Alcone.  The name alone made his skin crawl.  Vixaria, he quickly learned, didn’t mess around when it came to picking fights with enemies.  Aaron had always believed that if you’re gonna go, you may as well go large.  And adversaries didn’t come much larger than John Alcone.  The man’s reach was extensive, and if rumors were to be believed, that reach extended beyond state lines.<br/><br/>“Yeah, I’ve heard of him,” he confirmed.  “Though your question could be who<i>hasn’t </i>heard of him?”  Aaron grinned a humorless grin, knowing that anyone who dared cross the mafia boss had a tendency to disappear.  Yet, here was someone right in front of him who had certainly poked the grizzly hard enough for him to send vampire henchmen after her.  The shifter was keenly aware of the impressions he had of this Vixaria, impressions that required immediate suppression.  He was, after all, turning into quite the fanboy.  Her looks and overall appearance were just the icing on the cake.  “What, if I may ask, did you do to piss him off?” he asked, eager to know.<br/><br/>Vixaria’s invitation to join her for the evening came somewhat as a surprise to him, if he was completely honest with himself.  Prior to answering her, Aaron thought back to the one and only individual who boldly (or stupidly) approached her in the café not all that long ago.  She must not have gone easy on him, as the kid’s departure from her table was neither quiet nor pleasant.  He grinned at the irony, as for all intents and purposes, she was pretty much asking him out now, though by no means with the same intent that the kid projected.<br/><br/>“An interesting offer,” he finally said.  “An offer I wholeheartedly accept.  I’d be foolish not to.  Though I must say, I think I’ll be keeping<i>you</i>company, instead of the other way around.”  Never taking his eyes off of hers, Aaron winked and said slyly, “After all, with the kinda friends you have in such high places, I’ll be tagging along on<i>your</i>coattails.”<br/><br/>Mental notes were hastily made.  Firstly, quit staring at her like a schoolboy.  Secondly, note those legs of hers, and take heed of their sweeping arc.  Aaron held no desire to become collateral damage thanks to her hidden boot blades.  And finally, quit staring at her like a schoolboy.