Disclaimer - I do not own Bullet To The Head/Knockaround Guys characters or ideas. I only own my original characters and plot.
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Being a woman in the mob isn't easy, normally most of the women are simply eye candy, a nice piece to stare at while the men do business.
But this wasn't the case for Tempest Demaret. She wasn't just a woman in the mob business, she was the Mob Princess, and everyone in the world knew it.
Whether you lived in New York, across the United States in California, or halfway across the ocean in Europe, you would find at least one person who knew of Tempest Demeret.
Being the daughter of known Mob-boss Benny "Chains" Demaret, gave Tempest a certain amount of respect. But every ounce that came after that was earned by herself. She had fought and clawed her way to the top of the mountain. She had went from being known only as Benny's daughter, to a successful businesswoman that you did not want to cross.
More times than could be counted Tempest had ended the life of some thug, who mistook her kindness and big heart, for a sign of weakness. Several died by her own hand, the others were dealt with by an outside source that only Tempest knew of. Over the years she had been back with her father, Tempest had made many connections from all over the world. Meaning that if she didn't want to get her hands dirty, with one phone call the problem would be dealt with.
When Tempest wasn't dealing with the family business, she had her hands full with her own businesses. Yes, businesses as in plural, three to be exact. Tempest had returned back to her family at the age of twenty-five, and 7 years later at the age of 32, she had three of the hottest places in town.
Luna E Stelle (Moon and Stars) – An upscale romantic Italian restaurant.
Vita Notturna (Nightlife) – A classy bar and grill.
Bella Gente (Beautiful People) – A high class nightclub.
Each of the names was thoroughly planned out and had something to do with how the business was set up and designed.
The restaurant was done in dark reds and blacks, with a large patio on the back that allowed the night sky to be seen. The food is authentic Italian. It's a very romantic place for couples to dine, and has been the spot of several wedding proposals.
The bar and grill was done in old varnished wood and red accents, it served authentic Italian food as well as American barbeque.
The nightclub was very upscale, the décor was done in black granite tables and bar top, dark wood floors with red chairs and booths. There is a well sized lit from within LED dancefloor and a stage with a classic black Grand Piano.
It was Friday night, just past 11pm when Tempest came down from her office above the nightclub. She walked around to the tables and booths greeting her guests, customer service and happiness were her main concern. She then went behind the bar to speak with the bartenders and waitresses to see if there were any issues.
"That group of guys came back again, Reese and Joseph showed them the door about ten minutes ago." Nadia, the head bartender told her in her thick Russian accent.
"The same ones from last night?" Tempest questioned.
"Yes ma'am." Nadia answered before she served a round of drinks to a customer. "I guess they didn't learn their lesson."
"Apparently not. Well, if they come back again and cause trouble, I guess I'll have to send them a different message."
Nadia smirked at her boss' smile, she knew who her boss really was and exactly what she was capable of. It was part of the reason why she chose to work for her, being in Tempest's employment gave her a sense of serenity. The streets of Russia where she grew up were rough, and the streets of New York weren't any better, especially for a beautiful woman. Since she started working for Tempest, everyone knew who she was and no one had given her any trouble.
That was why most of the worker's at all three businesses liked working for Tempest, it gave them peace of mind and protection. If they had any trouble, all it took was one phone call to Tempest and their troubles disappeared.
While Tempest was looking over the bottles on the bar, making mental notes on what they needed to order, Kian, her top bartender leaned over to whisper in her ear. "Man candy at 12 o'clock."
Tempest looked over the bar and smiled seeing her bodyguard and part time bouncer walking their way. She felt Kian making kissy noises by her ear and laughed shoving him off of her. Kian was a very good looking man, which is part of the reason that she had hired him. A 6 foot 1, well built Jamaican with long black braids, a short black goatee and chocolate brown eyes.
Too often bars and nightclubs make the mistake of only hiring female bartenders, which causes them to overlook the throngs of women who come in. Kian was Tempest's ace in the hole, he attracted the women like a moth to a flame.
Her eyes found Reese as he paused to speak to one of the patrons and she smiled looking him over. Taylor Reese, her bodyguard, father's right hand man and her brother Mattie's best friend since they were kids. A mountain of a man at 5'9" and just over 200 pounds, very well built with muscles that made women drool. He sported a clean shave and bald head, and a set of honey brown eyes.
Tempest smiled as he stopped in front of her, leaning down and placing a light kiss on her lips.
Did we mention that she and Taylor were a couple?
They had been together just under 6 years, Taylor had fought long and hard to win Tempest's affection. It had taken him nearly a year to win her over and give him a chance, but he finally wore her down.
