I was out clubbing with a few close friends of mine. Names being Michelle, Sasha, and Trudy. They literally begged me to come with, so I did to get them off my back. Though they didn't really support my way of dressing up. They all had tiny dresses that ended on their asses. I could tell that they were aiming to go for the 'hot damn' factor right away when they knocked on my front door.
As for myself, I didn't really feel comfortable enough to be wearing a dress of any kind on this night. I'm trying to go for the appearance that conveys the message 'looks aren't everything. I ain't trying to get fucked'. So, I clothed in black high-waist leather skin tight jeans, white crop top, a crop top jacket that has an Autobot insignia stitched onto the back of it, and white heels that were about 4 inches.
When one of the three girls I came with was grinding her backside against a muscular man, I rolled my eyes in utter disbelief about the fact that she's still a virgin. Pffft. Not after tonight.
Although a few slightly drunk men did approach me, I declined all of their offers because if a guy wants to socialize with me tonight, he needs to be not drunk.
An arm wrapped around me and I slightly stiffened.
"C'mon Danika! Relax for once in that innocent little girl brain of yours and just have fun with a guy in here!" Oh, it was only a friend. Sasha. With the way she swayed, her words slurring in her mouth and the strong hint of alcohol in her breath, I knew she was off the top drunk.
"I will once one of the guys in here aren't intoxicated and actually want to get to know me first," I shouted into her ear due to the loud music surrounding us.
She waved her Whiskey bottle in front of my face. "Have a drink of this and you'll be fine," she offered. Obviously, I declined. I remember the first time trying that shit and it gave me stomach acids the whole week.
She pranced away, hooking her arm with another man's and leaving the club, going out the front door. Well then. I called that someone isn't going to be a virgin anymore.
Finally, by some chance, a non-intoxicated man strode towards me. I will admit, I was scoping him out because he looked good. Really good. He definitely has some Italian background behind his looks. Short, curly black hair, olive skin, black jeans with a red belt, black v-neck top, formula red leather jacket including the Ferrari logo... the only thing confusing me was his eyes. They were an electric blue colour. Almost as if they were luminescent.
"Hello, Signorina. May I ask what such a beautiful young woman like you is doing at a club without friends accompanying?" Oh that lovely accent. I lightly blushed when he said the - what I thought was a - compliment. But what did he mean by me not being accompanied by friends?
I turned around and looked over the top of people's heads, but I couldn't find any of the three I came with. Except for a glimpse that one was being poorly carried, bridal style, up a staircase by a man. Great.
Turning back to the gentleman, I was a bit dumbfounded as to what I should do about the situation. "Hello to you too, Signore. Um- I was kind of dragged here by a few close friends of mine but I guess they, uh, became a bit drunk and decided to get outta here with stranger men," I sighed.
He seemed mildly surprised about something I must've said, as if sifting through what I said over again. He nodded, "Oh. Well, let me introduce myself." He held out his hand, "My desig- name, is Dino."
"Danika Stiles," I informed, shaking his hand. "And I think that I should maybe leave now... from this nightclub. Y'know, 'cause my friends have probably very recently lost their virginity." I mumbled out the last part. To my surprise, Dino gave an airy chuckle.
"If it could make you feel better, would you like to join me and the rest of my comrades?" He asked politely. I didn't see why not, especially when I couldn't picture him to be a typical mafia gang member.
"I guess so, unless I'm getting in the way or something."
He gave an incredulous look. "Trust me, my team doesn't have any work as of this week. This is basically our little holiday, and why we came here in the first place."
I studied him for a moment but relented in seeing he had truthfully spoken. "Alright then," he started leading me to his comrades, weaving us through the crowd but also keeping me in front of him like a gentleman, with his hand on the small of my back. I liked him thus far. "So Dino is your name? You don't have a last name?"
"Unfortunately, I do not have a last name. But yours on the other hand," he started, leaning closer to my ear, "is a beautiful one."
I blushed. This guy is good with the ladies - I could already tell by his stunning looks and kindness.
Once we reached his squad of comrades, I didn't expect them all to be looking straight at me. I blushed an even deeper shade of red, but thankful it was dark enough that nobody would be able to really notice. But yet I noticed a very similar consistency with their eyes.
More preferably the colour.
I examined each of their faces trying to place a finger on who they could possibly be, but alas, it was to no avail. At least the music droning on in the background wasn't that loud in this area.
"Let me introduce you to my friends," Dino started, motioning to - who I assumed - the leader of the group. "Otto Price."
"How are you this evening, Miss?" Otto asked in a baritone deep voice. Good lord that voice was amazing. Yet it was the most familiar thing that makes my mind go all hazy.
"Pretty good, thanks. Yourself?"
"Very well, thank you," he smiled.
"Beau Berkley," Dino introduced next. Beau was a canary blonde with a slightly lighter blue hue to his eyes than most of the others. He also had the youngest features within the group.
They all looked fairly young, honestly.
Beau gave me a small wave along with a beaming smile, and of course, I returned the gesture.
"Ivan Ronald."
This guy was a full-fledged tank in a nutshell. Bulging muscles revealed by the black tank top he was wearing. Scars littered his arms but there was only one that stood out from the rest, on his face. From halfway down his brow to his cheekbone. I wouldn't say it was horrifying to look at but it did make him seem a lot more menacing if he intended to do just that.
