Danny pulled up in front of the frat house. This would be his first frat party at Chicago University. He couldn't believe that he was actually on edge about this party. Well it was more then just a party and he knew it. He had a job to do and all the leads had brought him to this frat house. This was the last place Mick had been seen alive. 

The party was in full swing as he walked through the door. The kegs flowed nonstop and the music was deafening. He milled through the crowd looking for Nino. Bernard had assured him that his son would help him find Mick's killer.

Finally, Danny spotted his contact groping some innocent coed in the corner. "Hey," he tapped Nino on the shoulder to grab his attention.

"What?" he returned in his usual gruff manner, "Oh hey, Danny."

"Nino," Danny's tone was all business.

"I didn't expect you tonight."

"I need to get this taken care of as soon as possible."

"I know, I know. Bernard made himself perfectly clear."

"Let's get out of here so we can talk," Danny gestured towards the open door.

"I'm kinda busy man," Nino motioned down at the pretty girl wrapped in his arms. Nino fancied himself as a ladies man. He never missed an opportunity to show off his prowess.

"I don't have time for this, Nino," Danny said bringing his hand to his forehead. He didn't want or need to be a part of Nino's games right now. What he needed was to find the person who had murdered his brother. "Bernard assured me that you would help with this little family problem."

"I said I would," Nino was as agitated with Danny as Danny was with him. The Santos' never failed to get in his way. He never understood his father's alliance with that family. As far as he was concerned, they meant nothing but problems.

The two of them shot stares back and forth. Neither one backing down from their intended goal. Danny to find his bother's killer and Nino to get laid tonight. Danny's black eyes bore holes into Nino as he stepped forward. "I'm not up for any games, Nino," Danny's voice was thick with disgust. He despised Nino as much as Nino did him. This wasn't how it was all supposed to play out but Danny was in it for the long haul now.

"Hey, listen Nino. I'll catch up with you later. It's no big deal really," the girl said as slipped past Danny. She didn't like the tension between the two. The last place she wanted to be was in the middle of them.

"No wait," he grabbed her arm. Danny noticed the pained expression on her face. Nino was also notorious for his less then gentle behavior when things didn't go his way. Danny was certain that's why Bernard had sent him to Chicago in the first place. He could do less damage here. "Let's get one thing straight here, Santos. This isn't Springfield and you don't run the show in this town," Nino's voice was loud enough that he had caught the attention of many at the party. Which was the last thing that Danny wanted.

"Santos," the young woman repeated, "Are you related to Mick?"

"Yeah," his answer was short as he shot Nino a look of death. This was exactly what he was trying to avoid. The less people that knew who he was the better.

"Listen this will only take a minute," Nino did his best to contain his anger, "Grab a beer. I catch up with you in a second."

"What the hell do you think your doing?" Danny bellowed as Nino looked him square in the eye.

"Trying to get laid," Nino laughed, "You're not helping too much either."

Danny felt his blood boil at Nino's condescending attitude. What did he care it wasn't his brother who had been found dead, shot through the heart. Nino wasn't going to be of any use to him. He was far too interested in getting his rocks off. Danny should have known better then to pin his prospects of finding the killer on Nino.

"I don't really give a damn if you get laid or not!" Danny said his jaw clenched in anger, "I want to find out who killed Mick and I don't need the entire University knowing I'm here. I can't believe that Bernard thought you could be of any help."

"Hey man," Nino rested his hand on Danny's shoulder, "I know it was tough what happened to Mick. I promised Bernard I would do my best and I plan on it but...tonight I need that girl."

Danny couldn't comprehend Nino at all. Never at anytime had a women come between what had to be done for the family. Family came first. Mick was family and he was damn certain he would find out who had robbed him of his big brother.

"Whatever man," Danny was too pissed right now to continue having this conversation with Nino.

"I'll catch up with you in the morning. I'll give you everything that I know about everyone who came in contact with Mick. Now kick back and relax man. This is a party. Find yourself a women and enjoy!"

Drew walked up to the keg and stood by Michelle. "Hey, see that guy over there talking to Nino?"

"Yeah," the only thing Michelle could see was the back of his black leather jacket.

"That's Mick's brother." Michelle's blood froze in her veins at the mere mention of Mick's name. He had been gone from her life for less then a month but the thought of him conjured up all those awful memories.

