Alianna lay on the lounge chair near the pool. Naveen and Emilio sat close by playing cards, usually they would be more discrete while on the job but Alianna wanted the company not to mention Jax's orders. Alianna peered over the top of her book at the unusually quiet pair. She knew something was going on because Jax was gone when she woke up this morning and he didn't tell her where he would be. She saw Scott at breakfast which meant that Jax was still in the hotel and that alleviated her fears slightly.

"Alianna," Naveen said making her look over, "Boss would like to see you."

"Where is he?" she asked, sitting up and placing the bookmark in her book.

"In an office downstairs," Naveen said as he lay his cards down. They were playing Gin Rummy and so far he had been winning. Emilio cursed in Spanish was Naveen produced two hands while he had none. Alianna shook her head as Emilio downed his entire glass of gin.

"¿Estás bien?" she asked the Cuban man.

 "Bien," Emilio replied, as he stood. Alianna raised an eyebrow but walked to the door that led them back inside followed by the two men. 

 ~

 Jax looked up as there was a knock on the door. "Come in," he said and he nodded at Naveen who opened the door for Alianna. Alianna smiled as Jax beckoned her to him and laughed as he pulled her into his lap. 

 "Hi," she smiled, resting her head on his shoulder. He did not reply as he buried his face in her hair, breathing in deeply. "Stressful morning?" she asked, pressing her lips to his cheek. 

"Annoying is more like it," Jax huffed, leaning back and sighing as he stroked the small of her back. "This is the downside of coming Miami at times, I have to balance work and my mafia."

 "Why don't Evan or Rex handle things?" Alianna asked, intertwining her fingers with his. 

 "They run some of the other larger clubs," Jax sighed, "I handle this one since it's so close to home." They were quiet for a while just enjoying each other's company. Alianna was no longer afraid of the peace and tranquility she found in Jax. Never in a million years she would've ever believed that she would find comfort in the arms of an "enemy". 

 "Do you remember that cocktail function you eavesdropped about?" Jax murmured breaking the quiet. Alianna nodded, not wanting to disturb herself yet. She sat up straight as Jax pressed something to her thigh. Alianna's fingers closed around the plastic as she held up a credit card.

 "I would like you to accompany me tonight," Jax stated. He did not miss how Alianna's eyes lit up. He knew how bored she got while staying at the hotel. Soon business here will be done and he could bring her to her new home. "Go and get yourself something you'd like and don't worry about the price." 

 Alianna looked at Jax, "I can't accept this." 

 "Use your salary if you want, just remember who you worked for the past year," Jax smirked as he leaned back in his chair. Alianna huffed as she realised that either way, she would be spending his money. 

 "Would you be coming with me?" Alianna asked hopefully. 

 Jax sighed and traced his finger down her cheek lightly. She missed his company as much as he craved hers. "I can't sweetheart, I have to finish everything before the function tonight." 

 Alianna sighed but shook her head in understanding. Jax pulled her closer, wanting a reprieve before having to dive into the world of work again. Alianna relaxed against his body, loving the sense of belonging as she lay in his arms. 

 "Go on," Jax said, sitting up straight and chuckling at Alianna's pouting face, "meet me in the room at six?" 

 Alianna nodded before pressing a soft kiss to Jax's cheek, "I'll see you then." Jax sighed as he watched Alianna slip out the door. As soon as the door closed, his phone started ringing again. On the other side, Alianna stared at the card in her hand. 

 "What does he want to do with that?" Emilio asked, shocked that the Boss would give her his credit card. 

 "We're going shopping." 

 ~ 

Alianna's mouth parted in surprise as the automatic doors opened and blasted her with AC. Her eyes roamed the countless shops as Naveen and Emilio hid their smiles at her wonder. Naveen knew the general jist of Alianna's past so he brought her to one of the malls which sold more luxury items, as per Jax's request. 

 "Where first girly?" Naveen asked, throwing in his nickname for Alianna. 

 Alianna glanced at the mannequins in the windows and decided on a shop with short dresses. "In here," she said going into the shop, all the attendants perked up as she entered, assuming that she was someone important by the way from the way she walked and not by the way Naveen and Emilio strode in behind her. 

 "Good morning, how may I assist you?" a pretty brunette approached her. Alianna felt a wrench in her gut at how much the woman reminded her of Kayla. 

 "May I see your cocktail dresses?" she asked. The attendant nodded and gestured for Alianna to follow her to the back of the shop. 

 "You can only take three items into the dressing room," the attendant said, waiting on the outskirts as Alianna browsed.

 She stayed clear of beaded numbers and kept reminding herself that it needed to be long enough to hide her kinfe. In the end she ended up with a gold strapless sequined dress and black sequined long sleeved one. The attendant directed her to dressing room where Alianna changed into the gold dress first. She pulled the curtain back and walked out where only Emilio stood. 

