#𝐓𝐇𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐃 ;; benjamin vogel

[tooswcctx]

His body reacted with each move she made, her nails scraping over his fabric covered abs sent a shiver down his spine. Well, at least she seemed to be enjoying herself. Ben couldn't guarantee that much of this assignment would be fun, considering her life was in danger throughout it, but if they were going to play this game, the least he could do was give her a little something out of it. Okay, and himself. Yes, it was selfish, but he was the right man for the job at the end of the day. Most of their enemies didn't know who Ben was so undercover work was the best thing for him to do. "I don't." He stated, repeating it and realizing in the moment that it was probably one of the only true things about him she'd ever learn. Hands moved to cup her face, hips pressing against hers to push her further against the bar. "But by all means, baby, if you want to head to amateur night and get up there, I'd love to see what happens." He ignored the jab about going back to his living room mainly because it would never happen, she'd never end up in his actual home and, if they were going to fuck, it wouldn't be on a couch. Shit. Now he was thinking about that and, strictly speaking, fucking the person you were threatening was not a good look.

at the moniker , her stomach curdled . whether it was a pleasant feeling or otherwise , dakota wasn't sure , but it resulted in a heavy exhale being pushed through nostrils as she pressed her spine further into the bar . a means of preserving distance . a means of giving herself deniability . " a man with eyes , , , thank god , " she drawled , a dismissive shake of her head , the glance made over his shoulder an attempt to pretend there was anything more interesting than her circumstances in this moment . nails continued to pry , scraping along cotton ; running over the bumps of his ribcage , trailing their weighed touch across taught muscle before dipping down to poke and prod along his where the hem of his pants sat at his hips .

she scrunched her nose contemplatively , gaze returning to his as a manicured brow lifted at his proposition . " oh ?? you don't like to share ?? " dakota purred . she pursed her lips , tongue running along the backs of her teeth , clicking in thought . then , an impish smile ( innocent and harmless despite being anything but ) curling lips further upwards ; " — like where ?? your living room ?? c'mon , you gotta be more original than that ."

[tooswcctx]

He kissed her hungrily, not wanting to move from this spot or this second in time. Ben didn't want to leave and, for right now, neither one of them had to so he would hold onto it as tightly as he could. Arms where wrapped around her but mindful of her injuries, there was no point in hurting her again only to have to stitch her up all over. "I won't make you leave, not if you don't want to." In the back of his mind, he just wanted her to be safe and to him that meant being thousands of miles away from here and from him. But did he really want that? "Say what?" He murmured against her lips, hand comfortably on the back of her neck to keep her from going anywhere. "That I want you, too? Don't act like you didn't already know that." It would have taken someone trying not to see to miss what was happening here. It had felt so obvious to Ben and that had worried him. He wasn't supposed to get this close. But he couldn't help himself.

Protest escaped her lips, but not against him. Every want blurred into a need, and the cage in which she was bound to with every half hearted promise tainted it. The sting of her stitches, the cold of the metal chair she'd been sprawled against, the clamor just a door away— it all taunted her that what she wanted was bound to this routine, even if Benjamin promised her any different.

"I don't want to leave it," Casimere said against his kiss, pulling her body against his. Every ache turned sweet with his manipulation, twist and tug a bliss far easier to endure than what she sought between a betting game out there. "I have you with it. That's enough, and that's everything— and I want you to say it back, Ben."

[tooswcctx]

Though she kept yelling, passion bubbling from her lips along with her words, Ben didn't stop walking closer, the look on his face unaffected and even slightly amused. No, things had not gone right, but that didn't mean he couldn't fix the mess later. "Screw you over? Come on, that's a bit hyperbolic, don't you think? If I had screwed you over, baby, you'd be dead and that didn't happen because I was screwing you."

"Don't do that," she said, pointing a finger at him. "Don't try and be cute with me." Him messing with her business pissed her off, but she could afford to make up for the losses. But involving himself in her life, making it personal, it was difficult not to see red. "What the hell is that supposed to mean? What--is there some version of the truth where you didn't screw me over while simultaneously screwing me?"

