Velocity Shift

by tempest-races

There are moments in everyone's life that define who they are. In a world of glitz and glamour clashing with dark alleys and shady characters, these moments either make or break you. Or sometimes they make you shift your reality.

8. Getting Burned

Velocity Shift

By –Tempest-Races

Chapter 7 –Getting Burned

"Storm, I need your help tonight." Benny breezed into his daughter's domain, the garage behind their house. She looked up from where she was leaned under the hood of her car. There was a smudge of dirt on her forehead and nose, where she'd scratched her face with dirty hands. Her long curly hair was in a messy bun and a black dew rag kept it tidy and out of her face.

Her father took in her faded, torn, stained blue jeans and equally stained white men's undershirt. The black around her face made her green eyes pop. As always it reminded Benny of his long gone wife. Storm was the very picture of her mother at the same age. But her mother had never worn pants, or gotten dirty. Her mother would never have dyed her mahogany brown hair blonde or gotten her eyebrow pierced. In short her mother had been the epitome of an old world lady, where as Storm was nothing close.

Storm wiped her hands on a rag and closed the hood of her car. Leaning back on it she looked at her father in question. "What do you need?" Storm didn't anticipate it being a good request. Her father would never ask for her help with something serious.

"There's a charity ball tonight and I committed to go, but I'm horrible at these things. I don't give a rat's ass how I interact with the public but Teddy said Giando's should buy a few tickets and try to clean up our image a bit. Supporting the homeless or some shit. I want you to go in my place. You work at the hall often enough to represent us at this thing."

"No way dad. I won't do it." Storm shook her head no and her eyes took on a stubborn cast. "Not a chance."

"And why not? I never ask you to do anything, but I'm askin you to do this for me."

"The answer's no. I don't work at the hall enough for anyone to recognize me because of it and when I do work there I mostly work in the back anyhow."

"Arabella! Go do this for me. It won't kill you to be a lady for one night."

"There'll be press all over the fucken place. I don't want my face and name matched together all over the fucken city." Storm blew out a breath and stared at her father with her eyes just snapping her anger. "I will not go be 'the notorious Benny 'Chains' Demaret's' daughter in the face of a ballroom full of snobby rich assholes with more money then brains just to end up with that reputation all over New York. I don't want the whole city knowin who I am by looks alone. I got a certain anonymity right now and I wanna keep it that way, thank you very fucken much."

"Language! There won't be press there who cares who you are. There'll be real celebrities there for the press to follow around. All you have to do is go sit at a table with your uncle and his wife and play nice with a few of New York's elite citizens. Come on Storm, you gotta do this for me." It was more then clear that Benny really didn't want to go to this function. "I hardly ever ask you for anything but I'm askin you to do this for me."

"Go with Uncle Teddy's wife? You gotta be kidden me. I hate that bi-"

"That woman is still your aunt! She raised you for three years when I had no one else to ask. Show some respect."

"You go live with her for three years and see how much respect you have for her. She practically wouldn't let me see Matty for the whole three years. Even after what Teddy did to him and he needed me the most she still kept us apart. I had to sneak around to see my own brother. If I never see her again it'll be too soon."

Benny sighed. Everything Storm said was true. Teddy's wife had tried to make a true lady out of Storm but the woman's heavy hand had only made her worse. She'd run wilder then ever when he'd taken her back from her aunt, more determined then ever to be the exact opposite of what her aunt had tried to make her. Her aunt hadn't wanted to send her home, saying it was clear Storm needed the hand of a firm woman role model. Thankfully for Storm, Benny was much too fond of his daughter to leave her to live with someone else.

"Storm, please. I have two tickets. Take a date of your own choice, anyone you want. If you take someone of your own age with you it won't be so bad. You won't see your aunt that much. Take Matty! He cleans up good and god knows the boy ain't good for much else."

"Stop putting Matty down like that! Just because he ain't you or Teddy doesn't mean he's not good for anything. You can blame your sainted Teddy for how he is anyway!"

"Calm down Storm. I didn't mean nothin by it. Take who you want, just go for me. I'm beggin you here!"

Storm looked at her dad. He really didn't want to go to this thing. And he really didn't ask very much of her for all he gave her. She was only being dirty with him because he wouldn't ask of her what she desperately wanted him to ask.

"Does Teddy know you're pawning this off on someone else?"

"Teddy'll do what he's told. I'm still the boss last time I checked Storm."

"Yeah, but Teddy's the one that cleans up nice and ends up doin all the public stuff. If he actually tried to get you to do this he musta had a good reason."

"No doubt he did, but if you go or Matty goes it's just as good as if I went."

"If I say I'll do it I want the limo for the night. And spending money."

"All yours. You'll need to wear a dress. It's a formal event. Whoever you take needs a tux."

"I guess I should just take Matty then, he's already got a monkey suit to wear."

"I meant it Stormi girl, take who you want."

"Now I'm Stormi girl huh? A second ago I was Arabella and I felt a Stormianna Demaret coming on too. You get your way and all of a sudden I'm Stormi girl."

"You got a smart mouth. Must be the way I raised ya."

"Must be. Got no where else it woulda come from."

"Why'd it skip your brother?" Benny started to walk out of the garage, wanting to get away before his daughter changed her mind.

"Because he's so pure of heart." Storm answered, only half joking. Benny chuckled.

"Where as you got my black heart huh?"

"Somethin' like that. Daddy?"

"Yeah?"

"What was my mama like?"

Benny looked at his daughter, wondering where this question had come from. Storm had never really shown an interest in her mother, having never known her.

"She was…" Benny trailed off, lost in his memories of his wife.

"Was she pretty?" Storm's eyes had taken on a dreamy quality as she thought about her mother.

"She looked like you. Or I guess you look just like her. Only she was quite happy to leave her hair the real color and wear skirts and not play in dirty garages." Benny softened his harsh words with a fond smile. "In short she was beautiful."

"I really look like her?"

"Just like her. She was only a year or two older then you when we got married. You and her could pass as sisters, what she looked like then and what you look like now."

"What was she like?"

"Like Matty in a lot of ways. Gentle, kind."

"So everything I'm not?" Storm giggled.

"You got enough from her. Her strength, her smarts."

"Did you love her?" Storm asked, not looking right in her father's face, but peaking into his eyes under her lashes with her head turned slightly away from his face.

