Page 26 of His to Break

Why the hell did I think it was a good idea to bring Vinnie to a club? I want to kill every man who even glances in her direction and there are a lot of them ogling her. Compared to the other women in this place, she’s dressed like a nun. Her black dress isn’t exactly modest since its neckline reveals the curve of her breasts, but its skirt falls to below her knee. She isn’t trying to draw attention to herself, but she’s attracting it, nonetheless.

Since Vida isn’t one of my family’s clubs, I have to pay a charge at the door and then slip a security guard a couple of hundred dollars to access the VIP section. I lead Vinnie up a flight of stairs into a lounge that’s busy, but less crowded than the main section of the club. I’m not surprised the place is packed out. It only opened a few days ago and people in this city are always eager to try something new. Their interest won’t last. There’s nothing unique about Vida. It lacks the air of opulence and exclusivity that our clubs have.

I steer Vinnie over to a white leather sofa at the far side of the room. It gives me a good view so I can spot potential trouble before it reaches us. It’s also quieter so we can talk. I hate shouting over music to make myself heard.

A young, blonde waitress in a skimpy red skirt and black t-shirt comes to offer us a couple of complimentary glasses of champagne.

“Would you like to open a tab, sir?”

“No. Our drinks are on Daniele.”

The waitress bites her bottom lip uncertainly. “I’ll have to check with him.”

“Do that.”

As she walks off, Vinnie turns to me, her lips set in a firm line.

“Is this my brother’s club?”

“Yeah.”

She huffs out a breath of disbelief. “Why did you bring me here?”

“I thought he might want to congratulate us on our marriage if he’s around.”

I already know Daniele’s here tonight. One of our guys on the inside of the Bianchi family let me in on his boss’s plans for the night.

Vinnie scowls. “You’re trying to provoke him?”

My response is a quick shrug.

“Has anyone ever told you that you’re an asshole?” Vinnie fumes.

“At least twice a day, and that’s just my mother.”

My flippant remark has the desired effect. Vinnie laughs and whatever annoyance she felt drains away. We had a pleasant time in the restaurant and I want it to continue. I put my arm around her shoulders as she sips her champagne.

“I want to invite your family to dinner.”

That takes me by surprise. “Why?”

“I want to get to know them better.”

“You can do that at the party.”

“I’d like to spend some time with them before that. I want to be comfortable at the party.”

It’s not an unreasonable request. Vinnie will be surrounded by our family’s inner circle at the celebration, and almost all will be strangers. She looks up at me with hopeful eyes and I can’t refuse her. “Okay. I’ll see what I can do.”

“Thanks.” She rewards me by pressing her soft lips to my jaw and kissing me gently. “Will John be able to cater for nine people?”

“Eight.”

I can almost see the wheels in Vinnie’s head turning as she tries to work out which member of my immediate family I’m excluding. “If you’re expecting Antonio’s wife to be there, forget it.”

“Oh. Is she not around?”

“No, and don’t bring her up in front of my family. She betrayed Antonio.”

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