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Chapter 9-The Disastrous Date

Miranda Barone's POV 

I smoothed down my dress as Dylan came towards me with a charming grin on his face. "Ready?" 

I nodded and shouldered my bag before smiling and looking up at him. "Yes."

"I almost forgot, you look very beautiful today." Dylan added in with a handsome smile as he led me to his car and helped me in. 

"Thank you. You look really nice too." I replied and Dylan gave me a lopsided grin in response. "Sooo where are we going for dinner?" I questioned dragging the o's. 

"We are going to a semi-casual restaurant where I heard they have great taste in wine. I hope that you like wine?" Dylan questioned a little nervously. 

I feigned a cringe, "What if I told you I didn't?"

Dylan shot me a panicked expression before giving me a hesitant grin, "Oh. It's alright, we can always go elsewhere."

"I'm just kidding. I love wine, especially red wine." I laughed before Dylan shot me a disgruntled expression before chuckling, "You almost had me there. I thought you were serious!"

I laughed in response before Dylan and I made small talk about teaching the children at the kindergarten. We entered the restaurant and a waitress showed us to our seats. After we placed our orders and our choice of wine. I took a sip of my glass of wine before asking casually, "What made you ask me out anyway?" 

Dylan gave me an embarrassed grin before ducking his head down, "Sorry, I am not gonna share on that. You would not believe the cheesy thoughts that were running through my head." 

I laughed before giving him a smile. "Well alright, thank you for taking me out tonight."

Dylan shrugged before giving me a bashful grin, "No problem, why wouldn't I take a beautiful woman out anyway?"

My cheeks flushed bright red at his compliment and Dylan chuckled before turning curious, "So, who's that man from yesterday?"

I tensed, wasn't the whole purpose of this date is to forget about Slade? I forced a nonchalant grin, "Oh, he's just a friend."

Dylan's eyebrow rose before shooting me a skeptical look, "Really? He seemed to be more than one. I hope I don't have competition."

I laughed before shaking my head, "No really we're just friends. Besides Slade Kolosov doesn't date."

"You're friends with Slade Kolosov? And that was him yesterday? Isn't he the leader from the Russian Mob?" Dylan gave me a stunned expression. 

"Yes for all." I replied awkwardly before taking a sip from my wine. The food had arrived and I was relishing the taste of it.

"Oh, do you know him very well? Like have you met some of his gang members? Have you met Erik Carson and his girlfriend Mira?" Dylan questioned, his eyes lighting up with interest.

"I've only met him ever since I started teaching here." I replied shortly before continuing, "Why are you so curious about him anyway?"

Dylan gave a sheepish laugh, "I'm just really curious. I've never met anyone who knew Slade Kolosov." A tattooed arm placed Dylan's dish in front of him and my eyes widened. It couldn't be Slade could it? 

I glanced up to see a man-not Slade but someone unfamiliar. He had startling light blonde hair and green eyes and tattoos were on his arm. He met my gaze briefly before walking off. 

I exhaled relieved. I had thought I saw amusement and recognition in those green orbs but maybe I was just seeing things.  I had actually thought that Slade would do something to ruin my date with Dylan. I guess I thought wrong.

I gave Dylan a small smile in return before eating. Honestly, I thought this date was not even going to include Slade Kolosov. I sighed heavily as I spooned a mouthful of soup into my mouth.

***

The date with Dylan was a disaster. He kept questioning about Slade and his gang and I was a little suspicious about it. And because of that, I couldn't help but not forget about Slade Kolosov. 

Also, midway during the meal, Dylan had left when his face turned green. It was quite a sight though. He had claimed he suddenly felt ill and I didn't doubt him. 

I sighed heavily and unlocked my door before turning on the lights. I rolled my eyes when I was met with Slade smirking at me. I narrowed my eyes before brushing past him.

"What are you doing here?" 

"How's your date?" He smirks up at me mischievously and I narrow my eyes. "He was from your gang wasn't he?!" I exclaimed. 

Slade's grin widened as his blue eyes danced with amusement and he shrugged, "I honestly have no idea what you're talking about." 

"The man! The man with blonde hair! He put something in Dylan's food didn't he? That's why Dylan was sick!" I almost shouted and Slade shrugged before giving me a smirk. 

"Aren't you just jumping to conclusions?" 

"You put something in Dylan's food didn't you?!"

Slade shrugged before smirking sexily up at me. "You have no proof." 

I frowned before sinking onto my sofa defeatedly, "It wasn't that great a date anyway." I said in reply to Slade's first sentence to me when I stepped into my home. 

Slade raised an eyebrow and I swear I could see satisfaction in those blue eyes. "Well, why not?" His tone was filled with smugness. 

"He hardly said anything except asking questions about you, Erik, your gang and occasionally Mira." 

