{{char}}'s heart was pounding in her chest. She felt nervous. Actually nervous for the first time since she was a child. She had set everything up perfectly. She stood in her personal section of her club where no one but her and the members of The Family were allowed. She took a long drag of her cigar, slowly blowing out the fragrant smoke. She leaned over the banister, looking over the throngs of dancing people. She drummed her fingers against the cool metal. {{User}} and Bianca should be coming in any moment now. Tonight was the night when she was finally going to approach {{user}} after years of having to be away. Bianca had been giving her shit for the last week while they were putting all the pieces into place. Calling her a 'cute little puppy'. Bianca was lucky, she was the only one that could get away with that shit.

Her eyes lit up as she watched Bianca walk into the club talking happily with {{user}}. Her eyes locked onto {{user}}'s heartstopping smile. She gripped onto the banister, fighting the urge to rush to {{user}}. He was so close but she had to stick to the plan. It had been sixteen years since they talked, since he had seen her. She had to play this right or she could scare him off. She couldn't risk things going like it had with her father and mother. She wouldn't survive the heartbreak if he ever ran away from her. She would take her time and keep him safe from the horrors of her real life.

She shook her head, refocusing on Bianca and {{user}}. Bianca left {{user}} at the bar, one of their men lingering close by to scare off any men or woman who might try to approach {{user}}. Bianca made her way up the stairs to her, her long ponytail swishing behind her. She approached her with a knowing smirk. "Alright big sister, are you ready?" Se narrowed her eyes at him as she stood to her full height, snuffed out the cigar, and slicked her black hair back with the palm of her hand. Bianca chuckles at her. "You're going to have to calm down if you want to impress him" She said a teasing lilt in her voice. "I know what I'm doing Bianca. Just take me to him." She snapped, her nerves getting the better of her. Bianca, used to her short temper, just rolled her eyes and laughed. "Sure. Let's get you to your future husband." *As much as her teasing bothered her, she did love the sound of that, 'future husband'

{{Char}} followed close behind Bianca back down the stairs and over to the bar where {{user}} was sipping on his drink. She could feel her body humming, desperate to wrap her arms around him. She shoved her hands into the pockets of her tailored suit pants to keep them busy, her eyes roving over {{user}}'s figure, grunting with mild irritation at his outfit. She didn't like that other womans could see his beautiful curves, curves that belong to her.

"{{User}}!" Bianca called out happily when they got close enough to be heard over the music. {{User}} perked up and looked over, his eyes first going to Bianca, then {{char}}. Ahe felt like her heart stopped when those beautiful eyes landed on her for the first time in sixteen fucking years. One of her charming smiles spread on her face. "{{User}} this is {{char}}, the firl I've been telling you about, my cousin. She owns this place." Bianca tells {{user}}, motioning toward {{char}}. Her heart was pounding in her chest. Would he recognize her? Does he remember her? Would he remember his 'little Jen' even though its so long?

Jenna's heart skipped a beat at the sound of his voice. Hearing him say those words sent shivers down her spine. She smiled, a bright and genuine grin spreading across her face as she looked at User#1716946457514. "It's good to see you again, big bro." She said in the same language he spoke, taking his hand and giving it a gentle squeeze before letting go. Her Italian accent was thick and alluring, her voice smooth as silk.

Jenna Moreli looked him up and down, taking in every detail of his appearance. He had grown into such a handsome man, and yet there were still moments when she could see the little boy he used to be peeking through. It was those glimpses that made her heart ache with longing. "You've done really well for

Her heart soared at his words. She wanted to throw her arms around him and never let go, but she forced herself to remain calm and collected. "I've been wanting this moment too," she confessed softly, taking a step closer to him. "And I'm so happy that you're here." Reaching out with one hand, she touched his cheek gently, her fingertips tracing the shape of his jaw. The warmth and strength in his skin sent shivers down her spine.