[tooswcctx]

"No, we shouldn't." As though repeating it over and over again would make them both listen. Like it would make any difference at all to the way he craved her without knowing much more than how he should stay away from her. It was an alluring aphrodisiac - temptation that Ben didn't have a single desire to deny himself of. He stayed right where he was as she stepped closer, eyes locked on hers until they dropped to her inviting lips. "Doesn't sound like something I'd do," he murmured before closing the distance to finally kiss her in the way he'd been thinking about since the day they first spoke.

he   has   an   effect   on   her   that   no   one   else   has   had   in   a   very   long   time   .   and   perhaps   ,   it   would   be   wisest   not   to   succumb   to   her   desire   for   him   but   finding   herself   alone   in   this   room   with   him   is   making   it   quite   hard   for   her   .   “   we   shouldn’t   .   ”   she   agrees   ,   heart   hammering   against   her   chest   as   she   steps   into   his   space   ,   lips   mere   inches   apart   .   “   it’s   not   too   late   to   back   out   if   that’s   what   you   want   .   ”

[tooswcctx]

It was a desperate situation, something that didn't happen often when Ben was involved but they'd had some bad intel, were in the wrong place at the wrong time. It was to be expected when it came to the mob. Harper's place was the closest to the scene and when he managed to slip away, he could only think of getting to her. She wasn't happy to see him but he couldn't blame her. "Yeah - not sure if it's mine or someone else's..." Ben managed with a half attempt at a smile.

open to all (30+ for romantic) ; she's an ER nurse so do with that what you will

"It's 2 in the morning what is your problem?" Harper threw the door open only to freeze. "Is that blood?"

[tooswcctx]

He didn't doubt that she would make an extremely gorgeous hostage, with or without a gun pressed against her forehead. It would have been a pretty picture for someone who was into that kind of violence. But Ben didn't love threatening people that way and when he pulled the trigger, which he did often, it was never so dramatic. "I'm sure you do, baby, I don't doubt you'd look good in any position." And unfortunately, it wasn't the first time he was imagining a few of them. Very unprofessional. But...then again, he could convince himself it was still in the realm of his job considering they were about to be dating. He wasn't immune to the feeling of her nails running over the fabric of his shirt, his muscles tightening as she brushed them across his lower torso. Exhaling slowly, Ben hovered over her, hands resting on the bar top on either side of her, knowing that he might be toeing the line between what was for the job and what was just his instincts. "I'm sure you would, but there's something you need to learn about me and it's that I don't like to share." His voice was low, verging on a growl as his eyes, dark with something that was hard to pin down, locked onto hers. "But if you want to put on a show, I could think of a couple of places we could go."

a quirk to her lips , a glimmer in ceruleans as they found his gaze ; " you would tell me to beg , " dakota quipped , a playful purr to her words , though the way her nails dug into the fabric of his jacket silently revealed that she was anything but pleased with him right now . her attitude towards this whole situation had gone back and forth so many times it was like she was experiencing whiplash , her nerves frayed and her temper held on a rather short leash — one that was beginning to loosen as the leather slipped through her fingers . dakota noticed ben lean closer , tried to suck in a fresh breath that wasn't infiltrated with his scent — his presence ; a task that proved itself impossible . " you don't think holding me at gunpoint would be fun ?? i look awfully pretty with a muzzle held to my forehead . . . speaking from experience , " she mused , not making as much of an effort to lower her voice as he had , less shame in her words as her fingers wandered beneath his jacket , nails running along the fabric of his shirt and feeling the taught muscle beneath .

an exhaled breath through her nostrils to resemble a laugh at his comment , a roll of her eyes ; " like i told you , i don't usually wander on this side of the tracks. . . " words drawled , speech almost lazy , delaying a decision ( probably the only one she'd really get to make for herself and yet , she struggled ) .