"Jeese Storm." Benny looked clearly uncomfortable with the turn the questions had taken.

"Well, did you? You married her and had two kids with her. But was that because she was Teddy's sister and you wanted the Deserve family united with the Demaret or because you loved her?"

"Yeah. I did. It wasn't love that drew me to her in the first place but I wouldn't have married her if I hadn't. What's this all about anyway Storm?"

It was a good question. What was it about? What made her start wondering about it all now? It was just that the more Storm thought about things the more unconfident she felt. Was there something wrong with her? What if everyone was right and she shouldn't be in her father's world? Maybe she should just take up sewing and find some guy to marry. Would it make them all happy if she was more like her mother?

"Would you have gone to this thing tonight if mom was still alive to go with you pop?"

"Maybe Storm. Shit I don't know. What does it matter huh? Mom died and I'm not going. You are."

"You know what they say about a silk purse and a sow's ear? Just putting me in a dress isn't gonna make me a lady. I'll end up makin a fool of myself. I can't go to some fancy party in a fancy dress. Look at me." Storm looked down at herself and took in her dirty appearance and boyish attire. Benny walked back up to his daughter and took her shoulders in his hands, feeling one of his uncharacteristic fatherly moments coming on.

"You are my daughter Storm, too much like me for comfort. You can do anything you want to if you just put your mind to it." Benny put his hand into his pocket and pulled out a roll of hundreds. Pealing 10 off, he put them into his daughter's hand. "Here, take this and go buy a new outfit to wear."

"I don't need your money pop. I got my own."

"I know but this one's on me. My treat in payment for you doin the favour for me. Ok?"

"Ok." Storm pocketed the money. "I can really take who I want, no matter who it is?"

"As long as they wear a suit it doesn't matter to me."

"Good." Storm followed her father out of the garage. "I'll just change then I'll go start getting ready."

"Ok, just have your date meet you here and I'll have Teddy stop by for the two of you in the limo."

"Sure." Storm answered and Benny could tell she was already preoccupied. Benny pretty much figured that her date for the event would be her brother. He'd never heard of any of Storm's friends, let alone a boyfriend she'd ask.

Storm went shopping first. She called Devon as soon as she was out in the car on her way out of her neighbourhood.

"I gotta go to some charity thing for my dad tonight and I need a nice dress to wear. Since I haven't owned one since I was 12 I was sorta hopin you'd come with me and help me shop. I don't even know where to go to shop for a fancy dress in this city!" Storm ranted at Devon after they'd exchanged greetings.

"Yeah, pick me up and I'll show you where to go. Who you taken with you to this shindig?"

"Don't know yet? What about you? I know you got a tux hidden in that big house'a yours somewhere. You have to have gone to some of these things before wit your dad. I could actually use someone at my side who knows how you're supposed to act at these things."

"I'd love to be your arm candy Storm but I actually do have a date for it already. My dad put the strong arm on me a few days ago to go with a daughter of a friend of his."

"Shit. Guess I'll haveta take Matty. Gotta take somebody."

"Yeah, your brother's cute and better then that his good manners'll go over real well at this thing."

"No doubt. Am I picken you up or you wanna meet me somewhere?"

"What you drivin?"

"Cadillac. May as well get in character now huh?"

"Yeah. In that case pick me up. Can't have Daddy dearest see your car around here but in the Cadillac he won't have a thing to say."

"Ok, I'm out front of your house now."

"That confident huh?"

"Yeah. I know you and spending other people's money. See you in a few seconds right?"

"Puttin on my shoes Don Demaret, you slave driver." Devon laughed and hit end on his cell phone. Within seconds he was sliding onto the cool leather of the passenger seat of Storm's Caddy. He leaned over to kiss her on the cheek, then picked up her hand and kissed the spot where her 'don's ring' would be. "Thank you for this favour godfather."

"Stop it fool. 'Sides you know that ain't never gonna be me, so why perpetuate the hope?"

"Who cares? For tonight you get to play fairy princess. Let's go crazy dressin you up. You know you can afford it."

"I can afford the cash but I don't know if I can afford what it'll do to my rep. Me showin up in a dress. A fucken dress." Storm huffed and rolled her eyes.

"People from races don't exactly hang out at these sort of events Storm. If I were you I'd go for the glam, old school mafia look. You know the ladies with a kings ransom in jewels all over them in the gaudiest display ever, dressed to the 9s in haute couture. You, much as you try to hide it from the world, have the figure to pull it off. Hair done up fancy, jewels, the whole 9 yards. What'd ya say?"

"Take me shopping."

"Yes! Now you're talkin."

"Where am I goin Dev?"

"5th avenue baby. Gucci of course. They're just your style."

"How could I possibly have a style in clothes that cost this much and grease will ruin?"

"Wait till you see what's in here. Trust me, you'll find something that says Storm, no problem."

"I'm in your hands." Storm turned the car toward downtown New York.

"You won't regret it sweetie." Devon sat back with a smile. Storm gave him a look saying that clearly remained to be seen.

After a frustrating ride through the city traffic they pulled up to the store and let the valet park the car. Walking into the store was an eye opening experience for Storm. There were more snobby women both working there and shopping there then Storm had ever seen in one place.

Devon dragged Storm right over to the section of the store where the evening gowns were kept. He started looking through all the blue gowns.

"Why blue?" Storm asked, puzzled. She'd never found blue to be one of her favourite colors. She preferred black and in some cases purple.

"Because blue is going to play up your hair the color that it is and your dark skin is gonna look great with it. Trust me."

"Ok."

"You a size what? 6?"

"I guess. I'm a medium if that helps." It had been so long since Storm had bought clothes by the size tag she honestly didn't know. Devon clucked and grabbed a dress he liked.

"Can't believe you don't know what size you are."

"It doesn't matter in my world."

"Ok. Try this on." Storm caught the gown thrust into her arms with a startled look and allowed Devon to push her into a dressing room carried on the same wave of shock. She found herself in a plush room. The walls were panelled in a rich cherry wood. There was a green silk bench, a few brushed aluminium hooks on the wall and then the whole back wall of the cubicle was a huge mirror.