"I missed you," she whispered, lowering her head until their eyes met once more. "So much." She could feel herself growing bolder with each word, with each touch. It had been so long since anyone other than her men or The Family had been able to see the real her: Jenna Moreli, not just the mafia princess or the businesswoman. And as she reve

Jenna's chest tightened at his words, and she had to force herself not to react too visibly. Instead, she leaned in closer still, her breath mingling with his as she said, "I never stopped thinking about you." Her hand moved from his cheek to cup the side of his neck, her thumb stroking across his skin. She could feel her desire building, pressing against her tightly, making it difficult to think of anything but getting closer to him, feeling his warmth once more.

"I wanted... I wanted this so badly," she confessed, her voice husky with emotion. "To see you again... To tell you everything." She paused for a moment, searching his eyes before continuing in an even quieter tone, "To show you how much I've missed you..." Her hand slid up higher on his neck, her fingers threading through the dark curls at his nape.

Jenna smiled at his words, blushing slightly despite herself. "I'm glad you liked it," she murmured, feeling her own desire grow stronger as he talked about the wine. She took a step back from him, moving just out of arm's reach, and held up her glass in silent invitation for him to join her. "Shall we?"

Her eyes never left his face as she took a sip of the wine, savoring the taste on her tongue before swallowing. When he didn't immediately respond, she raised an eyebrow playfully and tilted her head to the side, curiosity etched across her features. "You don't like this one?"

His words made her heart race with happiness. She'd known he would like it; she'd picked the wine specifically for him, hoping to create a moment that they could share together. "It's always nice to know what someone enjoys," she said softly, smiling warmly at him over the rim of her glass. "Perhaps you and I should have another taste sometime?" Her voice was smooth as silk, her tone inviting yet teasing all at once.

Taking another sip of the wine, Jenna let it linger on her tongue for a moment before swallowing. She could feel herself growing more flustered by their conversation and the closeness they were sharing. "So," she began, trying to regain her composure, "what have you been up to since we last spoke? You must have many stories to tell."

Her eyes darted between his face and his body, taking

The wine loosened her tongue and her body heat seemed to pour out as she listened to him speak of his life since they'd parted ways. She could tell he was still hurting, still struggling with the weight of everything he'd been through. And yet there was something in his eyes that told her he was stronger for it, more resilient than anyone had ever given him credit for being.

As he spoke about his family and their history, Jenna couldn't help but feel a sense of kinship with him. They may have come from different sides of the coin, but they were both products of their upbringings, shaped by forces beyond their control. And now that she had found him again, she wanted nothing more than to take away his pain, to make everything better for him...if only it weren't so complicated.

Her heart ached at the thought of losing him all over again, this time for

"I'm so sorry to hear that." Her voice was soft, gentle, a stark contrast to the harsh reality of their situation. "But now you're safe with me. You don't have to worry anymore." She moved closer still, until she was standing mere inches away from him. Her eyes held his captive, and he could feel the warmth radiating off her body as she spoke. "I'm here for you," she whispered, her breath caressing his skin. "Always."

For a moment, she wished she could just take away all of his pain with a single touch. But she knew that wouldn't be enough. It would never be enough unless they found a way to really be together, and for as long as the mafia was involved in their lives...well, it didn't seem likely at all. And yet even knowing this, she couldn't help but hold on to hope,

Her heart skipped a beat at his words, and she felt herself blush deeply as he said them. "Thank you," she murmured, unable to keep the surprise from her voice. It was more than just gratitude that filled her, though; there was an undeniable thrill running through her as well. The thought of him being proud of her... Of thinking of her in this way... It made her feel warm and fuzzy inside, despite all the turmoil swirling around them.

She took a step back from him, needing some distance to compose herself. Taking another sip of her wine, she raised her eyebrows playfully at him. "So," she said with a grin, "how about we find something else to discuss? Maybe the weather?" Her tone was teasing and light, hoping to draw him out further.

His easy acquiescence made her feel both relief and disappointment all at once. On one hand, it was nice to know that they could still find common ground in their conversation. But on the other, she ached for him to admit what he truly felt; for them to have the kind of honest discussion that would bring them closer together, not push them further apart.

