After Chuck directed the crowd to the lunch buffet, I helped Jan in hostess duties until a majority of the attendees had made their way into the dining room and were eating and/or chatting.

I walked over to Chuck, who immediately told me of Midori and Master X complimenting me on my assistance. I blushingly accepted the compliments, hugging Chuck and sharing a deep kiss.

As we strolled to the elevator to head to our suites, Chuck provided more details on the attempted break in by Diego. When we got off the elevator on our floor, Chuck told me how he had originally planned to take someone from security. He then told me how he had confidence in my ability to handle myself due to Mom's training. The compliment made me flush with both embarrassment and pride, which was a very strange feeling.

I was nervous about my first outing on security detail, but I knew that Chuck had quite a bit of training under his belt and felt that between the two of us, we could handle ourselves. Plus, as Mom kept telling me; no one would suspect me of being able to hold my own in a sticky situation. She said to play up the shy sweet subbie end of things around thugs, to get them to relax and dismiss me as decoration. She explained that this is what she used to do as a young woman, and now she plays up the defenseless old woman when around people who don't know better. Tonight would be my "opening night" in that respect.

Chuck patted my ass as I turned to walk toward my suite. I smiled to myself, looking forward to years of friendly (and more) pats from him.

After a quick shower and change, Chuck and I ate a nice meal and left for the meeting with the Don. He drove in and parked next to a stretch limo which I surmised belonged to the Don. I didn't think it would behoove anyone else to flaunt riches above and beyond the Don. I mentally rolled my eyes at the thought as I stepped out of Chuck's car.

Several of the Don's detail met us in the entry and as I correctly guessed, they checked Chuck for weapons, but other than checking my small purse, barely gave me a thought other than to give me a lecherous grin. I smiled sweetly at them and took Chuck's arm; mindful to play the part; 'down the middle' as Mom would say. Not to much, not too little. As we walked down the hall Mom's training stepped up in my mind and I unconsciously counted the doorways, making note of how many were on each side. I also memorized the route back out, keeping in mind any side exits I saw.

The men led us to an enormous room with a conference table on stage at the front of it. They gestured us to seats at the head of the table and as Chuck pulled out my chair for me to sit, I surreptitiously took note of where all the doors leading into the room were. I was happy that we did not have any doors behind us.

Drinks were handed out, and Chuck and I specifically asked for canned sodas. We trusted the Don, but his men could be bought with enough money and there was no point in taking chances. I played my part, smiling at Chuck, nodding and smiling at the people entering the room but all the while, I was remembering what Mom had told me. "Watch for people who are doing what you just did, memorizing exits, door locations, etc." I took note of each person that did this and also of where they sat in the crowd.

8 o'clock chimed and the Don entered flanked by his bodyguards. My nose wrinkled at the odor emanating from a box that was carted in. There were noises coming from it and I correctly guessed that it housed Diego. The Don stood to speak and although my ears were tuned to what he was saying, I was scanning the crowd with my peripheral vision. Amazingly, I felt calm yet energized at the same time.

As soon as the Don gestured at the box, his helpers broke it open with crow-bars, revealing a very battered and bruised, tightly bound Diego.