A bad idea. That’s what I keep telling myself. This is a very bad idea. But yet I’m still here…alone on a balcony…with Vico, while he smokes and stares at me.

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

“I can’t look at you?”

“Not like that?”

“Like what?” I lean against the railing as I break our stare off and gaze at the garden in the back of the venue.

“Like you want me, or more clearly like you want to fuck me.”

“I do, I’m not going to apologize for that and you shouldn’t feel uncomfortable when you step out looking this appealing. Surely you know what a dress like this could do to a man.” I smirk looking down at the open knit long sleeve dress that showcases the black bra and short tights I wear underneath. The dress drapes past my feet onto the ground even hiding my shoes as I walk.

“What does this dress do?” Vico laughs, daring to step closer leaning down on the railing.

“Tempt me to be less of a gentleman.” I laugh as he stands even closer, holding his joint out for me. I haven’t smoked in months, I’ve been too busy working. I’m sure whatever he has will knock me on my ass.

“Scared?” Vico teases retracting his arm and going back to his casual posture on the railing.

“Not at all, but I haven’t smoked in a few months.” Vico nods in understanding, stepping closer to me again. He’s so close now, our bodies are an inch apart…why am I not moving away?

“I got you.”

Vico takes a hit of his joint before grabbing my chin in a dominating way that has me weak to comply. He nudges my lips apart with his thumb, leaning down so the smoke surrounds both of our mouths.

Vico abruptly wraps his arm around my body so our chests collide, making me gasp and suck the smoke into my lungs. Our eyes stay glued on each other and his smirk is long forgotten as his dark eyes pierce my soul. I blow out the smoke, ignoring the burn in my chest as I stare into his hooded eyes.

That stare, it screams run away, but I can’t. Something about Vico renders me motionless and weak.

He takes another long pull of his joint, letting his lips graze mine as the smoke flows between us. The temptation to kiss each other is strong but neither of us give in. Instead, we smoke this way in silence until my head feels light and my actions can be deemed questionable. I tap Vico’s chest letting him know I’m done and he stubs the joint out before flicking it over the edge.

“Thanks for sharing.” My words are low and slurred as the drugs take effect, making me feel warm and lifted. My boredom is completely suppressed and replaced with veiled lust and desire as Vico relaxes close to me.

“You’re the only person I’ll willingly share with.”

“Why?” Vico looks up at me, once again staring at me with deathly seriousness.

“I told you, I want you.”

“You looked pretty content with those girls at the bar.” A smirk tugs at his lips as he turns around, leaning his back against the railing.

“They were all the same and not my type.”

“So what’s your type?” I hope he doesn’t say something cheesy.

“I like a woman with confidence and independence. One who wants to stand beside me, not be carried by me. A woman whose beauty can be matched on the inside as well as the outside. And one that especially doesn’t rely on her family’s name and status to succeed.”

That was definitely not cheesy.

“What makes you think that I’m that woman? You don’t even know me.”

“Your name has traveled, Snow Dixon. Not only in the underworld but business too. I’ve heard of all your exploits. That’s why I know if you wanted to leave any time during the last 3 hours, you could’ve knocked me out and left.”

He’s not lying.

“But you haven’t, despite the numerous warnings I’m sure my brother gave you.” He’s right…

“I think that means you want me like I want you.” Vico leans in a playful smirk on his face that widens as I put my finger to his lips before he can kiss me.

“You may want me but I’m Snow Dixon, I’m off the market.” Vico’s next words are interrupted by screams and gunshots. The carefree daze I’m in snaps in an instant and I quickly run back down to the reception.

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What was I thinking? Hanging out with Vico, I completely forgot about my task of keeping Milo safe.

When I get down to the reception the ballroom is covered in people in black having a shootout with the Malone’s and their allies. The ring leader is a girl in a skimpy ass white dress and running mascara crying and screaming about Milo being married.

This must be the crazy bitch that’s been attacking him, why the hell isn’t she dead?

I reach under my dress and grab the knives attached to my upper thighs. The assassin’s back is to the door and I know I’ll have one shot before it’s raining bullets in this direction. I raise my hand to throw but my wrist is grabbed before I can. Vico’s brows are furrowed and he kneels low, pulling me to the bar.

The poor bartender is curled up in a ball holding his head in fear, his eyes in wide panic.

“Are you trying to get yourself killed, at least find cover first.” Vico looks at me, silently asking if I’m ready and I nod. The familiar feel of the blades in my hand have my instincts taking over as my training comes back to mind. Vico and I stand in a low crouch at the same time, adrenaline coursing through my veins as I set my eyes on my targets. I throw the 6 knives while he shoots, easily taking out over half of the assassins.

Vico pulls me down to the floor as guns swing our way, dragging me and the bartender to the side as bottles begin to shatter. Vico turns, hugging me close and using his body as a shield from all the glass and alcohol raining down on us.

