The car came to a stop outside of a local hotspot in Detroit called, The Blackhawk Restaurant. She had heard so many great things about this restaurant, and she was quite pleased that her date chose this location. 

Biting her lip before sliding out of the car, she didn't realize how nervous she would be. Wingtips of butterflies fluttered within her belly, because this would be her first date in over three years. It's not that she was undesirable or unattractive it's just that, having your heart crushed and stomped on once was quite enough for one lifetime. Bianca shook her head in an attempt to dislodge those negative that and decided right then and there that she would have a good time with Charlie tonight.  

Purse in hand and bodyguard in tow Bianca "R2D2" walked through the entrance of the restaurant. 

Her bodyguard was behind her, far enough away to give her some semblance of privacy, but close enough should she have need he could come to her aid. She nodded her head at him before going up to the reservation counter. The reservation specialist was apt at his job and before long Bianca "R2D2" was face to face with her date. 

So this is the lovely Charlie Pavanno. Her eyes assessed him finding him pleasing. The grey of his shirt bringing out the grey of his eyes. His eyes reminded Bianca of the ocean an instant before Dawn's first rays gently strokes it. Counting herself lucky,  she hoped he found her just as pleasing in her signature strapless red dress, and black heels. 

Smiling she said, "Charlie I presume?" 

Charlie was sure that he had died just there, he was sure that the medics were on the way. In front of him was the most breathtaking woman that he had ever had the pleasure of laying his eyes on. Charlie's eyes had delicately roamed over her, not so much that he seemed lecherous and just enough that his gaze was more than enough to show that he was pleased with the beauty in front of him.

He found that his eyes were particularly on the strapless red dress, the way it framed her body, making her look all the more enticing. His eyes roamed upwards, looking over the features of her face, he found that she was a natural beauty like nothing could compare. He was sure that many would disagree, but he knew what was in front of him, and he knew what he saw right now was a true beauty. 

It was only when Hazel met Grey that Charlie was lost, his thoughts had left him, almost as if hypnotized. Charlie stood up, like a feather, he glided over towards his date, Bianca, with soft and precise footsteps, making sure that they were graceful and elegant. Although throughout his walking towards her, Hazel and Grey stayed connected, almost acting if they broke the eye connection, that one of them would disappear from sight. 

Charlie grasped his date's hand delicately, making sure that he was not rough, and bowed his head, he placed a soft kiss on the knuckles of Biance, making sure that he kept eye contact with her at all times. He soon stood back up, standing straight, but not like a plank, one could tell that the tenseness had left him,

"Yes, nice to meet you Bianca, tales of your beauty do not compare to the real you in front of me now..."

The connection of two spirits meeting for the very first time was a premonition that Bianca couldn't shake as hazel and grey eyes connected, seeming to suspend time for a moment. The connection strengthening as she felt cool lips touch her skin, the brief contact of skin against skin sent tingles up her arm.

Blushing at his words as though she were a school girl and this was her crush, she smiled completely charmed by his words,

"Thank you, It is so very nice to meet you at last Charlie, and I'm so very happy for this night. It's been quite awhile since I've had the opportunity let alone the pleasure to indulge."

She wanted to tell him that he was handsome, maybe even one of the most handsome men that she'd ever laid eyes upon. His eyes his most striking feature. She feared that if she looked too closely she'd get lost within their depths, but she couldn't tell him that, any of that. She was a temptress not normally known for her shyness, but around him she felt vulnerable, and yet safe. Which was generally odd. She'd only ever felt those two things with her parents and even then not completely. 

Still feeling the tingling in her hand she rubbed the spot that he had just kissed. 

Charlie noticed the faint shyness that this beauty held, something that seemed very unlike her in the red dress, something that seemed almost out of character for her, considering the way that the Red Dress was, Charlie knew that it was often her that made her dates shy like a school girl and not the other way around. He knew he was going to enjoy himself,

Charlie chuckled, a bit of his British accent coming through as he spoke now,

"Well Love, we all need time to indulge on occasion. Its why some of us enter this line of work, but business is for another time. This is for us and only us Love,"

Charlie took Bianca by her hand, once again, although, he was sure that he felt a bolt of euphoria rush through him when he touched her hand. He guided Bianca to the booth, making sure that she was seated first before he moved opposite her. He found himself gazing into her eyes once more, when a waiter coughed, alerting him to how long he had been lost in her orbs for.

"Sir, is there anything you need or want to be brought to your booth?"

Charlie shook his head, knowing what he had been doing, but for that long was a surprise in itself. He looked down, his cheeks becoming a dusting tomato red, knowing that she was possibly to tease him about it, but he was determined to not let that happen. He looked back to Bianca with an arched eyebrow,

"Is there anything you want to be brought here, Love?"

