Page 155 of Dance of Deception

I giggle, shaking my head. “I mean I’ll let you do it again.” I shift closer, pressing my lips to the corner of his mouth. “And again, and again…” My breath hitches, a thrill shooting through me. “And I think you’d like it if Ibegged…”

Predatory lust flashes behind his eyes.

I have him now.

“So,” I murmur, brushing my lips over his jaw. “Take me on a date, husband.”

A slow, dangerous smirk spreads across his lips. “Fine.” His voice is a low rasp against my skin. “But don’t think I’ll go easy on you.”

Laughter hums around me,warm and easy, the air heavy with whiskey, sweat and sawdust from the ax-throwing lanes across the room. The bar is dim, packed with bodies, the steady thud of axes hitting wooden targets mixing with the background chatter of a basketball game playing on the TVs.

I shift in Carmine’s lap, his hands tightening automatically around my waist. His fingers dig into my hips like he doesn’t even realize he’s doing it. I sip my drink, my body still aching in the most delicious ways from our earlier chase.

This feelsweirdlynormal, given who my husband is.

It also feels really, really good.

Across the table, Bianca leans into Kratos, laughing at something he's murmured in her ear. Roman sits beside them, his date—a blonde girl whose name I don’t remember—chattering away while he barely acknowledges her. His gaze flicks up sharply when three people suddenly emerge from the crowd and step over to our corner table.

“Relax, I’m here. You can all start having fun now.”

Bianca and I roll our eyes as we turn to look up at Vaughn. A blonde girl I’ve never seen before is on his left arm.

A brunette that Ialsodon’t recognize is on his right one.

Vaughn shakes them off before extending a tattooed hand to Kratos. Bianca’s husband grins, standing and grabbing Vaughn’s hand before bringing him in for a bear hug.

“Long time, man,” Kratos rumbles. “What’ve you been up to?”

“Oh, you know,” Vaughn shrugs. “Making sure your wife doesn’t get into trouble at rehearsal.”

Kratos grins. “That’s a tough job. My thanks and condolences.”

Bianca rolls her eyes, grinning.

Vaughn turns to Carmine and me, his brows arching as he takes in the sight of me sitting on my husband’s lap with his arm around my waist.

He smirks. Then his eyes lift to Carmine's. “Don Barone. I come to you on the day your daughter is to be wed?—”

“The Godfather. Very clever,” Carmine deadpans. “I’ve never heard that before, growing up in an Italian mafia family. Literally. Not once.”

Vaughn grins. “So, like, how does this work? Do I kiss your ring, or?—”

“I’d really rather you didn’t.”

“High five?”

Carmine shrugs. “Sure.”

I laugh as Carmine and Vaughn do just that. It's so weirdly…normal.

“Mr. Nikitin,” Vaughn’s smile curls dangerously, his brow cocking as he turns to Roman.

“You keeping my sister out of trouble, too?” Roman grunts.

“Evie?” Vaughn grins. “Don't have to. She's a fucking nun.”

Vaughn’s two dates slide back into his arms as he nods his chin at Roman and the blonde sitting next to him. “Who’s your date?”

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