" where else is there to even go ?? a dark alley ?? strip club , maybe ?? i heard it's amateur night. . . i imagine i'd make a killing . "

[tooswcctx]

It was hard to argue with that. Ben knew he was fucked up especially in the head but that's what made him so good at his job. He was indispensable to the mob for many reasons and his morally gray interpretation of the law was one of them. He leaned in closer, although there was hardly any space between them at this point, to a casual passerby they would have looked like a couple that was very much enjoying each other's company, Ben lowered his voice so there was no risk of anyone overhearing. "If you really want me to threaten you with a gun, Dakota, just ask nicely. Hell, even beg if you want. But once that happens, you know we can't go back. Things won't nearly be as fun." At the end of the day, it didn't matter to Ben how this went. She was a gorgeous woman, and he had his own thoughts about what they could do to really sell this relationship but if she'd rather be reminded that she was in danger - that was her prerogative.

His eyes fell briefly to where her hands rest on his jacket, taking it as a neutral if not good sign that she would rather avoid the gun route for the time being. "That's good advice and, even if I don't like your father, even a broken clock it right twice a day." The problem was, her father was an intelligent man, which was why they were in this predicament in the first place. "And what if the secondary location is your choice? You get to choose."

" yeah , a thorough pervert. thoroughly perverted in all senses of the word. in every language. " her bite was sharp , so much so she accidentally pinched her tongue between her teeth . the playful praise made her abdomen coil tight , a flush creeping up the length of her neck as she refocused cobalts on the crook of his elbow , her jaw clicking in silent contemplation . dakota knew well there was no alternative , no way out , but it helped her to think that — even for a moment — there was .

dakota said nothing at the implication , hardening her expression , arms winding protectively around her chest as she shifted her gaze now over his shoulder . the crowd in the bar had all blurred together , thanks to her nerves and the copious cocktails she now wish had been watered down as opposed to being poured beyond reasonable strength . " maybe i want you to , " dakota spoke , words crisp and almost plain . " — maybe i need you to remind me that i can't trick myself into thinking there's a way out of this . "

because she was . the exit sign was a beacon — beckoning her .

gaze cut back to his , her breath hitching in her throat , and a glitter of intrigue sparkled in her eyes. curiously , the blonde cocked her head , unfurling her arms only to play with the lapels of the jacket he wore , dragging pads of her thumb over the zipper's track . " i dunno , ben . daddy always told me it was a bad idea to let a man take me to a second location ; ' specially on a first date . "

[tooswcctx]

He shrugged at the would-be insult, not at all taking it negatively. He had a job to do and that included getting information on the woman they were planning on using, not his fault she put on a show. "Some would call it being thorough." His brows raised at the insinuation that he would need to force her to do anything, clearly, she'd already shown him that wasn't the case. "There she is." A soft chuckle left his lips once more, intrigued and entertained by whatever attitude she was trying to put on right now. Maybe he had hurt her feelings a little bit, maybe he'd been too good at convincing her he was interested. But who was to say that there wasn't some attraction there. She was beautiful, she knew it, and it certainly wouldn't be hard for him to play the part of enrapt boyfriend. "I don't think a gun is necessary and it's not really my style...unless, of course, you mean to not go along with the plan anymore, in which case, I'd be disappointed." Not just because they'd have to come up with a new plan, but they would also have to do something about Dakota, considering how much she knew now. Leaning in, he kept smiling at her, cognizant of anyone around them watching. "There's always a third option." Ben whispered, "you tell me, baby, you really want to go home?" Sure, her friends had seen the two of them together but there was nothing wrong with getting more eyes on them, nothing bad about more people being able to say it had been a chance encounter at a bar that led to them dating. The more secure the lie, the better.