 "Can I count on you to give me a honest opinion?" She asked, examining the flares of the dress.

 "Si," Emilio answered, wondering how he lost the coin toss and got stuck waiting on Alianna instead of buying lunch. 

 "What do you think?" Alianna had her doubts about the beautiful dress but it reminded her of the dress she wore on that fateful New Year's Eve. 

 "No pareces mujer del Jefe," Emilio said plainly, the dress made her look like a little girl rather than a woman. 

 Alianna nodded before going back in and changing into the black dress. She studied herself in the mirror. It was a lot more daring than what she was used to, the dress showed off her legs and a lot more bust that what she was used to but she did not feel uncomfortable. She felt confident and empowered. She pulled open the curtain and walked out. 

 "Whoa," Naveen said and smiled as Alianna looked up. "Boss is never going to let you leave his side; I have an easy job tonight." 

 Alianna found a pair of heels that had an embellished ankle strap to match her dress and slipped them on. She chuckled as she saw Naveen and Emilio looking away, she would need to remember not to bend over too much tonight. She liked the girl she saw in the mirror, she was happy and healthy. 

 "So this it is?" Alianna turned to them. They would know how other patrons will dress tonight and she was aiming to fit in but she had a feeling that with Jax, she was bound to stand out. 

"Yup girly," Naveen grinned, "let's go before my Chipotle gets cold."

~

Jax sat in the living room, tapping his thumbs as he exercised some patience. His eyes kept glancing at the door to Alianna's room. It was not often Jax was the one kept waiting on Alianna, quite frankly, she was always waiting for him but when he did have to, he was curious to what she was doing. Jax growled as his phone buzzed in his pocket. He was half tempted to throw it into the air and let Alianna shoot it. It was a necessary but incessant nuisance in his life.

"If you glare at it more, your phone is going to blow up." Alianna's voice made him look up.

"Wow," he murmured, his eyes opening in shock.

Alianna stood before him. Her hair was straight, something she hardly ever did, and it fell past her waist. Her makeup was slightly on the heavier side but one couldn't tell. Jax's eyes fell to her lips that were tainted dark pink.

"Too much?" Alianna twirled around perfectly on her heels. She blushed under Jax's heated gaze. The dress fit her like a glove yet concealed her knife perfectly. At first, she had been afraid of his reaction but judging by the way his eyes roamed her body; he liked what he saw.

"It's missing something," Jax said smirking lightly. Alianna frowned and gave herself a once over as Jax strode over.

"This."

Alianna gasped as a ring nestled in a velvet box appeared in front of her. It was simply beautiful; an onyx stone was set within a silver lotus. The lotus leaves were dotted with silver diamonds. Alianna was speechless as Jax held her left hand and slipped the ring onto her middle finger. He brought her hand up to eye level, letting them both admire how perfect it sat there.

"Why?" Alianna asked, her mind slowly processing what he had done.

"Because I wanted to," Jax murmured pressing a kiss to her temple. It felt so right having her in his arms and he wasn't letting her wander too far from him tonight. The couple looked up as there was knock on the door, telling them it was time for their appearance. Alianna slipped to Jax's side, her arm sliding into the crook of his. Jax pressed a kiss to her cheek before they strode out of the room. Scott, Naveen, Emilio and, to Alianna's surprise, Patrick stood in the hallway.

"Good evening gentlemen." Alianna smiled as they returned her greeting and the group headed to the elevator. Any other woman would've be diminished in the presence of five killers but Alianna commanded her space. She was equally, perhaps even more dangerous that the men surrounding her. Her aura had Jax captivated and sure as hell turned him on.

"Alianna," Jax murmured lowly to her. They stood outside the VIP club where laughing and music could be heard. "Promise me you'll keep someone in your sights at all times tonight." Alianna nodded and squeezed his forearm reassuringly. Jax breathed in deeply and nodded to the bouncer to open the door.

Alianna bit the inside of her cheek. Again, the club was totally Jax's signature style of modern elegance but a few touches showed that he was not entirely in control of the establishment. It was those little things like white ashtrays and colour changing flower arrangements that gave it away. As she expected, as soon as they entered, all eyes were on them. Ladies dressed in their evening finest with makeup and hair professionally done, men in their semi-formal best. She spotted Evan and Rex easily, the only men apart from Jax and their guards who wore suits.

As soon as they touched the dance floor, Jax was approached by his colleagues. Alianna greeted them politely but did not offer more than that out loud. She understood if Jax did not introduce her to them, they weren't worth the time or attention and also, the less people who know her, the better. She saw Naveen, Emilio and Scott shadowing her and Jax but Patrick was nowhere to be seen. Her ears picked up the not-so-subtle whispers of the women nearby, undoubtedly trying to figure out who she was and what her relationship is with Jax.

