Luciano
I came out of the room and saw my two men lying on the floor, unconscious. I saw Raven standing over them, her fists clenched, her eyes teary, and she looked really frightened.
“What happened?” I asked.
“I don’t know,” she said.
“What are you doing here? What do you mean you don’t know?” I pressed, stepping over the bodies, and walking towards her.
“A man had been trying harassing me, trying to get me to give him my number. I came up here to escape but he followed me. When they saw him they asked him to leave, and he attacked them.”
She sniffled a bit, continuing, “He had tried to grab me before you came out.” She started sobbing, “I was so scared sir.”
“What did he look like?”
She ran her hand over her hair. “kinda tall, bald, and he reeked of beer.”
That’s half the men here, I thought. Her description wasn’t very helpful, but whoever it was had taken out two of my best men alone.
I looked at the men and then back at Raven. I could tell that she was shaken, but she was also trying to put on a brave face. She was failing badly, tears were still streaming down her face.
“Are you okay?” he asked.
“I’m fine,” she said. “Just a little shaken up.”
I took her hand and led her to the bathroom. I waited outside while she splashed water on her face and fixed her makeup. She came out looking a bit more refreshed.
“It’s okay,” I said and pulled her into a hug, “You’re safe now.”
Raven leaned her head against my shoulder and closed her eyes. She took a deep breath and let it out slowly.
“Thank you,” she said.
I held her for a few minutes until she started to relax. Then I released her shoulders, letting her breathe for a few more seconds. “It’s alright, it’s over now.” I whispered, “I will have someone clean them up.”
I strode back to the hall and motioned to one of my men. “Get me a glass of whiskey, get the Limo ready, and please get someone to clean up a mess.”
“What mess exactly, boss?” He asked, looking at me in confusion.
“Gustavo and Giovanni got attacked. They are lying unconscious in the hall upstairs.”
I saw his eyes widen in shock. “Are you okay, sir?”
“I am fine, I wasn’t a target.”
“Yes, boss,” he said, visibly relaxing.
“Also, have security keep an eye out for a tall bald fella. I think my personal assistant just got harassed.”
“Ah, boss?”
“What?”
“There are a lot of tall bald men here, sir.”
I shook my head slowly; he was right.
“Just do as you are told,” I said firmly. He gave a curt nod and left, returning a few minutes later with the whiskey.
“Security has been informed, and the cleanup crew is on their way,” he informed me, handing me a glass.
“Good, have them go upstairs and get an ambulance for those two clowns upstairs. Also, remind me to schedule interviews for a couple of guys to replace them.”
When I came back, I handed her a glass of whiskey and waited for her to finish it.
She grimaced before handing it back to me.
“Don’t worry,” I smirked, “I am not trying to get you drunk.”
She gave me a small smile. “You are bad at jokes boss.”
“Do you want to talk about it?” I asked after a few moments passed between us
Raven shook her head. “I’m not sure,” she said. “I’m still trying to process what happened.”
“That’s okay,” I said. “You don’t have to talk about it if you don’t want to.”
We stood in silence for a few minutes, and then Raven spoke.
“I’m just glad you’re here,” she said, before adding “Sir.”
I smiled. “I’m glad I’m here too,” I said.
We sat in silence for a few more minutes, and then I stood up.
“I think I should take you home,” I said, deeply concerned for her safety.
She nodded. “Okay.”
I then led Raven out of the party, politely waving off the questions asking why I was leaving so early, and walking her into the park.
“The Valet should be here anytime soon,” I said, looking at my watch. She just nodded, before leaning closer to me.
As we stood waiting for the limo to pull up, I couldn’t stop thinking about Raven. She was so beautiful, and she was so fragile. I wanted to protect her, from anything, and everything. She stood next to me, clutching my arm, still shaking slightly. I couldn’t help the way I felt. She made me feel like I would storm the beaches of Omaha alone, as long as it meant she was safe.
“Oh pull yourself together,” I muttered to myself, slightly embarrassed as I was acting like a little schoolboy again.
She reminded me of my first crush, we went to the same private school in Westchester but she was two grades above me. I had written her a heartfelt letter and slid it into her locker. It didn’t end well, her boyfriend, captain of the lacrosse team, had found out and had beaten the shit out of me.
The Limo arrived soon enough, and we got in.
“Take us home,” I ordered the driver, shutting the door.
“The mansion or hers sir?”
“Mine,” I said before thinking.
I felt Raven stiffen, “Sir, you don’t need to.”
“Nonsense,” I said immediately. “You will be way safer there.”
“But… ”
“You just got harassed by a stalker who knocked two of my men out,” I said shortly. “I am not letting you go home alone.”
Thankfully, she fell silent, for one deciding not to argue.
I took Raven to my place and helped her into my bedroom. She was still shaking, and I could tell she was scared. I sat down next to her on the bed, and put my arm around her.
“It’s okay,” I said. “You’re safe now.”
She leaned her head against my shoulder and closed her eyes. She inhaled deeply and relaxed her shoulders.
“Thank you,” she said.
I held her for a few minutes until she started to relax. Then I released her shoulders, and let her go.
“I’m going to go get you a glass of water,” I said.
I went to the kitchen and got her a glass of water. When I came back, she was sitting up in bed.
“Here you go,” I said, handing her the glass.
She took a sip of the water and then handed it back to me. “Thank you,” she said.
“You’re welcome,” I said. “Are you feeling better?”
She nodded. “A little,” she said.
“Good,” I said. “Why don’t you get changed into something more comfortable?”
She nodded and went to the bathroom. I watched her go, admiring her figure. She was the most beautiful woman I had ever seen. She came out of the bathroom a few minutes later wearing a pair of my sweatpants and my t-shirt. She looked much more relaxed.
“I feel better,” she said.
“Good,” I said. “Why don’t you lie down, and I’ll get you a blanket?”
She nodded and lay down on the bed. I got her a blanket and put it over her.
“Is there anything else I can get you?” I asked.
She shook her head. “No, I’m fine,” she said.
I sat down next to her on the bed and took her hand.
“I’m here for you,” I said. “If you need anything, just let me know.”
She smiled. “Thank you,” she said.
I sat there with her for a while, just holding her hand. She eventually drifted off to sleep. I watched her sleep for a few minutes, admiring her beauty. Then I got up and went to the kitchen.
I made myself a cup of coffee and sat down at the table. I thought about Raven. She was so beautiful and vulnerable. I wanted to protect her from anything that could hurt her.
I finished my coffee and went back to the bedroom. Raven was still asleep. I sat down next to her on the bed and watched her sleep for a while longer. Then I got up, and went to my study, to get some work done.
I worked for a few hours, but I couldn’t concentrate. I kept thinking about Raven. I finally gave up and went back to the bedroom.
Raven was still asleep. I sat down next to her on the bed and took her hand. She stirred and opened her eyes.
“Hey,” I said.
She smiled. “Hey,” she said.
“How are you feeling?” I asked.
“I’m feeling better,” she said.
“Good,” I said. “I’m glad.”
She stood up, stretching, and yawning, “I think it’s safe enough to go home now.”
“Uhm, yeah, sure.” I said, standing, “I’ll have the driver take you home.”
“That won’t be necessary.”
I looked at her, feeling the irritation at her stubbornness fill me up again.
“My driver is taking you home Raven, that’s final.”