for some reason , dakota felt frustration pricking her eyes in the form of salt , her otherwise lucid gaze turned marbled as she twisted her lips . the bar didn't give to the force of her back pressing against it , much to her dispair , so as ben closed her in him with his arms ( and his scent , the stain of booze on his breath ) she felt more trapped than she ever had in past circumstances . the ones where she had been locked in a closet or bound with ropes — even that one time she was chained to a bathtub . dakota's eyes averted themselves , looking down at the crook of his elbow , trying to keep her overwhelming emotions at bay . she had been stupid - RECKLESS - agreeing to this. without even putting up a fight .

however , her head snapped up at the mention of her window , a deep flush crawling up her neck as venom dampened her tongue . " perv , " the curse came whisked between clamped teeth , but it didn't hold nearly as much bite as she thought it would . . . in fact , it almost came off humorous . meeting his gaze , lowered to hers , dakota narrowed her cobalt stare into thin slits ; " you gotta get the gun from your holster to hold behind my back as you walk me out before we leave , or , is your plan to keep imprisoned against this bar until we get kicked out for loitering ?? "

[tooswcctx]

The look on her face certainly wasn't lost to Ben, he'd studied her features long enough to know when she was upset by something. Not that she had to know that. The less she knew about their surveillance, the better, but it did give him some insight into Dakota that others might not have had. "Hey," he mumbled softly, as though there was some concern behind the word, while he stepped closer, placing his arms on either side of her as she leaned back against the bar. He chuckled at the attempt of a jab, even though she was right. They knew quite a lot more than they should have. "Yeah, the gate code and that the third window on the east side of the second floor should have it's curtains pulled over it more often than it does." Not that Ben had been complaining about the view while gathering intel.

stepping back, humiliation ripe in her features, she blinked at Ben and couldn't find words for a moment. dakota then returned distance between them as she moved back to lean against the bar one more. unexpected. she had to be losing it; she was losing it, right ?? doubt and concern whirred in her stomach , an anxiety creeping back in, wondering why she wasn't seeing the waving red flag fluttering right in front of her. dakota was normally cautious, aware, vigilante — yet, here she was, trying to deepen a kiss with a man who was doing this all for display. doing this all to ruin her father. ruin her entire family. her expression soured, and she rolled her eyes, setting her drink back on the bar before folding her arms across her chest. " just take me home , ben." dakota replied, her words thick and her eyes downturned. the knife in her purse was burning a hole, she could practically smell the burning of leather. she had to be derranged — thinking there was any silver lining to this. leaning into it. enjoying his attetion. it was fucking pathetic. " i'm assuming you don't need my address , since i'm sure you already know where it is. you know the gate code, too ?? "

[tooswcctx]

Ben wasn't sure why Dakota kissed him back the way she did, but he wasn't going to think about that too much. No reason to dwell when the woman you were blackmailing into betraying her father was playing along so nicely. "Well, that was unexpected, but I have a feeling your friends will be talking about that for a while to come. Apologies if they think less of you for ditching them for someone like me." Which he had to imagine was what the guys were currently trying to convince them of, whatever they could do to make it seem like a flirtationship that had ended up going nowhere...unless of course a couple of them hit it off, Ben wasn't going to stop that from happening. But that wasn't his focus right now. "So, do you want another drink, or do you want me to take you home? Or some third option that I'm not thinking of."

she watched his gaze at it wandered, her brows scrunching before her own shifted in the direction in which he was granting his momentary attention. she noticed her friends being corralled out of the bar like a heard of sheep, and a sharp longing to go run after them pinched her nerves and made her momentarily tense. they knew it was a risk — being affiliated with her . . . and often, points were made that they didn't always like going out with her because she was a danger. her name alone could strike the wrong chord with the wrong person and get them all killed. maybe it was for the best, her being left her alone with this random, handsome stranger who was asking her to betray her father. her life hung in the balance of it all, she was aware of that, and in that moment dakota had accepted that she would die one way or another - it would all come down to who was pulling the trigger. feeling ben's lips as they came down to meet her, dakota sighed through her nostrils, craning her neck to meet his affections with her own. he tasted like whiskey and mint, like poison, and the hand on the back of his neck threaded up and into his hair, tightening around the short locks and holding on as if letting go would result in her falling down a bottomless pit she'd never recover from.

