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The Party

Chapter Thirty: The Party

"You look nice," Dante commented as I breezed through the back door.

"Listen, I took full advantage of not having to wear my uniform tonight," I said, smoothing my hands down the front of my black dress. It hugged my figure like a second skin, with sheer panels slashing in from the sides to show off just a little bit of my stomach. My hair was down for once, and Devyn had insisted that I curl it for the party. Since it wasn't something I often did, not something Vincent had ever seen, I decided to go for it. If for no other reason than to surprise him.

"I was being serious," he said, a grin on his face as he hefted a box of liquor in his arms. He jerked his head for me to follow up. "The is the last of the stock for their bar tonight. You're early, you can help me finish setting up."

We trooped out into that main part of the club. Anthony and Ember were behind the main bar, and they both waved at me as we walked through. Scurrying in front of him, I held the door open onto the main floor for Dante. He gave me a look of gratitude before heading off to the far left of the club. Past the seating that adorned this side of the room, there was a hallway that led back to the private rooms. For the most part, they were rented out for things like birthdays, bachelor and bachelorette parties, and business parties. And now, apparently, gang networking.

Although I guess that could technically be classified as a business party.

I let out a derisive snort at my own thoughts, and Dante glanced over his shoulder at me. When he raised an eyebrow in question, I just shook my head at him and continued to follow him back to the very end of the hall. Holding the door open for him again, I let my eyes adjust to the darkness of the room before moving in as well. The room Lucas had chosen was one of the biggest, with a private bar and dancefloor, as well as table seating. Trying not to roll my eyes, I kicked the door shut behind me and made my way to the bar.

With Devyn and I both working the party, I was guessing it would be a sinch. We had worked parties together for as long as I could remember, and they were more often than not some of our best nights. Even if there was a lot on the line tonight, I was still going to be glad to get to watch the guys let loose. They all deserved it.

Within the hour, Devyn had made her grand appearance. A smile tugged at my lips when I noticed what she was wearing.

"Did you tell me to wear this dress just so we would match?" I asked as she sidled up next to me.

"Maybe."

"Yeah, okay." The dress she was wearing was damn near identical to the one I had on. The one that she had selected out of the three options I had sent her earlier in the day.

Her red painted lips pulled back in an almost feral grin. "I figured you lucked out with the bangers, maybe I could too."

Dante dropped his head back and gazed at the ceiling. "Give me strength," he grumbled, shooting Devyn a cross look as he finished counting the money for our drawer.

Before Devyn could pop off at him, the door to the hall opened. Four men ambled in, but it was only the one bringing up the rear that I cared about in that moment.

My breath caught for just a moment. Then the relief swept through me, and I knew I was beaming.

I hadn't seen Vincent in days. And to see him up and walking without so much as a wince, it was like a weight I hadn't noticed was lifted off my chest. The fact that he looked utterly devastating in his black button down and slacks wasn't doing anything to help my racing heart.