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I stood outside on a balcony. When I heard footsteps behind me, I knew it was him.

Obviously, I told him to meet me here.

"What's up kiddo?" He asked from behind me and I walked into his opened arms.

"Nothing much, I'm just trying to keep my head above water, you?" I asked and he chuckled at me.

"I'm Vincenzo Martinez, I'm always good." He said with a smile on his face.

"Even when you're not?" I asked.

"Even when I'm not, but I'm fine. Seriously, Joan." He said so I smiled at him.

"I'm really sorry to tell you this but I'll have to turn your offer down." I said and he frowned at me.

"Why?"

"Because I don't want to work for you." I lied and he raised his eyebrow at me.

"What did he tell you?" Vincenzo asked curiously.

"That he won't accept my resignation." I said and Vincenzo's eyebrows raised in amusement.

"Joan?" He called and I looked up at him. "Are you romantically involved with Louis Valentino?" He asked carefully. "Because that's the only logical explanation why he would not want to let you go." Vincenzo reckoned.

"So not my work ethic or my bubbly personality?" I asked and he shook his head.

"You know what I meant. But it can't be."

"What can't be?" I asked.

"Louis is in love with you." He said in realisation.

"Oh God forbid that Louis Valentino would ever fall in love with someone that is a human." I said and Vincenzo actually rolled his eyes at me.

"Stop with the sarcasm I'm trying to focus." He said getting worked up.

"Focus all you want because I'm not romantically involved with Louis Valentino and he most certainly is not in love with me." I said and Vincenzo's facial expression of hope dropped.

"My bad then." He said and I placed a hand on his shoulder.

"I'll try to convince him to let me go somehow." I told Vincenzo.

"It's okay if you can't." He told me slowly. "But it would be great if you could." He said and I sighed tiredly.

"You're making this really hard for me." I told  him and he hugged me to his side.

"I'm sorry kid, I just don't like seeing you unhappy with what you're doing with your life." He said and I nodded in understanding.

"It won't always be like this, I mean I only have one more job. Then I'm done being a seductress." I told Vincenzo who shrugged.

"Alright sweety. I'll see you tomorrow maybe, I don't know. Take care of yourself." He said and we hugged before parting ways. He seriously is a better father figure than my own father ever was, but that's a story for another day.

I walked to our office since it wasn't that far, but not too close either. I confidently walked into the building heading straight towards Mr Valentino's office since he had called me.

I opened his door without knocking and found him sitting on his desk, legs dangling from the edge.

I stood in front of him and waited for him to speak. He raised one eyebrow at me since I stood only mere inches from his face.

"Good morning, Gibbs." He said firmly and I was almost taken aback by his professionalism.

"Good morning, Mr Valentino." I replied in the same manner. "You called me?" I asked before crossing my arms over my chest.

"Your next mission is coming up." He said in a husky tone.

"When?" I asked and his jaw clenched.

"Tonight." He said and I went pale.

"Who is It?" I asked and he clenched his fists.

"Luciano Cruz." He replied stiffly. His arch enemy. A ruthless killer who is also known to be a man whore. There's so many ways for this mission to go wrong.

I gulped and opened my mouth to speak. But was cut off when Louis pulled me closer to him by my waist.

"I'll protect you." He said cutely and I melted.

"What difference would it make when you're still far away from us?" I asked softly and he removed a curl from my face.

"The difference is you, Joan." He said softly and I yearned for his touch. "I won't let anything bad happen to you." He said with such gentleness in his voice.

"Okay." I replied softly and got lost in his beautiful eyes, they seemed to be weathering their own storm.

Just then I felt my phone vibrating in my pocket so I fished it out and looked down at the screen.

When Blake's name flashed on the screen I quickly switched my phone off at the side.

When I looked up at Louis one of his perfectly sculpted eyebrows was already raised at me.

"You shouldn't make him wait, it might be important." Louis said with a clean smirk on his face and I frowned at him.

"I should go." I said and he smiled at me, like actually smiled at me. My god he has a beautiful smile.

I went into the elevator as I was heading to the tea room. I dialled Blake's number and placed the phone against my ear.

"Joan, where the fuck are you?" I heard someone ask on the other line and I frowned.

"Wait a minute who am I speaking to?" I asked and the man sighed.

"It's me, Horan. Blake's brother." He said in a 'duh' tone and I gasped in realisation.

"Oh, I'm sorry Horan. Where's Blake?" I asked and I heard shifting on the other end.

"He's in the OR, he was assaulted." Horan said and my hand flew to my mouth.

"Send me your location, I'm on my way." I said before ending the call. Horan texted me their location so I grabbed my stuff and started driving towards the hospital.

Once I arrived I ran inside and started searching for Horan in the large hospital, filled with injured people.

I felt a hand gripping my arm so I swung around. "Joan." Horan said and I calmed down a little. "Follow me." He said before walking ahead of me.

We took the elevator to the third floor where I think they're keeping Blake. When the doors opened Horan lead the way once more and stopped in front of a door before placing his hands on my shoulders.

"He's in really bad shape, Joan." He said in a warning tone.

"Can I just-"

"Listen to me, he's in really bad shape, I don't know if you wanna see this." Horan said and my eyes widened.

"Just stop! I want to see him." I said before pushing past Horan and stumbling into the room.

I walked in and my eyes fell on Blake. Both of my hands flew to my mouth as I did so. I gasped deeply before a tear rolled down my cheek.

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