- 6 1 -

- R O M A N - A N G E L O -

I watched absolutely mesmerized, my eyes glued to the large stage in front of me and the girl who glided effortlessly across it since the past hour.

Her movements so confident and precise, full of grace and elegance as she twirled, letting her head fall back, her long and dark hair cascading in waves down her back and braided at the front.

The red and gold dress on her hugged her in all the right places, flaring out when she moved, her blue eyes moving across the crowd before they landed on mine and her lips formed a breath taking smile, making my breath hitch.

There she was, my girl, all mine.

With a small curtsy to the crowd, she smiled wide when she waved at her family and then at me as all the performers filed onto the stage and bowed with her, the crowd erupting into a loud applause and cheer.

Her eyes stayed glued to mine when she blew me a kiss which didn't miss her brothers' attention who looked back at me with a clenched jaw, Anton narrowing his eyes at me but I ignored him as she looked at me.

My eyes followed her movements as the curtains hid her away from me and I immediately stood up from my seat, going down towards the back stage, ignoring everyone else.

Entering the door, I was met by a loud cheer as all the performers laughed about, huddled in a group but my eyes were fixed on one person only.

Her eyes lit up when she saw me as I slowly walked towards her. The room fell silent upon my arrival as I slid my arm around her waist, pulling her flush against my body and pressing my lips onto hers.

I gave her a short kiss, much to my dismay since she pushed me away but smiled nonetheless, her cheeks turning pink while people gaped at us.

"You were so fucking amazing, angel." I told her and saw her smile widen when she pecked my cheek.

"Thank you." She said shyly, playing with the buttons of my blazer when I chuckled.

"Feather!" Someone called out to her and both of us looked back at the guy who danced with her at the club, the gay dirty dancer.

I narrowed my eyes at him as he approached us and hugged her tightly, but I was quick to pull her back to me when he chuckled.

"Don't worry Mr. Angelo, I'm too gay for her, sadly." He said sighing when she giggled, capturing all my attention as I watched her with awe written all over my face and pecked her head.

"On tak chertovski vzbit iz-za tebya, pero." (He's so fucking whipped for you, feather.) Jason chuckled, shaking his head and I partly understood what he meant as Heather looked at me with wide eyes.

Whipped?

"YA ochen' somnevayus' Jason." (I highly doubt that Jason) She replied rolling her eyes playfully when I sighed.

What if I am whipped?

Dear God, help me.

"I'll see you later feather, take care!" He said and said goodbye to her, leaving us alone when she sighed, relaxing in my embrace.

"Tired, baby?" I asked when she nodded into my chest as I ran my fingers through her hair.

"You exhausted me so much, Rome." She whined when I chuckled, lifting her face with a finger under her chin.

"And I'll do it again, baby." I stated seriously, watching her blush furiously before I pressed my lips to hers once again, but we were interrupted by a throat clearing.

Grunting in displeasure, I looked towards the source of my misery, her brothers', and that Russian bastard, Ivan.

"Darling." Anton spoke in a clipped tone, glancing between us warily while Alex just watched her with a disapproving look when she sighed and looked at me.

"I'll see you later?" She asked softly when I nodded, pecking her forehead with my gaze connected with Anton's whose jaw clenched tightly.

Idiot.

"You will." I confirmed and saw her nod as she walked towards her brothers who led her away from me.

I sighed heavily as Enzo came to stand beside me with his arms crossed as I slid my hands in my pockets.

"It's a cruel world. Don't know why others want to separate people who love each other." He said dejectedly when I frowned.

Love? The fuck?

"Love?" I scoffed but he smiled at me.

"Yeah. You both love each other, don't you?" He asked when I frowned.

"No." I answered in a clipped tone when he shook his head with a small smile playing on his lips.

"Smettila di mentire a te stesso, Roman. Ho visto come la guardi. Sei fottutamente innamorato di lei. Nega tutto quello che vuoi, ma è la verità." He said and walked off, leaving me to my thoughts.

