Shameless

"Vector," I whispered, my hands sparking up in warm bursts of flames. Now I touch my hand, and I can feel the warmth of my father's blood. Now I turn back at that moment and...

"Yes. Vector."

I had felt my heart skip a beat right there and then, my chest heaving. I swallowed hard, then quickly nodded, my lips parting.

"R... Red. My name is red."

He raised a brow as a side of his lips curled up in a smile. His eyes left mine to drift down. He did not mind the fact that I was watching, nor did he make it subtle nor fast. So for a few seconds, I stood there, my torn glove on the floor, my hand in his as he slowly took in all of me.

I have never been insecure. I didn't think I was the prettiest out there, but I was definitely not blind to the fact that I did have my own perks. I wasn't ugly, but I have never felt as substandard as I did as he watched me. I wondered if my dress was right. If he liked my hair, the dress, or even the feel of my hand in his.

"Red," he suddenly said, then pulled my hand close, bringing me even closer. His smirk deepened, and his hand moved my hair away. "Pleasure."

I managed a smile amidst the rush of blood to my ears, amidst the weakness of my knees. It felt like my own body was begging me to go on my knees and worship him. To worship his sins. To glorify his wrongs. To beg. Nothing about this man spelt glory or honour. Nothing about him spelt convention.

Slowly, he released my hand, then met my eyes again, his eyes deep, dark, and intense.

"The... the pleasure is mine, Don."

"Call me Vector."

He didn't wait for me to even use the opportunity he had given before he turned to my dad. His smile fell off, and with a curt nod in my dad's way, he walked away. He had elegant, unhurried strides, one that suggested a confidence that came with being above the entire Mafia.

I swallowed, just as dad came around to me. his eyes thin. "Stay away from him," he hissed under his breath, his eyes fixed on the environment as if to make sure no one would hear us.

I wish I had listened then. Maybe... maybe I would feel less defiled. Less guilty. Maybe I wouldn't burn with anger at my stupidity. Maybe my body wouldn't feel like it was stained with my father's blood.

"Why?" I asked, turning to the direction Vector had gone in. "Is he like...that with every girl? Is that why?"

I could still remember the sting in my chest when I had asked that. I hated myself for it now, but the last thing I will deny is that his brief attention had not made me feel special. I would be lying to say it didn't make me feel too much.

That thought was already disillusioning.

"No. He isn't like that with any girl. And that is why I need you to stay away from him, Red. He is not the sort of man that I want around you."

I swallowed. "Because he is a don?"

"It isn't your business why, Aurora! Would you want a don? Would you want a guy who kills just like that? Would you be proud?"

"I am proud of my father, though," I said, my eyes meeting his. My dad's eyes went wide, his lips parting. "I am not defending him. You are just not making me see reasons."

My father blinked like he was just processing what I had said. "How dare you?"

"Dad..."

"I said, stay the fuck away from him." He was trying hard to keep his voice low, but his anger was already so obvious. That was one thing about my father. His anger always blinded him. But now, looking back, maybe... Maybe I was the one who had been blinded.

"Dad, he didn't even do anything. You are suddenly just..." I started to say, but he had already lost the grip on his temper.

Dad suddenly raised a hand, his eyes wide, veins popping out of the darkened skin of his forehead. I could not understand why he got so angry. He was obviously friends with Vector. Saying I should stay away from Vector because he was a Mafia don did not exactly make sense.

It was just like telling me to forget he was my father for the same reasons.

His hand never reached my cheek, as a man dressed in dark grey suit caught his arm. I gasped, my lips parting, my heart beating wildly.

Dad turned to the new man, and his eyes widened, and this time, it wasn't out of anger.

The man turned and gave me a one over before slowly turning his gaze on dad.

"I am Vector's Consigliere. Take my advice and do not touch the girl. Vector would prefer to see the girl unharmed."

I slowly turned, and my eyes met Vector's. They were thin, and he held a cigar in his hand. The smoke blew over his features as he held my gaze, his lips set in a tight, straight line.

"I am her father. I believe I can correct her when she is wrong."

The Consigliere slowly shook his head. "Not in Vector's presence. You shall not touch her."

By now, everyone was looking, the band playing for no one. I raised my head to Vector again, and he had turned away, his head titled as he put out the cigar.

"I am sorry," I blurted. "My father is just playing around. Please."

The man raised his brow, then turned to my father. Dad slowly put his hand down, his fingers clenching together. The man stood there for a while longer, as if to make sure dad realized he meant business before he slowly turned away.

I watched him rejoin Vector, and my eyes naturally drifted to him again. He was talking to someone now, his attention completely diverted from me. I turned to dad. He looked barely controlled, and I swallowed hard.

"Dad, I am sorry. I just... I should go to the washroom..."

He didn't reply, and I bit down on my lips, my guilt mounting. I turned away, then with brisk steps, left the banquet hall.

I took the long path to the nearest window. We were on the second floor, and the large windows offered a breathtaking view of the city. I sighed, then walked to the balcony. My lips parted as I let out a shaky breath, my fingers raking through my hair as my eyes closed.

The party had only started, and this had to happen. To think I had been excited to be here. My eyes opened, and I looked down at my hand. The gloveless one. I let out another breath to try to conceal the treacherous effects of that kiss, that look, that man.

I could hear the distant music, and I bit down on my lips. Dad would be alone, and knowing him, he would just go sulk in a corner. He calms real fast. I sighed, then started to turn back to the hall.

Suddenly, like a gust of wind, I felt someone pull me by the waist, pushing me back. I gave a yelp as I went back, my back bending over on the balcony railing, my eyes wide as I looked up.

Vector's face came into slow view in front of me, and he gave a smirk as his hand came to cup around my neck.

"V... Vector?"

His smirk grew a little bigger, but never reached his eyes. "Glad you remember."

How could I forget? Even the darkness in his eyes showed he knew that I could not just forget.

"What... what are you..."

"How old are you?" His voice was low, dark, and I swallowed, shivers running down my spine. The dress was backless, and the cold iron railing was more than enough stimulation, without Vector adding to it.

"Why? Why do you want to know?"

He laughed once, exposing his sharp canines. Without answering, he pulled me forward, draping me over his shoulders, like I was some conquest.

Quite crazy, but I wouldn't mind being conquered by him. Slowly, his finger traced the long line of my spine, drawing a long, shaky breath out of me, my body almost trembling, my mind shutting down.

"I need to know if you are old enough."

I swallowed. "Old enough?"

"To show me how shameless you can get."

My lips parted, and I turned, meeting my eyes. His eyes were intense and dark, and I swear, no red-blooded woman could have survived that.

I moved further, my head tilting to him, my lips parting. My hand came to rest on his shoulder, then slowly to caress the tattoo on the right side of his neck.

His smirk was dark again, and I knew I was conquered.

"I already am," I whispered, barely recognising myself. "I am already shameless."