"You look fantastic tonight." Taylor said giving her a smile, she was the only one that ever drew it out of him.
"Thank you."
"I'm sorry to intrude, boss, but I need you to sign these." Nadia said holding out a list of bottles they needed.
"See you later?" Tempest said smiling at Taylor.
"As always." He said kissing her cheek before heading back towards the front door.
The club closed at 4am and Tempest did her nightly checklist, after which she and Taylor headed back to his apartment.
The next night there was a large bachelorette party that came into the club, coincidently the couple had gotten engaged at Tempest's restaurant a year ago, and they were getting married at the same spot in less than a month. She greeted the bride and her court, personally showing them to their reserved table and motioned Kian over, who brought them a complimentary bottle of champagne.
"Tempest, would you sing a song for the bride?" One of the girls asked. "Please?" She said after seeing Tempest's hesitation.
"Oh, alright. How can I say no to the bride." Tempest smiled as she walked up to the piano and picked up a microphone. "Ladies and gentlemen can I have your attention please."
All eyes moved up to the stage where Tempest was standing as the DJ cut the music off. "Kian, if you please?" Tempest said motioning to the piano.
Kian smiled as he stepped out from behind the bar and walked up onto the stage, taking a seat behind the piano.
"This song is for the bride-to-be, Tanya."
It's a beautiful night,
We're looking for something dumb to do.
Hey baby,
I think I wanna marry you.
Is it the look in your eyes,
Or is it this dancing juice?
Who cares baby,
I think I wanna marry you.
Well I know this little chapel on the boulevard we can go oh oh oh,
No one will know oh oh oh,
Oh, come on, girl.
Who cares if we're trashed got a pocket full of cash we can blow oh oh oh,
Shots of patron,
And it's on, girl.
Don't say no, no, no, no-no;
Just say yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah-yeah;
And we'll go, go, go, go-go.
If you're ready, like I'm ready.
Cause it's a beautiful night,
We're looking for something dumb to do.
Hey baby,
I think I wanna marry you.
Is it the look in your eyes,
Or is it this dancing juice?
Who cares baby,
I think I wanna marry you.
I'll go get a ring let the choir bells sing like oooh,
So what you wanna do?
Let's just run girl.
If we wake up and you wanna break up that's cool.
No, I won't blame you;
It was fun, girl.
Don't say no, no, no, no-no;
Just say yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah-yeah;
And we'll go, go, go, go-go.
If you're ready, like I'm ready.
Cause it's a beautiful night,
We're looking for something dumb to do.
Hey baby,
I think I wanna marry you.
Is it the look in your eyes,
Or is it this dancing juice?
Who cares baby,
I think I wanna marry you.
[x2:]
Just say I doooooo-ooo uhu,
Tell me right now baby,
Tell me right now baby, baby.
Oh, it's a beautiful night,
We're looking for something dumb to do.
Hey baby,
I think I wanna marry you.
Is it the look in your eyes,
Or is it this dancing juice?
Who cares baby,
I think I wanna marry you.
"Thank you. Congratulations, Tanya." Tempest smiled as the club clapped. She nodded to Kian as they both headed back down to the bar as the DJ started the music up again.
Tempest was upstairs in her office doing payroll when she got an emergency call over her radio from Kian.
"Boss! Boss! We need you downstairs. Those guys are here again and they're fighting with Romeo and Kael."
"Shit." She murmured to herself. "Alright Kian, I'm on my way." She replied clipping the radio to her belt. Picking up what appeared to be a black nightstick from the cabinet beside her, she hurried down the staircase towards the front door. "Of all the nights for my dad to need Taylor's help."
Shoving her way through the crowd she saw the four men ganging up on her two bouncer's, Romeo and Kael. The two bouncer's weren't small by any means, they were brothers, both 6' Samoans, as wide as they were tall. But even the strongest man would have trouble when it's four on one.
"Hey! That's enough!" She yelled getting the men's attention, who stopped the brawl and turned their attention to her.
"Well, if it isn't the Mob Princess herself, Tempest Demaret. Where's your bodyguard?" The one who was obviously the leader said.
"Taking care of some other business. I don't need him to deal with you."
"Are you sure about that honey? It looks to me like you're outnumbered."
"I'm sure, are you? Take a step and let's find out." Tempest said twirling the stick in her hand.
The leader lunged at her, Tempest swung the stick at his stomach, a loud zap was heard and the man hit the ground twitching. Smirking she held the stick up, the end of it was glowing a vibrant blue, it made a crackling noise like a bug zapper. "900 volts. Who's next?"
