Work Text:
Kai was fuming. Literally! As she was walking towards her car, the air was chilly and carried with it a breath of ice. Her airy exhales became small angry steams in the evening breeze. She should have known the moment the assignment came in! She should have anticipated what followed, yet she kept a small glint of hope that her boss would not choose her… That one of the mafia groopies could be used instead! Then, boss Yamato could not trust anyone else with infiltrating, remaining safe while doing it, not betraying the organization and finding all they needed to know! Could he?
The new group that arrived in their district, Verita famiglia, was high and mighty all of a sudden! Yamato ignored them in the beginning, since they paid their respects and kept boundaries and rules. Always calm and patient, he wanted to see the full extent of their resources before panicking! After just four months of hitting the spotlight, with precise and well-thought-of moves, they had won over many competitors and had closed of deals her boss was hunting for weeks! Now, Yamato had taken a turn towards anxious. Anxious? No, that was not accurate… ‘Grinding his teeth in fury mixed with small bursts of panic every time they were mentioned’ was technically more accurate, although less flattering for a mafia boss!
They needed an insider, but that had proved quite a conundrum! They were dealing with business in a modern yet tight way. Everything was double-checked. Their head of ‘la famiglia’ was never seen outside formal ‘union’ meetings, and those occurred via zoom calls, like they were all running companies and had to sit over lunch and discuss stock holders and investment rates! Where was the old-fashioned mystery, the back stabbings, the Italian finesse of the business? Yamato was trying to find a subtle yet secure way to ‘open the door’ and have a look-see inside Verita organization, but nothing could be done. Especially when the rest of the bosses tried and failed miserably!
The perfect opportunity presented itself in the form of a discreet request for a female model close to Christmas. Someone from the Verita family was going to the boss’ retreat up in the mountains and stay for a day. They were in need of a well-built yet not fashion-obsessed female presence to paint. The model would just have to work for 6 hours on Saturday evening, but would be paid for the entire weekend. She was needed at the lodge before noon on Saturday to allow the artist time to familiarise self with her image. A room would be provided for the model, should she needed to depart next morning. The rest of the time, she would be ‘free to use the premises to her pleasure, staying within the boundaries of her own condo and the common areas’, as was stated in the e-mail directed to one of the model agencies.
What the sender knew was that whoever saw the e-mail would know this was not an escort request and should be dealt with secrecy and professionalism. They chose one of the less known and rather small agencies to avoid being pinpointed. What they did not know was that Yamato’s own nephew had stocks in that agency and his own men in it. The e-mail reached Yamato’s personal account before the agency director ever had a chance to see it! As was expected, the close and trusted circle was summoned to discuss the best strategy.
No-one’s mind went to Sakai, as she was not seen as a beautiful woman! Despite the fact that she could make heads turn with an audible ‘snap’ every time she took her days off seriously and went for a night out, she was seen as boss’ trusted ‘man’ in everything. Her athletic build, her daily training with the guys, her choice of loosely stitched dark blue or grey suits at work made her blend in better! So, when Minato proposed her as the most suitable candidate, the silence in the room was deafening…Eyes fell on him, not all friendly. Then, the same sets of eyes focused on their leader.
“So… What?” Yamato asked, a deep frown between his dark eye-brows. “He asked for a model, Minato…” he said, pinching the bridge of his nose with his index and thumb. “A female model…” Yamato said, his voice clearly pleading his left-hand man to reconsider before he let Sakai release her anger upon him for even thinking such a thought. But Minato was determined!
“She is a female, and-” Minato started answering, but some of the guys, including Sakai, stood up and leaned menacingly towards him. “Oi, oi, it is the truth! She can be gorgeous! I have partnered with her in assassination jobs and she can seduce the deadliest of them, just with a smile or a flick of her hips! WHAT?” he said, a faint hint of panic in his voice as Sakai smiled her side sneer at him, playing with her throwing knife.