"Champagne?" Jax murmured in her ear and offering her a flute. He had grown accustomed to the gossip over the years but Alianna never had experience with that and he wanted to make sure she could make it through the night without any causalities.

Alianna sent him a shy smile, a smile he rarely saw from her because she was hardly ever out of her comfort zone, before taking the glass. Jax chuckled before pressing a kiss to her temple lightly and leading her over to the sitting area where Evan, Rex and the business partner of moment would spend the evening.

Evan cleared his throat as he attempted to cover up his ogling as Jax and Alianna sat down. Jax shot him a glare which made Alianna chuckle. She smiled sweetly at Rex whose barely there small smile told her that he was just as bad as Evan but sneakier about it. Jax nodded at the waiter as he placed the bottle of scotch and the chilled bottle of wine that he had requested for Alianna.

"Enjoying yourself Alianna?" Evan asked as he waited for Jax to pour his drink so he could pour his.

"It's weird," Alianna admitted sipping her champagne, "I'm used to being behind the bar, not ordering from it."

"You won't be behind there again," Jax muttered as he draped his arm around Alianna's shoulders. Alianna smiled and leaned against Jax as she sipped her champagne.

"Where's Patrick?" she asked out loud.

"He's on surveillance duty," Evan answered, "he isn't much of a front man. Decent shot and very observant so it works out."

"He wouldn't be alive right now if is he is a decent shot," Alianna said. "Let me take a crack at him."

"No offense Alianna," Evan said warily, "Joel couldn't get him to man up."

Alianna rolled her eyes as was about to retort when she saw a man in a metallic silver suit with two ladies on his arms approaching. She heard Jax sigh and pull her closer. "Just let me at him," she said firmly as the guy stepped into the VIP area.

"Good to see you Boveri," the man extended his hand to him.

"Good to see you too Harold," Jax replied. Alianna covertly studied the man. He must be Jax's business partner and a playboy at that. The two women looked flirtatiously at Evan and Rex but Alianna's glare kept them away from Jax.

"And who is this? Would she like to join the mix?" the guy smirked as the ladies next to him giggled.

"I'd prefer if you stay out of my personal business," Jax said coldly tightening his hand over Alianna's as hers inched to her knife lay against her thigh.

Harold gulped but maintained his smile, "What about you Rossi? You've never turned me down yet."

Evan flashed his signature smile, "There's a first time for everything." Alianna, Jax and Rex all raised eyebrows but did not comment openly. Alianna took a deep breath to control her outrage as Harold sat down with his dates. Jax and Evan discussed business while Rex and Alianna carried out a silent conversation. They had a weird but strong friendship as Alianna spoke Rex's language; silence.

"Come with me," Jax murmured in Alianna's ear before standing up. Alianna smiled and took his proffered hand, leaving behind her glass which was filled with wine for the third time that night.

Jax wound his arms around her waist, pulling her close to him. He could smell the sweet wine mixed in with her subtle perfume and it intoxicated him more than any glass of scotch could. Alianna snaked her hands around Jax's neck, thankful that she did not have to listen to that horrid conversation anymore.

"You have the patience of a hunting lioness," Jax murmured as they moved harmoniously to the music.

"I also have the power of one," Alianna replied tersely, her eyes drifting the obnoxious man sitting there. "I've never heard such a bigoted, spoiled airhead in my life. If you ever need to dispose of him, I will do it; willingly."

Jax laughed before uncurling her left from around his neck and pressing a kiss to the red indents created when she dug her fingers into her palm to prevent herself from drawing her knife and slitting his business partner's throat.

"Noted," he smiling against her skin, "duly noted.

Alianna smiled as they fell into a comfortable silence. They moved with the music seamlessly, unable to tell who was leading, they just moved together as one. The other patrons openly stared and whispered to each other. Jax Boveri was one of the most desirable and powerful bachelors and countless women wanted to be the one by his side, even if it was for one night so one could imagine the hate and envy directed at Alianna tonight.

But the pair did not care. They were oblivious to everyone around them and only had eyes for each other. The logical part of his mind was screaming at Jax to take Alianna out of the spotlight but he could not keep her hidden away forever. The threat of L'iiblis appeared to have died down for now and Alianna more than deserved her freedom. Alianna rest her head on Jax's shoulder, there was something different between them tonight, they both wanted something more.

Loud applause broke the couple's peace as the song ended. Jax grinned as Alianna blushed. Alianna's eyes glazed over where Evan, Rex and the scum sat.

"I'm not going to put you through that again," Jax murmured, "let's go." Alianna grinned and kissed his cheek. Jax nodded to Evan and Rex before walking out of the club.

Alianna's dress