A curt nod and grunt was all he gave as an acknowledgement with crossed arms. I nodded back with enough due respect so I don't get a death stare. I mean, I think he should be getting respect from me since he looks like he's gone through some shit.
"Ryan Chet."
Well, this man seemed to be in his mid-forties. He looked like the type that's very strict and could potentially become more than grumpy if someone messes something up of theirs. Not to mention that he has a skeptical gaze fixed on me as if assessing me.
"Heart rate normal, blood pressure normal. She's clear," I heard him mutter. What? How did he know that?
"I'm sorry but how do you- " I started, getting cut off.
"Sorry about that. Ryan here always knows whether you're fine or not with just a look since he's the medic of our team," Dino laughed.
Ryan harrumphed, rolling his eyes.
"Moving on, this is Jazz." Dino signalled to the next person of the group.
He was African-American in appearance and wore a sly grin but being blocked from view by a pair of sunglasses were his eyes. The sunglasses themselves were rather unique and very stylish. Customized for his own liking, perhaps? His personality? I'm not sure but they were another thing that I found extremely familiar. Maybe I've seen him around somewhere?
"How's it goin', Miss...?" He creased his brow into a look of wonder.
"Stiles," I grinned, offering a handshake. "Danika Stiles."
He chuckled, accepting the handshake while pulling his sunglasses off. Smirking, he said, "Pretty name for a pretty girl." With that said, he gently pulled my hand towards himself and gave a soft peck. I blushed madly, still thankful it was as dark as it was and noticed the dark cornrows that decorated his scalp while he was slightly leaned down.
I thanked him before being introduced to another. Geez Louise, how many are there of these guys?
"Seth. He's known to be a troublemaker for the fact that he pranks others," Dino stated. I wonder how far the pranks can go, but seeing everyone's uneasy gaze upon Seth, I can already imagine some that he's done. Nevertheless, he was a platinum blonde with older features than Beau, though not by much. Seth waved to me, mischievous smile plastered blatantly on his face and I returned the wave with a lingering smile from the little introduction prior to this one. Dino continued, "He's been searching for his long lost twin brother for some time but not so much luck has come."
The statement made me upset and on instinct I had to ask for the name.
"Sonny," Seth now held a saddened smile. I haven't any friends with the name so I apologized for not having any helpful information on his whereabouts. "It's fine. You know the saying how twins can feel each other's pains and all?" I nodded, knowing what he was talking about. "Well, I have the feeling he's still alive."
"Good. That feeling gives you something to hold onto. Truly, I hope you find your brother soon," I commented truthfully. I do want him to find his brother so that they can enjoy each other's presence.
Beau squeezed Seth's shoulder, "Yeah. And once he finds his brother again, the Terror Twins will prank harder than ever before!" Why do I feel like the name 'Terror Twins' rings a bell?
Seth's eyes brightened. "Thank you, Danika, for giving me more hope. And thanks, Bee- eau." He pursed his lips, eyes wide in realization to something he said himself.
Everyone analysed each other's expressions as if they were having a silent conversation of sorts with just their eyes.
I decided to break the silence but Dino turned to me with a cheerful smile before I could partially open my mouth. "Do you have any questions about any of us, Signorina?" I wanted to know what the whole silent conversation thing was but my intention isn't to intrude.
I hesitated, trying to think of another question. "Is there more of you guys?" I asked with a curious gaze, eyebrows furrowed.
I looked to Jazz in seeing he had chuckled, "There's heaps more from where we comin' from, lil lady." He held an assuring smile that I didn't want to take for granted.
Seth opened his mouth to speak this time. "Say around, uh..." He struggled for a moment, "around a hundred more soldiers?"
Ryan's natural frowned expression turned furious causing him to slap the back of Seth's head. A laugh escaped my lips but I immediately covered my mouth with a hand as I realized Seth actually got hurt from it. Rubbing the sore spot, he swivelled his head to look at the team medic and narrowed his eyes in a non-contesting manner. Ryan only rolled his eyes, smirking.
But Seth said soldiers. They're part of the military? That's actually really cool since I get to know some of the people who protect the country and part of the world. They make a difference without anyone needing to worry about it. I give them credit for that.
"You guys are military?" They gave a firm nod in unison. "This is so cool, I never even thought that I would ever have the chance to meet anyone from the military!" I practically exclaimed. Everyone looked at me, amused. "Sorry about that," I grinned sheepishly, lowering my head.
"I just want you close, where you can stay forever."
I perked up to the song that just started to play. It's No One by Alicia Keys, my favourite song! I absolutely loved it when I was younger and still do. Dino must've noticed my piqued attention to the song as he rubbed my arm.
"Would you like a dance?" He asked, bowing with his free hand out in silent invitation.
I giggled, "I would be honoured."
I took his hand and lead him away from his comrades to the centre of the dance floor, starting to dance with one another.
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(A/N)
Yolla! Just a heads up that this story was originally published onto Wattpad under the username 'Dannybowtie', by yours truly, on the 8th of July, 2016. Yep, it's taken over a year to publish the first chapter with over 2k words on FF... anyone like it?
Thank you for reading! Please do review and say what you feel about what you've read, or even PM me if you like :) Any and all love will be appreciated!
Ily
~Daniela~