Charlie's British accent was once again ringing out like a dinner bell, he was looking to Bianca with a smirk, knowing that he was doing this because he wanted to see her shy side once more. 

As Charlie’s British accent thickened Bianca fell just a little bit more in lust with him. She was such a sucker for accents and he was such a sweetheart. She noticed that his cheeks were stained red and had hoped that he was feeling a tenth of what she was. Not embarrassment, no something much more definite. She loved when he called her love, the butterflies that were ever present in her stomach rose to flutter along her sternum, then shoulders. She wasn’t nervous per se, she just really liked Charlie. She smiled politely at the waiter not wishing to ignore him and he smiled back in return, before her gaze once more landed on Charlie. She licked her suddenly dry lips and thought his question over.

“Yes, if you could bring me a glass of your finest Moscato d'Asti from the back that would be lovely.” She said to the waiter, not taking her eyes off Charlie.

Sitting back in her chair Bianca gazed at Charlie from underneath her lashes. She found herself staring at him once more. She enjoyed the way he filled out his clothes. She didn’t quite understand his shyness, a man that looked like him really didn’t have anything to be shy about, but then again, the same could be said for herself and yet she still found herself blushing like a school girl. The thought caused her smile to brighten. She crossed her legs underneath the table causing the dress that she wore to cling to her body even more and rise just shy of exposing her garters. Pushing the hair off her shoulders, she exposed her neck to his gaze to the ruby that rested between her breasts. She knew that it would draw one’s gaze like a moth to flame, and it was a test in away. If he looked downward, she knew what he wanted from her, but if he continued to gaze into her eyes then he wanted more from her and more for himself.

She knew that all men wanted one thing from her, she’d learned early on the baser instincts of the male species, but she still held out hope that someday she’d meet someone that wasn’t only interested in how eager her legs would spread for him and her family’s bloodline. Old money was always good money, and her family was one of the oldest. There was always someone attempting to take what they’d earned through sheer force of will for themselves, and she hoped that she wasn’t doing the same thing she'd done three years ago, because that was the very definition of insanity. Doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.

Charlie found himself smirking once again, he could read her and he could tell that she was testing him, to see if he would look at the desire of plenty men, but still, Charlie found his eyes looking straight at her eyes, nothing changed, she was still beautiful to him, no matter if she managed to bring a small amount of lust in him, something that he had trained in him to often forget about. 

Charlie had excellent control when it came to seduction with women, he knew that he was an object of desire to many young women, considering that he was in the line of work that women often found thrilling and enticing. So Charlie wanted to find the right woman that could handle, so to speak, he had many throw themselves at him, for the sake of wanting to 'bag' a man like him.

Only when he saw Bianca in front of him now, her exposed neck calling out to him like a lighthouse would guide ships. His eyes would have trailed more, but still, he knew what this was and his eyes had kept trained on her neck and eyes. He would go no lower, for he was a gentleman and knew what to do, but even now, this woman in front of him was breaking his famous control over his libido.

"Well Love, I do hope that you do not think me a debauchee. I am simply a man and while I admit, you are certainly beautiful, I will not lower myself to staring at you like a man who has not had water for the past year..."

Charlie reached across the table, making sure that his hand grazed against Bianca's, he made sure that the tips of his fingers gracefully trailed up her arm and smirked at her, no longer were his cheeks dusting like a common boy who had gotten a fleeting look from a beautiful lady, he was now confident and poised.

"I do wonder though, are you perhaps, let's say, a temptress?"

Bianca’s eyes danced with mischief at both his question and the subtly way in which he refused to play her game with her, but before she could respond the waiter brought her drink over to the table. Eyes lingering on Charlie she placed the cup against her lips and took a slow sip, letting the wine roll slowly along her tongue before swallowing and placing the cup back down.

“Mmm, I’ve been called temptress before…” She laughed softly. “Among other names.” She said ending with a wink.

Sensing the change come over him Bianca responded in kind leaning more towards him. Goose bumps trailed along the spot he’d caressed, and she glanced down remembering the jolt of sensation she’d felt at his touch. It had been so long since she’d allowed anyone to simply touch her, but it seemed that Charlie was somehow pushing past all her normal reservations. He was like a breath of fresh air, doing everything completely unspectacled, but what she’d always wanted, and needed.

“So Charlie, tell me a little about yourself?” She said as her eyes sparked with things better left unsaid.

He’d passed her small test, she thought. She would give the handsome Charlie a fair shot after all.

Charlie's eyes seemed to darken, knowing that his past was something that the woman he found himself drawn too was referring. He knew that he could not tell the true details of his young life, but he must also tell her enough to keep her satisfied, knowing that she would possibly not give up until he gave her the truth of the situation.

Charlie leaned forward, on the outside, his face was the complete look of desire and feigned amusement, there was a small difference that somebody would be able to tell, and it was the way that Charlie's shoulders had tensed, almost as if the tension in the room was too much for him and in truth, it was. His parents were a tough subject, but he found himself wanting to inform her enough so, that she could trust him. 

