Warnings: Preludes to sex.

Taken Aback

VI – p o s s e s s

He stared at me intently the entire ride to wherever it was that we were going. I found myself playing with my hands which I realised were rather small and girl-like. I think he found that amusing, or at least he found it amusing that I kept trying to see what he was doing out of the corner of my eye.

When the limo finally pulled to a stop, Ivane stepped out of it before me, extending a hand to help me out. I really hadn't gotten used to heels. They hurt my feet and I could barely walk in them. Ivane walked forward and I clung to his arm because my knees felt wobbly.

It wasn't until he took his arm from my hands and wrapped it around my waist that I felt remotely stable. Currently we were somewhat okay with one another. I wasn't too pissed off at the way he treated me and he wasn't angry about the fact that I was always snapping at him. Then again, even if he had been angry he would have put on a good show. Anything for image.

Strangers walked over to us and gave us their congratulations. Good thing I was fluent in a few languages myself. Ivane was giving everyone a very charming smile and bordered a smirk. It was strange but everyone who had come up to us had just bubbled with happiness. I had been to a number of parties and functions since there was pretty much one every week. Mafia families were huge and someone was always getting married, celebrating a birthday or anniversary or having a baby. There was no getting around them but even the parties that my family had held for my birthday had not brought on so much attention. This was probably because Russians liked to keep everything low-key since any excessive attention could lead to the police getting an upper hand.

Someone was talking to Ivane, I didn't recognize them but then again I didn't recognize a lot of people. I assumed that most of the guests were either of the Italian mafia whom the Russian-American mafia had recently gotten to good terms with. I did spot a few Russians in the crowd too but they were probably either from the mainland or Ivane's own men.

"This way," Ivane whispered to me in Russian. Generally we would speak in English since to this day I'd only ever been back "home" twice but the mafia stressed how important it was to be close to your roots so most mafia children were fluent in Russian before they went off to kindergarten.

I allowed him to guide me over to a table and as he pulled a chair out for me I couldn't help but overhear a few whispers in Russian saying I was no match for Ivane. Or, Ava was no match. I suddenly felt like hiding. It was true that I wasn't very pretty but I wasn't actually a girl. It kind of pissed me off that anyone would say anything unpleasant about my sister. She was beautiful.

Ivane was seated next to me but he was talking to the same guy he'd been speaking with on the day we'd been attacked. I ignored any further whisperings behind my back and focuses on the conversation. It wasn't like I didn't understand Russian.

"The men will not speak, we've beaten the shit out of them but nothing," the man told Ivane.

"I'm disappointed," Ivane replied, fingers curling around a glass of red wine before him. "Yuri I expected more from you."

"I apologize sir. We will not give up," Yuri answered, head bowed.

"Try depriving them of food and sleep for a few days. Some truth serum afterwards should give you some results." Yuri nodded his head and moved away from Ivane who sipped wine from his glass.

"It's not nice to eavesdrop Ava."

"You're sitting right beside me, speaking in my mother tongue what were you expecting?" I said, a bit sardonically. I knew he was probably smirking but I didn't pass a glance at him. Instead I had my eyes fixed on another table. It was empty for the moment but used glasses and dishes implied that someone had begun to use it.

"Ivane!" Someone exclaimed from my right. I looked up and saw a man almost as beautiful as Ivane himself. His dark brown hair was slicked back, allowing his square jaw to bring out his handsome looks. Light brown eyes smiled down at me and I immediately knew who the man was. Giovanni Navarra, son of the currently very ill Baldovino Navarra. From what I'd heard Giovanni had pretty much become the boss of the Castellano family which currently held the most power in the Italian mafia.

I sneaked a glance at Ivane who had a smile on his face, one that did not reach his eyes. "Giovanni, pleasure to see you."

"This is Ava, yes? She is beautiful," Giovanni smiled, leaning down and giving me a kiss on both cheeks. I did the same in return since it was proper but for some reason I felt uncomfortable. Smiling at the man, I turned away to look at Ivane who was still giving Giovanni a cold smile.

"I thank-you for this party; it is very kind of you to do so much but as you should know we Russians do not squander our money away on parties," Ivane replied. I suddenly felt even more uncomfortable in my seat as I felt an extreme amount of tension between Ivane and Giovanni. When I looked at Giovanni again his smile was a barely hidden sneer.

"I had always assumed that the Russians were a thankful sort, it seems I was mistaken," Giovanni said, eyes just as cold as Ivane's.

