I struck first, going straight for Vittore's face. He dodged of course but he was right, he was fast. I sent more hits, Vittore going on defense. Adrenaline pumped in my body as I made sure my moves were fast and went for places with the most damage.

All I was doing was testing Vittore's defenses. Usually, my moves were calculated but I was being reckless at the moment, throwing as much as I could. I saw Vittore's stance shift and quickly ducked as he sent a foot right for my face. I stood up, my hair flying in my face and I regretted not tying it up earlier.

We separated. I shook my hands out, circling Vittore while he did the same, his eyes watching my movements. This time, I let him try to hit me instead. I blocked and dodged most of hits hits but he had more strength and each blocked it hurt a ton. I got a hit in first, managing to hit Vittore's wrist, pull him forward and jab my elbow in his ribs.

He let out a harsh breath and we separated again. I smirked at him and jogged in place.

"Getting a little sloppy there Martinelli," I mocked and he stood up straight, completely unaffected.

"I'm just getting started," he resorted and came for me once more.

People had gathered around us now, eagerly watching the fight. No one dared to say a word, just wincing and making 'oooo' noises when one of us got hit. Fists and kicks weren't going to work on Vittore. He was a skilled fighter, that much was obvious so it was time to change tactics.

I stopped trying to hit him and dodged every thing he sent at me. Vittore went for a punch and as his fist passed the side of my head, I grabbed his arm and twisted it, pulling it to his back, faster than you could say 'checkmate'. What I didn't expect was for Vittore to twist in my grasp, bend down and sweep a leg, hitting my knees, forcing me to lose balance and fall to the ground, rolling towards the crowd who moved back.

Vittore smirked at me when I glared up at him and I pulled myself to my feet. No more Miss nice Dalia. For the move I was sure I could take Vittore down with, he needed to be on the ground. Well, looks like I have much to do.

When Vittore and I went for each other again, it was mostly an exchange of blows. I hit him, he hit me. I kicked him, he kicked me. We were evenly matched and I hated it. Vittore sent a jab to my chest, causing me to cave forward and his knee came up, barely missing my nose and hitting my forehead.

I fell back, slightly dazed then I saw Vittore about to pin me down. I moved quicker than lightning, finally getting in in a position where he had to tap out.

A triangular choke.

His head rested between my legs, along with his left hand that was awkwardly sticking out. I hooked my ankles behind is neck and rested back on my elbows, tightening my hold. He was losing air and fast.

"You know, when I imagined being between these thick thighs of yours, this wasn't how it went down."

My hold slightly loosened at Vittore's words that were spoken so low, only we could hear them. I did want to push him back but I couldn't. It was a slight moment of hesitation but I still tightened my chokehold.

Vittore grunted, his face a light shade of red as he shifted and I realised what he was doing. Slowly and painfully, the bloody Italian got back on his feet with me still trying to choke the life out fo him. I was basically sitting on his shoulders until he adjusted his stance and fell forward, making me hit my back on the mat.

That was all it took for me to let go and cave into myself from the pain that run down my spine. My body shuddered in pain and I heard Vittore recover and stand on his two feet.

"Get up," he told me and I sighed, looking up to glare at him but I still painfully, pulled myself to my feet, rolling my shoulders to reduce the ache.

He came for me again, quickly managing to drop me to the floor on my back again. I saw his foot in front and opportunity struck. I grabbed it with both my hands, lifting my legs over my head to hook them around his knee before pulling him down, landing on his chest with a thump.

I grabbed his hand, wanting to pin it behind his back when he moved, sending the both of us rolling across the mat until he managed to hold my hands on either side of me and secure my hips with his legs.

"You ready to tap out?" Vittore asked from above me and I could hear the females around shouting no.

"Never."

I pulled one leg up and used it to get momentum to thrust one side of my hip in the air and throw Vittore off. I was going for a gogoplata choke, one I was sure he couldn't swindle his way out of when I received a kick too my gut.

I let out a breath, my body immediately caving in. Vittore kicked my side so I fell on my back and the next thing I knew, one of his legs were under either one of my armpits, holding my hands out in a way that made them useless.

