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Pappi glances back at the rest of us. “I’m going to retire for the night. I’ll see you in the morning.”
Gianna glances at me after he leaves and points to the door urging me to walk her out.
I kiss Brittney on the cheek. “I’ll be right back,” I tell her.
I walk my grandmother out into the hallway as she takes my arm. She stops suddenly when we’re out of earshot of everyone. “I won’t lose anyone else, Hawk. I lost my baby. I’m aware he was in more trouble than I knew. I may as well have lost my daughter and all of you at the same time. I wish it hadn’t happened, but I intend on bringing this family back together. We’re stronger and better that way. A family united is unstoppable. That’s why this is happening now. They know we have cracks in our armor. Hold on to your woman for dear life. We’re all tested, Hawk. Let this test be one you pass with flying colors. I know you can. I have faith in you.”
“Yes, ma’am,” is all I manage to say. My grandmother is usually a quiet observer, so this conversation is a little unexpected. But she’s not wrong. We’re all stronger together.
She lifts on her toes to reach me, while pulling my face down toward her to kiss my cheeks. “Goodnight, Hawk.”
I watch her walk up the stairs before going back to the dining room. Brittney is on her phone. “Did they try to contact you again?”
She jumps at the sound of my voice and quickly locks her phone back. “Oh, no, that was Briella.”
“Is everything okay?” I ask.
“Fine. She was just checking on me,” she says quickly. I can’t shake the feeling she isn’t telling me the truth, but I don’t examine it closely. Why would she lie?
Hart stares at her for a moment before turning to me. “What’s the plan for tonight? It’s only seven. We can train more, or you can give me the layout of this warehouse, so I know what I’m dealing with the night of the fight.”
I glance at Brittney with her hands in her lap looking defeated. Wren seems quiet too. “How about we go back to Midnight Kiss and try to have a little fun for one night? It’s been constant worry for several days. I think we could all use a break.”
Brittney and Wren both turn their attention to me. Hart seems a little less than enthusiastic about the idea as he crosses his arms over his chest with furrowed brows. “Is that a good idea? Rocco—”
I cut him off. “There’s nothing to worry about there. The Leones and De Lucas aren’t allowed. Every bouncer at the entrances knows it,” I say shaking my head and hoping he catches my drift about not telling the girls the threats Rocco has made for me.
His nostrils flare as if he doesn’t agree, but he doesn’t say anything else, so I focus back on the girls. “Brittney, I’d love you to see the club in action and, Wren, I know you could use a night out too. What do y’all say?”
They both glance at each other and then back to me. “Sure,” Brittney answers and Wren nods.
I glance at my watch. “Let’s leave at eight, then.”
We left in the limo right after eight and the ride to Midnight Kiss was silent. Brittney held my hand but stared out the window. We’re all in the VIP room above the dance floor of the club watching the people below. We have our own bar in this room and the girls have started sipping mixed drinks. Hart and I have a beer apiece.
Wren is wearing a lipstick-red dress that fits too much like a second skin for my liking. Her hair is curled and hangs down her back. Her short dress and red heels to match make her legs appear long. I caught one too many men staring at her as we walked through the crowd to get to the VIP room.
And if that’s not bad enough, Brittney wears a miniskirt with a silver sequined top and no bra. The shirt has no back, only thin strings to hold it in place. One tug, and her top is history. She’s wearing black stilettos which I’ve pictured digging into my back while her legs are wrapped around me on repeat in the last twenty minutes since we’ve been here.
Wren stands from the velvet couch and grabs Brittney’s hand. “We’re going to dance.”
“You can dance here,” I say quickly as Hart watches. If he finds my sister attractive in the least, he’s not shown it thank goodness.
Wren moves closer. “We came out tonight to get our minds off this shitshow currently controlling our lives, not to sit up here and watch everyone else have fun. Now…we’re going. Feel free to come or stand up here and watch.”
She pulls Brittney behind her, and Brittney flashes a small smile my way. I glance at Hart. “Let’s go. I’ll be damned if I let them dance without me the way they look tonight. Please help me keep an eye on my sister. I know you’re here for Brittney, but I got her tonight. Just keep the horny jerks away from my sister, please.”
His jaw pulses but he nods, and we follow behind them.
On the dance floor, the music vibrates through the room, and when we find the girls, they’re moving in time to the beat. We stand close and I watch as Brittney has her hands in the air with her eyes closed as she moves her body seductively. Wren puts her arm around Britt’s waist and pulls her close. I hear a muted“shit”from somewhere and find Hart watching a few feet behind me.
But my attention is quickly pulled away by the other men in the room closing in. I immediately move in and pull Brittney from Wren. Wren pouts for a moment but continues dancing by herself close by. I see some of the men still watching but mostly backing off.
Brittney’s eyes fly open when I lean in so she can hear me. “You’re driving me crazy,dolcezza.You’re insanely sexy.”
She grins and it’s the first one I’ve seen in the last week that seems genuine. “Is that so?” she asks as she moves closer and palms my growing erection between us.
I lean in and kiss her neck and then move to her ear. “Yes. I think you’re doing this on purpose, and I think I should show you exactly what happens when you tempt me.”