"Uh, if, if you'll excuse me," I stuttered, getting out of my seat and rushing toward a waiter so he could possibly tell me where the washrooms were. I caught up to one and he directed me toward a fountain in the back of the hall which hid the entrance to the washrooms. I spared a glance at my table where Giovanni and Ivane were still speaking but mostly glaring at one another. There wasn't really a point for my to stay there since there was obviously some tension between them.

I got to the washrooms and stopped. I wasn't sure which one to go in to. Staring nervously at each I figured I should go into the women's washroom since I was more afraid of what would happen in the men's washroom than the women's. Entering I realised it was empty. I sighed in relief and wandered into a stall. I didn't actually need to pee or anything but the alternative was sitting amidst some very serious tension.

Closing the stall door, I sat quietly in the washroom for a while wondering if my brothers had found my sister. I probably wouldn't know until I returned from this trip but I felt anxious to know if she was okay. A part of me wished she'd never be found because God knows what Ivane would do to her and yet the other half wanted to get away from him as quickly as possible. I felt like I was just a toy to him and even if somewhere deep down inside me I wanted to know him better most of me just wanted to get away. I brought my legs up so they rested on the toilet seat with me and rested my chin on my knees.

Everything had gotten way too complicated in a matter of days and I wasn't sure what to do. I knew I was too compassionate, my father had reminded me of said fact a number of times and I was afraid that I'd get attached to Ivane if only because of those small moments where he didn't seem like a mafia boss's son but a real person.

Sighing, I got up. I didn't know how long I'd been in the washroom but I didn't want Ivane to get pissed off and come in after me or something. I wanted today to end without pain. I slowly walked out of the washroom and just as I walked past the fountain a man came and stood before me. "Ms. Cervantes, what a pleasure to finally meet you."

I had no idea who the straight, black haired man in front of me was but I didn't like the feeling I was getting from him. He was trying to give me an honest smile but it looked creepy and I smiled and nodded in respond. He definitely looked Asian and it was more than likely that he was from the Yakuza who the Russians had had a stressed relationship with for quite a few years. What surprised me was what he was doing here. It was certainly possible Giovanni had purposefully invited the Yakuza to piss Ivane off but the Castellano family had been having a bit of trouble with the Yakuza lately with their human trafficking shtick.

My brothers would discuss mafia politics in front of me all the time and I'd learned to silently listen since it provided me with good insight as to who we didn't like and who we did.

The man spoke again, "Congratulations on your marriage. I heard it was a very beautiful ceremony." His Russian was barely translatable due to his Japanese accent.

"Thank-you, Mr…?" I replied, hoping to at least get a name.

"Toyotomi," he smiled. His hair was greying but it looked like he dyed it. I didn't know a Toyotomi.

"Toyotomi," I repeated giving him another smile, this time more stressed. "Now if you'll excuse me…" I nodded in his direction and made for my table. I noticed that Ivane wasn't there anymore. It was empty.

"Are you in a hurry Ms. Cervantes? My oyabun would enjoy your company," Toyotomi called after me. I stopped, turning to look at him. I wasn't sure if it would be appropriate or not so I relented. The Yakuza wouldn't try anything with so many people around.

"I suppose I could spare a few minutes," I said, voice filled with hesitation.

The man's smile widened and it reminded me of a very pleased cat's. I followed him over to a table where a man dressed in a black suit with full, long hair sat. He had tied it up in the back, leaving long bags to frame his creamy, white skin. As he glanced upward, I was caught by the beauty. What confused me was that the oyabun of all of the current Yakuza families were in their late fifties or more. I smiled at the man who nodded, his face devoid of all emotion. He reminded me of a porcelain doll and those scared me.

"Shimura -wakagashira," Toyotomi said in Japanese. Oh, so he wasn't the oyabun but the oyabun's "right-hand man".

"Konichiwa," I said, bowing down at the man. When I stood up again he seemed somewhat surprised by my behaviour and stood himself, bowing. "Konichiwa Ava Cervenates-san. My father will be right with you."

I nodded and as he motioned for me to take a seat at his table, I tentatively sat down. Lacing my fingers together, I sat with my hands in my lap. I could feel Shimura's eyes watching me. I wondered if he was Kai Shimura, Ryoichi Shimura's first son. I'd only ever heard of the Yamaguchi-gumi so I had no idea what any of them looked like. I knew that Ryoichi, the oyabun of the Yamaguchi-gumi family had the last 

name of Shimura and that he had three sons. Everything else I knew was in relation to his economic and political behaviour.

Suddenly Shimura rose from his seat; I followed his actions as I assumed that his father had come.

"Cervantes-san has come!" I faced the direction from where the voice had come, behind me, and bowed. "Konichiwa, Shimura-obayun-sama."