“Tell us of your hard-ons once we have more alcohol in us, won’t you, dear?” she joked, her voice dripping threat. She started circling him with that creepy smile on. “Or do continue… Dead men walking should be given a chance to confess their sins…”
Yamato and the rest chuckled. But then, her boss grabbed both her shoulders and turned her towards him. “Lemme look at you, m?” he said, his voice pensive. Sakai had never felt so uncomfortable in her life, with the exception of when her primary teacher had praised her art project in front of the whole class! She had not painted since – well, not in public display, anyway… Yamato’s eyes strolled over her body, taking their time, up and down. “They are correct, Kai. You are perfect for the job! Athletic and pretty. Nothing too striking! Nothing too modern! Not perfect, but very good! Not snotty or excessive, like many women nowadays. He needs a blank canvas that is feminine and strong. You are it! And you possess the calmness and composure to extract the info we need.”
Sakai tried speaking, realizing her cheeks were burning – anger, embarrassment or both? Twice she tried and twice she failed, when Yamato’s hand squeezed her shoulders. “We have been waiting for an opportunity like this for months! I want my best man for the job! And my best man needs to be a seductive woman that will pose for the loser and get him talking!” he said, trying to make her compliant. “This is not a request, Kai. Do not let me down…” he said and left her standing there, as they started discussing the details… He knew her loyalty and need to prove herself and be the best would not let her deny. Or fail…
She left the meeting fuming and cussing inside, while her face betrayed nothing but a stony expression of determination – maybe mixed with a touch of homicidal anger to those that knew her. A flirty and relaxed female? A model to be painted? Her? Oh brother… She walked to her car and started driving home. She had bags to pack and a big bottle to take the edge off. Tonight of all nights, she would need it!
She opened the window despite the cold, and let the freeze calm her aching heart. She could not help but think who that man she was about to meet was and what fate had in store for her this time. She stood there caressing the long scar that started from her ear lobe and reached almost the side of her lips – a sign of stress for her. Her thoughts were interrupted when the driver behind her honked his horn! She returned to the present and drove away from home with the music blasting!
Saturday noon she arrived at the address provided by the agency. She parked her car and got out, carrying her small stay-over bag. Snapping her neck and trying to control herself and go with the part of the slightly innocent and carefree girl, she knocked on the heavy wooden door of the isolated condo. Her tight jeans and black turnover blouse under her heavy winter coat and snow boots kept her warm on her way over. She had rented an old used car to come that resembled an open spaghetti strainer... Nothing to tie her to her identity. She would be Jasmine now! A model! Yay! Not…
“Hmmm isolated and safe. Wood and stone. Big enough with enclosed garage. All windows and the door look fortified and new. There is a hidden camera up by the fake bees’ nest and I bet there are sensors in each opening. This man sure knows how to look after his safety with discretion…” she thought. The door opened and a silver-haired man appeared in front of her as she was making a mental list to report later. “Hello! I am-”
“Passport or ID” he said as his hand stopped her from coming in, face unreadable. Sakai opened her purse carefully and gave him her fake ID. The man, that did not introduce himself, looked it over, checked her out and then shut the door in her face with a dry “Wait” before disappearing. She could hear music coming from inside the lodge. Italian music and rather old-fashioned. “Oh brother…”
After a while, another man opened the same door, this time white-haired. His eyes bordered on lilac mating with a thunderstorm. He scoffed, glimpsing her direction, and then pushed past her and started walking out in the snow. After him came another man, this one with an eye-patch and a huge sword down his back. “What the-“ she murmured before controlling herself. Stopping momentarily at the door, the purple-haired man cleared his throat, looked at her, blushed and ran after the other man! “What’s going on, am I at a hair dresser convention? Is everyone around here a weird model? Is that why they wanted me?” she wondered, observing the strangers heading out.
“Wolf, please!” the newcomer said.
“I cannot tolerate any more noise and racket! That brutal Italian menace is enough! Then we have the Emperor’s crow picking on my petite white beauty!” he shouted.
“Jupiter is an eagle” the other one said as they were walking. “And not a happy one, if he hears you calling him a crow!”