Storm stripped off all her clothes to her underwear and looked at the blue gown in trepidation. What was she thinking? With a sigh she figured since she was in the room naked with the dress she might as well try it on. She pulled it on and got it done up despite the awkwardness of zipping up the rear zipper on her own.

It was floor length in the front, slightly longer in the back so it trailed out behind her just a bit. The midnight blue fabric had an iridescent sheen to it. This was enhanced by the tiny seed crystals encrusting the strapless bodice, heavy at the top near the neckline and tapering into swirls around her waste. The fabric felt cool and silky against her bare skin. It was almost sensual, like a caress. The deep blue color did just what Devon had promised. It made her hair look like spun gold and her Mediterranean skin look like smooth caramel. The blue contrasted with her eyes, making the apple jade color stand out sharply.

For the first time in Storm's entire life she felt like a real woman. She wasn't sure if she liked it or not. She was so use to being the girl who wasn't it was very unsettling to be almost liking the feminine look. She was still staring at herself in wonder when there was a knock at the dressing room door.

"You alive in there sweets?" Devon called through the wood, muffling his voice. "Shouldn't take this long to put on a dress."

Instead of answering Storm opened the door and stood, one foot on its toes in front of her, making an agitated grinding motion as she looked at the carpet, waiting for Devon to hate the way she looked. When a full minute went by and he still hadn't said anything Storm managed to get her flagging confidence together and looked into Devon's eyes.

"That bad huh?"

"Oh no sweets. It's perfect. If you don't buy it I'm gonna kick your ass all the way around this block."

"You think?"

"I know. I wish I could dump little miss 'daddy's so rich' tonight and take you just so I could be the guy on the front page of the news paper with you tomorrow getting all the attention. You're gonna steal the show."

"Devon shut up! You're just lookin for something from me. What do you want? You still after me to teach you to drive my car?" Storm found it impossible that she could look that good in a dress as to cause her loudmouth friend to have nothing to say.

"Nope. Not lookin to get anything outta this Storm. That is the dress. I mean you gotta go to this thing anyway right? So you might as well pull off the full Cinderella act right?"

"If you're that sure this works for me?"

"I'm sure. Now you need shoes and a handbag."

"Handbag? Hell no."

"Hell yes. Full treatment right?"

"Ok." Storm sighed and closed the change room door. She put her own clothes back on and allowed Devon to talk her into silver high heels and a midnight blue and crystal encrusted handbag that matched the dress.

"You know where we need to go now right?" Devon asked as they waited for the Cadillac to be brought around.

"No, where?"

"Vicky's secret of course." Devon smirked evilly.

"For what?" Storm absolutely did not plan on buying fancy underwear too.

"I somehow doubt you have a strapless bra, thong underwear, or stockings to wear with that dress do you?"

"No, but I'll be fine without."

"No you won't. Full package Storm. You're not getting out of it."

Half an hour later Storm had been fitted for a bra and underwear, after being embarrassed for the first time in recent memory by the sales lady who told her she had no idea what size she truly was. She allowed the sales lady, due to that same embarrassment, to talk her into a garter belt and matching stockings, all in midnight blue with white detail.

After they piled it all in the car Storm thought they were done for the day but Devon crushed her hopes. "Now we just need to go and get your hair and makeup done. Good thing a very close friend of mine owns an excellent salon."

"No hair, no makeup. I'll do the dress. I'll do the butt-floss underwear but I will not do hair and makeup."

"Yes you will."

"I just spent over a grand on a dress and underwear that no one will ever see. Why do I need to spend more on someone else doing my hair? He ain't cutting it or dyin it."

"Just a new 'do and some makeup Storm. It's only one night."

"I still need to track down Matty and make sure he's comin with me to this thing. Otherwise you might be the only guy there with two girls to escort."

"Matty'll go. Don't start sweatin stuff now."

Storm allowed Devon to tell her how to get to his friend's salon. She was dragged forcefully through the door however and it was obvious from her tense posture and 'I want to kill someone' facial expression she was not happy.

The owner, who was identified as Elliot took one look at her messy bun, GAP sweater and jeans and tsked.

An hour later they left the salon again. Storm left feeling like someone's pet poodle. She didn't know herself in the mirror. Her curls had been coaxed into a waterfall of golden blond ringlets, not a bit of frizz in sight. The top section had been piled on her head but allowed to trail down her back with the sides and back of her hair which was also long and perfectly curled. Her makeup was professionally applied and enhanced her slightly slanted eyes with their winged brows and her bow mouth, which was stained a rich berry color.

She'd somehow even been talked into gel nails and they were the same midnight blue as her dress.

"I can hardly drive with these fucken nails and my hair down long is the biggest pain in the ass ever."

"Yeah but you look like another person. No one who saw you like this would ever know you were our Storm from races. It's like you're a whole 'nother girl."

"Really?" This idea pleased Storm greatly. She figured anything that helped her keep her two identities separate was a good thing.

"Yeah." Storm pulled up to Devon's house. He opened his door and got out, leaning back into the car to meet Storm's eyes.

"You'll do fine. See you there tonight."

"Yeah, tonight."

Storm pulled away and headed home. She carried all her stuff up to her room and went looking for her father. She found him in his study.

"Hey pop. I got all the stuff I need for tonight but I don't have any real jewels and Dev says I need them if I'm not gonna stand out."

Benny looked up from his desk where he was working on some paperwork and did a double take at the woman standing in his office. "Where's my daughter and what did you do with her?"

"Ha, very funny pops. What am I gonna do about jewellery here? You're the one who made me do this! I got nothin to wear with a Gucci evening gown."

"I got you covered Storm." Benny walked up to a picture on the wall, moved it aside and opened the safe behind it. He tossed his daughter a velvet jeweller's box which she caught on instinct. Inside on blue satin was a set of diamond jewellery. It was complete with a waterfall necklace, bracelet, drop earrings, and cocktail ring. "Will that do?"

"Where did you get this?" Storm asked reverently, looking at the beautiful jewels.

"They were your mother's."

"I can't borrow these. They must be worth a fortune."

"Yeah, but they're yours anyway. I was just waitin on you bein old enough to appreciate them then you never really seemed to have an interest in dressin up so I figured they were safer in the safe. You'll take good care of them."

"Yeah I will. Now I really hope Matty's free."

"He hasn't been home all day." Benny answered, already becoming absorbed in his work again.

