I smile. “I’ll be ready.”
Chapter 23 - Dominic
I come downstairs, dressed in jeans and a tight-fitting button-up shirt, to find Sofia waiting for me. She’s wearing averyshort, very tight red strapless dress. She has gorgeous black heels on, and as I come closer, I can smell her perfume, which nearly sends my body into shock.
I stare at her for a moment before she says, “What? Are you surprised I clean up well?”
I give a slight cough. “No, I just…you look really nice.”
She blushes and picks up her thin-strapped red bag that matches her outfit. “I’m ready just to let loose and party.”
“We still need to be careful,” I warn her. “It’s not safe.”
“I thought La Club belonged to your family,” she says, and I nod.
I say, “It does, but I don’t think I should drink tonight.”
She smirks. “I don’t think Arianna will give you much choice.”
I know she’s right, but I won’t admit out loud that my baby sister has a certain hold over me. I’ve always had a soft spot for her, born ten years after me. I’ve always done what she wants to keep her happy.
I open the door. “Ladies first,” I comment.
Sofia walks out and toward my car. Two guards are waiting for us. I’ve opted for them to drive us tonight, just in case. I open the back door for Sofia and let her slide in and to the other side of the car before I get in, shutting the door behind me.
As we join the traffic, I keep an eye out for anyone who might be following us. Sofia puts a hand on my arm. “Relax. Tonight is about letting go.”
I look at her and snort. “I don’t know how to relax, and I don’t think people really like me when I do.”
“Why’s that?” she asks.
I shrug. “I don’t get invited out a lot, so I assume they don’t.”
She smiles. “Maybe it’s because you’re intimidating. I’ll see what you’re like tonight and let you know if you’re better or worse.”
I don’t know why but that makes me a little nervous, as though I have something to prove.
The driver pulls up to the entrance of La Club, and I get out, holding a hand out for Sofia to help her out. Two guards flank us as the bouncer removes the rope blocking the entrance. “Your sister is at the bar near the office.”
I nod to him and place my hand lightly on Sofia’s back, guiding her in the correct direction slowly through the club. She’s looking around, and she seems fascinated. I don’t really think La Club is that glamorous, but it is popular, so it’s busy.
I see Arianna standing at the bar with Carmine, one of our mercenaries, and I frown. I didn’t know he was assigned to protect her.
Sofia taps Arianna on the shoulder. “Hey!” she shouts over the music. “We’re here.’
“Sofia!” Arianna squeals and hugs her. Clearly, she’s started the party early. “Time for shots.” She waves down the bartender, who comes to help her immediately. “Eight shots of tequila, please.”
I groan. I hate tequila. I can drink it, but I hate the aftertaste it leaves. Arianna dances to the music and grins at Sofia. “Do you like the club? What do you want to drink?”
Sofia looks around. “A cocktail, maybe a long island iced tea.”
Arianna looks at me, scoffs then turns back to the bartender who is lining up shots. “Two high-end whiskeys, two long island iced teas.”
Once the shots are poured, he leaves to get our drinks. Arianna hands us each two shots, then holds her own. “To new friends, old friends, and great friends.”
We clink the glasses, spilling some tequila, then throw back one shot after another. I smack my lips and shake my head, argh.
I tap the glasses on the bar and then leave them there. Sofia looks at us as Arianna does the same. “Why do you tap them?”