[tooswcctx]

"I'm sure you think so, Ms. Sanderlin." Ben replied, entertained at least by how strong she tried to make herself seem, how unaffected by what was happening that they could have this conversation, an almost flirtatious one, and perhaps actually mean it. Perhaps in the life she was used to, her words held true, but this was a completely different game and now that she'd agreed to be a part of it, the rules were changing for her. It would be a privilege to see how she handled it. His eyes shifted toward the door where a couple of his guys were finally escorting her friends out and, in order to sell their story, he leaned in to kiss her, making sure they had a perfect view. If Ben was going to be her boyfriend and have anyone believe it, the first people who needed to be on board were her friends. If there was one thing to be said about Ben, it was that he was thorough when it came to a plan. Their success relied on Dakota selling that he was nothing more than a relationship and drawing no more attention to him than a boyfriend would get.

" mhmmm, " dakota hummed. a flicker of worry shook her ribcage as her heart skipped a beat, something about the way those words felt like a promise sending a serpent of adrenaline slithering down her sternum before plunging into her liquor-soaked belly. she smiled limply, waving the feeling away. she should just get the target always painted on her back tattooed at this point - her daddy made it a point to hold his darling daughter on a pedestal and then wondered why people tried to shoot her off of it. she was born to be the damsel, the prize to be a taken, the thread to be cut; the easiest way to her father. as ben's hands found the rounds of her cheeks, his touch feathering rouged skin, she almost was able to forget what kind of encounter this was. then again, dakota had accused anyone who ever made an advance at her at being the enemy in her mind . . . it felt nice, for a change, to have had someone be honest about that up front so she could move past the anxiety and lean fully into . . . whatever this was. if she was going to be part of some elaborate scheme to take down her father, might as well get something out of it. " is that so ?? " dakota cooed, still nursing her drink, stepping forward to press her body to his. " i'm a big girl. i can handle a lot more than you think. "

[tooswcctx]

"Really? A casket?" Ben repeated curiously, putting on a little show of committing that to memory. "I'll keep that in mind when we figure out what to do with you." There was a chance this went south and, in the rare case that it did, there was no version of reality in which Dakota was left alive. Unfortunate. But that was why it had to go well. There was a momentary glint in her eye of defiance, something that intrigued Ben but then it was gone. One moment there, the next gone, and he couldn't help but think whatever decision was made might have been one that saved her life. Yet, there was something about that defiance that Ben liked, was drawn to even, as it was more refreshing than the usual people he was intimidating. Those eyes were always devoid of hope. Lifting his hands, he placed them on either side of her face, almost in a loving gesture if anyone were to see it, thumbs brushing against the soft skin of her cheek. "Baby, if you want me to tie you up, I'll do it happily. But you better think about what you're asking for, you have no idea what I'm into."

as he stepped gloser, the darling fake-label rolling off his tongue as she clicked her own against her teeth. the hand not nursing her drink came to press on his chest, feeding into the role she had been assigned, feeling warmth radiating from his chest as it singed her palm. he was strong, like stone, and he smelt masculine. like heard leather and mahogany, notes of citrus making her lashes flutter as she cocked her head. " i'd feel safer in a casket, " she purred, walking manicured nails leisurely up his sternum. dakota's head cocked, ceruleans seeming to sparkle as she lifted her chin. she lowered her voice then, a brow lifting, before a mischievous laugh tumbled from her lips. " no fun, " she hummed, fingers now dancing over the curve of his shoulder, feathering along the side of his neck. she thought about the knife in her purse she carried around for self defense, a moment of contemplation as she traced along one of the veins that resided there before it disappeared up into his hairline, but then she let the idea fall away as she returned her gaze to his. " what ?? you don't wanna tie me up ?? "

[tooswcctx]