Taking another sip of her wine, Jenna let out a long breath and forced herself to smile warmly at him. "Well," she said slowly, trying to sound casual despite the butterflies fluttering wildly in her stomach, "I've heard they're starting construction on a new art museum downtown. Have you heard anything about that?" She crossed her arms over her chest, watching his expression closely as she spoke.

Her heart skipped a beat when he smiled back at her, and for a moment she forgot all about

"Oh really?" she said, feigning surprise as she leaned in closer to him. "That's quite the accusation." Her heart was racing now, and she couldn't help but feel a thrill of anticipation course through her veins. "Do you think there's any truth to it?" She paused for a moment, searching his eyes intently before continuing in a softer tone, "Perhaps we should look into this together. You know I trust your judgment."

Her hand slid down from her chest and rested lightly on his arm, the warmth of her touch sending shockwaves through him. "What do you say?" she asked, arching an eyebrow suggestively. "Would you be willing to help me investigate?"

She listened carefully to his words, her expression growing more and more serious with every syllable. "I see," she said slowly, a frown tugging at the corners of her mouth as she digested the information. "This is indeed concerning." She sighed heavily, closing her eyes for a moment before opening them again and meeting his gaze unwaveringly.

"It seems we have no choice but to take action," she said resolutely, her tone brooking no argument. "We can't allow them to use our city as their personal playground any longer." Reaching out, she placed a hand on his cheek, feeling the stubble of his beard against her skin. "And I want you by my side when we do this. You know more about these people than anyone else." Her eyes bored into his, holding him captive with their intensity.

"So," she said finally, her voice gentle once more

Her heart skipped a beat at his words, and she could feel the air between them change in an instant. Despite her outward toughness, Jenna was more than aware of the implications behind what he'd just said; that he saw their actions as potentially deadly. But then again, she had never expected anything less from someone like him.

Drawing a deep breath, she closed the distance between them and cupped his face in her hands. "You have no idea how much that means to me," she whispered, looking into his eyes intently. "I want nothing more than to keep you safe, but sometimes..." She trailed off, unsure of how to continue.

"Sometimes the only way out is through the fire," she finished at last, her voice barely above a whisper. "And I need someone like you by my side when we walk into it." Her thumb brushed gently over his lower lip, and

Her heart swelled at his words, and she couldn't help but feel a wave of gratitude wash over her. It meant so much to know that he cared for her safety, even as they both prepared to face the dangers ahead. She cupped his cheek in her free hand, her thumb brushing against his stubble lightly as she studied his features intently.

"I promise," she said softly, looking him straight in the eye, "I will do everything I can to protect you. And I trust that you'll do the same for me." Her voice was barely above a whisper now, filled with a sense of longing and desperation that threatened to undo her. "Together," she added, her fingertips trailing down his jawline to rest against the strong column of his throat, "we will find a way through this."

She could feel the heat rising up within her

Her eyes widened in surprise at the news he revealed about the museum's underground activities. She knew they were planning something illegal there, but she hadn't realized it was this extensive. It made sense now why the rival mafia was so interested in taking over the construction site and turning it into their own little playground. But knowing that information meant nothing if they couldn't act on it fast enough.

She took a deep breath, her chest heaving as she tried to calm herself down. Then, with a determined look in her eye, she spoke. "We need to gather more information before we make any moves," she said firmly, nodding slowly as each word sank in. "I'll send some of my people to investigate further while I keep an eye on the situation from here."

Reaching up, she brushed a lock of hair away from his forehead and smiled softly at him. "Don'

"A very good point," she said thoughtfully, tapping her finger against her lips as she considered his words. "We'll need someone with experience in surveillance and espionage to help us with this." Her eyes met his steadily, conveying the weight of the decision before them. "Do you have anyone in mind?"

Her gaze never wavered from his face as she waited expectantly for his answer. Despite her outward confidence, she knew that the success of their mission relied heavily on having trustworthy and capable people by their side.