“I don’t care! I’d rather get eaten by a pack of starving wolves while losing my insides to frostbite than staying there! Come, Jean! Let us find a motel! The others will be around somewhere” the white-haired one said and carried on marching towards the forest.
“The town is THAT way!” Sakai shouted to the furious duo while pointing to the correct direction, but they ignored her. She shrugged. It was miles to the nearest village that way… “Suit yourselves, jerks” she snickered, when the door opened for the last time and she was shown in by what appeared like another white-haired and – this time – bloody-eyed man.
“Come in. Sebas, take her suitcase and coat. You, over there! I need to search you!” he barked and the other man removed her coat and suitcase and disappeared through a door. They would probably look into her suitcase. Sakai was internally fuming but smiled what she thought was a sweet smile, making her scar twitch and crook her lips a little. The man started patting her down with abrupt movements, when what could be described as the tallest and most yummy man alive entered the room and fixed his glasses. His olive complexity and chocolate hair framed a face that touched upon arrogance only to flirt with it…
“Non, non! Dio mio! Stop that, Vlad. I can smell her anger all the way to the library and her smile looks like she is about to swallow what Lumiere left on his sand this morning. Ah, apologies, cara mia. Our impaler knows no manners!” the delicacy with an accent said.
“I can impale you anytime, if you insist…” said the man that they called Vlad, grinding his teeth.
“Tease… Oh, they call me Leonardo, si? Andiamo!” the tall cookie dough said and walked ahead of her. Sakai walked after him, followed by Vlad, her mind trying to figure out how he could smell her anger and failing. Once inside the library, the music was louder.
“I need to frisk ‘er!” Vlad said, rather annoyed, playing with a silver double-edged knife – probably to intimidate her.
“All in good time. Wine?” Leonardo said, turning to her.
“N-no, I never drink when I work…” Sakai said instinctively.
“But we are not working yet, cara mia! We are socializing! Balliamo?” Leonardo said and came close to her with a smile warm enough to save the Titanic from the iceberg! Taking her hand and bowing gracefully, he led her onto the dance floor. Sakai was not used to flirting really, but she had a role to play. She started following the rhythm of that man, while repeating a mantra in her head “Smile, calm, nod. Smile, calm, nod!”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEu8DrO9PbY&list=PL5C1AEE4BAFD2C20F&index=19&ab_channel=NoRosesForMe
They danced an Italian song, and Sakai found herself strangely calm after a while. His golden eyes were soothing and reassuring and they traveled up and down her back and sides to twirl and guide her, soft as feathers. By the end of the dance, her reserved smile was more genuine and her heart was calmer.
“That’s better! Have a seat, cara mia.” He poured a glass of wine for him and showed her the coffee and biscuits tray. “She has no guns and there is no powder or metal smell about her. Alright, mother hen?” Leo joked with the other man. Sakai felt a jolt down her spine as she poured the coffee.
“So this was the reason for the intimate dance… Oh he is good! And he missed my ankle dagger!” she noted to herself as she served coffee and sat down, pretending to be shocked and shaking.
“Sir Leonardo, I came here to work! I find the whole frisking and searching idea prep-” she started to complain, when Leo lifted a hand up and stopped her.
“All in good time” he said, his eyes locked with hers. For the first time in ages, Sakai found herself dreaming of warm sunny beaches with sunbeams down her naked back and the waves of a salty ocean making her sleepy in someone’s arms… She visibly shook herself out of the dream and nodded. “Leave us Vlad, prego.”
The other man left. Sakai was no fool. The house was a fort and there were bound to be more people she had not yet seen. She could not attempt anything rash. Besides, she had all the time in the world to act flirty and modelesque this evening! “All men open up when they believe they are getting laid” she thought. Feeling confident that she was still armed and kept the advantage, she started drinking her coffee. It was rich and smooth, sprinkled with an aftertaste of chocolate. The music was turned off and Leo sat across from her, drinking his wine and looking into her eyes with a mysterious smile.
