"Seriously?" I looked at her.

"Yes." she confirmed, "You need it."

I held in my hands a cookbook, on the front it read 'Man Meets Stove'. Oh how I love her sense of humour. She beamed as I eyed her - putting it down beside me, I took to the next object which was...

Shaving cream.

"Amara this isn't funny."

"Oh don't complain." she chuckled.

I put that aside too. Next was black wrapping paper, I lifted it and was awfully surprised at what I saw. Almost shocked. That's why it was so freakin' heavy.

Cold Steel. Two customised. Black. Cold Steel Swords.

I'd even gotten a bulletproof coat to go with it, since that seemed to be his thing. The coat allowed the swords to be stored in back, super convenient and the back is the only place on the body with nearly enough space for them. Not to mention they weren't exactly light.

"Swords."

"Yup." I sat on the bed.

Claire had been super uncomfortable watching me walk around some shady dealer's store, I knew the guy of course but I didn't tell her that. She just kept asking if I was actually serious, I was busy finding the perfect swords. They were pricey but totally worth every penny. The best in the world and derived from Japan.

Basically this guy was the real deal. He even altered the coat for me. A saint in disguise.

"What the f-"

"You seem like a practical guy," I reasoned, "I couldn't think of anything else. And I really wanted to take Claire to a weapon store. It was quite entertaining."

"You're insane." he chuckled. I guess he wasn't used to getting weapons as presents, usually he probably wasn't even the one that bought the weapons. He was just told to use them. I - on the other hand, had been on my own for a while. I wouldn't leave myself defenceless.

"Not insane," I smiled, "Smart."

"Well I'm not going to deny you're the first person to get me something I can actually appreciate," he turned to me, "So thank you."

"Ahp, don't let Claire hear you saying that." I chuckled.

He chuckled. "I'd never see the light of day."

--

We were running late.

"Are you prepared?"

"In what way?"

"For the crowd." he laughed, "They're going to hate you."

"Excuse you!" I slapped his arm.

"Only because you'll outshine them all, I hate to admit - the men will love you. They should keep that to themselves." he commented as we rounded the corner.

"Welcome." the doorman nodded to us, Dominic nodded back. The man and another - both dressed in suits - pulled the double doors open.

I'd never been to the hall before, it was grand. It was golden and quite detailed. Only I would pay more attention to the etchings in the walls than the guest that turned to face us.

"Smile or don't smile. Same result." Dominic whispered.

I immediately plastered a smile on my face, even if it would get the same result. I wanted to be the bigger person, always.

I had my hands intertwined before me, Dominic held out his arm and I took the invitation, hooking my arm in his. We descended the steps with all eyes on us, there was still music in the background but I couldn't hear it. We eventually reached the bottom, I received a kiss from Donna and Dominic simply shook his father's hand.

After the greeting with his parents, he led me around to meet the Capo dei Capi of the other familia. Although they were all titled according to their language, there were so many more different ways to say 'mafia boss' than I'd ever imagined.

"There is a lot more people here than I expected." Dominic looked around, "They must be here to see you."

"You flatter me." I laughed.

"You're having fun with this aren't you?"

"This people are so.." I wrinkled my nose, "Posh."

He chuckled. A waiter came over holding a tray of beverages, all of them looked to be alcoholic.

"May I interest you in a drink?" he asked holding it out.

I shook my head smiling, "No thank you."

He nodded at this then left.

"Why didn't he offer you a drink?" I asked Dominic whilst looking at the waiter.

"I don't drink."

"But you smoke weed?" I raised a brow.

"There's a difference." he said seriously.

I laughed. "How come you drank the vodka the other time?"

"I can drink small doses. Just not large amounts, thats why Leo took to the liberty of taking the glass from me without making a scene. He has awfully good timing." he smiled as Leo walked up.

"I don't know," I stretched turning to face Leo but still glaring at Dominic, "Seems kinda shady to me." I turned and greeted Leo as Dominic shook his head.