(Stop lying to yourself, Roman. I've seen the way you look at her. You're fucking in love with her. Deny it all you want, but it's the truth.)

Mulling over his words, I followed him back to my car, none of us saying a word after that as we drove home to prepare for the mission and meeting tonight.

"Do they have a sniper yet?" Enzo asked me when he was done employing men all around the area strategically.

"SÌ." I answered and saw him nod.

"Who?"

"Their best one yet." I answered and saw realization cross his face.

"It better be the person who shot our men all those years ago from such a big distance. That one was good." He said when I nodded.

"That's the one."

"Really? Thank fuck. That sniper's their best as of yet. Can't wait to meet him." He clapped his hands in excitement when I looked at him with an unimpressed look..

"That sniper shot our men." I deadpanned when he nodded.

"I know, but still, era così fottutamente figo." (It was so fucking cool) He said excited when I rolled my eyes.

"Da che parte stai, idiota?" (Whose side are you on, idiot?) I questioned him annoyed when he smiled coyly.

"Ours, duh. Non significa che non posso apprezzare il nemico, Romy." (Doesn't mean I can't appreciate the enemy, Romy) He said smugly when I glared at him.

"Don't fucking call me that. And I'll deal with this sniper myself after the meeting." I said glaring at him when he smiled smugly.

"Who pissed in your cereal?" He asked and I clenched my fists shut, glaring daggers at him and effectively causing him to flinch back and yelp.

"Alright, alright, jeez." He fanned himself before walking off to deal with the security.

I went up to my office to get some work done, but my mind kept going back to a certain blue eyed angel who had plagued my mind.

Sighing, I shook my head as if that would clear my thoughts and focused on the laptop screen in front of me.

Now to deal with this shit.

- H E A T H E R - E L I A S -

"I will do whatever I want." I crossed my arms over my chest like a stubborn child while Anton pinched the bridge of his nose in annoyance.

"Heather, darling, you need to stay away from that man, he isn't-"

"A good person? Who is, Anton? I'll never be safe, I'll never be protected and I will always be in danger." I said exasperated when he sighed.

"You are safe, as long as you're away from him." He said sternly.

"No, I'm safe when I'm with him. He's been there for me when no one else was. I trust him, Anton, and deep down, I know you do too, so please, please, don't separate us." I pleaded my brother who sighed heavily, his eyes softening.

"Are you sure darling?" He asked after a few moments of silence when I nodded.

"I'm sure. He makes me... feel. And he makes me feel safe. I haven't felt that in so long. Not since mom-..." I trailed off, looking down at my feet when he got up from his chair and stalked towards me.

"I know, darling, I know." He wrapped his arms around me and I sighed, smiling into his embrace when there was a knock at the door of the office.

"Come in." Anton spoke and a girl who seemed to be a few years older than me popped her head in, smiling warmly at Anton with her grey eyes looking at him before she stepped in.

Who's this?

Anton's arms were still wrapped around me and mine around him and when the woman saw that, her smile faltered for the briefest moment before she regained composure.

"Hi. Am I... interrupting something?" She asked looking between us warily when I looked over at Anton who smirked faintly and I frowned.

Who is this woman?

"Just a second, Ana." He said to her who nodded, her lips pursed as she flashed me a small smile but not before looking me over once and I made sure I looked confident and intimidating enough if she was a threat.

And sure enough, she seemed somewhat weary of me as she clasped her hands in front of her and nodded.

"Of course." She said softly when Anton turned to me and kissed my forehead, looking at me thoughtfully.

"You're ready for tonight, darling?" He asked me concerned and I nodded.

"Yeah, I guess so. I'll have to get over it eventually." I shrugged and saw him nod.

"Alright. I want you to meet someone... important... to me." He said a little slowly when I frowned as he turned towards the grey eyed woman.

I looked over her, noting she was a bit shorter than me, but just by an inch or two. But she was really beautiful, with dark brown hair that cascaded down her back till his waist.

She wore light blue denim jeans with a casual tea pink button down and white sneakers, and was overall really pretty, and had a certain warmth about her.