Ben didn't buy that reaction for a second but he knew the need to play off everything like it didn't bother you. Like water rolling off of your back. It took a lot of trauma and wall building to get to that point and he had to wonder for a second if he was actually doing her a favor. Giving her a way out. What a twisted way to think about this whole thing but that was how his brain worked. "I am a gentleman." Ben confirmed with a nod, stepping closer into her space. "And I can't let anything happen to my new girlfriend, now can I? Even if that means delivering to your front door. Or kitchen or bed or wherever you feel safest." That's what doting boyfriends did after all. His eyebrows rose at the unexpected compliment, a genuine smirk on his face this time, not just to convince everyone around them that they were into each other. "I hope you aren't considering this being held for ransom, no money is going to be exchanged and you aren't being tied up so, technically speaking, I don't think this counts as a kidnapping."

" boo, " dakota replied with a pout, eyes rolling, not doubting he was telling the truth but not having the energy within herself to care. her life had been threatened so many times at this point, it was almost comical, and with her dad breathing down her neck all the time . . . it felt good to have come to a decision on her own about her safety. about her allegiance. if she complied, he'd be fine — she'd be fine . . . everything would be FINE. " until you need to see me again , " dakota echoed, clarifying her understanding for him as she gave him an almost bored look. she then stitched a smile upon her lips, sipping contentedly on her cocktail, leaning her weight the rest of the way forward so she was pressed against his side. " how kind of you to ensure they get home unharmed, so gentlemanly . . . " she cooed, tilting her head back to look up at him, murky blues taking in his features and noticing that he wasn't ugly. " at least your handsome, " dakota spoke her thoughts aloud, humming her approval. " the last guy that used me to get to my father was hideous. i got to the point where i was begging him to put his gun in my mouth and pull the trigger. being held for ransom is horrible in its own right but , at least let me be captured by someone that's nice to look at. "

[tooswcctx]

He scoffed himself at that, the idea she wouldn't have done anything knowing her friends were in danger was an unbelievable one, even if she wanted to pretend otherwise. "Then they'd be dead and so would you." It was stated matter-of-factly, no hesitation or bluff behind it. There wouldn't have been another option if Dakota wasn't useful. It was either they worked together, or they used her as bait for her father and she didn't have to be alive for that. They just had to pretend she was. But that wasn't the choice she had made and, whether or not she knew it, that had saved her life. "Right now, we're going to have another drink, laugh and have a good time together and then, yes. I'll bring you home like a doting boyfriend would, try to get invited inside and then chivalrously take my leave until I need to see you again." They needed people to see them and if they saw them, they needed to believe that they had an incredible meet cute and couldn't get enough of each other. "I have a table, come with me. And don't worry about your friends, they're going to get home safely."

dakota's brows lifted in surprise before a sound that almost resembled a scoff left her lips. her head shook, eyes rolling as she poked at her lower lip with the top-end of her straw, gaze shifting to her friends who were over in the far corner, trying to gain their bearings. dakota thought she had gotten used to being her father's daughter, but sometimes, a curve ball was thrown and she had to adjust her play . . . though she was doing a very bad job at it now, given how little of a fight she had put up save for trying to give him a fake name. " — and what if i hadn't given a shit about you taking them ?? " she asked curiously, cerulean gaze finding his as she turned to face him once more, though her face remained nearly stoic and unmoved ; putting up the appearance that she was unmoved by the whole ordeal. dakota had seen it all — okay, maybe not it all but a fuck load of it and taking her friends ?? it seemed harmless in comparison. like taking a child's blanket. she perked at the moniker being put into play, smile finally returning, the kind of upwards curve one would give a toddler when they finally followed simple directions. " i'm sure you were, " she scoffed with a shake of her head, leaning the small of her back into the edge of the bar, boredom resuming it's stance on her expression. " so now what, mr. tough guy ?? you got my compliance , the plan is in motion . . . what next ?? you gonna take me home by curfew ?? daddy likes me home by one am at the latest."

