The morning sun hit Xander's eyes as he slowly awoke in bed. He rolled over propping himself up on his elbows, he sighed. This mission wasn't too rough so far. His cover was being a live-in security/body guard at his targets estate. He could observe all the inner workings and not be questioned, and be around the family without being suspicious.

He was bored for the first few weeks, but this last one was more entertaining. He'd met the boss's daughter China. She was beautiful 5'10", light skin, blue eyes, and blonde. She came over to his room in the night, and kept him company. She was good in bed. Even though she had short hair, and had small breasts, he would forgive her.

He had learned a lot about the operations of the family already but had yet to learn what he really was sent to find out: What exactly they were smuggling into the U.S. Most of it was military, some drugs, but the government expected it to be something bigger. This family was well known through out the gangster world, and the black market. They were the infamous Thorn's, the father, Demeterious Thorn, was deadly. But for reasons good, bad, and unknown he liked and trusted Xander, and treated him almost like a son.

Xander liked it this way, because it gave him more freedom. China came to him his first night there, to welcome him. What a warm welcoming that was. And he found he didn't mind the family that much. Although, when he read the file on them it stated that there was more then one daughter, there were two. The youngest was the total opposite of China. Desiree. Obese and short. But for some reason Gibbons told him to keep an eye on her as well, if she ever showed up, but refused to tell him why.

Finally getting up, he dressed, and headed into Thorns office, where he was nearly yelling into the phone. "I don't care! She's coming today and I want those files up to date." He hung up, and immediately noticed Xander, and the smirk on his face. Thorn gave his own smirk and stood up.

He was a largely built man, burly, and barrel chested that stood at 5' 9". He had a loud booming voice that was hollow but fierce. His eyes were a glassy and faded green, and he had closely cut grayish/blonde hair, with a moustache and goatee that were of the same shade. He was pale also, like China. His clothes were expensive, and well tailored. He always had a diamond studded watch on, with black dress shoes. Today he looked a little red. Xander pretended to care, all apart of holding up the cover.

"Something wrong boss?" He asked gruffly, folding his arms across his chest. Thorn smiled slightly. "My uh.. youngest daughter Desiree, is coming home today. She'll be staying here for a couple of weeks, visiting the family. I just want everything to be right, she's hard to impress, and hard headed as well." He said, a twinkle in his eyes.

Sometimes Xander wondered why Thorn even bothered with the innocent family man façade. But knew it was probably for the same reason he acted like he cared, to keep up the cover. Xander shrugged, and asked his usual question.

"What's the agenda today Mr. Thorn?" He questioned, taking a seat in front of his desk. Thorn smiled. "Just some meetings I have this morning and then you have the rest of the day off, I'm clearing the day for Des." He paused to rest his forearms on the top of his desk. "Cage you've been working for me for what.eight months now?" He asked, leisurely stroking his moustache. "Yeah." Xander replied, thinking about were this was going. "Well lets just say I trust you. But Des I don't trust as much, and right now I need her help." He overted his eyes, and focused on the desk. "I'm not making you her permanent body guard or anything, but I want you to keep an eye on her. For example around the house, at parties, functions, and when she does work for me." Xander nodded. "Also sometimes at night, I don't want her sneaking out, or going around this house." Thorn stated in his usual commanding voice. "I understand." Xander said, looking at Thorn.

"Thanks. Don't take this as a demotion Cage. I wouldn't trust my other security around her. They'd probably try and sleep with her." He concluded, heading out the door. Xander repressed a chuckle, yeah right! He thought, why would any guy want to get near that thing. He thought to him self. It was 6:15 a.m. and the day was already looking easy. They spent sometime in meetings, and riding back and forth.

A couple of hours later they arrived back at the estate, parked, and headed into the house where all the servants were lined up in the main hall. Everything about the main house was lavishly, and exaggeratedly furnished. His estate was built on the out skirts of Los Angeles, down a long dirt road, and on a very high hill. All of this wasn't visible from the normal highway. Typical.

"Well is she here?" Thorn boomed. "No yet sir. However it's only 8:25 and she still had five minutes." Said the head maid, an elderly old woman by the name of Gwen. Thorn nodded. "Where is Donavan?" Thorn irritably asked. "He stepped out sir." A smaller maid said. "Oh?" Thorn questioned, his voice rising. He turned to Xander, who observed all of this from behind Thorn. "Xander go find his ass and haul it back here." He said roughly. Xander nodded, not knowing exactly where Donavan was. He started checking the usual places. Garage, his room, Thorn's office. After about ten minutes he finally found him in the stables, kissing a half naked maid, Zelda. She was short, and girlish, with a high squeaky voice. Not his type. Xander smirked as he stood, and cleared his throat loudly. "Yo, Romeo the boss wants your ass come on." Xander said in a rather southern accent, patting his leg, and whistling. Like he would to a dog.

