Page 23 of Draco

“Stay close to my side,” I warned Frankie as we entered the building through the back door.

I scoped the scene when we made it to the main floor, and it didn’t take long for me to find my folks. I approached Sparrowand dapped him up while shaking my head at the fools in the middle of the dance floor.

“What’s good with you, Draco?” Sparrow addressed me but eyed Frankie.

I offered a brief introduction before changing the subject.

“How’s the vibes so far?” I wondered aloud.

He gestured toward Zo andBeardancing with a few nightcrawlers I’d seen before.

“I would say things are goinggood.” He laughed.

I smirked at the view before facing Frankie. A jolly demeanor swelled her eyes asshepeople watched. The smile on her face made me breathe easier about introducing her to this part of my life.

“Do you need something?” I quizzed, pushing Frankie’s curly locs off her shoulder.

“Water,” she replied, running a finger down her throat.

I ordered ourdrinksthen led her to an empty table in the corner. Our seats were out of theway but gave me a clear view of Frankie and the door.

“So, this is what you do when you leave the house?” She pointed to the men tossing dollar bills at a group of women.

“It’s not usually this bad,” I replied. “Bearis hypedbecause he got to see another birthday. He beat cancer last year. He has a reason to celebrate.”

She lifted her glass in the air. “In that case, cheers to Bear.”

As Frankie stalked the crowd, I watched her. She looked good in a pair of leather cargo pants, a leather halter top, and one of my old motorcycle vests. I picked out the fit for her, but I almost didn’t believe she would put it on. When she appeared downstairs with her locs curled and her unique skin bathed in oil, I knew we had reached a new level of trust. Hell, ever since I feasted on her pussy hole, the energy between us shifted. She didn’t rush to another room when I camearound, nor did sheconceal her hard nipples when we ran into each other during the early morning.

“You look good tonight. I mean… You look good, Nugget.”

Her head hit a swivel just in time for me to see the dimple in her left check make an appearance.

“Thank you. Some motorcycle-riding vampire picked out my threads.”

“Does that bother you? Me picking out things for you?”

She drank from her straw as she slowly shook her head. “I actually think it’s… sweet. I don’t know if that wordcouldbe usedwhen describing your mean behind.”

“Mean?” I repeated the word like it wasn’t something I heard all my life. “I’m not mean. I just don’t have time to play games. I’m a straight shooter.”

“You don’t always have to shoot—or bite in your case.” She giggled at her own joke. Her laugh was contagious. “Oh, wow.” She palmed her chest. “The vampire smiles.”

“I’m not that bad. If I’m being real, I haven’t had a lot to smile about.”

“Really? You seem to have everything anybody would want—money, power… family.”

I nodded. “I recognize how blessed I am, but all that comes with a price, even the family when you’re the head.” I finished the rest of my drink. “Enough of the sappy shit. I want you to enjoy yourself before we have to get into the deep shit.”

Frankie combed a few locs behind her ear. “Liquor and a dance would help with that.”

“I got you, pretty lady.”

We abandoned our chairs and returned to the bar for something stronger. This time, Frankie entangled her fingers between mine as we traveled through the party. I scoffed when I saw my brothers and a few members staringat us, knowing they were about to talk shit.

“Look at the loverboy and his lady.” Bear slurred and bowed his head at Frankie as we got closer. “How you doing, Ms. Lady? I’m Big Bear.”

Frankie accepted hishandshake but stepped back to my side quickly.

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