This man, I just can’t figure him out. He knows I’m close to his rival yet he’s still protecting me.

I reach around and grab the shattered bottle of whiskey nearly colliding with his back. I push him off as the shooting pauses, launching the bottle over the bar hearing a female scream. Vico laughs fist bumping me, “nice.” I smirk and nod as the bartender shivers next to us.

“I don’t want to die…I don’t want to die…I don’t…” he makes the foolish mistake of going to stand but Vico pulls him down by his shirt with a hard glare on his face. He slams him into the bar making the poor guy wheeze.

“If you don’t want to die, sit here and shut up. This is my favorite shirt, I don’t want your blood on it.” Vico’s growling words are less than friendly and flat out threatening.

This is the guy I expect him to be, for some reason I find his anger less unnerving than his friendliness. The shooting resumes but it doesn’t last long as Milo’s security quickly wipes out the rest of the intruders. I stand first followed by Vico who pushes away the bartender now clinging onto his shirt.

Milo’s security holds a screaming girl by her arms as most of the guests clear out of the reception. Noé finds my eyes through the crowd, glancing at Vico but I nod, letting her know I’m alright.

“You should’ve married me, Milo! How could you do this to me!?” I roll my eyes.

“Who the hell is that?”

“Lola Black. Her family specializes in assassins if you noticed. She’s the crazy bitch that’s been attacking Milo.”

“I thought he took care of her already.”

“The Malone’s don’t kill women.”

“Do you, Mr. Cioni?”

“Of course not, I get a woman to do it for me.” I shake my head at his smirk as Milo steps forward to talk to the girl. I turn back to the bar, leaning over to look at the bartender still curled up.

“If you want to get out of here, now would be the time.” He doesn’t need to be told twice as he scrambles off the floor and out the door with the rest of the guests.

“I was hoping he’d make me a drink.”

“I doubt he could even lift a glass let alone pour you a drink.” Vico leans on the bar next to me, grabbing a stray bottle that wasn’t cracked in the chaos.

“Cheers. Nice throwing by the way.”

“Nice shooting, but don’t shield me like that again. I can protect myself.” Vico smirks as he takes a swing from the bottle.

“I know you can, but why bother when I’m around?”

“Because I don’t-”

“Fuck you, Milo!” Lola’s rage barks out followed by 2 gunshots.

“Watch out!” Vico grabs me once again using his body as a shield, grunting as Lola is tackled to the ground.

“Get her out of here!”

“Fuck that?” I take Vico’s gun out of his loose grip, using my body to hold up his heavy form. Reaching around him, I shoot Lola 3 times in her back and once in her head, making her collapse to the floor. Disregarding the gun I turn my attention to Vico who slides down to the floor, taking off his jacket and shirt, pressing them to his wound with a deep breath.

I take over for him, shaking my head, trying to calm the sudden spike of adrenaline coursing through my blood. My stomach turns at the thought of Vico dying because of me. I know he’s Milo’s rival but…

“You damn fool. I told you not to use yourself as a shield.” Vico cracks a bloody smile, holding his shirt to his side.

“I told you…I won’t apologize…even if it means losing my favorite shirt.”

’And I told you, I’m Snow Dixon. I’m off the market.” A group of guys come over, calling Vico boss, practically pushing me out of the way as they usher Vico up on his feet. He pauses in front of me, his stupid cheeky smirk planted on his face as if he didn’t just get shot.

“You’re right, you are off the market. Because I intend on having you all to myself and I don’t share. I’ll find you when I recover.” I shake my head as his buddies usher him away. I notice Milo eyeing me as he consoles Adeline but I don’t know what to tell him. Vico possibly saved my life, he at least deserves my respect for taking that risk.

Noé comes over, looping her arm through mine. “I’m glad you’re okay. I panicked when I saw that shot heading your way.”

“I didn’t even notice to be honest. But Vico did.”

“He saved you.” I sigh and nod towards the door.

“I’ve had enough action for tonight.” Noé laughs as we head out of the venue. Leaving the Malone’s to take care of the aftermath of Milo’s wedding.

“I can’t lie, it felt good to be the Sparrow again. That adrenaline rush, I kind of missed it.” I nod as the valet brings our car around.

“I did too, if I’m being honest. But I don’t miss almost dying, that’s for sure.” Noé and I get in the car and I settle into the passenger seat as she drives us home.

“Where were you by the way? I noticed that you and Vico disappeared for like 2 hours.” I lean my chair back with a sigh, thinking about the unending conversation that Vico had earlier. He’s as easy to talk to as Milo, I can see why they’re brothers, even if it’s only half-related.

“We were just talking.”

“Just talking?” I laugh and kick my shoes off.

“Yes, though he said he wanted me.”

“He wasn’t exactly hiding that. What did you tell him?”

“What do you think I told him? I said I’m Snow Dixon and I’m off the market.” Noé cheers with a laugh as she speeds down the road.

“Damn right you are. And never forget it.”