❀ Georgianna Romano ❀

When you worked in his business, you began to understand there was a certain draw to the business. It didn’t have anything to do with his story, or with the whispers of just how to die for every item on the menu was - it was the allure in something that had been taboo a few years ago. The edible industry was booming, and he’d taken advantage early enough to make a name for himself. Perhaps that explained away his newest customer, or maybe it was something else that made the obnoxious bell set above the doorway ring. 

He’d turned to greet them, but eventually noticed the way they gravitated to a certain spot in the room, hovering over product that he hadn’t seen anyone interested in, in awhile. “I wouldn’t….if I were you.”  He suggested in a matter of fact tone, stepping up to stand beside them, as if inviting both mystery and charm in a single statement.

 After all, today was a good one, and one that left room for charm to seep through the cracks, grin spreading across features seamlessly. Aidan had always been able to confuse even the most sure, existing somewhere between temptation and innocence. 

Georgie wasn’t exactly the type to indulge in edibles or any drugs really. But she’d seen the cute little shop and felt the need to go in. Plus, what was the harm in giving one a go? If she did it in the safety of her own cottage with a friend, what could go wrong? 

Plus, she’d noticed the man working inside through the window. And if the edibles themselves didn’t pull her in, well, he sure did. Of course, she wouldn’t let him know that just yet. So when she entered, she spotted a product with pretty packaging and hovered there. Was she really reading it? Not quite, but she knew she’d draw his attention at some point. And when that moment came and she heard his voice just over her shoulder, the woman let out a soft hum before glancing up at him. “No? But how can something so pretty be a bad idea?”

[Text] What kind of help do you need?

[Text] I’ll do my best!

“It’s a masquerade party,” Arden said with a shrug. “I’m wearing a suit and a mask - that’s all the creativity I have in me.” He supposed he and Carlisle might’ve planned a better costume, but after the riots, they’d preferred to be lowkey and to themselves. “Of course I’ll go join in with her after a while. But I want her to have some time with her family first. We went through some stuff with the riots and it hasn’t been easy.”

Ah yes, a particularly mouthy woman was just his luck. She was the type that would take pride in irritating every last nerve he had, especially the ones that were already near raw from the previous disagreement. It was the bane of his existence - whatever was left of his good heart and bad habits, constantly at war with one another. An almost exhausted sigh was pushed past the comfort of lips as he moved behind the bar. None of the bartenders had arrived yet, which meant he got the pleasure of doing the honors.

“Do you enjoy making yourself a target, or do you think it’s all just a game?” A question that was genuine as he sat about the task of making the drink. It wasn’t as simple as one of his brews, not for her. Instead, there was a rhythm to follow, one that allowed time for his question to be answered. Eyes didn’t look up from the shaker until everything was poured, arranged, and passed over to the submissive.

“Those two aren’t going to be much damage control, trust me. One drink..” He rolled his eyes, scoffing at the notion that either would last long enough to tell the tale if it actually came down to it. Rhys had taken enough lives to learn the ones that would fight, and the ones that wouldn’t - neither of the guards trailing behind her would survive.

“Disagreement, There’s a gym downstairs so it just so happened that included your free peep show.”

A target. Was that what she was? She had been that one night out, and she supposed her name didn’t help with that either. People would try to use her to learn more about her family. But at least that she knew to expect. She wondered what kind of ‘target’ he took her for. So she looked at him curiously as he made her drink - whatever it was. “Are you going to hurt me, Sir?” The submissive answered his question with a question of her own, her breath held as it was now her turn to wait for a reply. 

Her hands closed around the glass as he passed it to her, her gaze dipping down to it before returning to the man in front of her. “Damage control? For me or for you?” Everything this man said had alarm bells going off in her mind. There was no doubt now that he was a dangerous man. And yet.... she cursed herself for the fact that that only made him more intriguing to her. “They’re stronger than they look.... As am I.” She added with the smallest of smiles, knowing her only experience in a fight was throwing heels, hitting out with her bag, and biting. 

“Is that all then?” He questioned the person he was arguing with, if one would even bother to call this waste of time an argument. Attention was focused on the other man, he was far more of a threat than the stranger at his door, after all. There were a few more grumblings, mumbled curses under the other man’s breath before he was disappearing from few - shoving past the woman to get outside. That was almost enough to have Rhys following behind, but instead he simply set his jaw, rolling shoulders in an attempt to chase the tension from them.

“Don’t get too excited, it’s probably not nearly as interesting as you think but come in, have a seat. There’s an asshole tax in place, which means that.” Head nodded toward the door where the other man had disappeared. “Translates into the first drink being on the house, even if you are in the wrong part of town.” The mention was his way of letting the submissive know that she had ventured too far from the comfort zone that was home - and he knew it. It was his job to know, after all. 

