I grab her arm and steady her. “Are you okay?”
“Yeah, sorry. These shoes are killing me.” She twirls her ankle as she uses my arm to keep her balance. “Hey, are you from around here?”
I give her a smile. “Why do you want to know?”
She giggles and flutters her eyes. “I’m looking for Lucky’s. I’m supposed to be meeting my friends there. You could come?” She poses it as a question rather than an invite.
The woman in front of me is gorgeous, but she doesn’t hold a candle to the one who holds my heart.
“Sorry, I’m already taken. I can give you directions though.”
“Too bad. Handsome and loyal? You’re a real catch.”
I chuckle. If only Izzy felt that way.
Chapter Five
Isabella
“Ididn’t expect to see you tonight,” Kevin says into my ear as we dance.
“Small world, isn’t it?” I glance over his shoulder and meet Dante’s eyes.
“That it is.” Kevin runs his hands over my sides before settling them on my hips.
The music is some fast song that doesn’t really call for the closeness, but he pulled me close, and I didn’t have a reason to push him away.
Honestly, I don’t know why I’m out right now. If you ask Dante, I should be at home. All I wanted was to be out of my quiet house. Ever since Mia started dating Lo, she’s never home. Which is great for her but lonely for me. Tonight, I just wanted to be surrounded by people, and Ivory seemed like the best option. I make eye contact with Dante who’s giving us some space yet close enough in case I need him.
“You’re playing with fire,” Dante mouths.
I know he’s talking about the fact Giovanni will hear about this. He probably thinks that’s the reason I chose to go out tonight.
I couldn’t take another night at home watching TV alone yet again. I called my mom, but she had been busy and couldn’t talk. I tried Mia and Sofia, but Mia didn’t answer, and Sofia was attacked by Bash within the first five minutes of the conversation.
Very briefly I considered calling Giovanni, but I couldn’t convince myself to do it. Next thing I knew, I was out the door and on the way to Ivory, much to Dante’s dismay.
“This’s a nice club. I haven’t been here before. Usually I go into Manhattan and go to this club called Crimson. But I’m glad my friends convinced me to try this place.” Kevin’s hands start to travel lower onto my ass as he talks.
“Crimson is good. Ivory is my favorite though.” I back out of his embrace and continue to dance.
“Where are you going, beautiful?” He attempts to pull me back in, but Dante’s there in a minute.
“Miss Isabella, I believe it’s time we go.”
“Hey, she’s safe with me. Why don’t you leave us alone? I will make sure she makes it home safely.”
The smile on Kevin’s face creeps me out, but I also don’t want to give in to Dante. While this isn’t the night I hoped for, I still want to have fun.
“Dante, stand down. I’m not ready to leave yet. I think I’m going to go get a drink. You boys behave while I’m gone.” I give them each a pointed look and don’t give them an opportunity to argue. Once at the bar, I glance back and meet Dante’s eyes. He followed me to the bar while Kevin moved to grab us a table on the side of the dance floor.
“You’re about to have a visitor.”
That’s the only warning I get before Matty slides up next to me.
“Hey, short stuff. Whatcha up to?”
“I’m not short, asshole. You’re just abnormally tall. I’m drinking. Want a shot?”