“Is there something wrong, sir Leonardo?” she asked in her best empty light bulb voice.
“Why don’t we start over?” Leo offered a handshake as he stated his name again for her. His hand was dry and calloused. “Leonardo. My friends call me Da Vinci, after the Maestro. Head of la famiglia. And you are…?” he asked, his voice tilting upwards in the end, following his left eye-brow.
“My name is Jasmine, sir. I work for the agency Steps-” Sakai started babbling with the smile that was on every magazine cover, when Leo held her hand firmly and smiled.
“Oh no no no, cara mia. No lies. See, I am the head of a very profitable and dangerous organization. I could not do my job properly if myself and my people were fooled by cheap tricks and shenanigans, could I?” Sakai started feeling worried. “I know, for instance, by observing you that there is a knife of some sort hidden on the lining of your boot. You were favoring the other leg and this one still was heavier during dancing.” Sakai was actually trying to not move her leg and test the position of the knife! How could he…
“I know that the car you drove in is not yours. Too big for your athletic but delicate build and you do not look like a woman that is short on cash or would make a purchase she would not profit from. I can see small scars on your hands that show me you know how to use a knife, as well as your body language that is reserved and ready to run for the exit… Your skin looks fresh and young, but not tended to as a model’s ought to be, if you are making a living out of it.” Sakai shifted in her chair with uneasiness, but tried to contain all emotions. This was a very bad twist.
“And those were mere observations, da vero? Further, I know you are Sakai Kato, Yamato’s right hand man – or would that be woman… Lover, perhaps?” Leo shot her a questioning look. She swallowed hard and shook her head from side to side. There was no point in denying anything now, but she still confirmed nothing by a mere gesture.
“Ah, bene! I would hate to create such a chasm between your boss and us off the bat. So… Start over, Sakai? Why are you here?” he said, drinking his wine and turning the Italian music up again. Sakai swallowed and took a sip of her warm, delicious coffee. How much danger was she in? Was there any point in denying what he said? Maybe a bold and truthful front would make Yamato look honest and non-threatening?
“I came to find out information about you in order to do business. The formal and set-up meetings do not give us the leeway we need to know who we are dealing with! Do you blame us?” she responded, finding the dark pool inside her where she drew her stoic calmness from. “We have tried to communicate and extend a peace treaty open for discussion but were met with locked doors time and time again! We needed to know if you posed a danger!” she said, more emotion in her eyes now.
“Mamma mia! What a fiery woman! I enjoy that” Leo said with a smile, his eyes glinting. Before Sakai could bring herself up to chastise a Mob boss, he spoke again. “Extend a peace offering, huh? How about this? I will consent to a meeting with your boss and his legal representatives, as long as you agree to do what we paid the agency for” he said, leaning back in his chair and re-filling his glass.
“Too much alcohol early in the day will do that to you…” she commented, regretting it instantly!
“Do what, cara mia?”
“Make you think I came here for-” she started saying but Leo cut her off with his hand up.
“Are you always rude or do I solely enjoy the pleasure of your sourness? You are here as a model. Believe it or not, I want a female painted as a gift for a friend of mine. It is Isaac’s birthday on Christmas day, and I want to offer him a painting of a female holding an apple… That is why I was happy you were a brunette! You shall symbolize the cinnamon and chocolate sin in the painting, holding an apple! The hair will be down, the look suggestive but unyielding – now, now it contains disgust and anger, I want all that gone! You may need to be semi nude for-”
“SemiWHAT?” she said, suddenly standing up, feeling her cheeks flare. How dare he!
“… Your initial thought was that you would be coming here as a call girl for sex, and you are offended by artistic nudity in a Renaissance painting? You need some wine, If I may say so, cara mia!” He stood up and offered her a glass. She took the glass and looked at the small bubbles in its white liquid body. The smell was somewhat fruity.
“Okay. Let’s say, for a moment, that I agree to do this. Can’t believe I am actually thinking it… Anyway! Pretend I am not appalled. Talk me through it and make it as painless as possible” she said, leaving the glass down! She rarely drank, and never when having to make important decisions!
