✰ ✰

"𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭𝐲"

"Sh," I mumbled and swatted his hand away.

"Ella, it's five pm," He said sternly, seeming to be nearly exasperated. I sighed into the pillow and didn't make any motive to move.

It went quiet and I mentally grinned as I thought I had gotten away with sleeping, that was until the sound of a smack echoed across the room and the sting on my bottom had jolted me from my position.

My eyes snapped towards a smirking Roman as he nodded towards the bathroom, once. "Up, now."

Huffing, I stand from the bed and rub my ass cheek to which he slapped and trudged around him.

He chuckled and I slammed the bathroom door closed as I went to pee. After that, I had a quick shower—washing my hair in the process and got out.

Tonight, Roman and I both had a mission to go on.

We were supposedly looking for a woman this time—she owed Roman a large sum of money for the club she owns, which Roman had lent her to profit from.

Her due date was last month, and she had given nothing but a good reason to come and find her. If she hadn't gotten the money, she dies.

I took a pair of black leather leggings, the pair curving around my bottom nicely and flaring a little from the ends of the pants. I wore a beige, tight-fitting long-sleeved top, it was cropped to my stomach and also fits nicely around my top half.

Matching the outfit with a pair of short, high heeled boots, also black. I blow-dried my hair and decided to curl it a little—giving a sort of soft curl/wave type of look.

My makeup was light, applying mascara and some cherry lipgloss. Spraying perfume along my collar, I turned on my feet and looked at myself from the mirrors POV.

Once I adjusted everything to my liking, I stepped away from vanity and returned through the house.

Roman was downstairs, his phone towards his ear as someone spoke feverishly into it. As he was occupied, I looked over his appearance and immediately I felt myself become heated.

A tight black dress shirt was upon the top half of his body, the first three buttons were undone—allowing his hidden tattoos to peak through. The sleeves hugged around his arms, causing his large biceps to show through easily.

The sleeves were rolled up to his elbows, allowing, again, the tattoos to be revealed but also the silver watch on his wrist to glimmer under the light.

Along with that, his thick silver rings glimmered too under the dim lighting.

His hair was tamed but untamed. Black curls fell naturally over his forehead, some falling in front of his eyes.

Following that, his eyes were completely lifeless, as usual. He stared aimlessly at the paper in front of him, no emotion etched on his defined features.

As he hung up on the phone, my daze was cut short and I made myself become known in his presence—by stepping into the room.

Instantly, he looked up and met my eyes. Then, he trailed them over my body—slowly taking me in.

I shifted further towards him—until I stood right in front of his large body. The smell of his usual yet—enticing cologne ran through my nostrils and I nearly sighed.

"How do I look?" I asked, twirling a little with a small smile. He looked at me intensely, abruptly pulling my body against his as his hands roamed my ass.

He licked his lips and leaned his head towards my ear, his curls tickling the side of my neck while he kissed just underneath my ear, with his cool lips.

"Hot," He lowly whispered, I tried hard not to faint right then and there. The tone he used was just strained yet still deep—almost deeper.

"You look good too," I blushed and shyly looked up at him as he pulled away.

He only smirked and looked down at his watch. "Ready," he asked me. I nodded and grabbed my purse from the counter and waited for him at the door.

Once he had what he needed, he came beside me as the guards opened the door and we walked through.

Tonight we had a driver taking us instead, considering we were on a mission it was just easier.

I slid inside the leather interior first, Roman sliding in after me—sitting opposite my body.

We drove off, the car silent. I stared out the window, watching the cars we passed by and appealed towards the lights that glowed in the night.

"Is the club far?" I looked down at our shoes, his were normal black dress shoes while mine were glossy leather boots.

"No." He answered, I nodded and knocked my shoe to the side of his—grinning.

Staring at me emotionlessly in response, I covered my hand with my mouth as I giggled. He looked to the side, his lips twitching in the process and I knew that I broke him.

"Roman?" He looked over at me instantly, and I smiled lightly—opening my arms slightly for a hug.

Sighing, he easily opened his arms and reached over, wrapping them around my body—reminding me of a warm blanket.

His embrace was all I needed in this lifetime. It was the only thing that could calm me, instantly. And the only thing that made me feel safe, he alone was like my own personal security that I didn't know I needed.

I kissed the side of his neck and pulled away—our driver came to a stop and when I looked outside, it was conveyed by the driver as he opened the door.

Frowning, I grab my purse and slide out of the car—Roman following suit. I wait for him as he speaks to the driver, mentioning coming back in an hour or so.