"You call Teddy and inform him of the change of plans?"

"Yeah, he was pissed at first but the intrigue of you in a dress won him over in the end."

"Hardy har har." Storm left to go call her brother. When he answered she started in on him right away. "Hey big brother, love of my life!"

"What do you want sis?"

"I need a huge favour."

"What?"

"That charity thing that Pop was supposed to do tonight, he conned me into going for him. I need a date and guess who's elected? My favourite brother."

"I'd love to Storm but I can't. I'm outta town and I won't be back til late tomorrow."

"Matty…" Storm whined. "I need a date. I'm wearing a fortune of mom's jewellery. I can't go alone."

"I can't make it home in time Storm." Matty sighed. "I really can't. Even if I left now I'd still wouldn't be back until like 10 tonight."

"Well fuck! What am I gonna do? I need a guy in a tux here at this house by 8pm. I was sorta countin on you Matty."

"I'll make some calls and get you someone ok?"

"Someone good lookin and able to take care of me while I can't wear my gun and have about 50 g's worth of diamonds on?"

"Yeah. Someone that good. Give me a few minutes ok? I'll call you back when I have you someone."

"Ok." Storm hung up with a sigh and sat on the floor of her room. She had visions of going alone and it wasn't pretty. She contemplated begging Devon to give up his forced date and take her instead. It wasn't like he was overly impressed with his dad anyway. But she knew she couldn't do that to him. His father was a prominent and straight as an arrow politician and her dad was one of the city's most notorious mobsters. It wouldn't be fair to Devon to put him in that position. Storm's phone rang and she answered it. "You live."

"I got you someone. He'll be there at about 7:45. Ok?"

"Ok. Who?"

"You'll see. Be ready. I called pop and he's takin pictures so I don't miss my baby sister in her first ever dress."

"You're a bastard Matty Demaret."

Matty only laughed so Storm hung up on him and started to put on her new clothes. Just as she was putting on the second earring the doorbell rang. She raced down the stairs as fast as her new high heels would let her and flung the door open only to find Taylor on her step in a tux looking just as uncomfortable in it as she did in her dress. It was all worth it when his jaw dropped open just a bit.

"Storm?" He asked gruffly, not sure what to make of her in her finery. He picked up one of the goldilocks curls from her shoulder and rubbed it between his fingers to find out if it was as silky as it looked.

"Yeah. Taylor?" She asked, eyes mock wide, her voice in the same shocked tone as his as she straightened his bowtie.

"Yeah. Matty called in a few favours to get me into this thing let me tell ya." Taylor ran a finger around his neck, the bow tie that came with the suit feeling uncomfortable and unfamiliar.

"Who is it Storm?" Benny called from further down the hall. "Is it Teddy?"

"Nope, my date! Storm hauled Taylor into the foyer. "I'm sure you remember Taylor? Matty couldn't make it so he asked Taylor to take me instead." Storm said as she stood beside Taylor.

"Hello sir." Taylor stood uncomfortable in the huge hall. He was use to Teddy because he did all his dealings with Teddy. Benny was too high up in his world to worry too much about the people they hired for the various jobs they had to contract out for. Benny left most of their dealings with Taylor for Teddy, and found out most of what he wanted to know about the big man from Matty.

"Hello Taylor. Well, I guess I won't have to worry about Storm wearin all those rocks with you around to protect her." Benny laughed at his own joke. Taylor only nodded as Teddy walked into the house.

"This my niece? Are we sure?" Teddy teased as he hugged Storm.

"You all need to shut up!" Storm headed out the door after breaking free from Teddy, turning back as she realized no one was following her. "Are we gonna do this or what?"

"Yeah, we're coming." Teddy called, following her out of the house, leaving Taylor to bring up the rear. They all got into the car and Storm took the farthest seat from her aunt available. It didn't matter because her aunt started in at her right away about what an improvement the dress was and how ladylike Storm looked. Even then the woman couldn't resist getting a few digs about how it was all an act in. Storm was about getting ready to scream. That or go digging under Taylor's suit coat for the gun she was sure was hidden there and put a bullet in the loudmouth woman's head.

She felt Taylor's hand grab hers under the skirt of her dress and give it a calming squeeze, like he was agreeing with Storm that her aunt was out of line but that it wouldn't be worth the fight to tell her that. She shot him a thankful look in the dark and then fought laughter about how the two of them must look.

Neither of them had any business being where they were, dressed how they were, or doing what they were doing.

"So, you two been together long?" Storm's aunt asked. It was pretty clear she was looking down her nose at Taylor.

"Oh, we're not together." Storm answered glibly, earning a questioning look from Taylor and a speculative one from Teddy. "I'm just using him for sex."

Taylor made a choking noise and looked at Storm in shock. Both of them looked at Storm's Aunt Theresa to find her mouth hanging open. Taylor then looked at Teddy as though to tell the other man it wasn't true. Teddy caught the look then looked at Storm.

"That is just the kind of thing you can't say tonight Storm. I let you get away with a lot because your mother was my sister and you tend to make me laugh and come up with good plans but you can't run that smart mouth in here tonight."

"I know that but she was intentionally being rude." Storm answered back, talking like her aunt wasn't even in the car. "I mean really! The tone of her voice was enough to make me wish I hadn't had to leave my Glock home with Pop." Teddy's wife took in a sharp breath at the insult.

"Storm! Enough." Teddy raised his normally calm voice. Taylor squeezed Storm's hand a bit harder, like he was telling her to let it go and not make it a war on his behalf. She looked at him and Taylor could see the argument was over more then her aunt's treatment of him, that it was over a whole bunch of unsettled family history. He leaned over close to Storm and whispered in her ear.

"Let it go Storm. Not worth it. Let's just get this night over ok?"

Storm nodded sharply and Teddy watched with interest and Taylor calmed and in Teddy's mind, controlled his niece. Storm reached up behind Taylor's head to bring him closer to her so she could whisper directly in his ear.

"My Aunt Theresa steps outta line one more time and I'm icin her."

Taylor chuckled despite her audacity. "I don't think even you could get away with it." He leaned in closer still so he could whisper to her and be sure no one else would hear. "I think Teddy would have long ago if he thought he could pull it off." Storm giggled. No doubt it was quite true. The woman had a mouth like a shrew.

