The clock had almost hit nine as James looked at the mirror fixing his shirt. He was in Deetra's room, spending as much time as he could with his girlfriend. James took a big breath, still staring in the mirror before brushing his hair backward with his fingers. Deetra was sitting at the bed, being on her iPhone and checking her boyfriend randomly. She narrowed her eyes, seeing him push his fingers through his blackish tufts again and again puffing. He still looked distressed. The woman sighed and stood up, walking towards her boyfriend with slow steps as her high heels echoed on the wooden floor. She stood beside him and wrapped her left arm around his waist before leaning her head against his shoulder. James' eyes were still on the mirror as he turned his head slightly and glared at his girlfriend.

"I promise, your hair looks amazing, darling...."

Deetra smiled before kissing his cheek softly, leaving a red mark behind. James smiled back for a split second before turning to his usual emotionless face. He pushed his hands into the pants pockets feeling the fabric against his legs. The man didn't want to go to the casino but had no other option. If he had said "no" to Lazaro's proposal, the hitman would seem weak and boring to him, and James didn't want that. He wanted to look cool, especially towards Lazaro after all these questions he asked him.

There was a knock on the door, and James turned his head lazily to see his buddy. Damon grinned, leaning against the wall facing his friend. James sighed and scanned him from head to toes. The drug baron fixed the collar of his dark red shirt and then the sleeves while waiting for him.

"Are ya ready, mate?"

"Yes, Damon...."

"Great, let's go downstairs!"

Damon pushed his hands together with an excited smirk before turning his chin glancing at his sister. Deetra smiled, kissing her boyfriend on the lips, and looked at both of them.

"Have fun at the casino and be careful."

"Are you sure you don't want to come along...?"

James mumbled, receiving a punch on the shoulder from Damon. He glared at him with the corner of his eyes as the kingpin burst into a fit of laughter.

"James, James, if uncle Lazaro wanted Deetra, he would invite her! Obviously, he wants a men's night!"

Damon grinned wide as his friend nodded. Deetra laughed softly, pushing her palms against his cheeks and rubbing them gently.

"Lazaro isn't a threat, don't worry, darling. Plus, Damon is going to be by your side all the time! Isn't it that right, brother?"

Damon hadn't heard a single word as he was glancing around the room, looking forward to his visit to the casino. Deetra cleared her neck in anger, getting Damon's attention. He glared at both of them, confused as his sister repeated her question.

"I said that you're going to be around James all the time, Damon, right?"

"What? Oh, yes, of course! We're gonna go, enjoy a drink, gamble a bit and then return home after four-five hours! Everything's going to be alright; you have nothing to worry about!"

Damon raised his arms with a chuckle, a grin still playing off his lips lighting up his whole face. James knew already he was fucked up and couldn't trust Damon this time. Deetra crossed her arms and smiled with a nod as Damon pushed him outside the room with a smirk.

"Bye, Deetra!"

"Bye, my love...."

"Goodbye, guys, have fun and return in one piece!"

Deetra shouted with a giggle before returning to her phone. Hoplite was rising again quickly in the black market but wasn't a significant threat just yet. She gulped, knowing she had to inform her brother about it when he returns. The woman knew that her sibling wouldn't be really happy with the news.

When Damon and James walked down the stairs with quick steps, Lazaro was already at the entrance fixing his leather Cartier watch around his wrist. The Italian's lips turned into a wide grin as he saw the two men.

"Ready to go, boys?"

Lazaro spoke with a heavy accent as Damon nodded excitedly with wide eyes and a toothy smile. James, on the other hand, nodded, rolling his eyes before mumbling "yes". Lazaro raised his head, seeing his wife by the stairs leaning on the handrail with a smile.

"Are you leaving?"

She asked as Lazaro glared at her with a slight grin. Damon and James turned around to see her.

"Take care of the boys, dear."

"Boys!? They are grown men; they're going to be fine!"

Lazaro laughed as he opened the door.

"Bye, aunt Isabella!"

Damon shouted in happiness before walking outside with jumpy steps. James just waved gently at her as she giggled. He followed his buddy outside and soon saw Lazaro behind him.

"Have fun!"

Lazaro smirked, speaking back.

"Oh, we will, you too, girls!"

He closed the door and turned towards the two men.

Lazaro pressed the button on his car's keys before getting in the driver's seat of his black Mercedes. Damon jumped in the co-drivers seat with a big smile, his body moving uncontrollably as he couldn't hold back his excitement. James sighed, knowing he had to sit in the backseat alone. He preferred if Damon was by his side, but he knew that his friend was long, dipped in his amusement, and wasn't really worrying about him.

When Lazaro started the engine, James gulped with fear knowing there was no way back. The Italian man glared at the rearview mirror seeing James in the backseat before giving him an evil smile. The hitman looked away before leaning back, crossing his arms.

"So, where will we go, uncle?"

Damon asked; a hint of amusement was hiding in the tone of his voice. Lazaro laughed softly, glancing at his nephew for a split second while driving.

