shadows of paradis [various!attack on titan x reader] [mafia!au]

(16) To the Man Who Loved and Lost

2/5

In the dimly lit alley, the rain fell in a relentless curtain, obscuring the world beyond. The cold, hard cobblestones echoed with the solitary tap of footsteps, each one a rhythmic punctuation in the quietude of the night. A young woman, probably 21 years of age, hood drawn tightly around her face, hurried through the streets, the tension in her body speaking of urgent business. Her [E/C] colored eyes darted from side to side, searching for any sign of danger or the elusive figure she had been searching for, for hours.

Her heart raced as she caught a glimpse of him - Dominic Martinez, or 'Dom' as he was known in the underworld. His muscular frame sheathed in a tailored leather jacket that hugged his broad shoulders. Tall and confident, with skin that seemed perpetually kissed by the sun, he was a vision of masculine perfection. The sharp lines of his jaw were shadowed by a day's worth of stubble, and his piercing gaze seemed to cut through the darkness. Despite the chill in the air, a bead of sweat trickled down his neck, hinting at the exertion of his recent activities.

As [Y/N] approached, she felt his navy blue eyes on her, a caress that sent a shiver down her spine. She had to admit, even after all she had seen and done, he still had a certain charm that was hard to resist. He took the envelope from her, his strong hands brushing against hers, sending a jolt of electricity through her body. His smile was a wicked curve of his lips, a promise of trouble wrapped in a seductive package.

"It's been a while, hasn't it, love?" Dom's voice was a low rumble, as smooth as the whiskey he favored. He leaned against the wall, his arms crossed over his chest, and [Y/N] couldn't help but let her gaze linger on the way the fabric of his shirt stretched taut over his biceps.

"Too long," she replied, then stepped closer, the rain plastering her clothes to her body and outlining her curves. The air crackled with tension, a potent mix of danger and desire. "But business is business."

Dom chuckled, his deep ocean eyes lingering on the envelope before sliding back to hers. "Always the professional." He tucked it into his jacket, his gaze never leaving hers. "But tell me, sweetheart, what brings you out here in this weather? Not just for a simple delivery, I suspect."

Taking a deep breath, she stepped even closer, her heart thudding in her chest. "Vince has a job for you," she said, her voice low and urgent. "He wants to meet at my apartment. It's... it's important."

Dom's smile faded, his eyes narrowing slightly. "What kind of job?" he asked, his tone cautious.

"I can't say," the hooded woman replied, her heart racing even faster. "But you know Vince. It's always something... profitable."

The tall man studied her for a long moment, his gaze piercing through the rain. "Alright," he finally said, pushing off the wall. "But you owe me for this."

They arrived at her apartment, the scent of smoke and the faint tang of something illicit thick in the air. The room was a haze of shadows and flickering candlelight, the only sounds the crackle of the fireplace and the distant murmur of the city outside. Vincent "Vince" Russo lounged in an armchair, his eyes bloodshot and a cigar clenched between his teeth. He was a man who had seen too much, too young, and it showed in the lines etched into his face and the coldness of his stare. His white hair was slicked back, and his tailored suit was rumpled, as if he had been up all night orchestrating some nefarious scheme. Vince was a man of many faces, a chameleon in the underworld of the city. To some, he was a brutal enforcer, feared for his ruthless efficiency. To others, he was a cunning strategist, always one step ahead of the law. But to [Y/N], he had once been a mentor, a man who had taught her the art of the deal and the code not only of the computers, but of the streets. He had found her when she was nothing more than a street urchin, her talents for hacking and espionage untapped. Sensing her potential, he had taken her under his wing, molding her into a formidable asset for his operations. Together, they had scaled the heights of the city's criminal underbelly, their partnership built on mutual respect and a shared love for the thrill of the hunt.