I snicker as Noé drags a reluctant Harley to the dance floor leaving me alone at our table. A few people come over, mainly to discuss business or flirt, I treat every conversation with practiced professionalism, taking a grateful breath when I’m left alone.
I snicker to myself as I watch a tipsy Noé grind away on a shy Harley, a drink in her hand and clearly feeling herself. I’m sipping this expensive champagne and watching the couples Vico and I pointed out earlier, practically fucking on the dance floor, when a throat clears next to me.
“Mind if I join you?” I smile as I look at Milo as he taps his glass of Scotch with my flute of champagne.
“I don’t, but your wife might.” I spare a glance at Adeline talking with a group of girls as her hawkeyes find Milo in an instant. Her glare is clearer than during the ceremony but I look away turning back to Milo chugging his drink. He still looks tired and exasperated. Everyone else seems to be enjoying his wedding more than him.
“Are you alright?” I keep my voice low under the music so nosy people won’t hear our conversation.
“I suppose it could be worse. I just hate that my father got his way.” We both glance at his parent’s drinking with Adeline’s parents, wide smiles on their faces. I resist the urge to run my hands through Milo’s curls, taking a drink before switching the subject.
“If it makes you feel better your new house is almost done.” Milo cracks a smile leaning against the table next to my chair.
“Really? I’m impressed, it’s only been a month. And with the size of the estate, well done, Ms. Dixon.”
“My workers busted their asses to get it done. They even slept on site, and I have to say the job is fucking immaculate.” I have to give my team their props, they proved that despite their small scale size they can handle bigger projects.
“I’ll make sure to throw in a tip then.”
“You don’t have to, this project was costly, they’ve made over a million each alone.”
“Like you said they busted their ass to build this home for us. It’s the least I can do. You should get a tip for yourself as well.” I snicker and shake my head, finishing my drink as we fall into a comfortable silence before I speak again.
“So, how does it feel to be a married man?” Milo gives me a blank stare before shrugging, stopping a waiter carrying drinks on a tray, grabbing one for both of us.
“Like I’m at the bottom of the ocean with a chain and anchor attached to my ankle.” I scoff out a laugh earning one from him too before we tap our glasses together again.
“Remind me to never get married.”
“Speaking of which, you and Vico.”
“There is no me and Vico.” I knew that us talking caught his attention, not that I expected anything less, they’re rivals after all.
“You may say that but I saw the way he was looking at you.”
“And how was he looking at me?”
“Like he wants you and he’s not going to stop until he has you.”
“It was just a conversation, Milo. I know what he’s done to you, I wouldn’t betray you like that.” Milo looks away, taking a long sip of his drink before rolling his eyes.
“I got evidence of who’s been attacking me.” My eyes snap to his and I sit up a little straighter.
“Who is it?”
“One of the girls I went on a blind date with felt wronged when I didn’t pick her. She ordered her “daddy” to do something about it. He came crying and begging for mercy after his 3 failed assassination attempts.” So it wasn’t Vico, why does that make me feel relieved? Perhaps because I don’t like the idea of Milo’s family trying to kill him. I don’t want him to face betrayal like that.
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“Just because it wasn’t Vico doesn’t mean he’s a decent man. He’s the opposite of that and I wouldn’t put it past him to plan something eventually.” Milo says as if reading my mind but I just shrug him off, taking a drink, letting the alcohol warm my belly.
“I didn’t say anything.” I glance at Vico over at the bar talking up some girls, his air of laziness still surrounding him. If Vico was in a band I’d imagine him as the drummer. Untameable, appealing, and undeniably attractive.
“You don’t have to say anything, I know that look.”
“What look?” I smirk as Vico locks his low eyes with me, his eyes make a slow unapologetic scan down my body.
“The look you make when you’re attracted to someone.” Before I can make an excuse I notice Adeline heading towards us. Her smile is smug and she’s clearly coming to claim her territory. I stand from my seat as Milo finishes another glass of alcohol discreetly rolling his eyes behind his glass.
“Ms. Dixon, so glad you could attend my wedding.”
“Congratulations, Mrs. Malone, your wedding was gorgeously done.” She smirks, flipping her hair as she latches onto Milo’s arm.
