It took me hours to work on getting the staff ready for opening today. New security details were being worked on, the Don pestered me with details over how much protection he was going to provide and how I wanted them assigned, physical details of relocating some and adding more cameras consumed time of staff people, and dozens of other things. Chef was working his ass off getting ready for who knows what tonight.

Supper rush time found ME manning the front door, welcoming guests and supervising the (visible) members of the security forces. The Don's men were woefully undertrained; I once again thanked the great spirit above for Mom and her assistant. It was simply amazing that he had made it through that attack this time; next time he might not be so fortunate. Especially if Stella wasn't around!

My thoughts wandered as I watched the flow of guests arrive; plenty of old familiar faces, several of which offered me condolences on the loss of a family member. I was a bit surprised that word had gotten out, but warmly thankful for their concerns. We had three separate incidents during the night; two new customers who turned out to be armed piqued my interest because they were alone and their eyes were NOT on the women and men of the staff but rather were looking at controls, light switches, and closed doors.

The third was something else again. She was a beauty, a haughty, strong woman with dark hair and green eyes. Her figure was not exceptional. She was not overly tall, nor was she exceptional in her figure or such. It was the attitude she carried; a superiority which was powerfully alluring. She offered her cloak to the check-slave and sat down in the bar, ordering something I'd never heard of; she had to explain the ingredients to the bartender. By this time things were winding down, so I turned door duties back to Lance and sat down next to her.

Turning to her after ordering, i welcomed her to my place. She smiled at me warmly, surprising me yet again. I would have sworn there was not a warm bone in her aloof carriage.

"I'm Stephanie. I'm here as a messenger from the man with one foot." She stared deeply into my eyes. "Diego is smart, but knows now that you are smart too. I came with orders to offer you peace, on certain conditions."

Interested at once, I invited her to elaborate.

"Diego says he has three conditions for peace. First, you must give up your friendship with the Don, as he is an old man and weak, losing his effectiveness. Second, you must agree that you are now even-up in score; his foot for your guard. And third..." she paused, locking her gaze on mine, "that I am the token of your acceptance of his offer. Diego says I will stay here, to be employed or used in any capacity, as a symbol of his good will to you. You see, I am Diego's daughter."

"And how will you signal Diego of my agreement? Will you leave to tell him in person?" I knew should I be so stupid, I would never see her again. Diego had a certain reputation, after all.

"I have a number to call, then another. There need to be the requisite number of rings on each line before I disconnect without talking; Diego knows you have to be suspicious of spies."

Replying, "Do you know what it is that we do here? The kind of business I run? The attitudes of my staff? Our allegiances?"

She rather offhandedly answered, "I'm aware. I've had some men, and some training, but I am a Mistress, not a Slave. You'll have no troubles form me."

Sitting and thinking a bit, knowing my plans, I finally responded. "Give me a number where I might reach you personally. You'll have my answer tomorrow afternoon, before dinnertime. I'm going to need to consider this."

I told the bartender that her drink was on the house, picked up mine and went upstairs. Some plans to plan, some thinking to do... and a long, wonderful night with Stella to experience first.