‘Someone’s up early.’ Niall said with a smile as he entered the living room, running his hands through his hair. Violet was sitting in the windowsill drinking her coffee and smoking a cigarette, watching the city below as the sun continued to rise and billows of smoke drifted out the slightly open window. Niall walked over to her, admiring her beauty. The sunlight danced across her long eyelashes, illuminating her eyes and revealing their true color. Many people thought that the girl’s eyes were dark brown or even nearly black, but Niall knew better. When the light touched Violet’s face, you could see the many shades of brown that made up her irises, outlined in a deep honey, growing darker as they approached the pupil. She looked up at Niall with her sweet smile, saying nothing but communicating all the same. He kissed her forehead, cupping her face with his hands. ‘What did I say about wearing my clothes?’ He joked, touching her shoulder. ‘That if I do you can’t be accounted for your actions because I look irresistibly sexy in your shirts.’ Violet responded with a smile. Niall shook his head, laughing as he remembered the first time he came home to find Violet wearing one of his shirts. She’d fallen asleep on the couch, watching Breakfast at Tiffany’s for the hundredth time. He’d watched it with her so many times that he could recite the movie word for word, although he’d never admit it. ‘What are you up to today?’ He asked, reaching for her cigarette before putting it between his lips and taking a long drag. Violet shrugged, hugging her knees, ‘Juliet is coming over in a bit, we’re going to go shopping.’ She said, taking a sip of her coffee. ‘Having a bit of a girl’s day?’ Niall asked, smiling so that his one dimple appeared. Violet nodded, remembering how Juliet had taken her under her wing once she began seeing Niall. Juliet was dating Harry, Niall’s right hand man and best friend. She worked as a model, having traveled to Milan and Paris for her work, but she thought the fashion industry was a sham and only saw it as a means of income and access to free clothes, which she often shared with Violet. Niall approved of Violet and Juliet’s friendship, he was glad that she had somebody she could relate to, having experienced the ups and downs that came with the territory of their world. ‘Good, you can pick up something nice for tonight.’ Niall said, blowing smoke out of his mouth as Violet reached for her pack of cigarettes, lighting another. ‘Oh, right,’ Violet said distantly, remembering the event that they were scheduled to go to that evening. Harry was hosting a party, a celebration of sorts for their recent successes. ‘I forgot. I’ve been so wrapped up in school.’ Auditions for some of the world’s biggest dance companies were approaching, and Violet had started spending most of her hours in the studio, trying to perfect her technique. ‘Well, make sure you pick out something hot,’ Niall said, walking to the counter and opening his wallet, ‘Is this enough?’ He asked, picking out a wad of bills and handing them to Violet. She nodded her head without bothering to count the cash. Niall’s position surprisingly required that they went to many fancy events, to associate with other people in their circle of business. Violet’s job was to accompany Niall and look nice, occasionally conversing with some of the other girlfriends and wives. ‘Will you be conducting any business tonight?’ Violet asked curiously. ‘Of course baby, but nothing serious. We have a shipment coming in next week and we want to make sure everything’s secure. Harry and Juliet also have an announcement.’ He said with a wink. ‘What!?’ Violet said, jumping up from her spot. Her friends had been dating since well before Violet came onto the scene and she was anxiously waiting for the day that they announced their engagement. Niall nodded with a laugh, ‘don’t say anything though. Juliet wants to tell you herself. I went with Harry a few weeks ago to pick out the ring, it’s pretty impressive.’ He said, remembering how excited his friend had been. It was funny; events like this reminded the group that although they often dealt with situations requiring them to possess maturity beyond their years, they were still a bunch of kids experiencing the ups and downs of early adulthood. ‘It’s crazy, it feels like just yesterday we were all in school together and Harry was scared to ask out the new girl.’ He laughed, remembering how their group had formed as teenagers. They’d decided that university wasn’t for them; they were destined to do better things. Slowly they began discussing their options, eventually committing to a lifestyle that revolved around crime, risk and peril. But it was all worth it; they’d made it and were reveling in their power and success. They ran this city and everything they’d ever wanted was at their fingertips. Niall was only 21, but he could already envision the life ahead of him. He intended to marry Violet, eventually having kids that would take over his position, inheriting the business. Maybe they’d have a girl, who would share Violet’s passion for dance and beauty and a boy who appreciated the adrenaline filled lifestyle that Niall had grown to love. ‘What kind of shipment is it?’ Violet asked, her eyes suddenly lighting up. Niall came out of his thoughts of their future together, knowing that this question would come sooner or later. ‘Your favorite baby girl.’ He said, brushing her hair out of her face. Violet clapped her hands together, her face mirroring that of a schoolgirl. ‘You can only have a bit though, you have auditions coming up.’ Niall said, his protective nature taking over. ‘Okay.’ Violet said, happy to oblige. Despite everything that they encountered, dance was the most important thing in her life after Niall. Since she was young she’d dreamed of becoming a dancer, never imagining that she would be able to go to one of the most prestigious dance schools in the world. Once she’d admitted this to Niall he’d secured her a spot at the renowned Royal Academy of Dance. He’d used his connections to get her admittance without an audition; he knew that the school would be blown away with her dancing. ‘Niall,’ Violet said suddenly, quietly, her silvery, singsong voice beckoning him to her as she held out her hand. She loved being closed to him, constantly clinging to him wherever they went. ‘Yes baby?’ he said, walking over to her and taking her hand. Instead of answering she purely smiled at him as she often did. She had a smile that could move mountains, at least in Niall’s eyes. In a moment he could go from murderous to benevolent, just by the sound of her voice. She leaned her head against his chest as he wrapped his arm around her shoulders, looking out the window. ‘This is all ours baby. This is our fucking city.’ ‘Wanna see something?’ Violet asked, looking up at Niall. ‘Of course.’ He said, knowing what was coming. Violet placed her cup of coffee on the windowsill, skipping to the couch. ‘Remember how I was having trouble with my fouette turns?’ She said, getting on her knees and searching under the couch. ‘Where the fuck are they?’ She said to herself, standing up. ‘Have you seen my-‘ ‘I put them on the bookcase.’ Niall answered. ‘Oh, of course.’ Violet said, walking over to the bookcase and retrieving her Pointe shoes. ‘What was I saying?’ She asked as she sat on the floor and began to tie the laces. ‘Fouette turns.’ Niall said, sitting on a stool at the counter. It was in Violet’s nature to lose her train of thought, not because she lacked intelligence, but rather because she seemed to have many thoughts drifting into her mind in each moment. Niall admired her intelligence and imagination, the girl was much smarter than she appeared and she used it to her advantage. ‘Oh, right!’ She said, standing up. ‘Okay.’ She said, positioning herself on the hardwood floor. She took a deep breath, descending into a plie before her right foot lifted off the ground and her left foot rose onto pointe. Her hair whipping through the air, she turned once, twice, three, four, over a dozen times as Niall watched the concentration on her face. She landed elegantly, raising her arms in the air as she maintained her balance. Breaking out into a grin she looked at Niall who applauded softly. ‘How many times was that?’ She asked excitedly. ‘Twenty two.’ Niall said proudly. ‘I did 32 fouettes en tournant yesterday! It wasn’t perfect but I should be ready by the auditions.’ She said, sitting down and unlacing her pointe shoes. ‘That’s amazing.’ Niall asked, familiar with the term. In an effort to support Violet, he’d studied many of the techniques in ballet, buying numerous books and watching what seemed like hundreds of videos with her. He’d listened intently as she demonstrated the moves, pointing out the flaws in her technique, which were sparse. He’d quickly begun to appreciate the form of this art, admiring the dancers’ beauty, strength and dedication. He’d never admit it to the guys, but he’d become a bit of a ballet connoisseur since meeting Violet, not like they’d dare make fun of him. They all respected Violet, attending her performances and supporting her like a little sister. He thought of the countless times that Harry had rushed to numerous dance stores to purchase tights or leotards for Violet when she would rip them in class. Usually this is something Niall would do but occasionally he found himself otherwise occupied with his business. Juliet was probably Violet’s biggest supporter after Niall, driving her to class when Niall couldn’t, helping Violet tend to her sore muscles and bruises. Violet was definitely the baby of the group, but this didn’t mean she was weaker than the others, they all just naturally found the need to take care of her. Niall walked over to Violet as she looked up at him curiously. He gently put his hand over hers to stop her from unlacing her pointe shoes. ‘C’mon, try again. I know you can do it.’ He urged. ‘Okay.’ She smiled, taking his hand as he lifted her from the floor. ‘Wait,’ She said before he could turn around to return to his seat. She rose onto pointe, her face still not lining up with his. She was short for a dancer, but she’d overcome it with her skill and focus, surprising others despite her body type. Resting her arms on his shoulders she kissed him, softly at first. He ran his hands up and down her sides, stopping to firmly grip her hips. He lifted her up with ease as she wrapped her legs around his waist. He gently squeezed her bum, eliciting a giggle as she threw her head back. Her airy laugh was a beautiful sound. Violet bit her lip as she looked at him, studying his features as she often did. She loved his boyish smile, his delicate eyelashes, the way his messy blonde hair gently swept across his forehead and his cheeks would get rosy when he was around her. She kissed him again, this time full of want as she gently grabbed his hair, causing him to moan gently. He lowered her so that she was sitting on the back of her couch as he stood between her legs, lowering his face to reach hers. ‘I love you so fucking much.’ He said, his lips softly brushing against hers. ‘How much?’ She mused with a smirk. She loved to play this game, getting assurance from Niall of his love for her. ‘So much.’ He said, his voice low. ‘How much?’ She asked again, toying with him. ‘More than anything.’ He said sincerely. ‘Anything?’ She asked, cocking her head to the side. ‘More than anything.’ He said again, touching her cheek. Violet kissed him, gently sucking on his bottom lip as her hands traveled down to his toned stomach. She grabbed the hem of his shirt, quickly pulling it over his head and throwing it on the floor. His hands trailed her back, gently but swiftly lifting the sweater over her head. He watched her hair fall onto her shoulders before brushing it to the side so he could kiss her neck. Violet grabbed Niall’s shoulders, her nails gently digging into his skin. A moan escaped from her lips as he gently bit down on her tender skin.