The man laughed and I knew immediately that he was the most dangerous sort of man that could be in the mafia. Ivane was dangerous but everyone knew that and people knew to be wary around him but Ryoichi was the sort you could come to like and before you knew it you'd find yourself with a gun between your eyes. "No need for so many honorifics, Cervantes-san. San will do just fine."

"As you wish Shimura-sama," I smiled. I knew better than to address him with just san. He might not show it but he would have definitely disliked it. Mafia bosses went into rages when they didn't get respect, as Ivane had shown time and time again.

The man smiled at me and held out a hand. He was old, but was lean and very sturdy looking. "How about a dance?"

"My pleasure." I gave him my hand and he led me onto the dance floor. I couldn't see Ivane anywhere and was hoping to God he'd come rescue me or something. It wasn't that I couldn't handle myself but I knew that there were pleasantries when it came to mafia organizations and the Yakuza had a reputation for disliking everyone who wasn't Japanese.

As we moved across the floor, he began to ask a few questions. "How is the married life Ms. Cervantes? I do hope Ivane treats a beauty such as yourself properly."

I forced a smile on my face and said, "He's a perfect gentleman." I didn't know why I was lying for him but what was the point of telling the Yakuza how he treated me.

"As should be expected of a husband," Ryoichi replied. "And how is he? Fine I would hope."

"Perfectly."

"Oh? Then that rumour about the Italians attacking you and him must be false."

So that's why Ivane had acted with such hostility. Perhaps it was another mafia family and not the Castellano's. "Of course it is. The Italians have no reason to hurt us and if they did they certainly wouldn't throw a party afterwards." I didn't want to give any information away because I was absolutely positive that's all he wanted. It was best to lie and avoid questions.

"Such good rationale. Ivane's certainly gotten himself a one of a kind wife," he laughed, turning me.

I wanted to know what he was playing at so I started a little bit of inquiry myself. "Why thank-you Ryoishi-sama. I'm a little curious, is that your eldest son? I've heard some daring things about him."

"Ah yes, that would be Kai. I hope to make him my successor but you never know right?"

"Sadly no," I replied. "But I'm sure he'll be a fine obayun. Is he here for training?"

"Oh no. We're just taking a small vacation. Even criminals need a break, wouldn't you agree?"

"Of course." My ass they were here for vacation. The mafia rarely had actual vacations. My "honeymoon" itself was some sort of business deal and obviously a means of settling down any issues between the Italians and Russian-Americans. I hadn't realised it but things had gotten bad between the two again. Something was probably stolen or word was broken. I wondered why the Yakuza would come though. They were pretty self-dependant and made enough revenue each year to be happy with their control in Japan. Of course the Japanese always wanted a little extra control in the neighbouring countries, specifically China but the Triads would never allow it.

Something, it seemed, was up. I doubted that I could get any information out since I didn't exactly have any experience and Ivane probably already knew that the Yakuza was here. There wasn't really a point to me wasting more time with the Yakuza, it would probably only piss Ivane off. And where the hell was that SOB? I had been dancing for at least fifteen minutes and there was still no sign of him.

"Father, Toyotomi needs to speak with you. I'll take Cervantes-san." It was Kai and now that he was standing close to me he seemed almost as tall as Ivane. I broke away from Ryoichi and bowed. "Thank-you for the dance."

"Not at all, Cervantes-san." Ryoichi bowed, his a lot shorter than mine and gave his son a smile as he walked past him, back to his table. I gave Kai a smile, "I think I'll head back to my table too. I'm a bit tired. Thank-you for your kindness."

Just as I walked past him he caught my wrist. "Do you know what I just learned? I learned that your brother, Adrian whom you are very close to didn't attend your marriage but instead went to Russia on business. Isn't that tragic, Ava?"

I stopped in my tracks and looked up at him, raising an eyebrow. There was no way I was going to allow two men to freak me out about being a guy pretending to be a girl. Besides what could Kai do at a party where, if he dared to act inappropriately one of Ivane's men would shoot without remorse. No one touched a Russian's woman. The Italians would immediately throw the Yakuza out too. Their code stated very simply that you did not even look at another's wife in such a way. "Business is business. You of all people should know that Kai. Didn't you lose your only sister because your family refused to give the kidnappers what they wanted."

His eyes darkened and I felt something bubble inside of me. I knew I'd hit a spot. His hand tightened around my wrist and twisted. I winced but didn't look away from him. "It wouldn't be in your place to make threats Ava."

