Her Mafia Daddy - Chapter 21: Chapter 21

"Oh, sure. Figurati! Defy my father. You make it sound so easy."
"He won't mind if we are spending time together. That's all he wants anyway."
"True." He exhaled and checked his watch. "I'll take you to one of our nightclubs. No one will bother us there." I put down my spoon. "I'm ready."
We pulled up to the club's front entrance. Marco, our driver for the evening, had been none too pleased about this stop, but we promised to only stay an hour. No doubt he'd already texted the capo to tattle on us, but I didn't care. The bass thumped in my chest as soon as I stepped out of the car. Yes, I needed this distraction.
Ignoring the long line out front, Dimitri shook hands with the man at the door and then we were inside. The sound in here was louder, with bright lights flashing above a wide dance floor. Bodies were everywhere, young and beautiful Italians who weren't being forced into a marriage they didn't want. I longed to lose myself in them, even if it was only for one hour.
"Would you like a drink?" Dimitri asked over the loud music. "No, I'd rather dance."
"Come on, then." Taking my hand, he led me to the dance floor. I'd only been to one other club, a secret outing with a girlfriend from school. Except I'd spent the entire night looking over my shoulder, fearing my father's men would appear at any moment. I hadn't been able to relax and ended up leaving sooner than planned.
Tonight, I'd make the most of this outing. Dimitri would have to carry me out of here kicking and screaming. On the floor, we began jumping and writhing with the rest of the crowd, pressed in with strangers while staying close to each other. He didn't try to grind on me, which I was grateful for. Most guys tried to cop a feel while dancing, thinking the close proximity gave them access to a woman's body.
He'll have access to my body soon enough. Letting my eyes close, I swayed and tried to forget where I was and why I'd been brought here. For someone who hated tight spaces, I should have been miserable on the cramped dance floor. But there was something about the music and the anonymity that put me at ease. It felt like freedom.
The songs blurred together, one after another. Dimitri could really move, and the people around us, men and women, took notice. I didn't feel jealous, though, not even when a woman ran her hands all over his back.
He looked at me, probably to gauge my reaction, so I gave him two thumbs up. "Yes, Dimitri ," I shouted. "Get it!"
He shook his head, though his lips twitched. "We are supposed to be engaged, no?" I held up my left hand. "I don't see a ring."
Laughing, he drew in closer. "There's an associate in the VIP area who I need to speak with. Would you like to come or stay here?"
"Definitely stay here." I had no desire to get pulled into 'ndrina business any sooner than I needed to. Hopefully never. "Don't move. I'll return in a few minutes."
He disappeared and I continued to dance my ass off. I was wearing three-inch heels and my feet already hurt, but I didn't care. If we could only stay an hour, then I intended to make the most of it. I spun and twirled, let the music carry me off to a place where nothing mattered. Where I was free.
Many songs later, Dimitri hadn't returned. My feet were throbbing and my throat was dry. I decided to take a break and see if I could find him in the VIP section. At least then I could sit and drink some water. The man guarding the stairs to the VIP section barely gave me a passing glance, instantly dismissing me. "Ciao!" I said loudly, waving my hand in front of his face. "I'm with Dimitri Ravazzani. I believe he went upstairs."
The man didn't move a muscle. "Nice try."
"No, I really am with Dimitri ." Then I forced the hateful words out. "He's my fiancé. I'm Valentina Mancini."
The man blinked as he transferred wide brown eyes to my face. "You are Signorina Mancini?"
"Sí."
"Mi dispiace," he said and lifted the rope for me. "I didn't know, signorina." I guess word had gotten around about Dimitri 's engagement. I didn't know whether to be horrified or grateful.
"Grazie," I said and went up the stairs. Toes screaming with pain, I reached the landing and glanced around. No Dimitri . That was odd. He said he'd be up here. Had I missed him downstairs?
Looking over the railing into the crowd below, I didn't see him there either. Hmm. When I turned, I noticed a darker section that looked like it wrapped around the side of a small room. An office maybe? I hope Dimitri wasn't beating some guy up back there. Or worse, I hope he wasn't being beaten up.
I decided to take a peek. The dark narrow hallway was empty, but I saw something even better. A dimly lit exit sign. I held my breath, my heart pounding harder than it had on the dance floor. No one was around. I could slip out that door and disappear into Siderno, away from the Ravazzanis.