Charlie slid over to Bianca, this move, would look intimate to the outside eye and most likely, to his date. His eyes were focused on hers, oddly, he found himself calming, almost like she was touching his shoulders and whispering sweet words into his ear to calm him down. Only he knew she was not, she was right in front of him, waiting for his story.

"Heh, we've come to that portion of our evening, fair enough. You possibly know enough of my story up till The Ivory Tower, but I did not have a good upbringing you could say. Right now, I just want to be of a help to a family that needs it, you know?"

Eddie was in the city on business. He knew that Isabella had her own restaurant out here in detroit, so he wanted to stop in to pay her a little visit. Maybe see if she wanted to grab some dinner with him. 

He went inside and found Isabella near the counter. 

“Good afternoon, my dear? Table for two if you’d like to join me?”

Walking into the Blackhawk, things were the same , yet different. Isabella will still be family to me, so of course I had to grace one of her businesses. I was seated at a table, ready to order my crab alfredo again and red wine. I was not sure if I would be dining alone, much less if there would be anyone I knew coming through the doors, or already here enjoying a great meal from isabella's great chefs. 

It was a good night to be here, as good of any night to be here, alone or with a party, it did not matter. I knew Isabella was probably much busy tearing Philly apart, or was it the next fighter at her gym? ( or maybe Gavin?) I did not know Gavin, or should I say well, or never met. You know he better treat her  right, or , well you know how that will end..not well for Mister Gavin. The waitress brought the glass of wine and left the bottle with me, and said she would be placing the order within a minute.

Picking the glass goblet, by the stem, swirling it in the glass..watching what seemed like the red sea being parted by moses, I allowed the aroma slide through my nasal cavity , smelling the fruit, and everything.. telling me it was a great wine ( nothing but the best for Isabella). A wicked grin spread across my slender soft face.. my pearly whites just may be stained red tonight.

Isabella, dressed in a black cocktail dress, made her way through the restaurant to a corner booth where she could sit and watch people coming and going from the room.  She wouldn't be in Detroit for very long, she was here to visit with her father one final time before her wedding day, but she had to visit her businesses and see how they were doing in her absence.

Silently she thought about Gavin and wished she'd brought him with her, or that he'd secretly followed her tonight.  She really wanted to dance, to smile, and to just be around the one person who truly lit up her life these days.  Visiting Detroit had left her feeling nostalgic and a little sad, seeing him here might have turned that around.  But there was about zero chance that Gavin would walk in the door... for one he didn't know she was coming to Detroit today, and even if he had, what reason would he have?

She sighed and asked the waitress to bring a bottle of wine and whatever the chef recommended from the menu tonight.  She might not dance tonight but at least she'd see some familiar faces and enjoy a good meal.

My eyes about fell onto the floor! Isabella! Hmm do  I or don't I is the question. Ah well, I am gonna go over to her, it isn't like we are enemies or something, right? I am telling myself as I head over there, to not bug her for long.. I know she has had a lot going on, and I really feel for her doing what she had done. I know it was a hard choice to make. Of course if she did not wanna see anyone, that was fine too, i am sure she was here for a reason. I snagged my bottle of wine as I was coming over.

With a smile on my face, to at least brighten her night, I head to her table, she did look kinda sad really.. wine always makes you happy, like chocolate. I had forgiven her for leaving, was not my choice to make. I always want her to be happy, anyways.I did miss the girl, it was wierd coming in here at first.. but at the same time such good memories  will always have.

Seeing the light shift within Charlie's gaze and the slight tense to his shoulders R2D2's gaze became softer, her eyes full of understanding, and hope that she could somehow lighten his burden. She knew what is was like to not wish to talk about one's own past. God knew her own past wasn't anything to talk about. Let alone think about, something that always kept her up nightly with questions of why playing beneath her closed eyelids. Turning so that her body was closer, she had the oddest need to be the shoulder that he could lean on. That startled her enough to make her swallow, she reached for her glass once more and took a hefty sip -enjoying the new sensation of having a sweet little crush. 

Reaching for Charlie__Pavanno's hand R2D2 linked their palms together, letting him know that she understood, and wanting to lighten the mood, she slid her thumb across his finger in a teasing caress before saying,

"I get that Charlie helping others is something to be commended, not many have your generosity of spirit. I know that I often find myself lacking in that particular department honestly." Eyes twinkling with mirth R2D2 said, "The world needs more Charlie's it seems."

"The world needs not more Charlie's, no child should have to suffer what I have to appreciate the bond of family. Even if I never truly felt it, Love, I find that living in this moment now is something that I am much more accustomed too."