"I think there's a lot I could get away with though, don't you?" Storm raised an eyebrow in question as she trailed her hand back down from behind Taylor's head down his chest and back into her own lap. She was pushing both her aunt and uncle's buttons and loving every second of it. Taylor cleared his throat uncomfortably. He wanted to take her to task for messing with his livelihood but he sensed with Teddy in the car with them was not the right time.

"It looks that way." Taylor sat back and watched downtown New York slide by.

"How'd you get suckered into this mess Taylor?" Teddy asked. While the question was posed in a familiar tone Taylor could hear the undertones were not half so benign. Teddy did not appreciate seeing his niece dating on the wrong side of the nationality line one bit. He was more hinting that it better not be over any real interest in Storm.

"Matty was outta town, he asked me to go in his place."

"Storm, you don't have anyone to date other then your own brother or his friends he suckers into the role for you? You need to start spending more time with your cousins. Lindsey is only 18 and she has all the boys after her already."

"I just bet she does Theresa. Those kind of girls often do." Storm smiled sweetly at her aunt.

"Teddy! Does that niece of yours have any manners at all? I told you that it would only come to no good to send a young girl home to Benny to raise. She's just as rough if not rougher then he is and it shows. She acts like she was raised in a barn!"

"That's it!" Storm shrieked and started hunting under Taylor's jacket for the pistol she was sure he would have hidden there. At first Taylor was too confused about what she was doing to stop her and then shocked at her audacity. That and the fact she thought he was stupid enough to be packing heat to a charity function.

"Both of you sit down and shut up!" Teddy in a rage was only slightly less intimidating then Benny. "Storm, you are almost unlikeable right now. I will be telling your father about this. And you," Teddy turned to his wife, "are deliberately antagonizing her. The only people acting sane in this whole car are the men. So sit back and behave like ladies until the end of this night."

"I'm almost unlikeable? That's fucken rich." Storm looked out the window. She was so mad she didn't know if she was closer to spitting or crying. Her aunt always treated her like crap but it wasn't Theresa who got nailed for it. Storm, being Storm, and therefore unable to control herself looked at her uncle with a death glare. "You think you'll be telling my dad about this, well not if I tell him first! You guys took me in when I was 8 and kept me till I was 11 when my dad got out of jail. It was good of you, ok, I admit it. But you also spent the whole time trying to change who I was and keeping me from my own brother. So please don't expect me to be all that grateful for it."

Teddy just looked between his wife and niece with an unreadable look on his face. Theresa looked like she wanted to say more but didn't know how well Teddy would take it so she kept her mouth shut. Storm stared out the window wishing the ride over. The only thing keeping her out of very girlish tears was the warmth of Taylor's leg pressed against hers and the heat of him warming her. As though he knew that he slid his arm very casually across the back of the seat behind Storm. He toyed with one of her curls behind her back where her uncle wouldn't see. Uncaring of what Teddy saw Storm lay her head down on Taylor's shoulder and closed her eyes. Taylor looked down into her face and as though seeing something there he didn't like he did nothing and just took his turn staring out the car window.

How had a night that was supposed to be a fairytale evening of playing at being something she wasn't turn into a stressful airing of dirty family laundry? Storm wondered. No evening starting with Theresa had ever had a chance of being fun and Storm figured she shoulda known that. She twisted on her seat a bit, her tight dress making it hard to find a comfortable spot on the slick leather upholstery. She managed and must have drifted off because the next thing she knew Taylor was waking her up.

"We're almost there Storm. You ready?"

She yawned, one blue satin gloved hand covering her mouth. "Did I fall asleep?"

"I suppose so." Taylor answered. They pulled up to the glitzy hotel where the function was being held and waited for their car to get to the head of the line so the doorman would let them out and they could make their entrance.

Teddy and Theresa left the car first, Teddy stopping to hand his wife out like the gentleman he was so good at playing. They smiled and walked up the red carpet path toward the door and Storm was glad to see her father had been right and the press was more interested in some artist and his entourage who'd arrived just ahead of them. Storm let Taylor leave the car first and help her out. As they walked up the carpet path it was all Storm could do not to fall down off her shoes. She hesitated at the base of the stairs.

"It's ok, we won't see much of Teddy and his wife now." Taylor murmured, trying to reassure Storm in what he assumed was her reluctance to be conscious in her aunt's presence.

"I'm not worried about that. I'm scared I'm gonna trip up the stairs." Storm admitted in a whisper. "I never had to walk in heels before and it sucks ass."

Taylor chuckled. She was an angel. Until she opened her mouth and ruined the allusion totally. "I'll just pretend I'm really a gentleman then and hold onto your elbow til we're up the stairs, ok?"

"I guess." Storm allowed Taylor to escort her up the stairs and was relieved to reach the top. They made it into the ballroom without incident and found their table where Teddy and Theresa were already seated. They found their seats under Demaret and sat. Storm was relieved to have the seat next to her uncle and glad this meant Taylor was on her opposite side and no where near Teddy. Storm looked around the room and found they were attracting a fair amount of attention.

"Why are so many people staring at us? I mean, doesn't that guy over there make Hollywood movies? Shouldn't they be more interested in him?" Storm was slightly mad her dad had misled her how much attention would be on them. She hoped she still came away from this evening able to live her life without the whole world knowing who she was.

"There's always curiosity about an unknown beautiful woman Storm." Teddy answered. Storm heard her aunt huff at the compliment.

"You scared what my daddy's gonna say when I tell him how you and her treated me in the car?" Storm asked with a sickly sweet smile. She didn't for a second believe her uncle was really paying her a compliment.

"Benny will not be pleased about you acting like you would shoot my wife Stormianna, don't kid yourself."

"No, but he won't be pleased about how Theresa talked to me either. When it all boils down to it he sees you as his employee before he sees you as my uncle and you know it."

"Do we have to fight about this again now?" Teddy was getting really angry and Storm really didn't want more attention on them then there already was.

"No we don't because I'm going to take a walk." Storm said and stood abruptly.

"I'll go with you." Taylor said as he stood up too. "Benny told me to keep an eye on you wearin all that."

"You just didn't want to be alone with them." Storm accused as soon as they were out of earshot.

"Blame me?"

"No. Not a bit. I can't believe she would go on about who I chose to date not being good enough in front of my date. God!"

