Alessandro's POV:

we were all sitting at the table just talking back and fourth, nicole didn't speak much but she never really does. i look over to see amber.

i dated amber for two years and she's crazy as ever and very much the jealous type. i broke up with her when i found out she was cheating on me with Lucas. the leader of the french mafia, i didn't have a problem with the french. but if we wants a problem we can make one.

amber was wearing a skin tight red dress that pushed her plastic breasts up , slutty

"oh my god sandro !! is that you?!" she asked in shock giving me a thigh hug

"amber" i said with a blank expression not hugging her back fixing my suit

"awee baby, don't act like you didn't miss me. it's so good to see you" she said pouting her lips.

as much as i wanted to put a bullet in her head i couldn't, well not yet. amber turned from me and saw nicole

"and who is this?" she said looking at nicole with a judgmental face.

"my name is nicole, so nice to meet you" she said looking at her in a cocky tone

nicole really knows how to step up for herself without making it super obvious. that's one of the many things i like about her. wait....

"you know black isnt really fitting for a ball filled with all types of mafias as well as showing off your tattoos. the men done like it. don't you think?"she said looking at nicoles arms and the ones peeking out on her chest

like she could do better?

"thank you for you input amber, but i don't think the men like women who look like ducks with face lifts in a skin tight red dress. don't you think?" she said back with a small smile tugging at the corners of her lips.

holy.....

i looked over at enzo who was trying to contain his laughter but stopped when i looked at him. i saw nonna and my mother talking to each other but i'm sure they saw everything that happened.

i looked back at amber and saw that her mouth had dropped open as if she saw a ghost. she walked away crossing her arms and whining

nicole grabbed the glass of champagne sitting on the table and leaned back in her chair. seeing everyone stare at her.

she just played that off like nothing even happened

"what?" she said looking at us and we all just grinned at her

i leaned into her ear and whispered something.

"good job angel" i said softly and turned away from her ear and leaned back into my chair.

"thank you, it's what i do best" she said leaning into my ear making sure i heard it. oh? so she's mocking me now? cute.

after a few minutes and a guy walked up on the stage. "places everyone" he said loudly. everyone got up and walked to the floor. women on one side and men on the other side in a straight line. i stood across from nicole and looked into her eyes. those deep beautiful blue eyes.

(play the song)

the music began and nicole and i walked towards each other. i bowed and she lifted my dress off the ground barely . she placed her left foot behind her right foot and bowed. i stood up straight and we lifted both of left hands up barley meeting each other. my hands were much larger than hers .

we walked in a circle for a few minutes. we got back into the line we were in from the beginning. i stuck my hand out "may i have this dance nicole?" i asked her softly.

"it would be my pleasure" she said taking my hand placing her left hand on my left shoulder while our right hands were holding each other's. i put my hand on her waist. she rested her head on my chest and then it hit me, this was it. this was what i wanted. everything i thought i would never have.

nicole was the person that i've been longing for this whole time. after amber everything felt slow, i didn't feel like that with nicole. what if she doesn't feel that same? what if she's going to leave when we get back home to New York? she wouldn't be with me anyways. i'm a mafia leader and i cant have someone that i need to pay more attention too. but nicole wasn't like that. she didn't like attention that much. but this, this is all i wanted

i've been to this ball several times for several years, but every girl i've danced with just didn't feel the same the way nicole does. i-i think i'm falling for her...

after a few minutes of us dancing nicole and i switched partners, i looked over and she was dancing with lucas so that meant....dear god

i looked down and saw amber dancing with me. i don't even hate her because we broke up i hate her because she cheated on me with a french dude who she said "had more money than me" no one has more money and power than the italians .

"sandro i miss you, take me back please. i didn't mean to hurt you" she said looking up at me pouting

"no amber" i said looking straight ahead. i could feel nicoles eyes on us but it didn't bother me

after we danced for a little more with our different partners we switched back to our original partners.

i looked down at nicole who was looking up at me i bent down to say something to her.

"happy birthday amore" i said while dragging my nose across her jawline. i knew it drove her crazy because she inhaled deeply

i stood up from bending down and she gave me a confused look. she must be wondering how i k ow it's her birthday or if anyone knew for that matter.

"thank you but how did you know?" she said looking in my eyes

"you forget i'm a mafia leader, i know everything" i said looking back into her eyes

her eyes were beautiful i couldn't help but keep looking at them, i got lost in them as well as my thoughts. nicole made everything better from the day i saw her to now. i just knew she had to be mine, but getting her to be mine is going to be hard. i didn't mind, but usually i don't work for what i want.

nicole just made me feel this feeling that i can't explain. it's a strong feeling that i don't ever want to go away.

eventually the music stopped and everyone stopped dancing and clapping, nicole and i just stood there and looking into each other's eyes. i didn't want this to end. ever

that is until we heard gunshots..