Nodding, the driver leaves and Roman turns to me. He glanced behind me and instantly wraps an arm around my waist, turning us both in the direction of the club.

Looking up, I see a brightly lit building with purple and pink lights on the inside. We made our way to the front, passing the men and women in the queue.

The bouncers at the entrance of the building instantly let us both through, and we strolled straight inside.

Thankfully, the venue was air-conditioned, so it wasn't as humid and sweltering as other clubs. My eyes expanded as we stepped through the door, coming into contact with poles and half-naked women.

Of course, this was a strip club.

My eyes narrowed in at the women, dancing along and around the pole seductively.

Then, I snapped my attention towards Roman—raising my eyebrows at him.

"This is a strip club," I state, looking at him sternly. He glanced down at me, his blank expression slowly turning into an amused one.

"Yes," He replied while moving us to a booth in the far back. I suppressed my scowl as we passed by a woman with her tits hanging out—literally.

You are not going to be a jealous girlfriend, Arabella.

Suppress yourself. Control...

Fucking Christ is she looking at hi—

Titty girl was looking straight at Roman as she dropped low and picked herself up. Roman wasn't looking, being the loyal boyfriend he was.

He slid into one side of the booth, while I didn't control myself and I sat right next to him instead of across. Which brought the girls attention to me.

Narrowing my eyes, I glare at her and she looked away instantly. Huffing, I look back at Roman to see him glancing between myself and the girl.

My hand came towards his eyes, covering them. "No looking," I mumbled and shifted closer to his body.

He chuckled darkly, his hand coming to mine that was covering his eyes. Surprising me, he lifted my body and placed me on his lap—sitting sideways.

Leaning his head down, a few of his curls brushed across my cheek as he pressed his lips to my neck—sending waves of heat through my body.

"I only have eyes for you, Ella," He whispered deeply into my ear, causing my heart to race. "I love you," he then said, his voice deeper as he spoke quietly.

I blushed and let his lips press against the side of my neck again, they lingered there before moving to another place—almost as if he were waiting for my reply.

"I love you," I whispered back, tightening my hold around his neck. I felt him smirk against my skin, leaning his cool lips towards my heated cheek.

Placing one last kiss there, he moved away and looked up at the man—who I had just realised came over to our table.

He wore a fancy black suit, an earpiece was to his ear as he stood with his arms folded in front of us.

"Prendimi Elaine," Roman demanded, staring at the man coldly.

Translation: "Get me, Elaine,"

The man nodded, walking away as he pushed one hand to his ear and spoke into the speaker.

"Elaine is the owner?" I asked him. He nodded once, watching a waiter place down two drinks in front of us both.

I looked down at the water, which seemed to be a little foggy. Immediately catching on, Roman tenses and I knew already that he was pissed off.

"Drugged?" I questioned, twirling the water around with the black straw. He looked down at it and tightened his arm around my hold.

"Thirsty?" He asked me, raising a brow. I nodded but then shrugged. "It's fine, I'll wait until we're done,"

Before he had a chance to respond, our table then gets surrounded by bodyguards—all of which wore shades and earpieces with suits.

Then, an Asian woman who looked to be in her late twenties walked past them all. A short, red leather skirt hugged her curves, while she wore a black bralette for the top.

She had long black hair, straightened and styled perfectly down her back. She was gorgeous, that was most definitely evident.

Although, by the small smirk playing on her lips, I knew for sure her appearance matched nothing to her personality.

"Sir, it's good to see you," She said, taking a seat opposite us. Her eyes ran back and forth towards myself and Roman—nearly shocked to see me with him.

Roman didn't say anything, his eyes glaring holes into hers. She cleared her throat and adjusted in the seat, looking at me with a smile.

"And you are?"

The passive-aggressive tone she used—told me she didn't want me here, or she just didn't like me. Either way, we were in the same boat.

"Arabella," I replied, tilting my head with a small smile. She hummed, nodding as she glanced between the two of us.

"And what is your relation with Mr Agnello?" I scoffed and Roman chuckled, dryly.

"Why the fuck would she tell you that?" He said, completely serious. She reddened and tucked her hair behind her shoulder.

"Well, this is our meeting," She explained and rose her eyebrows at us both.

Jesus.

Roman pushed his tongue to the side of his cheek, scoffing and tapping his tatted fingers along the table lightly—his patience seeming to wear thin now.

"Non-sei in grado di mettere in discussione chi porto," He said darkly.

