I held my beer, watching the rest of the men were getting wildly drunk and dancing with the performers. The dancers moved and twisted their bodies for more tips, making their audience eye them lustfully.

I scrunched my nose in distaste as one of my men reached to stroke one of their legs, getting a wink in return.

If I didn't know them so well and didn't know it was all consensual, I would have cut off his hand.

We had just completed another assignment and Xavier was letting the men celebrate at Frank's club. Unfortunately, he dragged me along with them, just like every time an operation was successful. I would had preferred to stay on our property working on our new problem, but Xavier always insisted that it would bring a sense of morale and connection.

So there we were, sitting in the corner of our VIP room, not wanting to be a part of the men's excursions. While I would normally feel a sense of pride for our last mission overseas being a success, I was in no mood to celebrate.

Not that I was ever in the mood to socialize. But Xavier, who would normally be chatting with the others, was just as anti-social as I was at the moment.

I took a swing of my beer and then dialed the familiar number on my phone. The man answered during the first ring.

"Hey, boss–"

"Any word of him yet?" I cut off Erik Coda, our lead hacker, getting straight to the point.

"No, boss. It's already been a month and there haven't been any reports from him since he last contacted you," Erik grunted, seemingly annoyed and worried.

"Last time we heard from him was a few days before the shooting. Angelo said he was meeting someone in the area to discuss dealing with the Diablos. I sent a few men to track any signals weeks ago and I already reported the footage to Xavier."

"Well, better come up with something before Xavier gets even more upset," I growled as I hung up the phone.

Xavier looked at me with a calm expression, but I sensed the anger already building up.

I shook my head in confirmation and he growled, slamming his fist on the table and startling the people closest to us. The usually mischievous man was nowhere in sight.

"Damn it! I have a bad feeling about this. If Angelo hasn't contacted us by now, he's either missing or dead." Xavier said harshly and I nodded in agreement.

We both looked at each other with sadness and anger. We both knew the likelihood of finding him alive was small. Angelo De Luca was one of our top ranks and although he was a bit of an asshole, he was family.

"I agree. We just need Erik to confirm it all before we go in ourselves. With Angelo gone, we lost our advantage on them. Do you think the shootings in LA are connected?" I asked. My body stiffened at the thought.

Even though the LA shooting happened weeks ago, the media has brought it to our attention since then.

There were multiple witnesses and footage of the event. There have been different marches and strikes on gun violence and the victims, having the whole nation's attention. Politicians trying to reassure the nation and making vows to demand justice.

It had been especially stressful for Xavier and myself. Xavier was the head figure and CEO of Monroe Protective Services, or MPS.

It was an international security company, one of the best businesses in the world to protect foreign leaders or people in need of our services.

I was the vice president and oversaw multiple cases, especially in the United States.

Due to the shooting, we have been getting hundreds of calls asking for our protection to guard people's houses, schools, and cities.

But we didn't have enough resources to accomplish that. Not if we focused them on something...different. If things went our way, there would be justice for the people in Los Angeles and one less threat to worry about.

"Erik looked through all the footage. Damn right it was them. But there wasn't any video of them appearing until it happened. It's like they came out of nowhere." Xavier said as he took a huge chug of beer. He placed it down before turning to me.

"He also said that they seemed to be searching for something. With all that chaos on the streets, there's no way to tell what—or who they were looking for." Xavier explained.

But it didn't make sense to me. Why did they decide to cause a big scene? They usually were subtle and quiet in their tactics. What changed that they were desperate enough to open fire in a public area?

I scowled at the sound of giggling in the background that interrupted my thoughts.

"I would rather be back in the office and figure out this shit," I muttered and Xavier chuckled humorlessly.

"I would rather be doing anything but this. Hope Maria shows up soon," he muttered as he eyed the entrance. I smirked at the impatience in his tone as he waited for his wife, the tension from moments ago fading.

Maria and Xavier Monroe had been together since high school. One look at her and we all knew he was a goner, much to his denial.

Xavier married her as soon as he took over the business from his father, knowing he could protect her from any enemies or danger. He had the sources and the power to do so.

Every man knew not to even look in her general direction or things wouldn't end well for them.

Xavier was already an intimidating man with a large build, covered in tattoos from his neck down. His sharp face, cold eyes, and harsh scowl were enough to send any man cowering away.

His position only made him even more dangerous. Most of the time he kept that side of him well-hidden, masking it with a charming smile and mischievous eyes.

But right now he was damn pissed.

"She's right over there, boss," I rumbled in laughter as Maria came in with a tray of drinks. She placed them on the table before scurrying to Xavier, who had his large arms ready for her.