"You know what it means to them Storm. Like it or no, you'd be a valuable bargaining chip to your old man and you're just lucky that he doesn't use you that way. You got off good with Benny 'Chains'. Teddy's all business when it comes to the business. They don't want you runnin around with someone who'll never be made."

"Who I run around with isn't up to them or my dad and the daughter of theirs they compared me unfavourably to is a slut." If Storm wasn't mistaken Taylor looked decidedly uncomfortable with talk of her cousin Lindsey. "Do you know about that first hand Taylor Reese?"

"No." Taylor cleared his throat. "But me'n Matty mighta ran into her once and she mighta came on to me. I was too smart to do anything about it. Not with Teddy Deserve's kid."

"I see. You think she's prettier then me?" Storm loved to see Taylor squirm. She was pretty much just pushing his buttons to see how uncomfortable she could make him. He totally turned the tables with his answer.

"No." He looked away, but not before Storm saw the intensity shining in his black eyes. She decided to change the subject.

"So, why do you think my brother had to go outta town? He tryin for a job outta the city?"

"I don't know." Taylor looked down at Storm again. "He didn't tell me."

"Strange for him not to tell one of us what he was up to. Matty normally tells me everything. And what he leaves out he tells you."

"Maybe it's a surprise then."

"Yeah maybe."

Storm and Taylor ran into Devon and his raven haired date right around then.

"Storm! You look fabulous!" Devon gushed as he air kissed her on both cheeks and Storm returned the greeting.

"Thank you. I owe it all to you. You picked out a winner this time Devon. I'm sure you remember Taylor Reese?"

"Of course. Pleasure to see you again Mr. Reese." Devon was on his best behaviour in the social situation. He'd grown up in them and his manners were impeccable.

"Taylor." The two men shook hands and Devon introduced his date. Storm recognized her name. She was the oldest daughter of one of New York's most prominent business men. The four of them made small talk for a few minutes before Devon informed them it was time for dinner to be served. They broke up with a commitment to meet up after the meal to chat some more.

Dinner was a tense affair. Storm tried her best to ignore her uncle and when it wasn't possible was coolly polite. Her manners were impeccable but her anger still shone through. Taylor was just, well, Taylor and didn't say much of anything. Of course anyone who knew him wouldn't have been able to say if it was just Taylor being himself or if the tension kept him quiet as well.

After the meal was cleared they were sitting at their table with several other members of New York's lesser known nouveau riche. Storm could only theorize that her aunt had decided enough time had gone by as to make it safe to start in on Storm again.

"Your uncle has several eligible men here tonight he'd like you to meet Arabella."

"It's Storm and I have an eligible date already."

"You're too old for nicknames now dear. I know it was cute when you were a toddler but a woman of your age should have a proper name."

"My mother named me and if it was proper enough for her then it's fine for me. She was the boss's wife, something you'll never be." The insult wasn't lost on Theresa.

"And if she hadn't died, god rest her soul, you might have been brought up a lady instead of a tramp who runs around town with the hired help pretending that it doesn't matter."

Taylor never flinched, never showed shock, didn't react. How Storm envied him his stoicism. She wasn't able to hold her rage inside. How dare Theresa imply Taylor was less then her equal just because of his heritage.

"You're only around here because Teddy married you for your father's connections! I don't have to worry about it because my father's already the boss. I'll date whoever I want and Taylor was Matty's best friend during a time when you were going out of your way to terrorize him. He looked out for me during the same time and I'm sick to death of this bullshit." Storm stood up. "I'm going for a walk to calm down and god help you if I don't manage!" With an angry noise full of her rage Storm stalked off as fast as her uncomfortable shoes would allow. When she reached the outdoor terrace off the ballroom she pulled her cell phone out of her little purse and called her brother's number, her rage making the numbers hard to see straight.

Matty answered on the second ring. His familiar voice calmed her temper a few notches as soon as she heard it.

"Matty, why did you let me do this? Why didn't you tell me to back out before it was too late?"

"Do what Storm? What happened?" Storm could hear the beginnings of panic in Matty's voice. He was no doubt worried that she'd gone and done something foolish like bring a gun to the event and get caught with it. That or use it to kill their aunt, a threat she'd made several times before in the past.

"You let me go someplace with Theresa in tow. The woman hasn't shut up about what a failure I am or how unsuitable Taylor is since I got here. I'm about ready to kill her Matty. I swear to god. And Teddy! Teddy's just being Teddy, letting her say what she wants. No wonder dad wanted out."

"You been there a few hours Storm, just leave. Call pops to come get you."

"I don't want to be a failure Matty." Storm whispered. "Calling Dad will be like admitting I couldn't pull this off. I don't want her to win but…"

"You thought you were doin good and it's not good enough for her?"

"Yeah."

"Where's Taylor?"

"Oh shit! I left him with her. I'm such a bitch. She's no doubt ripping him to pieces right now over daring to come out anywhere with someone so out of his league. She's such a whor…"

"Storm, just go find Taylor and leave before you do something you can't undo ok?" Matty sighed. "You want me to call pop for you and have him pick you up?"

"No, I'll do it. I should go Matty."

"Ok. Bye sis, behave."

"A'ight, but only cause you asked me to." Storm hung up and put her phone away. She started to turn away from the rail to go 'save' Taylor from her family when she felt someone walk up behind her.

"You ok?" Taylor was standing so close behind her she felt his words rumble around in her chest too. She closed her eyes to savour the moment before she answered.

"Yeah. Sorry I left you with the wicked witch."

"It's ok. You talked to Matty?"

"Yeah. He thinks we should leave before I kill her."

"Might be a plan. You wanna leave?"

"No. I don't want her to win. My dad asked me to do this and I'd like to see it through."

"Well, we could just go find your buddy again and avoid your family for the rest of the night."

"Good idea. Taylor?"

"Yeah?"

"I'm sorry for how she's talkin to you. It really wasn't fair of Matty to ask this of you. He knew how she'd be." Taylor put his hands on Storm's shoulders and gave a soft squeeze.

"I know what I am Storm and I made peace with it a long time ago. I shoulda known better then to agree to come. They're only sayin what your whole family, father included is gonna think about you'n me Storm and you know it anyway."

