The snowstorm outside is relentless. The wind howls, and the snowflakes dance in the air, creating a mesmerizing display. The world is a blur of white, and the only sound is the muffled thud of snowflakes hitting the window pane.

Inside Big City Nights, the mood is upbeat as The Ravens perform on the stage. Suddenly the lead singer pauses and looks out the window. The snow has picked up even more, and the flakes are falling faster and thicker.

Damon smiles and turns back to the crowd. "Looks like we're in for a real winter wonderland tonight," he shouts and the crowd cheers.

The Ravens continue to play, and the snow outside continues to fall. The night is magical, and everyone in the club feels it. As the last notes of the final song fade away, the crowd erupts into applause.

The band takes their final bow, and Damon steps up to the microphone one last time.

"This was our last set at Big City Nights. Thank you all for coming out in this weather," he says. "We hope you had as much fun as we did. And remember, no matter how cold it gets outside, the music will always keep you warm."

The crowd cheers again, and The Ravens leave the stage.

"Yes!" Enzo pumps his fist when they step inside their dressing room. "Here we come Panama City Beach."

"I can't wait to lay my hands on some smooth curves," Damon smirks, his eyes twinkling mischievously.

"You have to respect the women," Mason laughs..."Two on one, baby. Two on one."

"I respect them, especially when we're horizontal," Kai quips, smiling deviously.

"Okay, guys. Let's get packed up so we can get out of here," Damon interrupts as he puts his guitar in its case.

It's a freezing evening in March. Four college girls, Elena, Caroline, Bonnie, and Rebecca are sitting in their favorite restaurant, sipping on their margaritas.

"I was thinking, why don't we go to Panama City Beach for Spring break? It'll be great to get out of the cold," Rebecca suggests.

"That's a great idea! But we need to convince Elena to come with us," Caroline's eyes shift to her as she taps her fingernail against the tabletop.

"You have to come with us, Elena. It's going to be so much fun. Sand and surf and hot guys," Bonnie adds her opinion.

"I don't know." Elena shakes her head. "You know my father."

"Come on, Elena! You've been working so hard. You deserve a break, we all do," Rebecca counters.

"Tell your dad that we'll all be with you," Caroline urges, nodding at Elena's cell phone.

Elena shakes her head. "I don't know how he's going to feel about this."

"Please, Elena! We'll have so much fun together. And we'll make memories that will last a lifetime. It won't be the same without you," Bonnie insists.

"Okay, okay! You guys win. I'll call my dad." Elena picks up the phone and excuses herself to make the call.

Elena is excited to go on a trip with her friends, but she knows that convincing her dad won't be easy. She takes a seat at an empty table in the back, clicks on his icon, and waits for him to pick up.

"Elena!"

She takes a deep breath and starts talking. "Hey, Dad. I know you're busy, but I wanted to talk to you about something important."

"What is it, Elena?"

"Bonnie, Caroline, and Rebecca are all going to Panama City Beach in Florida for spring break and I want to go with them."

"Elena, you know how I feel about these trips. They're not safe and with crime exploding, I don't want you to get hurt."

"I know, Dad, but we'll be careful. We'll stay in a safe place and I promise I'll call you every day."

"I don't know, Elena. It's a long trip, and I don't want you to get into any trouble."

"I promise, Dad. I told you we'll be careful, and we won't do anything stupid. Please, let me go with my friends."

John sighs. "Okay, Elena. You can go. But you have to promise me that you'll be careful and that you'll check in with me every day."

"Thank you, Daddy!" Elena bursts out. "You have my word, I'll be careful."

Sighing, John turns in his chair with his back to the door as he considers what he just did. He permitted Elena to go to Florida.

When he looks outside the window as the snow keeps falling, he spins his chair around, gets up, and leaves the room.

John approaches as The Ravens are exiting their dressing room. "You guys are amazing! The crowd loves you. Would you be interested in extending your stay here at my club for another month?"

Damon looks at his friends for a moment. "Thanks, John. We're glad to hear that. But we have plans lined up for next week. We can't stay here any longer."

John replies, "I understand that, but I'm willing to pay you guys extra for the extended stay. I'll also promote your band on our social media pages and hang up posters around the city. This will help you get more exposure and attract more fans."

"How much extra are you willing to pay us?" Kai asks, staring at him shrewdly.

John replied, "I can offer you an extra $1000 for the week. And I'll also provide you with free accommodation and meals."

Damon smiles. "That's a great offer, John. Can we discuss it for a few minutes?"

"Sure, I'll be in my office," John tells him and walks away.

"No way." Enzo shakes his head. "We're going to Florida."

"Do you really want to cross John Gilbert?" Mason asks, drawing his brows together.

"I'll go talk to him. Maybe he'll be amenable to letting us have next week off," Damon shrugs and after a few seconds of silence, he walks down the hall to talk to John.

"Good luck with that," comes Kai's quip from behind him.

"Have you made a decision?" John asks when Damon enters his office.

"The thing is, John, we're going to Panama City Beach for spring break. We have a standing gig down there, this will be our fifth year."

"Spring break?"

Damon nods and adds, "We'll be glad to accept your offer afterward."

"Have a seat, Damon." John gestures to the chair in front of his desk. "I want to talk to you about my daughter."

"Your daughter?"

"Elena's mother died when she was very young. It's always been the two of us. And now she's in college and wants to go to Panama City Beach with her friends for spring break."

"College kids have been going to Florida for spring break for decades, John," Damon informs him.

"I have a proposal for you, Damon; I'll leave my offer on the table if you keep an eye on my daughter while you're down there. Make sure she doesn't get into any trouble."

"Keep an eye on her?" Damon asks, exhaling heavily.

"Yes, but be inconspicuous. What she doesn't know won't hurt her."

"I don't know, John. The guys have plans..."

John picks up his cigar, relights it, and levels a hard stare at Damon. "Do you have any idea what I can do to your career with one phone call?"

Damon swallows past the lump in his throat at John's threat. Although he'd like nothing better than to tell him to go to hell, he sighs in agreement.

"What does she look like and where is she staying?"

"That's more like it." John blows a plume of cigar smoke at Damon. He pulls an old photo of Elena from his desk drawer and hands it to him.

Damon considers her. She's wearing glasses and looks rather studious. "Shouldn't be a problem, John. "What about her hotel?"

"I'll let you know."

Damon nods and walks out of the office, his face a mask of frustration.

It's the time of year that college students go on spring break vacations. Real-life spring break starts today at the college Elena and her friends attend in Boston.

Thank you for reading and I will tell you upfront that this is NOT a mafia story. I have zero interest in the topic. There's already a glut of them in fanfiction. I've never seen The Godfather Movies nor do I want to.

Cover image found on Pinterest. Credit to its maker.

Huge thanks to Eva! Love you, sister.

Have a wonderful weekend!