"And it wouldn't be your place to touch my wife in such a manner." The voice came from behind me and I knew it was Ivane. Kai's grip left my wrist right on cue and he gave me another glare before sharply turning and going back to his father.

I felt Ivane's hand take mine in his and he turned me around to face him. His other hand placed itself on my waist and he started to dance. I followed suit. I could see he looked angry. "What do you think you're doing talking to that bastard?"

"What took you so long?" I responded, looking in the direction of the Yakuza table. They looked like they were getting ready to go. Ryoichi smiled at me one last time. I didn't bother acknowledging him but I certainly noticed his son's look of anger aimed at me.

"Don't piss me off anymore Ava. I'm not in a good mood. If Vlad hadn't told me you were dancing with the fucking obayun of the Yamaguchi-gumi I wouldn't have had to stop negotiations with the Castellano's."

"He asked me for a dance. What should have I done? Said no to the, as you put it, 'fucking obayun of the Yamaguchi-gumi'?" I said, my tone anything but calm. I didn't know why he got under my skin so much.

"He only wanted information which I'm sure–"

"Just shut-up!" I spat. "I know better than to tell the fucking Yakuza what they want to hear."

The music suddenly stopped. Anyone on the dance floor did too. The lights dimmed and there was a spot light on Ivane and me. Giovanni stood on a stage with a microphone in his hands. He looked over at Ivane and me and smiled with amusement.

"Ladies and gentlemen, tonight we are celebrating the recent marriage of two, very lovely people: Mr. and Ms. Ivane Cervantes." Applause followed his words and I smiled softly trying my best to make the two us look together. Ivane was better at this than me. He had wrapped his arm around my waist and pulled me in. Nothing was going to ruin his image it seemed. "They have come to Rome to celebrate their honeymoon and I hope that we all accept them with open arms."

More applause and more pretending. God I couldn't wait to get home, the heels were killing me and all the games were annoying me. "How about we give them the dance floor!"

People shuffled off the floor and it was the two of us on the floor. This was the second time I was going to have to dance with Ivane and it was the second time I didn't want to. He didn't always have to be such an ass. We started to move across the floor and I noticed he was a lot more graceful than last time. A lot more gentle and to anyone watching it might have seemed like we were in love. I snorted at the thought and how easy it was to fool people. Playing along, I leaned into him, resting my head on his chest.

"Romantic," he whispered.

"I learn from the best," I replied. He pushed me outward, stretching me out on the length of his arm and then brought me in. Others joined us on the floor and I just let Ivane guide me along. My mind wandered to the Yakuza and Giovanni. Ivane's father had sent Ivane here for a reason. My curiosity was piqued, especially since the Yakuza had tried to get some information out me. And what a surprise to hear that the Italians had attacked us. I doubted that Ivane would speak to me about any of this but maybe if I called my brothers they'd know something.

"Why was Kai holding your wrist?" he asked me, voice hushed.

"Jealous?" I smirked. I couldn't help feeding his annoyance.

"If I was, he'd be dead."

Something in me sunk and I didn't bother replying. The dance ended soon enough and I pulled away from him. "Go finish your meeting or whatever it was. I'm going home."

I walked away from him straight to the door that led to the front foyer. I asked for my coat and purse (it was weird carrying that thing around than wearing a bra.) and walked to doors that led outside. The night air was fresh and cool. I stood still for a while and just breathed it in.

My eyes shot open as I felt a presence next to me. Looking to the side it was Kai. "Adrian if you keep leaving yourself open like this you're bound to get hurt. It's best if you stick to Ivane's side. There's no trusting strangers who want nothing more than to screw up your face."

Adrian? But how did he know for sure? My heart rate picked up and I tightened my hold on my purse. "Is there a reason why you call me by my brother's name?"

Kai smirked and leaned forward, his lips right by my ear, "I have very good investigators. It seems Adrian never left for Russia. How could that be? Unless you are Adrian, no? Where's your sister, fag?"

My insides flared with anger and I thrust my fist into Kai's gut. "Don't speak shit, Yakuza dog."

He stumbled back, most likely only suffering from shock. My strength wasn't about to hurt a man trained to be a killer.

He grabbed me by my arm and dug his nails into my skin. Fuck.

Instead of rage in his eyes I found amusement. That only made me angrier and I wrenched my arms away from him. "Don't touch me, bastard."

"Tell Ivane that his wife may not remain his for much longer," he smiled. He then leaned forward and place a kiss on my cheek but before I could shove him off, his body was yanked away from mine and I found Ivane staring with absolute rage at Kai.