"Yeah, but they don't want me in the business and I'm not gonna let them drag me in against my will to be uses as a pawn so I really don't care what they think of who I'm seen with. I'm just sorry that it could mess up what you got goin with Teddy."

"He knows he needs me around so I'm not too worried. Let's go find your friend." Taylor held out his arm to Storm and she took it.

"Where'd you learn all this gentlemen stuff Tay?"

"My mom."

Storm let it go. There was a band striking up dancing when they re-entered the room.

"You wanna dance?" Taylor asked, just wanting to put the fun loving sparkle that had been in Storm's eyes at the first of the night when she'd shocked him with her appearance.

"Um…" Storm's eyes wouldn't meet his.

"What?"

"I don't know how to dance like this."

"Well, if you'd be willing to take the woman's role just this once," Taylor smiled down at Storm and winked, "and let me lead, I do know how to dance like this."

"You do?"

"That mother of mine trying to make a gentleman out of me." He held a hand out to Storm and was slightly surprised when she took it. She helped her put her hand in the right place on his shoulder and when the music started they started to move. She let him lead and as involved as they were with each other they missed all the looks they received. They made quite the couple.

xox

"She looks good with him." Teddy said to his wife as they watched their niece dance with Taylor.

"Don't be silly Ted, she can't be with him."

"No, I guess not. But they still look good together."

Theresa only huffed and looked away. Teddy watched the couple with a speculative gleam in his eyes.

xox

After a few dances Storm's feet were literally in agony and her head was splitting. Like Taylor knew she was reaching the end of her tether he led her toward the exit.

"Where we goin?" She asked, curious as they left the room and started toward the hotel front door through the lobby.

"You'll see." Taylor refused to answer any more of her questions as he led her down the stairs to the sidewalk below and then off down the street. He turned into an alley and there was his van. "I thought you might wanna escape early so I stashed this here for our get away vehicle." Storm laughed and allowed herself to be helped into the high passenger seat. It was so high that Taylor had to lift her in, her fitted dress not allowing her enough mobility to climb up. Taylor walked around the front and got in. Starting the van and reversing out of the alley he took off down the street and started to take off his bowtie and suit jacket with a sigh.

Following his lead Storm took off her restrictive shoes and sighed. "I wish you had told me you were gonna do this. I woulda gave you a bag with a change of clothes in it for me. At least you can take off half your stuff. I'm stuck like this until I get home."

"Should I just take you home then?" Taylor asked.

"You have other plans?" Storm asked, curious and thinking from his tone there was something. All he'd do to answer was shrug. "Well then I'm in your hands. Do what you will."

Taylor gave her a look that told her he knew how strange it was for her to put herself at someone else's mercy. They pulled up to a 5 story brick building in a fairly bad part of Brooklyn a few minutes later.

"Where are we?" Storm asked.

"My place." Taylor answered as he hopped out of the van and came around to her side. Storm went to put her shoes back on with a groan. She didn't want to force her feet back into them at all. She was never wearing heels again. She had her shoes in her hand when Taylor opened her door and picked her up over his shoulder.

"Taylor put me down. You can't carry me around."

"I think I can." Taylor chuckled and walked up to his door, leaving Storm beating his back with her shoes trying to get him to set her down. He carried her thusly up three stories worth of stairs and then set her down in front of his door while he got his keys out.

"That wasn't fair." Storm said, but it was obvious her angry look was just for show.

"I know. I don't do fair." Taylor answered and then opened the door and pushed Storm through.

His place was clean but it was obvious that the furnishings had seen a lot of use. Everything had a sort of well cared for but well used feeling to it, from the chair with the worn arms with bits of stuffing sticking out to the third or forth hand TV stand. Storm headed to a big velour couch with nothing else in mind but sinking into its comfort. It was one of those fluffy looking seats you just knew would swallow you up into a big body conforming hug. She needed to just be comfortable for awhile after her night.

"You want a drink?" Taylor called from his kitchen.

"Yeah! Whatever you're having." Storm called back. He re-entered the room carrying a large glass of soda and a beer. He handed her the soda. Storm's nose told her there was a very large shot of rum in it. "You know me pretty good don't you Tay?" Storm asked, grinning. Even though she'd told him whatever he was having he'd known she didn't like beer.

"Not even close. But no one could miss how you yowled about the grossness of beer when Matty spilled one on you that time in Pizzo's."

"Oh yeah. So you got a nice place here." Storm took in the fact that Taylor was in a one of his own pairs of well worn jeans and a knit shirt with a look of envy. How unfair it was he had an apartment full of his own clothes and she was stuck in her dress, not even able to pull her feet up under her and sit curled up like she was so inclined to do. Like Taylor caught the jealous look he stood up.

"You want to wear some of my stuff while you're here, so you'll be more comfortable?"

"If you wouldn't mind." Storm replied on a sigh of relief. She'd figured he'd never ask.

"I'll be right back." Taylor got up and headed toward the back of the place, where she figured the bedroom was. Instead of waiting for him to come back Storm got up off the couch and followed him. He had his back to her since his dresser was against the wall opposite the door. She took in the brick outer walls and plaster inner walls of the room and the dark blue covers on the bed with one glance. The room was very invocative of Taylor himself. It suited him. She leaned on the doorframe and sipped her drink as she watched him rummage. He turned to find Storm standing in the door of his room, glass in hand staring at him.

"I figured that you could help me with my zipper." Storm answered his unspoken question as she set the glass down on the tall dresser on the wall beside the door. "I had the devil's own time getting it done up. I'll never get it down."

"Ok." Taylor answered, not sure what else to say and watched as Storm presented her back to him and swept her hair out of the way so he could find her zipper. He undid it. She made no move to catch her dress when the zipper allowed the strapless gown to slide down her to pool at her feet on the floor leaving her in only her fancy underclothes and a fortune of diamonds.

She let her hair down and turned around to face Taylor. She was happy to see the stunned look on his face. She started taking the pins out of her hair.

Taylor tried not to look at her, he really did, but he couldn't help himself. He took in her push up bra and tried to fight his feelings. His eyes moved lower to the scrap of blue material covering her other private areas, partially concealed by, wonder of wonders an honest to god garter belt. The blue and white set off her skin, making it look darker then it really was, almost as dark as his own.

"That is so much better." Storm purred as she got the last of her hair down out of the pins. "Those things were pinching."