"This is Ana, Anastasia." He said as the woman came closer to me a little hesitantly and smiled somewhat softly.

"Hi." She said and I smiled back a bit when Anton nodded at me.

"Heather. Heather Elias, and you are?" I asked and saw realization cross her features when she looked at Anton a bit shocked who only smiled.

"Is this your sister?" She asked when he nodded and she broke into a huge smile.

"Hello, I'm Anastasia, but you can call me Ana." She said with a warm smile as we shook hands.

"I don't know you... Have we met before? Actually, better yet, have I threatened you before?" I asked when Anton rolled his eyes and the girl laughed.

"That's a good one, but no, we haven't, unfortunately. But it's so good to finally meet you. I've heard so much!" She exclaimed when I frowned, looking at Anton.

"Ant, darling, explain." I said with a sickly sweet smile when he sighed.

"You remember the guys saying something about falling in love with a doctor this morning?" He said almost reluctantly when my brows furrowed and I nodded.

"Uh... yeah?" I asked confused when he huffed.

"Well, things is this is my... girlified. Also my doctor." He said almost embarrassed and my mouth hung open.

"Your what?!" I shrieked, stepping away from him.

"Knew you'd do this." He mumbled, wrapping an arm around Ana's waist and pecking her temple, I saw her look lovingly at him as the pieces started to fall together.

"No fucking way." I said shocked when Anton glared at me.

"Don't fucking swear." He reprimanded when I rolled my eyes at him.

"You swear all the time." I said crossing my arms.

"That's because I fucking can." He retorted back when I huffed.

"Why?"

"I said so, that's why." He said when I frowned.

"That's not a valid reason." I said and he was about to speak when Ana cut him off.

"Anton, I think she has the right to use her words the way she wants to." She reasoned, and I instantly knew I liked this girl.

"As long as she is under my roof, she won't swear." He said sternly and I stuck my tongue out at him.

"Fine, I'll go to Roman's. He doesn't mind it." I said when his jaw clenched.

"Who's Roman?" She asked confused when I grinned.

"My boyfriend." I said proudly when Anton's glare grew harder.

"You what?" He said threateningly when I smirked.

"My boyfriend. He asked me today, and I said yes." I shrugged as his jaw clenched.

"And who is this Roman?" She asked again while I scanned my nails in a bored manner.

"The fucking Italian Don." Anton gritted out when Ana gasped.

"No fucking way, that is so cool. Enemies to lover, my favourite trope." She gushed and I giggled along with her as Anton looked at her in annoyance.

"Whose side are you on?" He asked her when she shrugged.

"I'm on love's side. Let her be with the man she wants to be with. I'm sure she knows what she's doing. She's what, 19? She's mature enough to make her own decisions." She reasoned and I smiled wide.

"Anton, where did you hide her for so long? She's way better than you." I said when Ana grinned, looking at Anton triumphantly.

"The fuck? No! You are not to see that ma-"

"I'm sorry Anton, but I can't deal with you and Alex controlling my life any longer. I appreciate the concern, I really do, But I care for him , and he cares for me. Don't make me choose." I said softly when Anton sighed, shaking his head.

"Anton, leave the past behind and move on. She's a strong woman and can take care of herself. Am I right, Heather?" Ana looked at me and I smiled.

"Yeah. What happened before was... it was foolish, yes, but none of us expected it. But I trust Roman like no one else. He makes me feel safe." I pleaded when he looked into my eyes and sighed.

"I'll think about it, darling, for your sake." He said when I smiled giddily and hugged him. He hugged me back immediately and the kissed the top of my head before I pulled away.

"I have to get ready for tonight now. You're welcome to come to my room anytime, Ana." I told her and saw her nod with a warm smile as I left the office, breathing a sigh of relief as I went to my room.

I was scrolling through my phone when there was a knock on my door and Ana peeked in. I invited her in and she sat on the edge of my bed.

"I talked to him, hopefully he'll come around." She said and I nodded.