"Hey, baby," Nino said pulling Drew back into his arms. "Miss me? Michelle," he looked Michelle Bauer up and down. Hell she was a looker. Drew was pretty but Michelle was striking. Those big doe eyes shot daggers at him. She disliked Nino as much as she had Mick. In her estimation they were cut from the very same cloth. She didn't understand what Drew saw in him especially after all she had watched Michelle go through with Mick.

"Let's dance," Drew said leading Nino away from Michelle. She wanted to get Nino as far away as she could. It never ceased to amaze her why every man that she was interested in was drawn to Michelle like a magnet. She wasn't about to let her get her hooks in Nino too.

"Bye Michelle," Nino said a little to seductively for Michelle's liking.

Michelle filled her glass again and headed in the direction of the dance floor herself. It was about time she rejoined the land of the living. She let the sultry Latin music consume her. It was easy to get swept away. As she turned circles on the floor, she came face to face with the most beautiful black eyes she had ever seen.

Danny looked around the room packed with pretty girls. Hell maybe just this once Nino was right. This was a party and since he wasn't going to get anything else accomplished he might as well have a little bit of fun. Danny had his choice of women to choose from but one stood out in particular. He watched her swing her hips seductively to the smooth voice of Marc Anthony. He leaned against the table and admired the view. She was a tiny girl yet well built for her stature. Her white cotton tank dress clung in all the right places. The dress' side slit showed just enough of her thigh to keep every man's attention. Her sandy blonde hair fell in ringlets down her back. Danny found himself wanting to reach out and run his fingers through those curls. He looked on as she turned circles on the dance floor. Without warning she stumbled. In a flash he was there beside her catching her just before she made contact with the floor. For an instant their eyes met. She had the biggest and softest brown eyes he had ever seen. A smile crept over his features. The first genuine smile to cross his face since this whole nightmare with Mick's death had begun.

"Hey are you okay?" he asked helping her stand.

"Yeah...yeah. I'm all right," she was mesmerized by his stare. She felt like those eyes were looking right through her. There was something familiar about them but she wasn't able to place it.

"I was watching you. You're one hell of a dancer."

"You mean when I'm not falling on my face?" she laughed.

"No, really. You're really good. I'm Danny by the way."

"Michelle." she extended her hand to him.

"Nice to meet you, Michelle."

"You new around here?"

"I just transferred from out of state," he said in keeping with his story. Bernard had helped him lay an elaborate plan in motion. Bernard called in a few favors at the University and all was set working.

"So what do you think of this place?" she asked trying to keep up the small talk. Which was increasingly difficult. She wasn't able to keep her eyes from wondering to his handsome face. His hair was a mass of chocolate curls. She longed to touch it and his eyes those eyes well they were more then she could take. She felt as if she would melt under their intense gaze.

"Huh?" she said realizing that he was asking her something.

"I said do you want to dance?"

"Sure, if you don't think that I'll embarrass you out there."

"I think I'll take my chances," he smiled broadly at her.

They danced well into the night. Their bodies fell instantly into place with one another. It was as if they were one. Had known each other all their lives. A few guys made attempts to cut in but Michelle hadn't wanted it and Danny never moved away from her.

"How about a drink?" he asked when they finally parted.

"I'd like that."

"Be right back," he said holding her hand for as long as he was able.

Michelle felt an electric shock surge through her body. She couldn't remember ever feeling this way about anyone in her whole life. Not even Jesse had set her body on fire the way this man did. She watched as he strode confidently back to where she was waiting for him.

"Here you go."

"Thank you," she smiled taking the cup from him, "You're not a bad dancer yourself."

"Nah, it's just my partner is so great." She blushed at his kind words.

"So why'd you transfer here of all places?" she asked taking another sip of the cold liquid.

Danny was caught off guard. He hadn't intended on getting close to anyone here and the words to her question eluded him, "I needed a change. Some heavy family stuff at home. I just needed to get away." It wasn't really a lie. The reason for his being there was family related. He just could imagine this girl's angelic face had he told her the whole truth. That he had come to Chicago to avenge his brother's murder. That would be a real ice breaker.