[tooswcctx]

"Baby it is." Ben nodded, tucking away that piece of info to keep in mind for the perfect situation to use it. Were the moments he thought of mature? Absolutely not. But that didn't stop him from imagining a dinner with the man and calling his daughter his nickname for her, something to remember later on. They were toeing the line of dangerous territory of flirtation, at least on his side, and he knew better than to get overly comfortable with a mark. And that's what Dakota was. She was a means to an end, but he couldn't help himself from smirking at the very obvious once over she gave him. "I did." He admitted with a nod as though it was a very normal thing for someone to do. "If you weren't so amicable to the proposal, I needed something to persuade you with. Thankfully, it didn't have to come to that." Not that it would have weighed on his mind if they'd had to do something with them in order to show her that they were serious. "No need to thank me, baby, I was happy to do it." Ben smirked, trying out the pet name and realizing it came a lot easier than he thought it would.

❛ not sweetheart, that's what my daddy calls me,❜ the blonde quipped, brushing a lock of hair over her shoulder, sighing through her nostrils as she mindlessly stirred her drink. she didn't really know what she was feeling right now but it was as mixed as her cocktail; a combination of frightened and indifferent, sprinkled with flecks of amusement and the anticipation of seizing an opportunity. ❛ i'm you do, ❜ she cooed, almost playfully, casting him another glance but this time, making it a point to size him up. moving from the top of his head, grazing down his body until her gaze met his boots, before her eyes snapped back up to his once more and her brows wrinkled in confusion; ❛ you took my friends ?? ❜ dakota inquired, tone falling flat, almost annoyed at the information. turning around to where he had gestured, she saw her poor and over-served friends stumbling back out into the bar, looking wildly confused and undeniably intoxicated. ❛ well how charitable of you to return them to me, ❜ she drawled, looking back at him; ❛ however shall i think you ?? ❜

[tooswcctx]

"Whatever you want, sweetheart. Or honey? Baby? Which do you prefer?" A petname would make things all the more believable while they were out in public and as a dutiful fake boyfriend who may or may not be the bringer of the end of her life, he felt like he at least owed it to her to pick on she liked. Lifting said hands, he looked them over, stretching out long fingers before folding them into a fist with a laugh. "I'd much prefer to keep my hands, actually. I tend to do a lot with them." His job would be a lot harder without them. "I am sure, I wouldn't be here if I wasn't." They could have approached Dakota a long time ago but, when Ben was involved, there was no rushing. He operated under the mantra of only doing things if you could do them right. And with her on board, scared and hesitant as she might have been, this was a good step. On top of that, she seemed smart enough not to try and fuck them over. "You're right though," he started, glancing at her over his drink before taking another sip, his eyes never leaving her, "you don't have a choice. But, since you're being so amenable, I suppose you can have your friends back." With a smirk, he gave a small signal to one of the guys and like magic, her friends reappeared in the room, looking shellshocked but not hurt.

❛ thought so, ❜ dakota beamed; ❛ — and i will hold you to that.❜ sucking down the rest of her drink before holding up a finger, silently instructing him to pause as she turned to the bartender to top off her drink; on ben's tab, of course. if she was going to be given an ultimatum that resulted in her being in a fake relationship with him.... she might as well get a few drinks out of it. ❛ no, you absolutely shouldn't tell him that. not if you want to keep your hands, anyway, ❜ dakota mused, turning once she had accepted her topped off beverage. as fucked up and irritating as this situation was... dakota had been so bored lately. despite the risk that came with this whole operation, it'd surely prove that she wasn't to be underestimated the way she had been her entire life. then again, she liked being alive; she'd very much like to keep it that way. scoffing, she rolled her eyes, shaking her head as her gaze wandered once more... where were her friends ?? scrunching her brows, dakota glanced back at ben, rolling her lips together as she stirred her cocktail. ❛ don't flatter yourself, ❜ the blonde scoffed, shaking her head. ❛ — but if you're sure it'll work... i guess i'll do it. not like i have much choice in the matter, anyway. ❜