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Gia looked at us and smiled. “Can I get you guys anything else?”
I laughed, “Gia you don’t have to be so professional with us.” She was between Arturo and me in age. I used to have a huge crush on her, but she always had eyes from Arturo. I think Arturo always kind of thought of her as a kid sister, and never saw her that way. She was around a lot growing up, our families are close. Franco is our godfather and Stefano is Elios. Over the years we learned Franco is more involved in my dad's business than we ever realized. Our hunt for Charlie had made that clear. We still weren't sure if Elio was involved, and we intended to find out. “I would like you to meet my wife, Alora.”
Gia smiled, holding out her hand to Alora. “I see the rumors are true then?”
Alora looked at her, jaw clenched. “And what rumors might those be?”
“Well, there have been many, but the one I am talking about is how beautiful Luka’s new wife is. That is true, and good luck with this one,” she raised her eyebrows and smiled at me, “he's trouble.”
Alora nodded, more relaxed, “oh, well thank you.”
“Is your father here tonight,” Arturo asked?
Gia nodded, “yes Mr. Rossi. Would you like me to tell him you guys are here?”
“Gia,” he sighed, “I have told you repeatedly to call me Arturo even when you’re working, and yes, please tell him we are here.”
Gia nodded, “Yes Mr. Rossi, I will tell him right away.” She looked back at me and Alora. “It was nice to see you Luka, and nice to meet you, Alora,” she glanced at mom and gave her a smile before walking off.
Arturo sat down. “Why does she insist on calling me Mr. Rossi but calls both of you by your first name?”
I held Alora’s chair out for her, and laughed, “because it gets under your skin.”
He shook his head, “Infuriating.”
Mom laughed, “she has had a crush on you since she was five. She knows you think of her as a little sister, it drives her crazy.”
Arturo looked at mom, then down at the table, his eyebrows pulled close together, deep in thought. A waiter came and took our orders, bringing out the food shortly after. Mom told us about their day, while Alora sat there and mostly nodded. She isn't saying much and has me worried something was wrong. I stood up and held my hand out to her. “Cupcake, can I have this dance?”
She looked up at me and sighed, shaking her head. “Not if you’re going to call me cupcake.”
I smirked, “wife, can I have this dance?”
She rolled her eyes and laid her wrist in my hand. I led her onto the dance floor, wrapping my left hand around her waist to the small of her back, pulling her to me. “You all right?”
Her hands came up, resting on my shoulder. “Fine, why?”
I looked behind her, noticing Arturo across the way dancing with mom. “You just seem, off tonight, like something is bothering you.”
She inhaled a deep breath. “I told you to stop acting like you give a shit about me.”
I gripped her waist tight, pulling her into me, “and I told you it’s not an act. As long as you are my wife, I am going to be concerned for you.” We swayed with one another to the music, our bodies pressed together. “Something is up with you, it has been since this morning. If you don't want to tell me, fine but you can talk to me.”
She stared at my eyes for a moment, that same look on her face. “Look, I,” she closed her eyes, her head turning towards the floor, her shoulders falling. She shook her head, taking a deep breath through her nose and then exhaling, “I don’t need you to be here for me.”
“Alora, whether you need it or not, I'm offering. So do what you will with that information. I fight tonight and you can come if you want, or not, your choice.” I leaned in whispering in her ear, “but I will say you look sexy as hell in that dress,” I pulled away, running my fingers through her hair, “and I love this new look. All I can think of is ripping this dress off of you, having an encore of last night,” I leaned in, my lips brushing the soft spot behind her ear, “be a good girl, and we will.” I pulled away as the song ended, looking into her eyes. Her cheeks were red, her eyes were slightly wider, and her chest was rising much faster than it should have been just from our dancing.
“Switch?” I looked to see mom and Arturo next to us.
I smiled at mom. “I’d love to,” I put Alora’s hand in Arturo’s, “be careful she’s a little bit feisty.”
Alora rolled her eyes, as I danced away with mom.
