rafe refuses to sacrifice Elena, and Kal realizes that Rafe’s image means more to him than his daughter. Rafe suggests that Kal protect her, and he wonders what they will do about her fiancé, Mateo.