"Hi," Maria said breathlessly with a wide smile as Xavier's harsh features softened, much to my amusement. It was hilarious watching my best friend turn into a lost puppy.

Maria turned out to be a miracle for all of us. Even though she was a sweetheart, she was a force to be reckoned with. You never want to get on her bad side.

Her stubbornness and hostility was the only reason why Xavier allowed her to work as a hostess, not that he could stop her from doing anything.

And the fact that we have guns in the back of our pockets.

"Hey, Sugar," Xavier murmured as he pecked her lips softly. I turned away so I didn't have to witness their little moment, a hint of loneliness brewing from their interaction.

"Why haven't you been up here? I swear if any man dared–" Xavier was cut off by Maria's denial.

"No, you brute! There is a new hire and I am showing her around. But," she paused and I turned when I heard the concerned tone in her voice. "I think Frank really crossed a line this time. I can't believe he let Rosaline work here!"

"Rosaline?" I asked out loud, loving the way the name rolled off my tongue. I rolled my eyes at my thoughts.

"Yes, and she just...she has this whole aura to her and she's so cute! I can't help but feel protective of her and want to squish her little cheeks," Maria gushed.

"I'm just afraid that everyone else in this damn club will feel it too and take advantage of it. Doesn't help she looks like a lost little sheep," she admitted.

"Isn't Michael working the bar tonight?" Xavier asked as he rubbed her back.

"Yes, but it's crazy tonight. The security guards are only stationed here and Michael won't be able to keep an eye on her–oh! I should get back to her. Bye Xav!"

Maria pecked his lips and quickly left the room, leaving me with a pouting man.

I chuckled and he quickly sent a glare my way.

"Shut up, asshole. Can you go check up on this new girl? I don't want mine to worry so much about her," Xavier asked and I nodded my head.

I got up and started walking towards the exit until a hand touched my chest.

"Want to dance?" a dancer purred as she began to rub herself on me.

"You know I am not a part of your little party. Move." I spoke with annoyance. I shoved her off before I left the VIP room, the loud music blasting in my ears.

I scanned the dim space, looking for Maria and the new employee. I spotted Maria talking frantically to Michael at the bar, who was swarmed by customers.

Seeing the panic on Maria's face, I quickly went through the crowd to look for any signs of the new hostess. Not spotting anything, I walked over to the few empty tables, dodging the drunk people on the dance floor.

Leaning against one of the booths, I tried to keep my body relaxed but alert.

I stopped searching as I heard a small whimper and men cackling. Snapping my head to the right and blocking out the loud music, my eyes narrowed as I saw a group of men clustered against the wall.

I knew without a doubt it had to be the new girl.

I deliberately walked quietly to not give away my presence. I couldn't see the girl; she was surrounded. My anger rose as I heard her plead with the men to leave her alone and they merely laughed.

"What do you think I'm not good enough for you?" One of them snapped before leaning in to inhale her scent.

The girl let out another whimper and I snapped.

"She said to leave her alone and I suggest you do so before it's too late," I growled.

The men turned in my direction and some of them paled as they recognized me. Who wouldn't recognize me in this city? Xavier and I were well known and respected in New York.

"S-Sorry Sir. Steven was just joking. W-We didn't know she was yours," One fool stuttered before a few of them ran off, leaving the man who I assumed was Steven and some of his buddies.

"Who do you think you are?" Steven sneered as he made a move to grab the girl, who was behind him.

Before he had the chance, I gripped the front of his shirt and pulled him to me, my gun pressed harshly to his chest. Steven looked down and turned a sickly white.

"I can be your worst fucking nightmare. Stay the hell away from her or this bullet will go through your heart. Am I understood?" I growled into his ear and he quivered in fear.

He gulped and nodded frantically as I dropped him to the floor, putting my gun away. Steven and the rest of his buddies quickly left, leaving me and the girl was alone.

I turned and froze when I finally got a look at her.

Not a girl. A Woman.

She was a petite figure, her head just reached the top of my chest. Her pale skin looked luminescent, contrasting with her dark, waist-length hair.

I fought the urge to smile when I saw she had tied her shirt to bring it closer to her slender body. I eyed her hips and curves of her uniform, wishing the clothes weren't so baggy.

I stopped my examination once I saw she was quivering and breathing shallowly. I panicked as I saw her trembling body about to collapse.

"It's okay. It's over," I said gently, shocked at my soothing tone. She snapped her head up at me and I almost fell on my ass when her big brown eyes stared into mine.

She began to take deeper breaths as she calmed herself down. I restrained myself from getting any closer, confused by my reaction towards her.

"Thank you," a soft sweet voice said and I saw her looking at me with a shy smile.

Sweet Jesus. I am in trouble.