“I know, I’ve always had a great eye for design. However, I am surprised you’re here. I figured you’d be too busy building our home.” Adeline rubs a hand down Milo’s chest but I smile unbothered by her comments.
“I trust my team.” I don’t say more as I notice Vico heading my way, his eyes locked on me and his devastating smirk resting on his face. He claps Milo on the shoulder before coming around and standing unnecessarily close to me. His cologne wafts up my nose, the spicy scent mixing dangerously well with the smoke and alcohol lingering on him.
Why is he so close?
“Congratulations, brother.” Vico says the word like a taunt and Milo grits out a quiet, “thank you,” leaving the air buzzing with unspoken tension. Milo tries to conceal his glare as he looks at the proximity of me and Vico but he just can’t help himself. Vico notices obviously and inches closer, making me roll my eyes before taking a step away.
I’m not going to be a tool to fuel their rivalry.
Milo and Adeline get called away, forcing them to say their goodbyes. Milo gives me a final stare that he’ll talk to me later and I subtly nod before returning to my seat.
“I see you’re close with my half-brother.” Vico takes the seat next to me and of course Noé notices in an instant.
“He’s a client as well as a friend. You called Milo your brother, why weren’t you sitting by your family during the ceremony.”
“Oh? Did my dear older brother never mention me?”
“No, he did.” If mention means warn away then Milo’s definitely mentioned him a lot.
“Warned you away did he?”
“You didn’t answer the question.” Vico smirks, chugging his drink much like Milo did before pulling a joint out of his pocket.
“We’re not close.”
“Is that why you go by the name Cioni instead of Malone even though Milo is your brother?”
“Half-brother, I kept my mother’s name. I wanted to be sure her name would continue after she passed.” His accent is thick and for a moment he looks sincere but it’s gone just as quickly.
“That’s sweet.” Vico eyes me for a moment with a look I can’t decipher.
“Nobody’s ever said that to me before. In fact most people stare at me like that.” Vico points to Noé with a laugh as she glares daggers into his head.
“Why do people look at you like that?”
“Because I’m known to cause trouble.” His voice drops and that sexy accent has the words rolling off of his tongue, forcing me to drink and compose myself. Why is he so damn tempting?
“You sound proud of that.”
“I wouldn’t call it pride.”
“So what would you call it?”
“You have a lot of questions.” Vico smirks, taking my drink and downing the rest.
“Why would you do that?”
“So you have no choice but to accept a replacement drink from me.” Vico stands, holding out his hand for me to take. I give him a skeptical look, standing on my own and heading toward the bar.
What the hell am I doing right now? Why am I ignoring the warning Milo gave me? Vico clearly said he starts trouble himself so why…?
Can I just blame it on the liquor?
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Vico and I drink glass after glass of liquor as we talk shit and compliment the wedding guests dancing at the party. Noé and Harley were staying close but disappeared about 10 minutes ago. Vico said even they couldn’t resist the wedding hook-up and that it’s inevitable.
The reception has been flowing for 2 hours and Milo and I haven’t been able to be near each other again. Adeline has been keeping him on a short leash as they go around talking to damn near every guest. Vico has been keeping me entertained and I’ve constantly had to remind myself that he’s somebody I shouldn’t be around.
Yet my feet won’t seem to move away from him and my tipsy body doesn’t want to. Even worse I’m actually touching him and his exposed tattoos decorating his arm.
They’re just so well done, who wouldn’t admire them.
“How many tattoos do you have?” Vico lights his joint as we lean against the bar, garnering even more attention as eyes and noses turn up at the strong smell.
“I’ve lost count. They’re extensive, you want to see?” Vico his tone is only half teasing as he lazily smokes while I drink. A nervous worker comes our way, barely able to look Vico in the eye. That’s another warning I just seem intent on ignoring right now.
“I-I’m sorry, Mr. Capone, b-but you can’t smoke indoors…sir, sorry sir.” Vico blows out the smoke, eyeing the shaking worker with a blank stare before nodding and grabbing my hand.
“Come with me.” He doesn’t so much as ask as he does demand but his hold is light enough for me to pull away. For some reason I don’t…