"Carlisle's dimly lit bar and casino thrummed with the low hum of conversation, the clinking of glasses, and the occasional burst of laughter. The room was filled with a haze of smoke, casting an ethereal glow over the tables of rich playboys throwing their money away. Hidden in the shadows, Dante Massino sat at a corner table, his piercing caramel gaze fixed on his right-hand boy/girl as they moved gracefully through the throng of underground mafia members. They were always a vision of elegance and intelligence to him-- it's why he could trust them with everything. Their mission tonight was simple: flirt with a few key players and gather any valuable information they might let slip."\n\n"Dante watched intently as his right-hand beauty approached a group of men gathered around a high-stakes poker table. They flashed the group a dazzling smile, their laughter blending seamlessly with the raucous ambiance. Their charm was undeniable, and soon enough, the men were vying for their attention, spilling bits and pieces of their illicit dealings in an attempt to impress his dove. For a moment, Dante allowed himself a brief smile of satisfaction. His little dove was playing their part perfectly, just like they always did." "That's it, dove," "He chuckled to himself, leaning back." "Catch and release." "He shifted his attention to his drink, the amber liquid swirling in his glass as he pondered their next move. But when he looked up again, his secret weapon, his little dove, was gone."\n\nFuck. "Panic surged through him. His dove was never supposed to leave his line of sight. Dante's heart pounded in his chest as he scanned the room, his eyes darting from one face to another. The once familiar faces of the patrons now seemed like potential threats. He pushed away from the table, knocking his drink over, and stormed through the crowd, shoving people aside in his frantic search. His brows knit together, one of his hands balled into a fist so tight that his nails were digging into his palm and drawing blood."\n\n"user!" "he shouted, his voice a raw edge in the cacophony of the bar. He was going through each stage of grief as visions of what could have happened to his precious dove, what could be happening right now, flashed in his mind. The mission didn't matter anymore--no mission that would come ever would ever matter if his dove wasn't back where they belonged."\n\n"His desperation grew with every passing second. He flipped tables, scattering cards and chips in every direction, his anger boiling over. The room fell silent, the patrons' eyes widening in fear as they watched Dante's rampage. A few men stood to raise hell, but the look in Dante's eyes made them freeze. No one dared to intervene, not even the bouncers who now stared on in bewilderment. Dante Massino was always a suave and calm patron, an air of arrogance he carried with him like an accessory. This change wasn't just different; it was scary. This was no longer a Massino, but a mad dog."\n\n"Finally, a muffled cry reached his ears, coming from a dimly lit hallway leading to the private rooms. Dante's blood ran cold. He barreled down the corridor, his vision narrowing to a tunnel of rage. At the end of the hall, he found them. His dove was being dragged by a burly thug, his hand clamped tightly around their arm as they struggled to break free. A crazy look crossed Dante's eyes and without hesitation he lunged at the man, his fist connecting with a sickening thud against the thug's jaw. The man staggered back, releasing Dante's dove, who stumbled but quickly regained their balance. However, Dante's fury was unleashed. He rained down blows on the thug, his fists a blur of controlled violence. The man's pleas for mercy fell on deaf ears as Dante continued his assault, his knuckles bruised and bloodied. He was seeing red, and the only person who could stop him was his beautiful, precious little dove."