"Are you sure he'll like it?"

I turn around to look at Angel who was sprawled out on Cole and I's bed. Dark brown curls danced wildly around her head every move she made. Her head perks up at my question, giving me a once over before scoffing and sitting all the way up.

"Girl, please," She dismisses my question, "You're gorgeous."

She walks towards the closet, looking for shoes. I glance at the mirror again. For the first time in my life, I think I look pretty.

I look content. If you were to pass me in the grocery store you'd think:

Huh, that girl's not sad at all

Maybe you'd even smile at me or offer me a "Hi, wonderful weather we're having."

The dress was very flattering. The white color looking very neat against my skin. It also felt nice, silk is not something my skin is very familiar with.

"Rose, what about these?" Angel asks behind me.

She holds up some soft berry pink stiletto heels. I have to admit, they were cute. It's actually quite surprising that I hadn't seen them before. I guess I've never really had a reason to look for heels until now.

"Oh, I like these," I comment strapping up the heels.

The material of the dress matched the heels. Silk straps stopped at my shin and tied in a small bow on the back of my calf.

I mutter a string of colorful words as I try and stand up in the shoes.

I obviously didn't take the height of the shoe into consideration as I was a little more than I usually deal with. Which isn't saying much because the number of formal events I attend has dropped significantly low since the death of my father.

"Are the heel too much?" Angel asks starting to look for another pair.

"No, they're fine." Lie.

They suck

She shoots me a knowing look, turning me around to look at myself. Her smile is bright in the mirror. I can't help but feel envious of how flawlessly beautiful she can be without trying. Why doesn't Cole feel any affection towards her? I wonder if they've ever had a thing?

"You are stunning," She beams at me, "Everyone can see it except you."

I smile shyly at her, never being one to embrace compliments.

"Cole should be here any minut-"

Angel is cut off by the sound of the door opening.

"Speak of the devil and he shall appear."

I couldn't have said any better myself

We make our way to the living room to meet him. He looked tired, average working husband at the dinner table tired.

"Sorry I'm late," His voice puts an instant smile on my face.

It also makes me, even more, self-conscious about the dress. Maybe such tight material wasn't the best option for tonight. Especially after dinner.

"Perfect timing actually." Angel quips, moving from in front of me.

Cole's back was to mine, he was putting up his suit jacket. He seemed tense, must have been a hard day at work.

"I stopped by to get Rose something," He turns around, medium-sized pink velvet box placed in his hands.

Before he speaks again his eyes catch mine, slowly trailing down my body. His body eases slightly. He opens his mouth multiple times, shutting it directly after.

"Dios mío," He mumbles under his breath.

(My god)

I blush slightly. Catching a glance of Angel from the corner of my eye totally geeking. Cole opens his mouth again just for nothing to come out. The corners of mine lift, the heat becoming unbearable in my cheeks.

"Well, have fun," Angel draws opening the front door.

I hadn't even noticed she moved. She winks at me before slamming the door.

"You're so fucking pretty, you know that?" Cole's breath fans the side of my neck, I would have jumped if his hand on my waist wasn't so comforting.

I take this as a chance to look at him. I honestly didn't have to look at him to know he was absolutely breathtaking.

He always is

"Looking this good is dangerous, Princesa," He brings the velvet box to attention.

(Princess)

"I guess that's why I got you this." He hands it over.

I run my fingers over it. The box seems like it costs more than my paycheck at the diner and it probably did. I pull at the pretty pink bow that sat on top, carefully opening the rest of the box.

I gasp, "Oh my god."

Inside the box was a customized gun. Black roses littered the grip, skillfully carved into it. On the back in gold calligraphy was scribed:

May the roses remind you why the rain was necessary

"Cole," I breathe, fingers still dancing across my new obsession.

"Do you like it?" He rubs my back, sincerity lacing his voice.

I look up at him, smiling wide.

I reach up, locking my lips with his. Feeling that there is no other way to thank properly with words. I place my gift on the counter so I could use both of my hands to deepen the kiss. His lips were almost as soft if not more than the box covered in velvet.

"I'll take that as a yes." He chuckles into the kiss, I just hum in response.

My hand travels to his hair, pulling slightly. A groan emits from the back of his throat. He likes it when I do that. I pull again. This time he pulls back.

"If you keep doing that we won't make our reservations," He blinks before pulling away fully.

I smirk, "We don't have to make the reservations when you can just eat something else,"

Completely joking, well, kind of. Cole stares at me. I can see his thoughts churning.

"Just kidding, I'm hungry," I interrupt before we actually do something to make us late for the reservations. On the way out I pick up my new gun placing it in the thigh of my dress.

"After you, Princesa."

(Princess)

***

Cole walks into the restaurant without even a glance at the host. The host hands a paper to one of the bodyguards that surrounded us. In fact, I couldn't even see anything past the tall men in black all around me. Cole's hand at the small of my back leading me along with the guards.

He was intimidating, I'll admit. It reminds me of when I'd first seen him, but even then I wasn't scared of him. I've never been scared of him. Although I can see why others might be.

His stare was cold and his face is hard, heavyset in a scowl.

We get to the room in the back of the restaurant, it was secluded as best as it could've been. The guards stand outside of the door a scowl settled on their faces as well.

"How much did this cost to rent?"I gaze at the pretty red and gold surroundings.

"It was free," He states nonchalantly, pulling my chair out for me. "I own it."

I furrow my eyebrows.

"I'm curious," I rest my head in my hands, "How much of this city do you own?"

He chuckles slightly, "I adore your questions, Princesa,"

(Princess)

"As far as actually owning goes I'd say a good bit. The real game of it is knowing people that own things that you don't. You need to have allies to make it in this business. It's the key to being powerful," Cole states wisely.

"Then why do you have so many enemies?" He looks surprised at the question.

"Because some people don't understand that concept," He answers, "The Earth is littered with the ruins of empires that thought they were eternal. Often thinking that the bigger picture is unheard of. That's why they all fail," His blue eyes bore into mine.

I tilt my head, "So what makes you different?"

He thinks for a moment.

"I don't fear death, yet I have something worth living for," He pauses, "Best of both worlds,"

"Where the hell is the waiter?" Cole mumbles under his breath.

The growling of my stomach is starting to get louder. Apparently, knowledge doesn't feed it.

"You find the waiter, I have to use the bathroom," I stand up.

"All the way to your left!"

Cole yells after me, I throw him a thumbs up and walk out of the door.

The bodyguards weren't there, which was questionable. Usually, I'd would go see what was wrong. I've been in enough shoot outs to know this was a sign. However, entering a shoot out with a full bladder is most likely a terrible idea.

So bathroom first it is

"Someone tell me where he is right now!"

A loud voice shouts as I walk out of the bathroom. My bladder now empty, I'm ready to take on the world. A lot must've gone down from the three minutes I was peeing.

I slowly peek around the corner trying to see into the main dining room. The three men that I could see stood holding some little girl by gunpoint.

I shiver at the familiar scene, only this time I was a spectator instead of the little girl.

The second thing I see is the black wolf tattoo that covered the side of a guy's head.

Goddamnit

I remove the gun from my dress.

Looks like I get to use my new toy after all.

***

(Dress I had in mind)