"I totally get that," she began, "I came here looking for a change too." Danny couldn't help but hear the sadness in her voice and the sparkle in her eyes dimmed a bit. He fought the urge to reach out to her to comfort her. He wasn't here for this. He had to keep reminding himself of that. He had a job to do. No distractions. But looking at the beauty standing so close to him that wasn't going to be an easy task...not an easy one at all.

"So want to dance again?" he asked reaching for her arm. She pulled away slightly, "What's wrong?"

"Nothing..why?" she couldn't meet his gaze. She tucked her arms behind her back almost like she had something she was hiding.

"I'm just a little tired is all," she lied. She couldn't risk him catching a glimpse of the underside of her forearms. She didn't want to relive it all again through his questions. This had been the first time in well what seemed like forever that she hadn't thought about all those marks and scars.

"Okay," Danny wasn't able to read her expression. Minutes before they had been talking and laughing without a care between them then suddenly the walls came up.

"How about we get out of here...go grab a coffee or something?" she asked touching his hands.

"Sure." He was still a bit confused.

"I know this great little coffee house across campus. You like cappuccino?"

"I'm more an expresso kinda guy."

"Not me. I can't sleep as it is," again he heard sadness in her voice.

"Lead the way," he gestured towards the door.

 Nino watched Danny and Michelle exit the frat house as he descended the staircase. "Damn you, Santos," he said beneath his breath

Drew crept up behind Nino as he stood eyes fixated on the door. She slid her hands under his silk shirt. She could feel the firm ripples of his muscles. Her fingertips lightly grazed over his erect nipples begging for a repeat performance.

"NOT NOW," he growled pushing her hands away from his chest.

"What?"

"I said not now, Drew. I have to take care of some business."

Business....business...business. That's all she ever heard from him and Mick. There was always something to be taken care of. She walked on to the expansive front porch of the fraternity house and looked on as Nino stood in the driveway. Drew could see the familiar tail lights of Michelle's car pulling onto the main street.

"Damn it," he whispered as he waltzed past her.

"Nino, what is? she continue as she followed behind him up the stairs.

"Nothing," he barked throwing himself down on the bed.

"Mick's brother sure has you seeing red. What the hell's going on with you two?"

"Mind your own business, Drew."

"You are my business baby," she purred in his ear.

Nino felt her hot breath against his neck. Her tongue darted in and out of his ear until he couldn't take it any longer. Easily she undid the buttons on his jeans. He moaned as she made contact with him. Her silk robe fell first over her shoulders then down further to reveal the pointed peaks of her breasts. Nino let out a husky sigh as she laid her naked flesh against his. She smiled sensuously at him as he rolled her beneath him. He cupped her breast with his hand letting his tongue rotate methodically around her nipple. She moaned while his other hand found it's own path. She felt his fingers gently messaging her teasing her of what was just on the horizon. She pleasured him as she arched her hips to bring his manhood closer. Closer to what she desired most. She had lost Jesse, she had lost Mick but she would be damned she would lose Nino to Michelle too. With that thought she guided him to her, felt that first thrust that become rhythmic as the heat of their passion rose. She drug her bright red nails down his back as she felt their release come simultaneously.

Nino was the first one to move. He lay beside Drew envisioning Michelle. He wondered what it would be like to touch her, to feel her touch him. Mick had known what it was like. Couldn't help throwing it up in Nino's face every chance he got. Mick taunted him that Michelle could never be with a man like Nino. A gangster, a Mafia hit man. Mick would laugh under his breath. Nino gritted his teeth just remembering those times. Mick had threatened to go to Bernard with news of Nino's backstabbing ways while here in Chicago if he ever told Michelle that he too was just like Nino. Threatened to tell that he had been the reason that Bernard's family, Nino's own family had lost some of their control of the area. Control lost to the Santos Family. Nino was more into drugs then Mick even was. So of course mama had taught Mick well. Taught him how to exploit his enemy's weakness. Go for the jugular so to speak.

"Damn you Santos," Nino whispered. He didn't know if it was more for what Mick had done to him or for the fact that he had lost Michelle again to yet another Santos.

He spun over again and found himself of top of Drew once more. He took her fast and hard this time. Almost before she knew what hit her. Just as Nino had let out his pent up anger and frustration the faintest words fell from his lips, "Michelle."

