( Tori in her outfit above ) { Tori's POV }

Luca and I walk downstairs only to get in a argument with Valente technically known as my father. It's a fabulous way to start the night! Just grand!

"There is no way she is going with you. You don't even have back up." Valente said in a serious tone trying to order around the Don. Interesting that when I voice my opinion ; I'm disrespectful..but he can just do as he pleases. Entitlement much. I'm not against him and I don't not like him, I just have problems with the way he treats those around him.

"It's dangerous for the both of you, especially to go in with our back up." Riccardo says

Now Riccardo, I like. Sure sometimes he comes across as sexist as well but for the most part he's always been respectful towards women and tried to be polite.

"I think you should take Marco. He's your second and command, and would be able to watch himself, and observe everything while having your back, after all you are the Don and you have to be careful." Francesco advises

I get it. He cares for his son, or the legacy his son has to uphold..but they are making too big of a deal out of this. It's not like Luca and I are helpless. I mean I'm definitely not the one having to train because I'm too slow and out of practice.

I was going to respond because frankly I'm a little offended that they think I couldn't handle myself, and have Luca's back....but before I could even respond Luca places his hand on my lower back, almost as if to assure me he'll handle it. So I decide to keep my mouth shut, and watch him handle it. It'll be a big deciding factor on if we'll ever work or not.

I want to see what type of man he is, especially when everyone is around.

"That's exactly right father, I'm the Don, which last I checked means I'm in charge, and hold the authority here. All of you should be aware, after all you were the ones training me for times such as these. Now trust this— Tori is going as my date, and will be my only back up for tonight...and that's final. I am trusting Tori and her instincts, if something goes wrong we'll handle it." Luca says sternly

Ive got to say he's doing good so far.

Valente goes to speak, but Luca holds his hand up to silence him, and continues to talk himself. Damn that was hot.

"As far as her safety is concerned, I'm the Don for a reason, and I think I am more than able to watch her back, as she will mine. Tori is a sworn in member, and is rightly apart of this family. She has proved herself over and over again. She's even saved all of our asses when we were attacked by Russians in our own home, I'm convinced she can handle anything. All of you know as well as I do that if she were a man, my title would've be stripped away and given to her, because that's how this fucked up world works. Now from this point moving forward— I expect all of you to treat her as your equal...and I mean ALL of you." Luca says all of this sternly and at this point I'm biting my lip to hold back a smile.

He's a good one. Maybe not everyone's definition of good, but he could be good for me.

Everyone around us nods their heads in clear understanding or mumbles yes boss.

"Now if all of you are done questioning my decisions, and insulting Tori, we need to leave before we are late.." Luca says with authority dripping from it. Luca guides me out the front door, and leads me to an all black sports car, gorgeous car by the way, but what shocks me is that there isn't a driver in it.

"No driver?" I question

"Don't worry I'm a good driver, and the car is bullet proof. So it's perfectly safe, Angel." Luca says with a teasing smirk

"Oh I wasn't worried." I reply

"No of course not. Just a curious one." Luca says more to himself than to me but I still heard it.

I get inside the black sports luxury car after Luca opens the door for me. He goes to the shut the door for me, but I grab it and say "I think I can manage."

I know he's only being a gentleman, but I've always found it annoying how a guy is supposed to open and shut all the doors for the women. Like no. If I'm asking to be your equal than I'm gonna open and shut my own doors. Maybe it's stupid, but it's a mental thing.

Luca raises an eyebrow and then smirks "Stubborn, I see."

"I'm not stubborn. I let you open my door, and I got in without protest." I reply

"So I can open doors for you, but not close them?" Luca questions

"Sure." I say willing to compromise

"Deal." Luca says with a smile as he comes around and gets in the car himself, as I shut my own darn door.

"There was never a deal to be made." I say once he's in the car

"After being around you more, I know what your one problem is.." Luca says

"Oh this has to be good. Please enlighten me." I reply with a smile

"You hate giving up control."

