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Christi, have dinner with me."
    His suggestion was not what I had expected, although I really had no clue about what he would deem acceptable. However, just as I was about to tell him where he could stick his request for dinner, Patrick began to unbutton his suit jacket and leaned back in his chair. He then casually lifted his long legs and placed them on his desk. It was at this point that I noticed the shiny handgun that sat in the waistband of his pants. I quickly looked away, only to notice that the other three men in the room were also packing. Suddenly, it was as if all the puzzle pieces came together, like a chain made of thousands of tiny magnets. Everything I had witnessed that related to Patrick Malloy pointed to just one thing — the Mafia.
    I had watched enough movies focused on organized crime that I felt I knew enough to steer clear. I also knew they tended to make people do what they wanted. I decided the best approach was to convince Patrick that I didn't fit into the standard mob arm candy role.
    "Thank you for the offer, Mr. Malloy. However, a man in your position undoubtedly requires a certain type of woman to fulfill his needs. I'm sorry, but I'm not that type of woman."
    "Patrick. I asked you to call me Patrick ”
    His voice eerily low and I swallowed hard. I could feel the fear crawl up my spine. This had been a very big mistake.
    “ Jesus Christ, Christi! I'm asking you to dinner, not to give me a fucking lap dance."
    It was sheer self preservation that motivated me to say what I did next.
    "You may not be requesting a lap dance, Mr. Malloy , but you would require something from me that I'm not prepared to give."
    He looked hard into my eyes, a battle line had been drawn. On one side was Patrick, a man who was, I am certain, accustomed to getting everything he wanted. Myself on the other, only wanting to leave this room in the same condition I entered it in. Patrick leaned his body back into his massive chair, a sly smile forming on his face.
    “ So, if I promise to conduct myself as a perfect gentleman and not demand a blow job at the end, would you reconsider?"
    Patrick was a handsome man, used to having women fall at his feet. How sad it must be to never know if they wanted him for his money or the power they must feel when they are with him. I would gladly trade them positions, they could have his undivided attention.
    "I'd have your word that this would only be dinner, no other expectations?"
    I didn't give a shit how good he looked or how full his bank account was, he stood for something that I wanted no part of. One dinner and we were even.
    “ Yes." His answer rained with assurance and strangely I believed him. ”Then, yes, I'd reconsider." My voice soft and still a little unsure.
    "Good, done! ” He slammed his hand on the desk as he spoke the words. Fuck me!
    He pushed his chair away from the desk and slowly came around toward me. "Let me begin my role as a gentleman by doing proper introductions."
    He motioned for me to join him by the three men who were again standing.
    "Gents, this is the lovely Christi O ’ Rourke . Muscles, aka Ryan, you already know."
    Ryan smiled and nodded his head in my direction.
    "This is Tonto, one of my inner circle."
    Tonto was just as big as Ryan, or rather M uscles. I extended my hand out to shake his. I noticed that again, Patrick nodded his approval.
    "Pleasure to meet you, Sir," I smiled at Tonto.
    "And this is someone you would've been meeting in the very near future. My soon-to-be brother in law, Caleb Montgomery."
    "I had the pleasure of meeting your beautiful bride recently, Mr. Montgomery. Congratulations."
    Caleb didn't wait for Patrick, he grasped my outstretched hand and instead of shaking it, he raised it to his lips and kissed the back of it as he bowed slightly. "Thank you kindly, Ms. Christi, the pleasure is all mine."
    "Christi, let me escort you to your car. I'm sure your father would worry if I let you go by yourself. ” Patrick