bound to. I won’t fault you for it. I’ve had enough lies to last three lifetimes.”
“What else did you always like about me, Gia?”
She smirked. “I can’t tell you, it wouldn’t be polite table conversation.”
“You think I care about that?”
“No, but I think Ardy’s family has been scared enough. It’s one thing to know of us. It’s another to be caught smack dab in the middle of our club.”
Lefty studied the family. Paddy’s face had been red from the minute he arrived in town. Her sisters’ eyes were as round as saucers. Her brother kept fidgeting in his seat.
Lefty couldn’t blame him. It was like being a sheep in a den of wolves.
The night wore on awkwardly and the party moved to the bar area and onto the dance floor.
Classic rock wasn’t the norm for the place, but in Newsom, Demon got what Demon wanted.
“You’re not going to ask me to dance?” Lefty teased.
“Aren’t you supposed to be the one asking me?” Gia said.
He scowled. “You know what I mean. Bitches live for that shit, right?”
“Not this bitch. You still want to claim that you know what this bitch wants?”
Her claiming of the B word stunned him.
“Don’t look surprised. I’m fine with being a bitch. Bitches get shit done and don’t put up with the bull people try to pass off as truth. There are many ways to be empowered. People see the business I run, then assume shit and underestimate me. I like that. It gives me the upper hand right out the gate.”
“You’re so sexy when you’re being a boss,” Lefty retorted.
Gia laughed. “You’re ridiculous.”
“You like it.”
“I do.” She nodded her agreement.
“How much longer we gotta stay? I mean, if we leave, we’ll be seen as rude, right?” Lefty
asked, pulling her body to his as he watched the couples on the makeshift dance floor.
Despite the tension within her family, Ardy appeared to be having a blast. Laughter spilled from her lips and her face glowed. D’s version of dancing involved a lot of close contact. But it wasn’t lewd, which meant he was toning it down.
Watching them make it work had given him the kick in the ass he needed to make his move
on Gia. Emotions weren’t a thing he did often, but with her, they were unavoidable. So, he faced them head on and owned that shit. He made a promise to himself as a child to never again…live in fear.
“The real question is what do you need to do to entice me to leave my girl high and dry like that?”
“Oh, that’s how you want to play it?” Lefty said.
She smirked and went silent. All the time they spent together and she still remained a
mystery.
“You keep playing with me, baby, and I’m going to take you in the back and fuck you
against the wall.”