"I did hate it. Now I don't because I simply just don't do it. I always have control even if it may not seem like it." I reply seriously

"I'll have to remember that." Luca says

"As you should." I reply

"Why the door thing?" He asks

"It's stupid but it matters to me." I say

"Then it's not stupid. Tell me." Luca says

"If I want to be a mans equal, then I shouldn't expect him to do things for me, that I wouldn't do for him. I also shouldn't let the opposite sex have control of even the simplest of things. I like to have control of everything, and I don't like surprises. So even the smallest of things as shutting or opening a door seems like a huge deal to me, especially when I'm already surrounded by men who think I'm under them. I know you were raised to be a gentleman by your mother, and I respect that...and I'm trying but there's a lot of things you do, that I'm not use too, and it makes me slightly uncomfortable. I like doing things myself, it's how I was raised, and it's what I know. So just don't try to change that. Okay?" I ramble

"Okay. I'll respect your ways, and you can respect mine. We'll balance everything out." Luca says

Even the stupidest things, he apparently cares to know...

<>

We arrived at this dinner party over an hour ago. Everyone is starring at us and us only. I hear whispers and rumors spreading.

Everyone at first thought I was his whore but then after he had me sit on his left hand side, and all of them shut their mouths about that... I don't really know why myself, like literally no clue, or at least I didn't until the the whispers began again. Only this time they were in shock saying that I was his future wife, and that he would never let a whore of his sit on his left hand side. All of it confuses me sometimes, and I can't spend time focusing on it.

I find it strange that Luca and I seem so interesting, because honestly we haven't done much at this party. We actually haven't done a thing. I don't even know anyone, so it's not like I'm here socializing. I'm just sitting at table.

I'm actually a little bored.I haven't had any run ins with many females, because they look to scared to walk up to me or Luca. However I don't miss the looks of envy, and curiosity. I even see lustful looks being thrown at Luca, some are practically begging him to have sex with them, just with their eyes. It's clear as day, and honestly a little sickening.

I'm also not blind to miss that more then a couple of guys have been nearly undressing me with their eyes. I'm flattered but also grossed out. Men are pigs. Like you can admire someone without imagining them naked or whatever. It's just slightly creepy.

<>

"Are you ready to go?" Luca asks me

"Are you seriously asking me?" I ask confused

He raises an eyebrow but nods.

"This is your dinner party. I've been ready to leave, but I'm going to stay till whenever you are done with whatever business you have here." I tell him

He nods looking satisfied with my answer.

Luca guides me out of the party.

"Want to drive?" He asks showing me the keys

"No I actually hate driving, thanks for the offer though." I say with a light laugh

Luca smiles and opens my door, and I shut it for myself. He gets in on the other side, and we take off.

<>

Soon we make it back to the mansion. We walk in and I half way expected to see Valente or someone waiting but there wasn't anyone.

Luca walks me upstairs to my room.

"You were perfect tonight.." Luca says

"What?" I ask not understanding

"The way you looked. The way you handled everything even the whispers, and rumors with your head held back unfazed. The way you knew when to speak, and when not to. The way you talked to the men and made sure they respected you without disrespecting them. You were perfect. You are perfect." Luca tells me and seems genuinely

"Thank you. I think we made a good team. Wait, is this some ploy to get invited into my room?" I ask teasingly making Luca smirk

"No. I don't need an invitation, but im hoping it helps convince you to come to mine." Luca says smoothly

I lightly laugh

"Is it working?" He asks with a smirk

"Maybe." I answer

Luca holds out his hand, smiles at me, and says "Just take a leap this one time, you never know Angel, you might like where you land."

I laugh and slightly shake my head. Everything about this is cliche. I'm about to do what all of the head over heels and irresponsible girls do ; I'm going to take the leap...

I lean up and put my hand through his hair, and kiss him. I don't feel sparks or fireworks. I feel passion, like pure passion and desire. I can honestly say I've never felt like this before. Luca starts to kiss me back, one of his hands end up on the side of my neck, while the other is holding my face. He's a good kisser, I'll give him that. He knows exactly what he's doing, and the thing is.. I don't mind.

I pull back and say "If we do this you have to promise me one thing.."

"What's that?" Luca asks with a low lustful tone and I can tell he's trying to control himself

"That you won't be gentle." I say with a smirk teasingly yet seriously, I'm a doll who's going to break or pop.

That was all Luca needed to pick me up and take me to his room..

<>

And with that our relationship moved forward...and the kind of forward that you can't really go back from.

But in the best way possible...