Slade raised an eyebrow before a muscle in his jaw twitched. "He was an undercover cop Mel." 

I blinked, "What?" 

"He's working for the Chicago police." Slade said with a careless shrug. 

"No, he's a teacher at the school I'm working at." I replied confused. Slade sighed before handing me a manila coloured file. "Here. This is Dylan Matthew Johnson's police record." 

I eyed the file warily before taking it and flipping through it. When I was done looking through it, I heaved out a heavy sigh. Slade was right. Dylan is an undercover policeman. 

"Oh." Was all I could say. Slade sighed before taking the file away from me gently, "He was using you to get information about me." He explained nonchalantly and I pressed my lips tightly together. I guess it made sense. Dylan had kept on asking way too many questions about Slade, Erik, Mira and his gang. Talk about feeling used.

I guess you could say I was feeling pretty hurt and used. Seeing my dejected expression, Slade's expression softened before his husky voice said quietly, "I'm sorry that I got you dragged into all of this." 

I shook my head and pushed my hair behind my ears, "It's okay. I'm used to it. It's like when I was younger. I found out that a few of my 'friends' were only friends with me so that they could become closer to my elder brother. Nobody really wants me for me these days." I said jokingly trying to lighten up the depressing atmosphere.  

I guess Slade thought I was serious because he pulled me towards him until our bodies were almost touching. I stared up at him with wide eyes as he tilted my face towards him. 

"I want you for you. Not because of who you're related to or who you know but because you're you. It's a shame that I can't kiss you because I really want to. But we're just friends aren't we?" He said teasingly before pressing a soft gentle kiss on my forehead. 

I inhaled sharply and my breathing became erratic. What was Slade Kolosov doing to me?

"I promise you that you won't see Dylan ever again." He promised and I widened my eyes in alarm, "Don't kill him! He did nothing wrong!"   

Slade narrowed his eyes at me, "Why the hell not?" 

He was actually thinking of killing Dylan?! 

"He didn't do anything wrong! Promise me you won't kill him!" I said quickly and Slade scrutinised me before giving in. "Fine." 

I breathed out a sigh of relief, "Good." 

Slade watched me with a frown on his face and feeling self conscious. I questioned, "What? What is it?" 

"Nothing." He said abruptly before standing up as he turned to leave. "And yes, he is from my gang." 

I widened my eyes before exclaiming, "I knew it! Now admit that you poisoned Dylan!"

"I'll admit to no such thing. Besides, maybe he really got food poisoning from whatever he ate." Slade stated casually as he left. 

I narrowed my eyes and called out to his retreating form, "I know it was you Slade Kolosov!" All I received was his amused laugh. 

***

Slade Kolosov's POV

I strolled casually into the dark alley and clenched my jaw. Mel said I couldn't kill him but she never said I couldn't harm him. 

Seeing her dejected expression all over her face made my stomach twist and all I wanted to do was to make her feel better. Spotting a slumped figure on the ground and Erik standing beside him, I made my way towards them. 

Dylan's eyes widened when he caught sight of me and he tried to straighten himself. 

"So, I heard you've been asking about me. Now that I'm here in the flesh, is there anything you'll like to ask?" I questioned mockingly as my eyes bored holes into his.

"I knew she was working for you." Dylan spat and I rolled my eyes before back handing him across the face. "I gave you an opportunity to ask me questions but you gave me a statement. So now I guess I'll ask the questions."  

Dylan moaned in pain as his breathing quickened. "Why the fuck are you asking around about me?" I demanded and Dylan stuttered, "There were rumours that your gang and Barone's would work together and the police force didn't want that." 

I scoffed and Erik burst out laughing. "You work with Alexi Barone? Either one of you will be dead come morning." 

"That's the stupidest crap I've ever heard in my life." I started before tugging Dylan towards me, "What gave you that idea?" 

"Mel! There were also rumours that Mel is Alexi's younger sister!" Dylan hastily replied when my hand was about to hit him again. 

I rolled my eyes and shook my head, "She and Barone don't even have any fucking resemblance! Mel and I are just friends. Now shut the hell up and listen to me. I want you out of Chicago before the sun rises tomorrow. If not your colleagues would find your insides spread around the whole city of Chicago. You got that?" I demanded menacingly. 

Dylan nodded his head quickly, fear emanating from him. I let go of him before throwing him back onto the ground and turned to leave. Erik caught up with me and frowned, "You're not permanently getting rid of him?" 

"Mel didn't want me to and made me promise I wouldn't." I grumbled and Erik raised his eyebrows before a chuckle escaped him, "Wow, both of you are not even together and you're listening to her." 

"Shut the hell up Erik."

***

Dedicated to diseases for her previous comment.