“One, and then you’re out, I don’t have time to babysit all hell from breaking loose.” 

The submissive would be lying if she said her breath didn’t catch as the man pushed past her. She saw her security back outside moving forward, but she held a finger up, stopping them in their tracks. If they wanted to deal with him, fine, but she didn’t need them rushing in here to save the day. 

With a soft breath out, she gained her confidence back and strolled further into the bar, a small tilt of her head as he mentioned ‘the wrong part of town’. Montagues. Not a real surprise, given what she’d just witnessed, nor how this man looked. It was such a shame that all the men who had that rough edge she liked so much were Montagues. “And who are you to tell me this is the wrong part of town, Sir? You don’t think I’ve been around here before?” She quirked her brow as she settled herself down on a stool at the bar. 

“I wouldn’t worry about babysitting, I’ve got my own personal pair.” Georgie nodded her head back out to where her security stood. When she turned back to the man, she rested her chin on her hand and asked, “So, what was it that I walked in on? Maybe it’s not interesting, but it sure has you tense.” 

Heavy footsteps seemed to echo across the floor, a dramatic notion considering it made this entire interaction feel like it had been pulled straight from the silver screen. It was not quite the serious, at least not yet. Instead, that much was evident by the slight hitch in his step, the way that muscle rippled beneath skin when he moved was relaxed, a rare gem - for him. That, however, didn’t change the fact that he was still retreating from where the conversation was headed. 

“No, I heard you. I still don’t know why you’re telling me, though.”  Hand reached for the shirt he’d left on one of the benches, turning as it was pulled over his head. Clearly, the dominant was still more than confused about where his piece of the puzzle fit in here, unsure if it was business that he wanted to be involved in. After all, his involvement usually came with a paycheck to accompany it, and not many were seeking out the advice of a killer on their day-to-day lives.

The streets felt oddly empty for it being mid afternoon. Most people would still be at work, sure, but it still felt quiet. To be fair, she hadn’t completely realised she’d crossed into Montague territory, which may have explained it. But as she was walkng, she spotted a brewery. Not usually her type of place, but with all that had happened, she felt maybe she should give different things a try. And since it was so quiet, no harm in just popping in for a drink, was there? 

What she hadn’t been expecting was... well, some sort of negotiation. Or for one of the men to be shirtless. “Ah- sorry, I didn’t mean to interrupt.... whatever it is you’ve got going on here.” Was it a business chat? Or had she walked in on the end of some exhibitionist scene? Either way, she hovered in the doorway, not quite able to leave as her eyes remained glued to the man’s bare skin as it was quickly hidden from view. A shame... that had been nice to look at. 

“Because I’m tired, that’s why,” Arden replied, glancing over to give his cousin a wry smile. “Mm, yes, but I prefer enjoying time with her at my place or hers. Besides, she’s catching up with a few of her cousins now and I really do like to just watch her. No offense, but it’s my opinion she’s the best dressed here tonight.”

Arden gazed out over the dance floor as he sipped on his whiskey. While the rest of Verona seemed content to dance and drink the night away, he was content hanging on the sidelines to sip his drink. He glanced over when someone moved to stand next to him. “You should be out there, having fun with everyone else,” he advised, taking another sip. “I’m afraid I’m not going to be much company.”

“No? And why’s that?” Georgie asked curiously as she settled herself beside her cousin, watching the crowds as she did. “Don’t you want to go enjoy your time with your fiancée?” She said the word teasingly, still in some disbelief that Arden had actually settled for someone. 

“Because it ain’t my truck,” Mateo replied, shrugging his shoulders. “I bought that truck with my own money, took care of it with my own money. It’s got memories attached to it, that’s why.”

He didn’t think Georgie would understand. He’d come around to liking her and thinking of her as a friend despite their rocky start, but she was still very spoiled. 

Mateo shot her a glance as she explained her hesitance. Gently, he nudged her side. “I don’t blame you. You’ve had a rough go since coming to Verona. Between last year, us getting jumped, and now the riots… but you can’t just shut yourself in. Your uncle’s letting me pick out the security team and I’m gonna get some better people. I promise.”

“But you must be aware that you can’t drive it forever.” Georgie pointed out, not completely seeing where he was coming from. “You could always give it a nice burial, or keep it as a lawn ornament and buy a new one. Then that could be your truck.” 

The nudge to her side brought a small smile to her lips and she sighed softly as he spoke, “I don’t like shutting myself in. I like people, meeting them and getting to know them. It’s just hard not to think about the fact that they might not be nice people.” When he told her he was picking out new people for security, her eyes widened, “Really? I mean, I guess I knew you were the Head of Security now but I guess I didn’t completely realise that meant you got to pick them out. That’s- that makes me feel a lot better....”