Darren looked around at everyone before saying,
"See that guy over there in the black tux?" I looked at him with an incredulous look on my face.
"You do realize this is a black tie event and every guy is wearing a black tux, right?"
His pale face tinged pink with embarrassment. It actually brought out his freckles more in an endearing way.
"Yeah, yeah you're right" he said shyly. "I meant the one that has the red hair over by the food."
I looked over and realized he was pointing to his dad. The current mob boss of the Irish.
"Oh, the one that kinda looks like you?" I asked innocently.
"Yeah, that's my dad. Wanna start the pranks there?" He asked with his goofy grin.
Master Szar and I had decided there were two ways I could play tonight. On one hand I could be a bimbo as he might enjoy a girl who is oblivious, so that he can be someone other than the heir of the Iris Mob with. On the other hand he might like someone more like a partner in this world. Based off his previous partner choices we decided I would have better luck being an innocent bimbo.
"I thought you said we were messing with the big dogs, not pranking family members?" I whined out.
Darren chuckled before saying,
"We gotta start somewhere and work up to it beautiful."
"Alright, alright. So what's the plan?" I ask.
Darren gave me a lopsided smirk before pulling a rubber snake out of his suit pocket. Fuck....this boy is going to get me shot. What makes him think throwing around snakes at a ball where everyone is covered head to toe in guns and knives is a good idea? The intel better be fucking worth it.
"A snake?" I ask while putting out a giggle. "Aren't these all big bad mob guys? Or was my date over there just pulling a line on me?"
Master Szar and I had come up with the idea that I came with a play boy date, who then preceded to ditch me. That way I had a reason for being here that didn't affiliate me with any one side.
"Who? Who had the audacity to ditch you?" Darren asked
"You see that monkey looking guy hanging around by the staircase hitting on every girl but me?" I asked
"Well, that makes sense. Once he saw how out of his league you are, he was too intimidated to be next you." Darren said with a smug look as if he had just solved a hard math problem.
"Right, right. So, why aren't you too intimidated to be seen next to me?" I shot back teasingly.
"Madam, you wound me!" He cried out in fake hurt with a dramatic hand to his heart.
"Alright, alright. Seriously though, what's the plan here big guy?" I said while trying to match his mischievous look.
"Okay, so since it's my dad he obviously would recognize me. You however, have the added benefit of anonymity." He said waggling his eyebrows.
"....are you just using me to fuck with your family?" I asked in a fake hurt voice.
"Nonsense! I would never! I'm just enjoying the fact that you can. It's simply one of your many wonderful qualities."
"Okay, alright I'll do it. If someone pulls a gun on me you gotta promise me protection!"
That line hurt a little to say since I know how easily I can handle myself. I promised Master Szar I would play this role though. He told me it would work and playing this long game would finally give us a chance to one up the Irish.
"I would throw myself in front of a bullet for any woman half as beautiful as you! So, all you have to do is try to be invisible. Just casually walk up and set this on his shoulder without stopping. Keep walking and keep an innocent face and no one will even notice." Darren said excitedly while flipping the rubber snake around in the air while he spoke.
"Okay, hand over your little friend and I'll partake in this dangerous mission" I said in a playfully mysterious voice.
He handed the play snake over and my brain began turning. This is an opportunity. I obviously can't do this well, because I could do this. It would just show the years of training I have. I have to be awkward and get caught. That could let me get an in with Donovan, the Irish leader. I could work the father and the son and give me double the chance of getting in with their people.
I began walking over but right before I went to place the snake I faked a clumsy stutter step that made all of the men talking to Donovan to turn and look at me. I forced my cheeks to turn pink (yes I can make myself blush) with the snake dangling in the air. Donovan turned around and looked at me before heaving a sigh.
"Darren put you up to this, didn't he?" Donovan said.
Shit, he was a quick thinker. It would definitely be harder to play him then his son.
"I..I..I'm ve..very sor..ry sir." I stuttered out putting a deer caught in the headlights look on my face.
Donovan looked like a dad who has to scold his unruly toddler. As if my thoughts called out to him, Darren appeared at my side. I have to keep an eye on that, he walks very quiet for a man.
"Hey dadio, I see you met my new friend, Vida." Darren said playfully.
Donovan let out a loud sigh before extending his hand to me.
"Pleasure to meet you Vida, I'm Donovan." He said holding back his annoyance so he could be polite to me.
I took his hand and he gave it a gentle shake. He then gave Darren a look that seemed stern. Darren seemed to get the message because he gently grabbed my elbow and steered me away from the group of men speaking.
I took another glance at the men to see the head of the Yakuza, the leader of the French mafia, master Szar, and the leader of the crime syndicate in New York City who was hosting this ball.
The grave looks on all their faces told me the trouble wasn't quite solved. All of the men were meeting here in New York because all of them have business in the city. Yet, they seemed to be stepping on each other's toes more and more. They may all be criminals, but their was a code of respect that was supposed to be upheld amongst the groups.
Master Szar has been causing a lot of the toe stepping. Never making it look like it was his men, of course. I myself had messed with a lot of the different groups, while leaving others signatures.
I internally heaved a sigh. At least the night was half over at this point. What else could happen?
MESSAGE FROM THE AUTHOR- Hey all! This is my first story. Please leave comments and let me know if this a story you'd like to see continue! I would love any constructive criticism you want to leave!