Vittore interlocked his fingers and set them under my chin before pulling. I gasped as some of my muscles, mostly in my back were aggressively tagged. Unlike Vittore, I didn't have the strength to stand and lift his fat ass on my shoulders nor could I find a way out of this ninja choke. I tried moving my libs a bit but it just caused me pain until I tapped out.

My hand banged on the mat as fast as I could make it and Vittore instantly let go, my body quickly caving in as I took in a sharp, much needed breath. My body shook from how much the muscles had been put to work and I groaned. Damn.

A hand landed on my arm and I knew who it was right away. The whole room was quiet as if people were afraid to breathe. Hair was pulled from my face and my eyes blinked open, meeting Vittore's dark ones.

"Tesoro. Stai bene (Are you ok)?" Vittore asked. His voice was indifferent but I could hear the worry behind it. That was cute. He cared. I nodded my head quickly, just wanting him to leave me alone to probably die on this mat.

"Alzarsi (Get up)," the man above me coaxed. I did want to stay down here but I let him help me to my feet. People around us started cheering as I stood, mostly the women.

I glanced up, suddenly feeling a bit nervous and shy. I shrunk against Vittore's side, a move I hoped went unnoticed.

"Ok. Ok. Spero che lo spettacolo vi sia piaciuto perché è finito. Torna ad allenarti (Ok. Ok. I hope you enjoyed the show because it is over. Get back to training)," Vittore said loudly and some people chuckled, smiling at me before dispersing from wherever they came, whispering amongst themselves.

"That was odd," I mumbled under my breath, thinking Vittore hadn't heard me but he did.

"They are just impressed," he answered me.

"About what? Me losing?" I grumbled as Vittore guided me towards the stairs, slowly helping me down each one.

"No about you holding your ground. The people here are very good fighters, some professionals but you lasted longer than them when it came to facing their Don."

"You're a cocky motherfucker aren't you?" I asked as we got down the last step, moving to the elevator. "All this easy talk about being the best but you like it don't you," I snorted.

"I do. It among other things..."

I didn't hear what Vittore had mumbled under his breath at the end but decided to just drop it. Probably wasn't important anyways. We got in the elevator and it closed, Vittore putting his thumbprint in the panel as we stood, his hand around my waist holding most of my weight up.

"I've been meaning to ask... how did you get my thumbprint in the system?" I finally spoke up in an accusing tone that caused Vittore to smirk.

"Don't worry much about it tesoro. Just enjoy your freedom."

"You will have to tell me some day you know," I mused. "I am Dona after all."

"How could I forget?" Vittore mumbled, something flashing in his dark eyes. I stared a while longer, taking in his features, one's I was familiar with. I noticed he'd let his beard grow longer.

"You should shave," I pointed out, running a finger over the heavy stubble. "Probably before the mafia convention."

"You mean the convention I'm dressing you up for?"

I shrugged at Vittore's words, having accepted my fate once he got me in that fucking ninja choke. I had trouble holding one before but it was very effective. Him picking the dress just means less stress for me.

The elevator door dinged open and Vittore helped me inside. As soon as we got close to the couches, I pulled myself away from him but Vittore held on, pulling me so my chest met his. I looked up in his dark eyes, my heart hammering.

"Riesci a stare in piedi da solo (Can you stand up on your own)?" Vittore asked causing me to roll my eyes.

"Of course I can. I'm hurt not fucking disabled."

Just to prove my point, I pulled away from him and stood all alone. He sighed and seemed to give up.

"Vai a pulire. Ci preparo qualcosa da mangiare (Go clean up. I'll make us something to eat)," Vittore said before leaning down and planting a tender kiss on my cheek that sent butterflies in my belly and caused my poor heart to beat as fast as it could.

The Italian pulled away, my fingers brushing his skin, savoring the minimal touch we had left until I saw him disappear in the kitchen. I stood still for a while longer, seemingly in shock before shaking my head and making my way upstairs to get cleaned up.

With the state I was in, it was definitely going to take a while.