"Ow. OW! Not so tight." I reached up to grab the hair that was pulling but Alma smacked my hand away.

"Sorry, dear. Almost done."

I was sitting in front of the mirror, watching Alma delicately braid my hair. The bottom half of my hair flowed in dark ringlets down my back while the rest was pulled into a braided bun sitting at the nape of my neck. A few loose strands framed my face which has already been done up with makeup. Dark eyeshadow colored my eyelids and my lips were painted a deep red.

"So what's Jaime's dad like?"

Tonight's banquet was an annual holiday event thrown by Jaime's father. It would be the first time I have ever met him and I just wanted to be prepared.

"He was a hard father to Jaime. There's not many people that he likes." She must've seen my wide eyes in the mirror because she added, "But don't worry, he'll warm up to you." Alma put the finishing touches on my hair, putting small jeweled pins throughout the braid and sprayed hairspray on the fly-aways. "Alright, let's get you dressed and then you'll be ready to go." She pulled a dress from my closet that was still in its garment bag. When I tried to peek at it earlier, she shooed me away.

She unzipped the bag and I caught a glimpse of a dark, sparkling material. I reached out, grabbing the dress between my fingers and slid it out of the garment bag. It was a dark shade of purple, almost black, and glittered under the light. I had no doubt that Jaime picked this one out. The silk dress brushed against the floor with a slit that reached mid thigh and a deep v that stopped at a sharp angle at my sternum. Small delicate straps zig-zagged across my back leaving most of my back exposed.After a few frustrating minutes trying to get all the straps in the right places, I stood in front of the mirror and admired the beautiful gown. I almost didn't recognize my reflection staring back at me.

"Thank you, Alma. For everything." I pulled Alma into a hug, careful to not smudge my makeup.

"You look amazing." Alma wiped the tears from her eyes and gave me a heart-warming smile.

As soon as I turned out the door, I saw a fleeting figure down the hall. "Aren't you going to the banquet?"

Katrina wasn't in a gown like I was. She only wore a pair of leggings and a hoodie. She turned and stared at me for a long moment. "Unlike you, I don't have time to go chasing after fantasies." She scoffed at me and continued down the hall like I hadn't said anything.

"Katrina," I called after her. She paused mid-step. "I'm sorry if I've ever offended you but we don't have to be at each other's throats all the time. We don't have to be best friends or anything, but wouldn't it be nice if we could at least be civil?"

Her lips parted in surprise and she gave the smallest, almost imperceptible nod before disappearing around the corner. I felt a sense of triumph and relief. I honestly didn't think it would be that easy.

I walked out to the front entrance where I told Jaime I would meet him. Things have been weird since our kiss last week. I haven't helped matters by avoiding him, but I couldn't look at him without feeling all sorts of contradicting emotions. I was almost too distracted with my own thoughts that I didn't notice Jaime standing at the bottom of the stairs or the dozens of other people loitering in the hallway.

His back was turned, talking with Cole and Izaha. Cole was first to notice my presence and he elbowed Jaime in the side, nodding up at me. When he turned, the butterflies returned and all I saw was him. His hair was gelled back and the look on his face took my breath away.

I lifted my skirt, keeping it out from under my feet and I walked down the stairs. When I reached the bottom, Jaime pulled a long, slender box from his jacket. He handed it to me and I opened it, eyes widening at the sparkling necklace that sat cushioned inside. I gingerly picked it up from the satin bed and held it up, the diamonds causing the light to dance around it. Jaime took it from me and I turned around so he could put it on. His hands brushed the back of my neck as he fastened the clasp, lingering on my skin. When the necklace was secure, I turned back around to face him. "How does it look?"

Jaime reached an arm out and I nestled into his side with his hand resting lightly on my hip. His warmth seeped through the material of my dress and he leaned down to whisper in my ear, "You're stunning, Ava." Cole caught my eye and gave me a knowing wink to which I rolled my eyes at.

Jaime exchanged a few words with the people standing in the room but I couldn't seem to focus on them pressed up against his side. Soon we were seated in a car, Jaime in the backseat with me and Cole and Izaha up front.

"You'll be meeting a lot of my family tonight, most of them aren't very pleasant so stay with me." Jaime whispered to me, taking my hand in his.

"Anyone in particular you need to warn me about?"

"All of them."

*****

"Miss Williams, so nice to meet you." The man in front of us took my hand in both of his cold ones to shake, but held on for uncomfortably too long. His eyes slowly raked the length of my body. The polite smile I had plastered on my face didn't falter though. I decided before we left the car that I wasn't going to let anyone here bother me. As they say, confidence is key.

As I promised Jaime, I haven't left his side all night and his arm has stayed wrapped around me as we mingled. I have yet to meet Jaime's father. Maybe he's just fashionably late.

The clock chimed eight, reminding everyone to take their seats for dinner. To my surprise, Jaime led us to the front of the room at the long table lifted on a platform. Maybe I shouldn't have been so surprised. We sat close to the middle of the table. Around the room, men in black suits lined the walls every ten feet. I recognized some of them but the rest were unfamiliar.

Finally, the doors at the front of the room, directly across from us, opened and a man walked in. The way he carried himself was different as if nothing could touch him and I thought to myself that this must be Jaime's father. Although retired, he didn't look much older than fifty with hair the same shade as Jaime's peppered with only a few grays and a smug face. He approached the table, taking the middle seat next to Jaime. Everyone stood and Jaime, who I hadn't even noticed standing, tugged my arm and pulled me up.

"Do be seated." The very intimidating man waved his arms at the crowd, his voice echoing in the large room. The crowd sat almost like a wave crashing against a cliffside. I unconsciously scooted my chair closer to Jaime and he took my hand, giving it a comforting squeeze.

"What a year we've had." Mr. Santoro chuckled humorlessly before continuing. "I'll make this quick so we can get on with the meal. I am so glad to see each and every face here today, smiling up at me. As we remember those we have lost prematurely this year, we reminisce about the good memories..."

Mr. Santoro droned on, but his words lacked any sincerity. I was nervous, a knot forming in the pit of my stomach, but I couldn't put my finger on why. Sure, I was in a room full of dangerous criminals who gave away their intentions with one look. Sure, I was seated with the most powerful men in the room. Sure, I have no idea how to eat my way through a seven course meal, which fork to use with which dish. But here I was.

The room filled with conversation again as the waiters brought out the first course. No sooner have I picked up my fork than Jaime's father leaned across the table, making eye contact with me. I put on my most charming smile, setting my fork back down. Mr. Santoro reached a hand across Jaime, and I looked at it briefly before placing my hand in his. He jerked my arm up to his mouth, placing a kiss on the back of my hand. Jaime sat silently beside me, but I could see the way his shoulders tensed.

"Lucan Santoro. Such a pleasure to finally meet the woman that is giving my son so much trouble." Mr. Santoro smiled, but it didn't reach his eyes. I can see why people would fear that man. With only one look, he put me on the edge of my seat. The knot in my stomach tightened, and my smile faltered for a brief second. Mr. Santoro leaned back in his chair but he kept watching me from the corner of his eye.

This is going to be a long night.