"There's a wonderful casino just outside Rome. A good friend of mine owns it, and he would love to meet both of you, especially you, James."

James jumped a bit; Lazaro saw his quick movement. The man drummed on his laps with his fingers, anxious that more people in Italy know about his existence and not just Lazaro's family.

"Me?Why?"

He asked with confidence, his face showing no emotions at all. Damon turned and looked at his friend for a second and then at his uncle. He lifted his left arm before starting to talk, confused.

"James? Why, James?"

"Oh, he has a son around your age, James, and he wanted him to meet Deetra hoping one day he'll arrange their wedding.... Unfortunately, I had to destroy his dreams the moment I announced to him that Deetra has a boyfriend...!"

Lazaro laughed, receiving an awkward giggle from James. Damon glanced at both of them with no reaction.

"Now that I mentioned my friend, I remembered that his son, Antonio is a doctor in Dubai. What's your job, James?"

Lazaro stared at the rearview mirror seeing James sweat. James' neck was drier than the Sahara desert, not knowing what to answer. Damon saw him and decided to respond instead of him and tell the truth.

"He's a hitman, uncle."

Lazaro's blue eyes widened as he gasped softly. James had no idea if his reaction was good or not.

"Oh, a hitman? What a surprise! Should I have you in mind if I need anyone gone?"

Lazaro smirked as James laughed, trying to look cool with his sayings. Damon just rolled his eyes and leaned his head against the window.

"Of course, uncle... I don't charge family...."

James grinned, looking relaxed even if he was dying from anxiety and stress inside. Lazaro scoffed softly as his eyes were no back on the road.

"A shame that Deetra didn't choose someone who was a legal job and can offer her safety and protection...."

A growl escaped from James' mouth as he was listening to Lazaro speak. Both Damon and Lazaro had heard it and ignored it. He continued drumming his fingers on his left lap, now trying to keep his anger and stress levels low for his own good. Oh, how much he craved to punch the Italian man that moment.

"On the other hand, I guess she is attracted to danger.... I can see that it flows in the family's bloodstream."

Damon shrugged and glared outside, not in the mood to cause a scene or start a fight. He wanted them to arrive at the casino already.

"How did you end up at such a job, James? Does it have to do with your parents? I mean... Are they... hiding from the government, too?"

Lazaro questioned James, who puffed and bit his tongue. He could feel Damon's stare on him even if his friend was looking outside. He had to be patient and answer relaxed.

"No, I guess I ended up being the black sheep. Let's just say I wanted some quick money and ended up... enjoying it."

A grin took over his lips as Lazaro nodded before making the car go faster.

"And don't worry, uncle Lazaro, I can keep Deetra safe just fine... When I'm not around, a bunch of bodyguards are."

James scoffed loudly, but the mafia boss said nothing in return. Damon sighed and rubbed his eyes. He could feel the hatred for each other in their voices. That wasn't good.

"Are we there yet?"

"Damon, don't act like a child. We'll be there soon, be patient."

Damon crossed his arms before checking James to make sure everything's alright. He glared at him, and the hitman nodded slowly to show that he is okay. Damon smiled, knowing his buddy is okay and wasn't hurt or mad by his uncle's words.

The drive continued dipped in silence. Lazaro was focused on the road, and Damon was glaring outside, seeing the trees, cars, and shops pass by quickly. Meanwhile, James was on his phone messaging his girlfriend about the situation and what was going on. It was the first time that Deetra saw her uncle so bitter towards someone. She made her partner promise that he won't cause a fight and try to keep his mouth closed and profile low for his and everyone's good. James sighed and mumbled something under his breath before typing that he promises it. He didn't want to, but he had to for Deetra.

Damon's eyes opened wide, seeing the tall building in the distance that was dipped in different coloured lights. Soon, it was right in front of him.

Loud music could be heard coming from inside the building. Outside of it, there were a bunch of expensive cars in all colours but mainly black. Damon couldn't sit down as he was staring at everything with wide eyes like a kid. His whole face had lit up as his glare was moving around, scanning every car and person the car was passing by.

Lazaro smiled, seeing his nephew so excited with someone so simple. He thought that Damon was a man that was hard to be pleased and that's why he was single the last months.

"Here we are, boys."

Lazaro said, parking the car as Damon opened the door quickly to get out. James rolled his eyes, seeing his friend's behaviour before stepping outside the vehicle, too.

James and Damon followed Lazaro towards the casino's entrance. James was ready to call a taxi and return home while the drug baron was fascinated by all the chicks walking by with short dresses and high heels. They hadn't even get in the building, and he hated it already. The smell of alcohol was already lingering in the air, and they hadn't even stepped close to the casino yet.

"Do you like it, Damon?"

"It's amazing, uncle! I can't wait to get in!"

"What about you, James?"

"It's... nice, I guess?"

James chuckled, seeing a man going to his car, each of his arms being wrapped around a woman. Lazaro grinned, pushing both his arms around the men's neck, bringing them closer.

"You'll have so much fun that you won't want to leave!"