Two of the men rushed her, not accounting for her small size and speed she easily dodged them and jabbed the stick down connecting with one man's back and the other's leg. As the two hit the ground, the final man still standing wrapped his arms around Tempest's body, pinning her arms to her sides. Realizing she could no longer inflict damage with the stick, she readied herself for a close quarter retaliation. But before she could blink the man released her, turning around she found the man gasping for air as a thick tanned arm cut off his airway.
"Now, where I'm from we don't treat women that way, least of all a Princess." Her rescuer said tossing a wink her way, which brought a smile to her face. "Now, apologize to the lady. Quickly, before you lose consciousness."
"I'm s-sorry Ms. Demaret." The man wheezed out between tiny breaths.
At that point Romeo and Kael had recovered and were on their feet, their eyes burning with hate for the men on the ground.
"Gentlemen, would you please escort these men outside with our friend and teach them a lesson in respect." Tempest said nodding to her rescuer who gave her a nod before he drug the man out the front doors, Romeo and Kael behind him with the three others.
Turning back to the room which was quiet as the music had been turned off and all eyes were on the door the men were drug out of. "Ladies and gentlemen, I apologize for the disruption. Gio, music please. Enjoy yourselves."
The music started back up and the guests went back to having a good time as if nothing had happened. Tempest walked over to the front doors as Romeo and Kael came back inside, her savior walking in behind them.
"Have they learned their lesson this time?"
"If they haven't the next step is a wooden box." Kael commented chuckling lightly.
"Good, thank you guys. Why don't you head over to the bar and have a shot, I think you both deserve it. I'll watch the door."
"Thanks boss." The two men say before they take her up on her offer.
Tempest's attention turned to the mystery man standing quietly beside her. If she had been any other woman, she would probably have been terrified of him, his posture and stature screamed danger. At what she guessed was 6'4", he towered over her 5'4" frame, and he easily weighed around 260 pounds. Judging from his skin tone and laid back attitude, she ventured to guess he was Samoan.
His long black hair was slicked back and pulled neatly into a bun at the nape of his neck. He was dressed in a black suit, the top buttons of his shirt undone showing off his golden skin. The suit wasn't tight, but it fit well enough that Tempest could tell that he possessed a fit and muscular body beneath it.
Her eyes moved upwards to find him gazing down at her, a smirk playing on his lips as he saw her checking him out. "Like what you see?" He teased, his green eyes twinkling with mirth.
"I'll let you know." She shot back smiling, then held out her hand. "I'm Tempest Demaret."
He chuckled at her response, he was used to women throwing themselves at him, so when he found one that didn't, it intrigued him. Taking her hand in his own he smiled. "Keegan Cade. It's a pleasure."
"Thank you, for your help."
"You're welcome. Although I get the feeling you could have handled the situation yourself."
"Perhaps, but I'm not above a little help every now and again." She admitted.
Keegan nodded as Romeo and Kael came back to cover the doors, the two brothers shaking his hand in gratitude.
"Can I buy you a drink, Keegan?" Tempest said motioning to the bar.
"I would like that." He said as he followed her through the crowd to the bar and took a seat on a stool beside her.
"What would you like?"
So many answers ran through Keegan's mind at her question, none of them having to do with alcohol at this point. "Whatever you're having."
Tempest smiled, turning to Kian she held up two fingers. "Two beers, Kian, my stock."
"You got it boss." Kian grinned, pulling two bottles out of a small fridge under the bar. Popping the tops off he set them down in front of her and Keegan, giving Tempest a wink before he went back to his job.
Tempest held up her beer, Keegan picked his up and clicked it against hers before they both took a drink. Keegan was surprised that her drink of choice was beer, even more that it was an amber ale that was very hoppy. He'd always had a thing for a woman who could drink beer, it was his drink of choice, he'd never been one for the fancy cocktails.
By the end of the night Keegan was itching to get back to work, it was calling him, he had to go. But he didn't want to leave Tempest, and there in was where his problem laid. He was falling for her, and that was something Keegan just didn't do. He didn't do love or feelings, he didn't have girlfriends. With Keegan it was always the same, fuck 'em and leave 'em. But the moment he crossed paths with Tempest, his mind did a complete 180.
He could fuck her, oh God could he fuck her, but he knew that once he did, he'd never be able to leave. And that thought alone, scared the hell out of him. He didn't have relationships, they only complicated his life, and they were bad for business. In his line of work a relationship could be used against you, and he couldn't bear the thought of anyone hurting Tempest.