We stood distracting ourselves with small talk, completely getting along and even Claire and Abrielle had come to join us. It was going so well. Nobody was bothering any one else, people in other circles greeted each other with fake but kind smiles. Better than causing outright drama, the fake smiles were necessary. We were doing well with our mostly genuine ones up until...

"Glad to see everyone is enjoying the party," he walked up with wine in his hand and the other hand in his pocket, "Though its not my party. I like to see everyone having fun."

Vince smiled like prince as he joined in on the group, without invitation of course. Claire immediately stopped smiling and held her glass low. Abrielle shifted closer to her brother, Dominic stood with a still expression but still the same body language as before. I had neither a smile nor a frown. I was the only one putting an effort to show even a slither of kindness.

"Amara," he turned to me, "Glad to see you're as beautiful as ever."

"I agree," Clarissa walked up putting her hand on her brother's shoulder, "Your dress looks extravagant."

The small fraction of kindness I held slid out of my grasp, I turned to her. She had the smuggest look on her face, I hope no one tells her that her lipstick was smudging. Leave her be.

I saw out the corner of my eye many people turn their attention towards us, it was obvious the Italian and Russian heirs stood in a group together. They all knew nothing good could possibly come of it. I gathered as much fake as I could and managed a bright smile.

"Clarissa, I haven't seen you in the longest time!" I shook my head as if this was the most unbelievable thing that could ever have happened. "You should sit next to me at the table."

"But that's my spot." I heard Claire complain.

I turned to her, "Claire, you know as well as I do. Clarissa is one of our best friends. We can't possibly let her sit," I paused for effect, "Somewhere else." This was the most horrifying thing I'd ever said, apparently. It was the most dramatic voice I'd ever used.

"How thoughtful of you, Amara." Vince commented. I ignored him. I knew how much Dominic disliked him and I'd hate to anger him further.

I grabbed one of Clarissa's hands in both of mine bending my legs a little - just like a sorority girl, "We'll go right now." I giggled. She let me drag her away from the group, pulling her to my side. I could see Claire and Abrielle excuse themselves from the group and follow us to the table.

We reached the table and I wiggled my nose at the placement cards, I looked to Claire before moving them around. That way, the girls would sit on one half of the table and boys on the other half. Vince had to sit with his familia because he'd recently become the boss and was expected to, which gave me one less person to worry about.

I sat in my spot, patting for Clarissa to sit down. She looked to me hesitantly then took her seat - anything to sit at the table were the stars of the show sat, I'm sure. Internally I snorted.

"You better not be using me to get close to my brother." she hissed.

"I wouldn't dare," I brought my left hand to my chest so she would see my ring, "I'm engaged remember?" I slid it down bringing both hands to my lap.

Throughout the entirety of the meals, Vince was acting awfully suspicious. He continued to whisper to members of his mafia. He stared in our direction on many occasions and even winked at me.

Three times.

Dominic grew more and more irritated by his presence as time went on. I realised that Vince's existence really meant he wasn't bothered with the other familia. They were all a near zero threat to anything worth anything in his mind. I was worried, his attention on Vince might distract him from what other people might be plotting.

Sure, they may not be as dangerous as the Russian mafia. But they could form an alliance or even a temporary contract or deal with the Russian mafia, which they could use to further their plan. This whole event was built for disaster. Though it was fun, I understood the concept. Throughout the year there's rarely family time, and with every person's family gathered in one place... nobody will risk their family getting hurt. That secures the idea that no one will start a fight, but Vince didn't seem like the type of person to care for anyone.

Donna announced the dance floor was ready, then started off the slow dances by dancing with Santo. I admired the Capo dei Capi's effort to please his wife, it seemed the Vitiello men prided themselves on that. He otherwise wouldn't dream of slow dancing, for sure.

A hand appeared in front of me, I looked up at Dominic smiling broadly at him before placing mine in his. I didn't care that Clarissa was possibly fuming beside me, he led me to the dance floor and we held each other in time to the music. I couldn't say we were in any way at ease, not even me and I could be quite oblivious if I tried.