Charlie allowed his eyes to stay on R2D2, never once diverting, was it possible that she understood him in some way? Charlie allowed a small smile to twitch at his lips, finding the notion absurd, the way she was looking though, it seemed that she understood him in some form, something that had him smiling, He found that he was liking her even more.

Although his breath hitched, once he felt the slow caress of her thumb over his finger, he smiled and looked down at their hands with soft and mischievous eyes, before he carefully lifted her hand to his lips and laid a tender kiss onto it, that spoke of how he enjoyed that she could understand him.

"What about you though? What can you tell me about yourself, Bianca?"

Charlie looked into her eyes deeply, allowing himself to get lost in them, this time, not caring who would notice. Only when he had said her name, he had allowed an English drawl to seep into his voice, knowing how she would react by the barest hints of red dusting that would coat her cheeks...

It was a very rare occasion that Lordian did not either eat at home, or at a greasy spoon. Nobody ever knew your face at a greasy spoon, everyone knew you at a fancy place. Tonight though, would be different. Tonight, he promised himself he would get something good, and Isabella-Luciano had once mentioned this place to his boss a while back. Lordian wrote it down hoping to have a good reason to go one day. He never found a reason, but instead decided that reason be damned, a good meal and good atmosphere didn't need a good reason.

So earlier that day he slipped a note under Marie_Lucania's door in the HQ and told her where he was headed. He put a little post script inviting her to join him as well, but he doubted she would be pulled away from work for a night out. He would try though. One of these days he would needle her into submission.

He made his way inside and was seated at a booth near the back corner. He liked it, the music was good, and the ambiance helped to set the mood. He placed his order and then waited around to see if he could spot any familiar faces.

Isabella rarely made it back 'home' to Detroit anymore.  Today was a special day though, and since she was here for her final wedding dress fitting, it seemed only right to check on her business.

The Blackhawk was a bustle of energy, especially on a night when the owner showed her face unexpectedly.  She normally listened to the music on her radio at home, but hearing it live was a whole other business entirely.  It was GREAT to be back.  She truly and dearly loved this restaurant.

She said hello to some familiar faces and then, shockingly saw someone in the crowd she rarely had a chance to socialize with, it was Lordian!  She made her way over to greet Marie's right hand.

"Well isn't this a pleasant surprise.  I hope I'm not interrupting anything?"

Lordian was listening to the band play and admiring the air. It felt good, felt right to listen to a live band. It was something he always enjoyed. If they were good, it was pretty much like listening to a clock. All in harmony. He smiled at Isabella and stood from his seat when she came over.

"Of course you're not interrupting. It's a pleasure to see you tonight, I certainly didn't expect to see you. I know how busy your schedule gets. Everyone has always seemed to want a piece of your time."

He motioned for her to sit with him if that's what she wanted, and he re-took his seat.

"I'm sure you're a busy woman and you're very likely here tonight to make sure the place hasn't burnt to the ground, but I'm by myself, so if you need to take a load off, or just chat, I'm your man for the evening."

He waved his hand.

"So long as that doesn't get me in trouble with anyone else of course. I like to keep my head where it's at."

"Rest assured my future husband and father are both at ease, you're safe to enjoy a meal with me."  She smiled.  "How are things in Chicago.  It seems like forever since I was able to be there."

She sat down.

"I was considering delivering invitations to my wedding personally but I honestly am not sure I have the time.  As you say, it seems I'm always running here or there - busy with one crisis or another.  Most have been happy ones of late though so that's good news."

"Chicago is well, for the time being. As you say, crisis after crisis some good and some bad. Not sure which one will rear it's head next, but I could use some good."

He waited calmly as the waiter poured two glasses of wine and then made his way to the next table. Lordian lifted his.

"I'm down here because I had some time to myself and I recall you telling Marie about this place once before, a long time ago mind you. So I thought I would give it a look myself. So far, it lives up to it's reputation. Good wine. Good music. I have yet to see the food though."

"I've got a lot of money into this place if it ever doesn't live up to the reputation, let me know and I'll handle things toot sweet."  She winked at Lordian.

"I've been really hands-off with Blackhawk and the railway and the gym though honestly, Purgatory has gotten more of my time if only because it's expected of me.  Godfather Mezzo is making great money off my and William Bowden's little idea.  I guess that's probably one of the reasons he wasn't objecting to having me join the Race Street Company."

"Alexander Knight wants me to launch a recording studio here in Detriot.  I hope to do that sometime after the wedding next week.  Well, after that and the honeymoon of course."  She sipped her wine.

"Also thinking about putting some money and effort into a new entrepreneur from your neck of the woods too.  Not sure if you've had the opportunity to meet her yet or not, but her name is Evelyn.  She's not one of our friends, but she travels in our circles.  Sorta on the edges of things... I hear she has a place in Chicago opening the same weekend of my wedding and she's hoping to launch a second in Philly.  I should introduce you sometime."