Drew lay still thinking over and over again this can't be happening not again

Danny felt uneasy in the passenger seat. He was used to being the one in control. He turned and watched Michelle singing along with the radio totally oblivious of his presence. She was singing some driving rock tune without missing a note.

He wasn't able to take his eyes off of her. Even in the dim light of the car she took his breath away. She shifted the little sports car without a moment's hesitation. Even Danny had been impressed. Not many girls he knew could handle themselves the way she had.

"We're here," she said turning off the engine and glancing sideways at him. Danny was out of the car and opening her door before she had had the chance to do it herself. She brought out every gentlemanly quality that his father had ever taught him.

The coffeehouse was quite that night. Only a few tables were occupied. Michelle led Danny to her favorite spot.

"I like it here," Danny said looking around the room.

"Yeah, I come here when I need to get away from everyone and everything."

"So then I should feel privileged that you brought me here?"

"I guess," she remarked her tone darkened.

"What can I get you?" the waitress asked.

"Expresso, please."

"Cappuccino."

Michelle sat quietly waiting for their drinks to arrive. She glanced out the window into the black night. Maybe this whole thing had been a bad idea. She wasn't really ready to plunge headfirst into this whatever this was. She had too many ghosts roaming around in her head.

"Hey, what'd I say?" Danny was confused by the sudden silent treatment.

"What?" she asked

"You got all quiet on me. Did I say something wrong? I didn't mean anything by what I said about being privileged. I was only kidding. I thought it was great that you brought me here. Didn't sound like you do that very much. This place sounds like your special place. I think it's nice that you wanted to share it with me." Danny couldn't believe how tongue-tied he had sounded. He hadn't been this nervous around a girl since he was 15 years old.

"Thank you," she said as her drink was placed in front of her, "No, it's not that. It's me. I have had a rough year. Sorry I didn't mean for you to think I was upset by anything you did."

Danny breathed a silent sigh of relief. The last thing he wanted to do was screw this up. He couldn't believe he just thought that. This wasn't part of the big picture. The last thing he needed was a girl in his life. He had a job to do and once it was done he would be gone. No questions asked and no ties to Chicago ever. Not even Michelle.

Against his better judgment, Danny did just the opposite of what his head was telling him to do. He sat at that table with Michelle into the wee hours of the morning. He found out that she was pre-mrd and originally from Springfield. What a small world he thought. Why was it that he had never seen her there? Danny had to laugh at that thought it wasn't like they ran in the same circles. He highly doubted that she ever would have known about The Santos Crime family. Carmen was very discreet in all of her business dealings. It was funny to think that Carmen had sent Mick away for the very same reasons that Bernard had Nino. Both boys were loose cannons waiting to explode. Carmen never got her hands dirty and she was sure that none of their illegal activities could be tried back to her in any way. Mick had only put the family in danger of being exposed once. Once was all it had taken and Carmen had found reason for Mick to be needed in Chicago. On the surface she was a high society lady of Springfield's upper crust, yet lurking just below the surface was a tough as nails Mafia mama that no one in their right mind would mess with.

Michelle glanced at the clock on the wall. It read half past three. No wonder she was exhausted she had been up for almost 24 hours. She was on a volunteer program at the hospital to get some extra credit points that she had lost during the whole ordeal with Jesse. Her shift was to start in less then three hours.

"I have to get going. I didn't realize it had gotten so late."

"Wow, neither did I."

"I'll take you back to the frat house to get your car," she said getting up from the table. She must have stood up too fast because she felt the room move beneath her. Her head was spinning before she knew what was happening. Danny was saving her from crashing to the floor again.

"Michelle," he said softly, "Michelle."

She looked around not fully understanding what had just happened here. "Danny?" she said her tone a bit hazy.

"Are you okay?"

"What happened?"

"You fainted."

"What?" she asked not believing him.

"Well it's either that or you just like falling into my arms," he laughed. She smiled too. This was the second time tonight she had done that. "Easy there," he commented as she stood up again. "Are you sure that you're all right?"

"Yeah..yeah. It's been a long day. I've been up since about 6:00am with not much food and too much to drink. I'm sure that's all it is."

"You better let me drive," Danny took the keys from her hand. She didn't even bother to argue. It was nice to feel safe with someone again. Danny closed the door as she settled herself into the passenger seat. She was asleep before he had gotten out of the parking lot.