There was a flash of black and Kai was on the ground, nose bleeding. I stared wide eyed and looked at Ivane who glared down at Kai. "Perhaps I was not clear: don't fucking touch my wife or next time your father will be getting your head back and nothing more."

I quickly looked away, not wanting to meet Ivane's eyes. I found that I was afraid to see how angry he was. Ivane's men dragged Kai away and left us alone. Shit. God, tonight was going to be anything but pain free. He suddenly grabbed my face and turned it toward me. I thought he was going to say something insulting but instead he crushed his lips against mine and only let go once I was practically out of breath. I could taste blood on my tongue.

"I don't share my things Adrian," he breathed. "And I certainly won't share you. You're mine."

"I'm not a thing," I hissed, swivelling around. The limo was before us and the driver was holding the door open. I went in and slammed the door shut. Motherfucker doesn't know how to respect anything.

The door opened and Ivane stepped in. It shut after him and I didn't want to look at him but he forced me a second time. This time pulling me into his lap, as if I were a dog. "Stop it!"

He didn't say anything, just crushed our lips together a second time. I broke apart and shoved him over to his side. I was sick of all these mafia idiots who thought they knew what they were doing. To make sure Ivane didn't touch me again, I told him in a very pissed off tone that, "Kai knows I'm not Ava. I don't fucking know how but he does. His father was asking about whether or not you were okay from the shooting beforehand. I told him it never happened. And I'm pretty sure that bastard's here to exploit that I'm not actually a girl. I think it's best you look after that and see to your sexual appetite with one of the young ladies who thinks she's good enough for you. Apparently I'm not."

Ivane said nothing and when I looked over at him; he looked like he was regretting not having killed Kai. It was a matter of reputation. If someone told the Russians I was a boy, they'd kill my family for lying because homosexuality wasn't tolerated at all by most Russians and I was quite sure they'd be in an uproar about two men marrying within a church. One of the reasons I found Ivane so strange was that he had told me he liked boys the first time he... I wondered if his father knew. I could tell that his father would sooner disown his son than accept he was gay.

"Come here," he commanded and I listened. There wasn't rage in his voice this time, simply a command and I obliged because for some reason it felt wrong not to. As I moved closer to him he pulled me so I was pressed against his side. "I'll kill him before he says anything regarding you."

He pressed his lips against mine, and the kiss felt possessive. I moved back a little but he leaned forward. Soon enough I was pressed against the seat and he was looming over me, lips leaving my lips and sliding down my neck.

"Ivane, stop it. I don't–" He pressed a finger to my lips and I sucked in a breath as I felt him sucking on my neck, close to my collarbone.

The limo stopped just as Ivane's hands made their way up my dress. I heard a door shutting and quickly got up. My heart was racing. I had barely protested this time. He. No, I couldn't just let him take advantage of me. Especially when he treated me like a thing that he owned. I wasn't a prostitute.

The limo door opened and I only moved from where I was seating when Ivane was already out of the vehicle. He was standing right by the door and when I tried walking past him, he picked me up like I didn't have the ability to walk and carried my inside.

I didn't like the look in his eyes at all.

xix

People had giggled and smiled as they saw us. I only protested to him once we got in the elevator alone. He let me go but refused to keep his hands off of me. And as we got to our suite, he slammed me up against the door as we entered and shoved his tongue down my throat. I felt him lift me upwards, his hands holding me up against the door and I clutched his shoulders to try and stay up.

He tore off my wig, mouth attacking my neck and I couldn't keep a moan from escaping me. Shit.

xix

Author's Note: I know I haven't updated in forever but I hope this chapter makes up for that. I finally figured out which mafia Ivane and Adrain were from (Russian-American, who aren't that huge but let's pretend they are) and did a lot of research on the whole mafia shtick. I say stuff about the relationships between certain mafias but don't take any of that as fact since I doubt any of it's true. I only did it for plot purposes. Also, if you have any questions about any of the terminolgy used just ask me, I don't mind explaining. It's mostly just proper terminolgy for the Yakuza who are the Japanese mafia and honorifics. The Triads are the Chinese equivalent to a mafia. The Yamaguchi-gumi are an actual Yakuza family. I didn't see the harm in using their name for the story but any and all family names used for the Russians and Italians will be made up by me.

Also, I hope I didn't stick in too much information on the whole mafia thing. I wanted to set the stage for a few events that will soon be occurring. I also introduced two very important people both of whom will be playing large roles in the rest of this story.

Thank-you to everyone who reviewd and for all the support everyone gives this story. It means a lot to me and reviews always give me a satisfying, happy feeling all over. Sorry I babbled so much.