20

'Oh and one more thing you're coming with me and your mother to the ball tonight.'

'But.'

'No buts munchkin be ready for eight.'

'Okay papa.'

'I'll see you at eight bye munchkin.'

'Bye papa.'

I put the phone down fuck, I've never gone to the ball my dad said I was always to young so why now? Fuck it will be full of the mob and mafia it has been like this for around twenty years now since my father and Gabe's father were in an alliance together god I hope he wouldn't be there tonight.

'Hey Gabrielle look at this.'

What is it?'

'An invite.'

Gabrielle took the folded card off Demetri and looked at it it was one of a kind his father had mentioned it a few times but he had declined in the past. 'What is it Gabrielle?'

'An invite to the Campbell's ball.'

'Are you going?'

'We all are.'

'We are what?'

'He's invited all of us.'

'It will give you chance to speak to Charlotte.'

I guess it will.

'It's at eight pm.'

'Guess we have a few hours till we have to get changed.

'I guess we do.'

The ball

The room was elegant and huge the food spread across on of the back walls the bar the other side. The disco bell sparkling and shimmering across the dance floor, tables and chairs situated around the dance area and the stage.

Charlotte smiled as she entered in her burgundy ball gown and heels everyone staring at her. Cade walked over to her. 'You like amazing pumpkin.'

'Thanks dad.'

They hugged. 'And where's mine?'

She looked up and smiled. 'Mom.'

Charlotte baby you've grown so much.'

They hugged.

'Come I'd like you to meet some of our investors.'

'Sure dad.'

They all walked away Cade introducing her to his investors and some of his mob brothers go's they looked scary but she chose to ignore her nerves.

Gabrielle, Marcel and Dimitri walked in wearing tucks and fuck they all looked hot. 'Charlotte.'

'Guys I don't expect to see you here.'

'Your dad invited us. We don't usually come but we'd thought we'd make an appearance seen as we'll all be working together.

She nodded.

'Fancy a drink?'

'Sure why not.'

'What would you like?'

'Red some please.'

'Coming up.'

Gabrielle went to the bar and got their drinks she thanked him. 'So is this your first time to the ball Charlotte?'

'Yeah I never came dad said I was too young.'

'And now?'

She went to answer as her father's voice boomed onto the microphone asking her to join her on stage. 'I'll be back guys.'

'We'll be waiting.'

She smiled walking away. 'She's fucking hot Gabrielle.'

'I know.'

'This is my daughter Charlotte Campbell she will be taking over Phoenix enterprises and will be working alongside Gabrielle, Dimitri and Marcel of Rossi industries together they will turn out enterprise around with their contacts. Boys.' he said calling them up to the stage so that's why he wanted her there and them sneaky fucker.

They strolled over to the stage lookig at Charlotte's and shaking her fathers hand. 'I'm Gabrielle Russo snd theses are my brothers Dimitri and Marcel we are delighted that Mr. Campbell chose to do business with us and I can assure you that we will not disappoint any of you.'

They all clapped and they made their way down the steps and off the stage as Cade asked them to go to his office.'

Gabrielle nodded, he looked at Charlotte . 'We're just going to talk to your father we'll continue our conversation when we return.'

She nodded and they walked out.

The music started and gill0n walked over to her. Fuck not now. 'So how's about that dance Charlotte.'

'What about it.'

'Come on char be nice we don't want your father know why your being a bitch to his second in line.'

'Sure whatever.'

He smirked taking her hand pulling her into him as he danced with her, she hated been this close to him. 'Maybe we can go somewhere after the ball.'

'Maybe not.'

'Don't be so cruel char baby you know you want me like I want you.'

'Don't flatter yourself.'

He gripped tighter. 'You won't deny me miss Campbell I am your superior.'

'Like I care I'm not interested.'

'I'll make sure you are.'

'Never.'

He leaned his head down kissing her neck. 'You smell so sexy Charlotte I'd lie to rip all your clothes off and see your sexy body.'

'I...'

'May I.'

She looked up to a smiling Gabrielle. Thank fuck.

'No you may not.' Gillion gritted out.'

'I wasn't asking you I was asking the lady.' He loked a her. 'Char.'

'You can't call her that only her friends call her that.'

'Well I guess I'm her friend then aren't I. Char would you like this dance?'

'I would..'

He grinned pulling her away from Gillion.' He pulled her close dancing with her. 'Thanks for that.'

'Who was he babe you didn't look comfortable.'

'He is my fathers right hand man who thinks I'm interested in him.'

He laughed. 'Is he delusional?'

'Obviously.'

After they danced and had a few drinks they danced again as his friends watched Gillion stood jaw clenched planing his next move and what he'd do to the ass hole that took his girl away from him. Demitri leaned to Gabrielle ear whispering . 'I think you've got a hat fan Gabrielle. He's been watch you all night if looks could kill they would.

He looked over at Gillion and smirked. He looked at Charlotte moving forward. 'Just go with the flow babe.' He pressed his lips on hers before she had chance to ask what he was talking about, she returned his kiss and he depend it slipping his tongue in kissing her hungrily.'

He moved away. 'Shall we get out of here?'

She noded.

He took her hand and they walked out going up stairs to the rooms they'd been allocated for the night.' 'Keep a look out b[guys I have a feeling he will follow us so be ready.'

They nodded.

He opened the door pulling Charlotte in. 'Lucky fucker.'

'Damn straight.'

He pulled Charlotte closer, pressing his lips on hers kissing her passionately she returned his kiss fuck the booze was really fuckign with her head right now. He kissed her harder and harder their clothes flew to the wooden floor he pulled her toward the bed laying her down indulging sexually in her.

~

Charlotte slowly opened her eyes fuck the headache. His smile lit up the whole room.' Shit.'

Her head shot forward. 'Owe shit char what the fuck?'

'How you get in here?'

'It's my room.'

'Why am I in your room?'

'You came in with me last night.'

'No no no.'

'It wasn't that bad was it?'

'I..'

'Look I'm sorry I had to leave you right that prick but your father W ted to talk business with all of us.'

'It's fine Gabe.'

'No it's not I wanted to talk to you.'

'What about?'

Everything,' he looked deep into her eyes. 'Look char I'm really sorry for what happened before we left school.'

'But it did Gabe I thought you were my friend.'

'I was.'

'So why ?'

'I'm so sorry char I was angry after everything with my father and him not giving me the answers I wanted. When that prick told me you knew all a long where my father was I lost it. And I shouldn't. I should've realised you are just like me. You respect your family and family is everything with out family there is nothing. I should never have been so cold with you. I tried to apologise but you Ignored me til now so here it is I'm sorry for ever doubting you Charlotte Campbell family is more important than friends and I hope you accept my apology.'

'I accept your apology Gabe can we just put it all behind us and begin again.'

'I'd like that and I'd lie even more if you'd be my girl.'

She looked at him, the colour drained from her face. 'I'm being serious char I wanted to ask you after prom before all the shit went down. And no it has nothing to do with who you or your family are. You've done something to me char so that g no other girl ever has. You make me hard just thinking about you and even harder when I say you take those guys out and how you took Amanda and her friends down. I want you by my side not just as my girl but as my partner in crime what do you say Char will you be my girl?

She smiled widely she had no idea he felt the same as her she couldn't believe he'd confessed it all to her.' So is that a yes?'

She nodded her he'd to shocked to reply.

He smiled pressing his lips on hers kissing her deeply and passionately wrapping her legs around him pushing himself inside her making love to her as she moaned out he thrusted deeper and faster until they came together. 'Decided we sand United we fall with you by my side there's no stopping us char.' He said kissing her lips.