Taylor took a step closer and ran a finger down her cheek. "You're playing with fire here Storm."

"I know." She looked composed, very sure of what she wanted. "Think I'm gonna get burned?"

Taylor only growled in answer as he dropped the tee shirt and shorts he'd picked out for Storm and reached around her to turn out the light.

xox

Benny checked the clock on the wall. It was after two am and Storm had never made it home. He'd expected her by 12. He gave up on waiting for her with a sigh and went to bed. She'd likely decided to go party with her car racing friends afterward to get over the distaste of her aunt. Benny headed to bed.

When he woke up and Storm was still no where to be found and her bed hadn't been slept in he called Teddy.

"How'd it go?" Benny asked, staring the conversation.

"About like you'd think with Storm and her aunt in the same room." Teddy sighed.

"You's didn't kill Storm did you?"

"No. Why?"

"She never came home last night."

"She left around 11 with Taylor. I don't know how they got around or where they went. She never even told me she was leaving."

"Left with Taylor huh?"

"Yeah."

"Ok, I'll see you at Giando's later." Benny hung up and dialled his daughter's cell phone number.

xox

The distinct sound of 'Hail to the Chief' playing in a monotone cell phone ring woke Storm up. Her eyes blinked open and she squinted in the bright morning sunlight. She looked at the dark caramel arm wrapped around her waist in slight confusion until the night before came back to her. She could feel Taylor's warm breath on the back of her neck and realized he was laying on some of her hair.

The phone continued to ring unabated but she couldn't get up with her hair pinned under Taylor's bulk. The ringing stopped and Storm put her head back down on a pillow that smelled distinctly of Taylor and wigged back into his warmth just a bit closer with a contented sigh. His arm tightened around her waist for a brief second before he flipped onto his back and opened his eyes with a groan. "That was your dad callin wasn't it?"

"How'd ya guess?"

"Hail to the Chief? Who else would that ring tone be for?" Taylor's morning voice was almost impossible to understand.

"I guess." Storm giggled. "Well, I'll have to call him back, and by now he knows I didn't make it home last night. What do I tell him?"

"You went out with friends after the charity thing and everyone got too drunk to drive home."

"I don't have a better idea." Storm rolled over onto her elbow so she could look down at Taylor where he lay, eyes closed again against the world. His eyes opened like he felt her looking at him.

"'Mornin." He growled, looking at Storm in a way she couldn't read.

"Hey." She replied softly and allowed him to guide her head back down to his for a good morning kiss.

Some time later Taylor watched Storm get up, wearing nothing but his Yankees tee shirt, and pad out to his living room barefoot. She was back a moment later with her phone in hand. She sat back down on the bed and hit redial. Her phone dialled home.

"Demaret." Came a curt answer.

"Hey pop."

"Stormianna!" Storm held the phone away from her ear due to her father's loud tone. "Where the fuck were you last night."

"Sorry bout that pop. I went to a party and then we all got too drunk to drive. I shoulda called I guess but I didn't know if you'd be asleep or not. 'Sides, I'm old enough to stay out all night ain't I?"

"I guess." Benny grumbled. "As long as you're ok."

"I'm fine."

"When you coming home?"

"Soon. I'll see you soon." Storm hung up. Then she started to laugh.

"What's so funny?" Taylor asked, not seeing the humour, seeing only the potential of ending up dead. Storm flopped back on the bed beside him again, still laughing uproariously.

"Here I am, 20 years old and lying to my old man about why I don't come home at night."

"Here I am, in the situation of being killed by your old man over the lies."

"Don't be silly. He'd never kill you."

Taylor didn't look sure. "What are you gonna wear home?"

"Your shirt and a pair of your pants?"

"My pants'll fall right off you. Might have a pair of shorts that'll fit you enough. But how are you gonna explain to your dad me bringing you home, in my clothes with your own in your hands?"

"Tay you worry too much. Take me to breakfast before you take me home."

Taylor looked at Storm in shock at her order. "Take you to breakfast? While you wear my boxer shorts and tee shirt? Where can I take you that that'll be ok?"

"I don't know but I'm hungry."

"I'll make you breakfast then." Taylor got out of bed and Storm admired his naked walk across the room to his shorts.

"You can cook?" She asked as she stood up and followed him out to the kitchen. He didn't answer but got to work and set a western omelette and a glass of orange juice down in front of her a few minutes later. He set a much larger portion in front of himself and started to eat. Since it didn't look like he was in danger of dropping dead any time soon Storm dug in. She was very pleasantly surprised. "This is good."

Taylor only grunted in reply. Storm enjoyed both the food and the scenery as Taylor ate at his small kitchen table in his shorts. Just as they were finishing up there was a knock at the door. Taylor went to get it with a look at Storm she knew was warning her to stay put while he got rid of who ever was there.

When Storm heard the voice of the person at the door her jaw dropped. Leave it to Matty to show up at Taylor's now. She heard Matty's voice get louder and clearer as he had clearly forced his way into Taylor's house and headed to the kitchen.

"Have you seen my sister Taylor? Where'd you leave her last night? Dad said she never came home from the party and now no one knows where she is." Matty walked past the kitchen door on his way to the living room and then walked back to fill the kitchen door in a double take.

"Hey bro." Storm tried to remain nonchalant about being in Taylor's kitchen wearing Taylor's underwear.

"Storm?" Matty turned bright red. Storm finished her breakfast and stood up.

"This is convenient. You can drive me home." Storm kissed her brother on his cheek, gathered up her stuff and forced her feet into 'the shoes from hell'. Matty just looked so shocked he had nothing to say. Taylor was looking somewhere between pleased and embarrassed and Storm was the only one totally acting herself. "You ready?" She asked Matty.

"I guess so." Matty said as he opened the apartment door. Storm went to follow him out. She turned at the door to find Taylor right behind her.

"I had a…nice time." Storm said.

"Yeah. Me too." Taylor answered, all too aware of Matty standing right behind his sister. "I'll call you."

"Better." Storm answered cheekily and reached up, intending on kissing Taylor on his cheek goodbye. He turned his head so she hit his mouth. Standing back on her flat feet she licked her lips with an eyebrow raised. Taylor's only answer was to copy her cocked brow. With a laugh Storm started down the hall, leaving Matty to follow.