As much fun as it is to write, I'm glad you all are enjoying it as well... By the way, welcome to the new reviewers..



I'm not a fan of Anna either but what better way to make Syd jealous? I'm sure Vaughn didn't like it when she was with Noah and in my opinion, her attitude towards him was unacceptable during that time... Like life says, "payback's a bitch.."
Okay... remember that this is majorly AU, which means Vaughn isn't exactly the same man they show. I love the way they portray him, as always the good guy who is willing to break the rules in order to protect his woman, but they never really go too indepth of his other sides. My Vaughn, (I could only wish), is multi-layered and oh yes, devious..



Chapter 3 : The Hidden Devil

After the auction finished, the rest of the evening activities started. Dinner was served while the main floor was shifted for dancing.



The band started up with classical ballroom style and gradually in honor went into the various types of multi-cultural musical pieces, a little something for everyone while saving the most attention catching Latin dances for last.



A few couples started to dance accordingly to the music.



"You've been holding out on us, Eric.." Sydney teased from the balcony, watching Weiss and his Egyptian Princess doing the Rhumba. "Since when have you been dancing, Twinkle Toes?"



She had been ordered to stay out of sight.



When he turned his date around for the twist, Eric's laugh reverted back to her and everyone else listening, "Long enough but I didn't think that writing down my dancing skills would be a dire part of the CIA job qualifications."



"You're too much," she declared comically while walking back to find a view of Vaughn and Anna.



"You think I'm good? You'd be surprised by his talents," he said, knowingly adding more fuel to the already raging fire. He didn't elaborate whom he was talking about for she knew.



The lights dimmed as the atmosphere became more romantic while the music slowed down, becoming more sensuous...



As Sydney watched the couples taking the floor, eagerly searching for them. Not seeing the two, she was about to move her position when she heard the uninhibited laugh of woman and turn to see the happy couple...



....only to see Vaughn whispering something in her ear and that it was Anna laughing in his arms.



Instantly, all she saw was red, her body automatically going into the 'fight or flight' response, although the 'fight' mode was taking control.



She began to fume at Vaughn's ease of slipping into the role of the Playboy Lord Worthington. When the waiter went by, she grabbed two glasses of champagne and drank them unceremoniously.



She watched as other couples began to give a show on the floor, a few standing out with their moves.



Due to the dimness of lights and also the two getting in with the crowd, she lost them in the mix. For the next ten minutes, she searched until the main crescendo of the music started and suddenly, the people began clearing the floor for only two dancers.


* * * * * * * * * * * *


The atmosphere was crackling with energy as the eye-catching couple stood apart, at a five feet distance and when the crescendo started gradually, the first move was made by Anna.



She slowly walked over, putting a hand on his chest as she circled him and at the peak of the music, he swung her around before she finished. The surprise move caused her to lose her balance but he caught her easily.



The mistake went unnoticed as she recovered beautifully by hooking her leg around his thigh just in time. He took two steps forward and dipped her gracefully, her head almost touching the floor.



It became obvious that the man was more powerful then he looked.



He pulled her up and finished it off the dance with a few artistic moves on his part.



She hid her face on his shoulder as the hall was filled with an uproar of applause, the people going crazy.



"I think they like us.." he said and she chuckled.



"We're good together," came from her, muffled.



When the applauding finally quieted down five minutes after, people took the floor again with Vaughn and Anna still there when the music began once again.



The Head of the charity and auctioneer came by to congratulate them and Anna surprised the three men, "I'm will to write another check, to make it an even million."



A round of 'what's' were heard not only from the three men but over the COMMs as well.



She smiled at Vaughn and told the two to bring the paperwork over.



"Are you sure, Contessa Dereaux? Am I worth that much-"



"Yes..." she took a breath, "In my line of work, life is short and never have I been so affected by any man the way I have been tonight."



One of the waiters came over, "Perdoname, Contessa, you are being summoned."



"Of course," She told the messenger as she loosened her arms from his neck and ran them down to his waist, "Lord Worthington," and stepped back but he didn't let her go.



He gave her a toothy grin, "For such a beautiful lady to bid so much on me and even adding more to it, I am asking you to call me by my given name."



Instead of the normal smirk or grin, she gave him a full blown smile, "Paolo-" she let out.



When a flash of royal blue silk caught the corner of his eye, he saw the destructive fury in all its glory headed towards the restrooms.



"In the meantime, I have to go to the restroom." He let her go finally but when her smile turned notorious as she suddenly pulled him to her, their bodies brushing up against one another.



She pinched him in the ass right before kissing him under his chin and quickly worked her way up to his ear, "I don't like to kept waiting but for you, I'll make an exception," she said in a deadly serious voice.



"I believe you."



She looked at him and out of nowhere, she pressed her lips against his briefly.



Gasps were heard throughout the hall.



Being that he was unexpectedly ambushed and she was the one who instigated as well broke off the kiss, he had a look of bewilderment on his face which pleased her.



Not knowing what to say, he raised her hand and kissed it while bowing.



She was taken in by his gallantly ways as watched him go towards the restroom while watching all the heads of the women turn and openly stare at his form.



"Holy shit... I can't believe it... she put down a million for you?!? What the hell does she see in you? Probably the hair, I'm definitely going blonde.. "



"Shut up, you rambling idiot."



"You are in so much shit... from all sides.. " Weiss said as Vaughn walked by him, "Damn man... the way you're being gawked at... I think other pieces of meat such as sirloins and steaks get more respect."



"And I'm gonna definitely kick your ass when this mission is over," Vaughn warned haughtily.


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So... whatcha think of the twists and plot? Catching your attention?


READ and REVIEW... It makes my day!