Page 26 of Devious Vows

And a bit sad.

I’ve known him for how long and I don’t even know his favorite color.That has to change.I’m sure Remy thinks he’s one-upped me here, but he won’t for long. Pulling my phone from my pocket, I dial Julian. By the end of the day, I’ll be a Remy expert,I swear it.

As soon as I hear the line pick up, I speak, “Tell me everything you know about Remy Luciano.”

Chapter Ten

“Well, hello, cherry bomb!” The exclamation is followed by an obnoxious whistle as I step out of the cab outside of the Raging Bull, a Famiglia-owned nightclub located near the pier. I roll my eyes with a smile at Donatello’s loud greeting, and glance down at my outfit. It’s a two-piece spaghetti-strapped black chiffon top and miniskirt set that’s decorated with a soft black ruffle at the bottom and dotted with little cherry designs.

I hold my phone out to Donatello, watching as he tucks it into his pocket for me, our usual routine when going out since I hate carrying a purse. I note the lack of ladies fawning over him and tilt my head his way. “No date tonight? That seems surprising.”

Julian was supposed to come with me but he had some job come up and I’m not completely sure if Andrea will be by later, so for now, it’s just Donatello and me.

He gives me a lopsided grin that screams trouble, reaching out to snap the elastic band of my top on my ribs. I smack his hand away with a scowl. “You’re my date tonight, obviously.”

“Ew.” I shake my head as he laughs, pinching his side when he tries to wrap an arm around my shoulders. “Absolutely not. None of that.”

“Oh, come on! What’s the worst that could happen?” He smirks over at me as we walk toward the club entrance, nodding to the bouncer who opens the door for us that bypasses the waiting line out front. “If you’re worried you’ll fall madly in love with my superior dance moves, I understand the concern.”

I scoff on my way past him, heading for our reserved table. “I’ve seen your dance moves many times and, honestly?” I smile at him over my shoulder, blinking as sweetly as I can. “They’re the best I’ve ever seen.”

He frowns at me with suspicion as I laugh at the expression on his face, walking past the floor-to-ceiling glass panes that line the back half of the club. The entire place is decorated in blacks and reds, dark and mysterious just like most of the men who frequent the place. There’s VIP seating along the upper balconies but we always use the private booths behind the one-way glass in the back because it’s closer to the main dance area and whatever live entertainment they have going.

“I don’t like when you say nice things like that. I never know if you’re being serious or making fun of me,” Donatello says, pulling my attention from the DJ and onto him.

“I’d never make fun of you, Donatello.” His eyes playfully narrow as he sits in our booth, two ringed fingers rising to signal a nearby waitress.

“Okay. Now I know you’re lying.” He points his finger at me while I laugh. His eyes leave mine to land on the waitress as she drops off our drinks, already knowing what we usually order. He winks at her, making her blush as she turns away, and I roll my eyes, grabbing my plain vanilla Coke from the table. I might be able to drink at the Famiglia parties, but they are a little more strict when it comes to more public places.

“Who’s coming later? Besides Julian,” I ask between sips.

His ringed knuckles knock lightly on the table as he looks out into the crowd, probably looking for some poor girl to leave heartbroken later. “Are you asking if Remy will be here? Because you already know about the other two.” He smirks at my glare when his face turns my way. “I don’t know where he is.”

“I don’t know if I believe you or not.”

He chuckles, biting his lip in a way that I’m sure has most girls falling to their knees for him. “Honestly?” I narrow my gaze on his face, knowing he’s mocking me from earlier. “I’d never lie to you.”

I roll my eyes as he laughs. “Whatever.” Setting my soda down, I stand from the booth seat, eyes on Donatello. “Are we dancing or not?”

He jumps up, lopsided grin in place as he shifts me forward with a hand on my back. “I knew you really wanted to dance with me.”

“Right. You got me.” I start swaying before we even reach the main floor, turning to face Donatello as I dance backward into the crowd. He laughs as I throw peace signs over my eyes. “Time to prove you got the moves, Donny boy.”

His eyes shift to look up toward the balcony, smirking at whatever he sees. “First off…” His eyes drop to mine, narrowing with a playful challenge, meeting me step for step as I shimmy through the crowd. “That’s a gross nickname, find something else. And second, what do the Mafia and pussies have in common?”

I purse my lips in thought, continuing to dance. “I don’t know. What?”

He spins me away from him, pressing into my back as we dance. His smile brushes along my ear before he speaks, “One slip of the tongue and you’re in deep shit.”

I reach back and lightly smack his mouth, laughing at his stupid gross joke. “You’re disgusting. And I’m telling Julian that later.”

Gripping my hips he tugs me closer and I give him a look over my shoulder in warning. He just flashes that lopsided grin again, eyes glinting in the lights flashing around the room. It’s pretty dark in the dance pavilion, the lights purposefully dimmed to almost nothing, ceilings lined with random strobes that swing around the room. Most of the light is centered around the stage, smoke from the men on the balconies above making the room smell like expensive cigars mixed with the soft musk of cologne.

I grip Donatello’s hand, holding it in place as it tries to slide up my side. “I will break your fingers if you go any higher.”

He grabs my hand, spinning me to face him while simultaneously pulling me flush using his other hand on my lower back. “One more joke.”

I narrow my eyes but let him keep me close. “Fine, tell it and make it quick before I decide to punch you for getting too handsy.”

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