“Allora, if you do stay this evening and let me finish the painting – I am a fast painter, worry not – you can even drive home tonight! I shall have my painting and you shall go back to your boss with initial information about us and an invitation to a meeting. Va bene?” he asked, licking his lips. “Your virginity shall be intact, you have my word!” he joked immediately after.
Sakai fumed again, while her cheeks re-invented red and she tried extra hard to retain her professional composure. “I AM NO VIRGIN, SIR!” she said rather defiantly, regretting the comment the very next moment! “Oh fuck, one does not simply discuss sex matters with an enemy mob boss, dummy!” she self-reprimanded!
“I care not, carissima, either way. It is your choice! I merely stated that my intentions tonight are not to seduce you into my bed. We have plenty of nights after this one to make it happen! Da vero?” He chuckled as he stood up and checked his watch. “I would propose you retire into the bathroom and change into your perfume and the red silken robe in there. I will set up the cushions for you over by the sofa, si? Vai!” he said and walked off, like a man expected to be obeyed.
Sakai swallowed her anger and marched off. At the end of the day, she would go along with this. She had already compromised her identity – or so it seemed – and could not go back empty handed! She washed her face and took her time to come to terms with what was about to happen. Strangely enough, she trusted him to hold up to his end of the bargain. After much talk with herself about the things that made her calm – like driving home tonight with music blasting in the car speakers and a meeting with her boss and this man – she came out of the bathroom and walked over to a pile of white pillows laid casually about the floor.
The scenery was indeed suggestive and arty. The sofa and lush carpet were white. There was a white silken sheet draped over them. An apple was sitting inviting on a plate by her glass of golden wine. Leo came and, very tenderly, took her hand and kissed it. The old-fashioned gesture caught her off guard and made her feel warmer. The music now in the background was soft jazz, complementing the fireplace that was creating shadow plays on the white walls. She noticed that all the room was wooden and pale, except for the huge library at the other end of the vast space. She smiled. “Is this where you paint me like one of your French girls?” she joked.
“I am fonder of Mediterranean beauty, to be honest, but hai ragione” he said chuckling. “Sei pronta, miss Sakai?” She nodded, suddenly feeling shy. Shy? She was never shy! Rude, yes. Ironic? For sure! Broken? You bet! But shy? “I need you to take the robe off and let yourself be embraced by the white sheet. Then, sit on the pillows like you are unfolding, like you just woke up, half off them. Si? Your face should be turned over that way, to let the firelight caress your features.” He said, careful not to touch her.
“But… That way, my scar will show!” she said before stopping herself!
“Da vero, it will. Do you have a problem with it?” he asked, as he was arranging the small items out of the way, not looking at her as she slipped out of the robe and into the cool silken fabric of the sheet.
"It… I… My other side is better!” she said, a bit anxious.
Leo came close to her with a knowing smile. “Sit…” he said and she obliged, driven by an unknown force. Then, he went to his knees and raised his hand. “May I?” he asked and she nodded yes. His fingers took her clammer off and away. Her hair, brown and lush, went down to her shoulders. “Ah, la chocolatta, che bella” he said! Then, his fingers traced her scar, focusing on the small differences in texture on her skin. Sakai almost closed her eyes and sighed. In all her memories, she could not find one that she felt a more erotic or intimate touch. This man was truly a wizard!
“There is nothing wrong with scars, cara mia. We all have plenty of them, whether we let others see them or not. I want to show that a fighter is as seductive and as beautiful as anyone. In fact, having survived whatever gave you this gift and standing here before me, more intoxicating than the finest wine, is a testament to your beauty… Now, allow me…” he said, his voice deep and purring. Sakai felt relaxed and flattered, and did something she rarely allowed herself. She let go. His hands touched her to give her body and face the angles and shape they wished, and she felt rather cold when he was done, missing the lingering touch. “Perfetta…” he whispered and went to his canvas.