"You're worried?" Dominic whispered in my ear.

I ignored the tingle, "The atmosphere is extremely tense. People are hardly celebrating." I replied whilst pulling a fake smile, to make it look as if we were exchanging loving words. I hoped Dominic put in as much of an effort.

Dominic tensed and I immediately knew why.

"May I cut in?" Vince's voice floated from behind me, I had to hold in a whimper as Dominic removed himself from me. He threw a bitter smile at Vince before he stepped back, I immediately regretted his decision as I saw Clarissa get up to approach him.

"Uh." I stuttered as Vince brought me to him.

"Is there something wrong?"

"No," I smiled, "Of course not."

I remembered the last time Vince had been here, Dominic mentioned something about his father wanting him alive. I figure my upsetting him wouldn't sit well with Santo. Every time Dominic's father was around I felt uneasy, I cared too much what he thought of me because I knew Dominic often obeyed his every word. A man with that much authority over my life can't be good to piss off.

"Have you enjoyed your night so far?"

"Most definitely." I chuckled, "I'd rather if everyone would just let go and get drunk. Then maybe they'd be a little more fun to be around."

He laughed, "Unlikely but I admire your enthusiasm."

"Thanks." I nodded.

"Amara, tell me." he started, "What does a girl like you, have to say about a man like me?"

"And what is a man like you?" I didn't know where he was taking this. I hate uncertainty.

He looked me straight in the eye, "A man who can give you the satisfaction and love," he brought a hand to my chin, "The freedom to do what you truly desire."

"And what do you think that is?"

"I know, you desire to kill freely. Without morals, without restriction and without the law chasing you."

"You must not know a lot about me then."

"Oh?" he smiled.

I hadn't realised he'd manoeuvred us to the outer part of the dance floor, there was now a considerable amount of people dancing and I couldn't see over them. He backed me up to the wall, I wasn't showing weakness in front of him but what he was doing surely was inappropriate. Even Santo couldn't let it pass, I'm sure.

"Vince, I'm going to go back to my seat now." I sighed.

"What do you mean?"

"I'm tired of standing."

"Has the italian food made you unfit?"

"Are you calling me fat?" I exclaimed, loud. Dominic would know I wouldn't shout on the dance floor, hopefully he'd get the hint and realise I wasn't on the dance floor anymore. I frowned as Vince shooshed me.

Eventually I heard. "I'm sure that it was nothing, easily resolved." Clarissa's voice getting closer.

"You're conniving aren't you?" Vince chuckled shaking his head, he seemed impressed. Not the reaction I was going for.

"What?" I acted confused. He wasn't buying it.

Dominic - who took his sweet time - pulled Vince away from me and pushed him into the wall. The thump caused many people to stop their activities. The dance floor cleared out, at least people were considerate of those sitting down that couldn't see. I brought my attention back to the two, this was my fault wasn't it?

"There is a line Vince, the point is not to cross it." Dominic was trying his best to be calm.

"There is a moral Dominic, the point is not to disobey it." he sneered.

"What could you possibly be talking about?"

I was watching pretty lazily, not being too on edge about the confrontation.

My mistake.

If I'd been paying more attention I wouldn't have let my reflexes take over. My reaction as Vince pulled out a knife and aimed it at Dominic's abdomen was to pull out a gun real quick. I'd shot the knife out of his hand leaving a graze that began to bleed, knocking the knife to the floor with a clang. The sound of the gun going off, startling a number of people. As soon as there was silence, I spoke.

"Other than that," I looked to his hand, "There will be no bloodshed." I reminded him. He looked to me ignoring Dominic who held him by the neck on the wall.

"You are something special Schwarzer Regen." he commended. "Tell me, is it hard being genetically perfect and abnormally skilled? Does it make life harder? Tell me like the privileged little bitc-"

Dominic slammed him into the wall again, "Close your mouth Bogart. Disobbediscono e la tua vita finisce ora."

Vince continued to stare at me, "You are wrong Princess, there will be bloodshed today."