Translation: You're in no position to question who I bring,"

"Mi devi, la tua paga è a lungo in ritardo,"

Translation: "You owe me, your pay is long overdue,"

She gulped, physically shifting in her seat as she glanced towards the men that surrounded the table.

Roman lit a cigarette to his lips, something that calmed him. As he exhaled, his hand on my waist rubbed slow circles on my skin—patiently waiting for the woman in front of us to make a move.

"Money?" He questioned, tipping the ash of his cigarette into the drugged water. She watched him warily—nearly on edge.

I rested my head back against his chest, tapping my fingers patiently over the arm that was wrapped around my stomach.

"I don't have it." She whispered, looking down at the cigarette between his lips. "But just give me two more days and I'll ha—

Roman snapped his fingers towards the men, they hurled around the table—obscuring anyone from viewing our way.

Suddenly, the music in the club turned up—loud enough to not even hear your own voice. Roman took out a gun, one without a silencer. He took another drag from the cigarette and laid the gun in front of the girl.

From across the table, I could make out the words that came out of her mouth. Something along the lines of 'please don't'—the usual.

The safety got pulled back by a simple tatted finger, his ring flashing under the light for a split second.

And then the next moment happened fast. The trigger got pulled and the woman in front of us went limp. Her head dropped onto the table, her eyes wide and lifeless as blood oozed out of her stomach.

Roman put out the cigarette with his fingers, dropping it on the table and signalling something with his fingers to the men.

They moved aside, just enough for us both to exit but not enough for people to see around the table.

Patting my hip, I got off Roman and slid easily out of the booth. Roman came beside me, standing to his full height and towering over nearly everyone and everything in its way.

Taking my hand, he led us away from the area—strolling through the room. Eyes of all women and some men went instantly towards us.

Lustful gazes resting on us both, he led us out of the main room and into a corridor of what appeared to be the employee only sections.

We passed down a dressing room, where woman strippers seemed to be getting ready. Arriving at a door right at the end of the hall, he opened it swiftly and revealed a darkened room.

The lights came on as we entered, he let go of my hand and made his way around the desk that sat in the middle.

Opening a drawer, he took out full envelopes that were overflowing with cash. He kept going, up until there was exactly fifteen of them stacked on the table.

I took one from the table, bringing it to my hold and inspecting the hundred dollar bills inside. The sound of a bag opening had my eyes leaving the money.

He tossed the envelopes inside, and I placed the one in my hand inside the bag too. In the far corner of the room was a stack of drugs—instantly I caught onto what was happening.

"She had the money, but she was using it for that," I mentioned, pointing a finger to the drugs behind him.

Glancing up, he nodded his head and slung the duffel bag over his shoulder. Holding out his hand, he waited patiently for me to take it.

Looking into his eyes, I took his hand in mine. I giggled as he lead us out—laughing at the whole notion of this.

"We're like those criminals they document about," I laughed and moved through the crowd with him. He smirked and glanced at me from over his shoulder.

We walked past the table we were sitting at, the body removed and the table now fresh and clean—just how it was when we first got here.

As we made it outside, I sighed in relief at the breath of fresh air. Moving towards the car that was waiting for us. Roman tossed the money in the back and then waited for me to go inside first.

Sliding in, I adjust my position as the door closes behind Roman and the car immediately starts driving off.

"Still thirsty?" He asked me, I nodded and he opened up the small sliding window that led towards the driver's side of the car.

I zoned out from that moment on and stared out the window.

When the car came to a stop a few minutes later, I returned to the present time and noticed we were outside a 7/11.

Roman opened the door, only noticing that he had stepped out and was waiting for me. I grinned, stepping out of the car and coming beside him.

I dragged him inside, desperately craving a slushy. He walked behind me as I lead us down an aisle. The slurpy machines were right at the back, and I took a cup, placing it underneath the blue flavour.

"Grab one, Roman," I nodded towards the cups, and he shook his head.

He walked away, going towards the counter and paying for the slushy and a pack of cigarettes.

Once it was full to the very top, I placed a lid on top of the cup and grabbed a red straw. Skipping back to Roman's side, I place it to his lips and peg him to try.

He leans down and takes it to his lips, sipping it and then patting my hip once. I giggled and then finally took my own sip as we walked back outside.

We got back into the car, I sat beside him this time—laying my head against the side of his chest and slurping my slushy.

He kissed the side of my cheek, rubbing his hand up and down my stomach.

I smiled into this feeling, my body and mind relaxed as peace washed over me once again.