"Thank you, it means a lot. How'd you meet my brother?" I asked when she shrugged, smiling faintly, and told me about how she met him two years ago when he was shot.

She was his personal doctor and was with him throughout that time and they soon grew quite close.

I was really happy Anton had found someone good for him and was finally thinking of settling. At least he'll fret over someone else but me now.

Thank fuck.

"I like you, you're good for my brother." I told her, watching her beam at me happily.

"Really? I feel so happy to hear you say that. I was really worried you wouldn't like me." She said biting her lip when I shook my head.

"What's there not to like. You're like, way better than Anton. I totally prefer you." I said and we both laughed.

"So, you have a mission tonight? What's your role?" She asked curiously.

"You know about everything our family does?" I asked and saw her nod.

"Oh, well, I'm the sniper." I said and saw her eyes widen before she smiled wide.

"That's so cool. So like, are you getting dressed or something for that?" She asked and I nodded.

"I am. Actually, why don't you help me choose an outfit. Something-"

"Bad ass? On it." She said and we both chuckled as we walked into my closet, choosing a suitable outfit for me and placed it on the bed.

"So, boyfriend, huh?" She asked with a sly smile when my face grew red.

"And you're blushing too! Tell me, is he hot?" She asked curious, glancing at something in her lap before looking back at me mischievously.

"He is. He has the most gorgeous green eyes that could stare at for hours, and such cute dimples when he smiles. He rarely ever smiles, but when he does, it's the most beautiful sight. And he has such soft, wavy, jet black hair and such a hot body and tanned skin, oof." I fell back onto the bed when she chuckled.

"And how much do you like this man?" She asked when I grinned.

"A lot, so freaking much I can't explain it. He makes me feel so many things at once. And when he kisses me, its like absolute fireworks." I sighed when she laughed.

"Oh, that's good, because he just heard everything." She said suddenly when I frowned.

"What?" I asked her confused as I sat up and saw her wave my phone at me that had a call from none other than the Don himself.

What the fuck.

"You did not just do that!" I exclaimed, snatching the phone from her as she fell back laughing and I smacked her with a pillow before putting the phone to my ear.

"Angel." He spoke and I sighed, closing my eyes when I heard his deep voice before he chuckled.

"H-Hi Roman. Did you call?"

"I did, baby. And I heard some... interesting things about me." He said when I gulped.

"You think I'm gorgeous?" He asked and I could almost imagine the smirk on his face when he said it as my face heated up and I playfully glared at Ana.

"You know what, yeah." I said a little confidently.

"Really? And you like my hot body?" He asked smugly when I groaned.

"Fine, yes." I drawled out and saw Ana grin at me as she watched me with rapt attention.

"Mmhm, then you'll love watching me strip naked for you later tonight when I fuck you in my bed?" He said and my whole face turned red as I bit my lip, absolutely loving the idea.

"I'd like that." I whispered and heard his deep chuckle.

"You would, wouldn't you? My pretty little princess, I'll make you come over and over and over again tonight. And tomorrow, you'll be covered in my marks all over your body, because you're mine, si?" He said and I smiled a bit.

I already was covered in his marks from yesterday.

"Si, I'm yours." I agreed and heard his satisfied hum.

"Good, I'll see you tonight then baby." He said and I said goodbye before hanging up. I sighed, falling onto my bed when Ana hovered over me and raised a brow at me in question.

"Well? What did he say?" She asked when I smiled.

"Apart from me getting thoroughly fucked tonight, nothing else." I shrugged when she squealed.

"Oh my god, this is too cute. He's totally in love with you! And so are you, by the looks of it." She said when I scoffed.

"We're not in love, we just like each other very much." I defended myself when she shrugged with a smile.

"Whatever you say, but the look in your eyes when you were talking to him said otherwise." She said when her phone rang.

"Shit, I have to take this, but I'll see you later?" She asked and I nodded.

"Yeah, sure." I said with a smile, waving at her as she left my room before slumping back onto the bed when my eyes fell on my clothes for tonight and I sighed.

This is going to be harder than I thought.