He saw Donavan stiffen. "Tell him I'll be right there." He said throwing the girl her shirt and bra, then rearranging his own clothes and smoothing down his hair. When Xander didn't move Donavan looked at him "You can go now." He ordered roughly. "No can do buddy boy. Thorn told me to find your ass and haul it back to the main house and that's exactly what I'm going to do." He said mocking respect. Donavan snorted, "I donno what he sees in you." Xander smirked. "Jealous are we?" He said with a snort. "Hell no." Donavan fired back.

Ten minutes later they were walking up to the main house. In front there was a car parked. A car he'd never seen before. A 1967 Cobra, it was a silver convertible. Mean, fast, and totally restored. "Nice piece of machinery." He commented. Donavan followed his gaze and nodded, raising his eye brows. "Yes, very nice. Must be worth some green." He stated gruffly.

They entered the hall way were Gwen was waiting for them, with a stern look on her face. "They're waiting for you in the garden." She said, leading them both out side. By now the sun was high in the sky and the temperature was on it's way up, as usual. Both men stopped in their tracks "Here they are, Father." China chimed in. But it wasn't China Xander was looking at. Standing next to Thorn was a gorgeous woman, that Donavan was also looking at.

Xander had been right she was the total opposite of China. But better. She was maybe about 5'4", dark olive skin, medium frame, long auburn red hair that ran down her back stopping just above her waist, and she was full in all the right places.

"I see they finally decided to join us." He said with a slight smile. "Boys, this is my youngest daughter, Desiree Antonia Thorn." He said proudly.

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Desiree looked up when China announce someone. Her eyes snapped to the handsome man standing next to Donavan. His head was shaved, he was muscular, but looked human. Tall maybe 6'2" or 6' 3" She felt her cheeks start to redden, then she cursed herself. She knew she was going to have a hard time keeping her eyes off of him, who ever he was.

Her father took her by the arm over to them. "Donavan you remember Desiree." He said, Donavan smiled, "How could I ever forget." He said, taking her hand, and shaking it gently. Des wanted to throw up. God! For all the times he made fun of her, while drooling over China. She didn't look at him, but turned her attention to the only man in front of her who had it.

"This is my newest addition to the family Xander Cage. Xander my daughter Des." He said kindly, stepping away from her side, looking at Xander with an amused expression. She shook his hand, a shot of heat running up her arm.

Xander looked at her through shaded eyes of his own. "At you service" He rumbled, with a charming smile. She almost fainted, at lost for words by his voice, deep and unsettling. Suddenly she felt like a fool. Damn it! She thought to herself, don't let him do that to you, make you turn into a puddle of thoughtless female. She smiled back coyly. "I'll remember that." She teased. Stifling a smile as he raised an eye brow at her. Suddenly China stepped up next to Xander. "Well isn't this cozy." She said coolly. "Dad wants to talk to you Des." She chided. Behind her sunglasses she rolled her eyes, why did China always have to get the handsome guys. She reluctantly let go of his hand, and ran her finders through her hair. "If you'll excuse me." She turned away.

"Duty calls." She muttered under her breath. Apart of her ready to leave, the other part however wanting to stay and see about Xander. But she knew better, in the end it would always work out the same, China always got the guy. She walked over to her father, who smiled warmly at her. "Would you take a walk with me?" She nodded, "Sure." She said in a flat tone.

They walked on for a little in silence, she felt eyes beating into her back, and it was starting to get on her nerves. She took a deep breath, and decided to get down to business, "Father what is it you need my help with?" She asked firmly, keeping her tone business like. Her father smiled, and chuckled softly. "My dear, I need your help with some business, that is all." She could tell he was lying.

"Really?" She said smirking, " What might that be?" She asked kindly, trying to play along. It was then that her father stopped, and looked at her seriously, all light gone from her father's eyes. "I need you to get some information for me. Some valuable information for our Italian friends the Vechees in Sicily." She looked at him for a moment. The wind picked up and blew her hair. She stiffened. "What type of information." She stated, trying to keep this conversation casual. That's when his smile returned, although it was a eerie and powerful one. "Just some stuff from the government."

Through all of this conversation she felt someone watching them, closely. She felt uneasy. What was she going to do?