The first hour passed while Kai was trying to convince herself that she was beautiful and failing miserably – albeit being absolutely still in the process. Music was playing and Leo would sketch and later on paint without any interruption. A couple of times he came over and adjusted a lock of hair or her chin being too low, or lifting her hand holding the apple a bit closer to her mouth. She tried initiating conversation but that was shut off, too! At some point, Leo dropped the paints down and came towards her.
“No, no, no! Your face gives off a defeated vibe and you cannot relax and stop talking! Luckily, I am all but done!” Sakai felt both happy and sad. She could go! Couldn’t she? She stood up, holding the sheet that had revealed nothing really important, and looked at him. “You look relieved… You could go now, if you wanted. I have what I need, except…” he looked into her eyes with a plea.
Sakai felt her knees grow weak for a second. “What? What, what? Just tell me, what! Tell me…” she silently prayed but never verbalized. He came even closer.
“I have even the shadows pre-arranged in my head, down to the last drop of colour. I do not really need you. But I lack a sinful, erotic, confident look out of your eyes. Allora, I could paint one on da solo, but I’d rather have your own interpretation of it…” Leo said.
Sakai was standing there, feeling redundant and quite the opposite of sexy. Leo scoffed and took her hand in his. Starting slowly, he massaged her hand and worked his way up to her elbow, to relax her, before laying another one of those soft kisses of his on her palm this time. She shook and almost sighed again, goosebumps layering her skin now. Her mind was trying to panic, throwing red flashing lights and sirens up in the air, but Kai’s eyes were heavy-lid and she was looking into that man’s golden gaze as if she could decipher an ancient scroll.
“Having been raised a Catholic, the serpent that drips temptation must have had quite an impact on the virgin couple. I need your serpent eyes, cara mia. How can we make this happen? I need to see lust curse through your veins to paint it…” he whispered, his lips dangerously close. Sakai looked from his magnetic eyes down to those red wet lips, licking her own. Leo took that as an invitation and closed the distance between them.
A moment. A cut-off breath of immortal sin. It was only a moment when their lips met, but Sakai felt as if her heart could suddenly expand and rejoice! Oh… When Leo stepped back, his smile was tender yet triumphant. “Brava! That is precisely the look that would make me leave Paradise to find again…” he said. Sakai smiled and blushed. She chuckled and stepped back.
“Would that be all, Leonardo?” she asked, secretly wishing t ohear both a yes and a no.
“Mmm, si, cara mia. I can finish now. Grazie. Tell your boss that I will contact him for the details of the meeting. Of course, you are free to stay over, if you like! Sebas has a delizioso pork cooked con miele for tonight!” he offered as he went back to his painting.
Sakai shook her head. “Thank you but no! I’d rather go home! Pleasure to have met you” she said, back-stepping to the door. Leo chuckled and saluted her. This was one woman to remember!
She got dressed rather quickly and found her way to the exit without any weird encounters. The car was where she had left it that noon, yet strangely different. She felt she had learned something about herself tonight, but could not yet grasp what. "All in time, Leo, right?" She got into the car and waited for over ten minutes for the heating system to turn on. "Ah, it's ALIVE!" she chuckled and drove off into the night.
On her drive back, she found a swing station to listen to. “That man…” she thought. “That man, oh my!” All things considered, she was pleased at how the night turned out. Pleased and a bit lonely. Felt cozy by the fire… Cozy and safe and...
“No! Stupid!” she shouted at herself. “No fraternizing with the enemy! No negotiating with hot, hulky, flirty Italian studs that can paint and probably seduce their way to hell! Besides, that was the last you've seen of him and his stupid painting! No! I don’t care, nope!” she kept repeating out loud.
Little did she know that she would be receiving the painting as a gift for Christmas herself, with the title “You know you want a bite”. The note that came with the painting said "Isaac was happy to receive a 17th century Italian recipe book. I could not let your beauty be seen by many, now, could I, cara mia? Happy Holidays. L."
THE END