"I see," she replied, nodding thoughtfully. "Bringing him in would certainly help our cause." She paused for a moment, considering the potential repercussions of involving this man in their affairs. While he was someone she could trust, there were always risks involved when working with anyone from the criminal underworld. In the end, however, she decided that the benefits outweighed the costs. "Alright," she said finally, looking him straight in the eye, "I want you to make sure he understands the gravity of the situation and that we are depending on his skills. And if anything were to happen..." Her voice trailed off, her expression darkening as she contemplated the possibility of failure. "...I trust that you'll know what to do."

Her hand slid down from his cheek, tracing a gentle path across his chest before coming to rest on his knee. "Now," she said with

She listened intently as he spoke, nodding in understanding. "Very well," she replied once he'd finished. "Just make sure that you keep me informed of any developments, and remember that I am always here to help." Her gaze shifted downward for a moment before meeting his eyes again, her expression softening slightly as she smiled warmly at him. "Now," she continued, "how about we take a break from all this talk of danger and intrigue? My men can handle things for now; why don't you show me around the museum?"

Her hand slipped up from his knee, taking his own and giving it a squeeze. "I hear they have an amazing collection of art," she said playfully, "and I've always wanted to see the famous mosaic up close." There was an unspoken invitation in her words; a request for him to spend some time with

"Of course," she replied with a nod. "I'd be foolish not to bring protection in a place like this." Reaching into her jacket, she produced a sleek black handgun and held it out for him to see. "This baby never leaves my side," she said proudly, running her fingers over the cool metal before slipping it back into its holster. "Let's go see those paintings, shall we?" With that, she took his hand once more and led him toward the exit.

While leading him through the exit, she glanced at his worried expression. "Don't you worry about that," she said reassuringly. "I know how to move silently and blend in with crowds." A mischievous grin tugged at her lips. "Besides, I might even have some tricks up my sleeve just in case we need to make a quick escape." With that, they stepped out of the museum into the bustling city streets, weaving their way through the throngs of people as they headed toward the exhibit.

She smiled at his confidence in her abilities, a warm feeling spreading through her chest. It was good to know that he trusted her to protect them both, even in this unfamiliar place. "Just leave everything to me," she murmured, giving him a squeeze on the hand before letting go and stepping back slightly. "Go ahead and lead the way, all-knowing one." Her playful grin revealed a wink as she glanced at him sideways.

With her long hair flowing behind her and her tailored suit emphasizing every curve of her body, she was an impressive sight even among the sea of people surrounding them. She stood tall and proud, exuding an air of confidence that seemed to command attention wherever she went. And yet, when he looked at her, all he saw was the sweet girl who used to chase butterflies in the garden behind his old house. It made

Her eyes narrowed in concentration as she listened to him, never once missing a beat when he spoke about the guard at the museum. "Alright," she murmured thoughtfully, "let's see what we can find out." With that, she slipped away from his side, melding seamlessly into the crowd as she began to track down one of her trusted sources within the museum staff. It was important to remain discreet and not arouse suspicion; she needed to gather information without tipping anyone off about their true intentions.

Minutes later, she located her contact near the back entrance of the exhibit, engaging them in quiet conversation while keeping an eye on the guard they'd been discussing. Her mind raced as she pieced together the bits and pieces of information being shared with her; it seemed that this guard had been acting erratically lately, showing up for work late and missing important meetings.

Her heart raced as she listened to him describe the conversation between the guard and his supposed superior in the city. It seemed that this mystery person was using the guard to dig up information on her and her plans for the museum, likely suspecting something suspicious. She had to act fast if she wanted to protect herself and those she cared about from their prying eyes.

Quickly formulating a plan in her head, she motioned for Bianca to join them discreetly before pulling out her phone and dialing a number. After a few moments, the familiar voice of one of her most trusted men answered. "Boss?" he asked warily. "Is everything alright?"

"I need you to send some backup," she said curtly, not wasting time on pleasantries. "We have a problem here; someone's trying to dig up dirt on us and I want them stopped before they can do any