Page 87 of There Is No Love

He pulled me in tight, “oh Vixen, who’s pretending?”

I shook my head as he spun me in a circle, pulling me tightly to his chest.

The two of us split up, mingling in, making small talk. Gathered any information, we could. I felt his eyes on me constantly, and I wasn’t sure if I found it annoying or comforting. He walked up, putting his hand around me, pulling my back to his chest, “do you have to dance with every guy here?”

“Dancing is a good way to get uninterrupted attention and info. Why are you jealous?”

His grip on my waist tightened, pulling me deeper into him, “yes, but I know I will get you tonight.” His lips fell to the side of my neck, “don’t let them get too grabsy Alora, I’d hate to ruin the party by breaking some poor guy's hand.” He turned walking off, as I struck up a conversation with one of the wives.

“Alora, may I have this dance?”

I turned around, “Gianni,” I put my hand in his, “of course.”

“So, I am guessing you heard our Wrath is a female?” Gianni offered.

"Yes, any thoughts?”

“Well, that changes a lot, and I have some thoughts. Maybe you and I can talk,” he glanced around us, “when we don’t have so many listening voices?”

“Of course, we will talk soon.”

“Your husband looks as if he wants to punch me in the face, shall we put him out of his misery?”

I glanced over, seeing him standing with Arturo and his mother, “yes let’s do that.”

The two of us walked over, “Aunt V,” Gianni pulled her into a hug, “how have you been?”

“I am good, how about you? Have you found a wife yet?”

“No, I have yet to meet a girl who can keep up with me,” he laughed, turning to Arturo, shaking his hand. “Artie, how ya been?”

Arturo groaned, shaking his head, “I hate being called that.”

“I was just telling Alora we need to talk, are you guys headed back home soon?”

“Tomorrow,” Arturo replied.

“Well make sure you say hi to Mom. I better go play host, it was good to see you guys,” he gave Arturo and Luka one of those hugs that only men do, starting as a handshake, then a combination of a chest bump and a pat on the back. He gave Voralie a quick kiss on the cheek, before pulling me into a hug and walking off.

I yawned; Luka pulled me to him. “Are you ready to call it a night?”

I looked at him and nodded, “yes, but it doesn't look like my dad is.” I pointed to him laughing with one of the other bosses and his wife.

“I drove separately,” Arturo chimed in, “I’ll give you guys a ride.”

“You sure you don’t mind?” I asked. He shook his head, “not at all.”

“We'll let me go tell him while he is surrounded by other people and can't be a jerk.” I walked over. “Dad, I am tired, Arturo is going to drive Luka and me home.”

He put his arm around my shoulder pulling me into him, “Ok sweetheart, I am going to sleep here in Manchville in that case, I have business here tomorrow. Take Nick with you, Marco will be staying with me.”

“Goodnight.”

“Goodnight Alora,” he kissed my forehead.

I turned around, and Nick walked up, “you, good?”

I shook my head. “No. Arturo is taking us home; you're riding with us.”

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