Differences

Chapter 12 - Luke

New Chapter!!!

Warning: loads of inappropriate language. Please read what is comfortable for you.

Enjoy reading!!! 🎻🍸

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

By the time we reached to the main hall, a new song began to play. Perfect timing, I tell myself. I gently place my hands on her waist, my other, holding her left hand, as her right hand rests softly on my shoulder. Invisible sparks dance around my body. I haven't danced with anyone besides Mom or Charlotte and I was glad it was with her.

It felt right.

The idea of us moving across the floor in a slow but rhythmical manner, matching with the orchestral flow, the soft fabric of her dress flowing against my own tux, my hands on hers and her hands on mine. Her face was only inches away from mine, but I wanted her closer. Closer to me.

"Come closer, lean on me"

She gave me a puzzled look but does so anyway, her head on my chest, putting most of her weight on me. She trusted me. Trusted me to direct this dance, across the dance floor, trusted me with her. And I felt  amazing.

The music slowed, and we slowly separated. Bowing towards each other in a sign of respect as well as marking the end of a dance. I didn't want to separate with Alaina or stop dancing for that matter, but we both knew we didn't come here just to dance. But it didn't mean I was going to let her leave me for even a second. Soon after, I once again take her hand in mine and we start to walk towards one of many circular tables with other personalities we had to interact with today.

🌹

We first go towards the table that I was the most comfortable with, Ash opposite me, Will on my right with his girlfriend and Josh with his wife on Alaina's left. I pick up a glass, hand one over to Alaina as I grab another one for myself.

"I see you finally got yourself a lady." Will remarks

"I still remember Charlotte complaining to us to find one for you because she was concerned people were gonna think you had some sort of issues due to the lack of women in your life, contrary to the rumours about you." Josh shares, unnecessarily.

"Josh, I don't fucking care what people thinks about me, and I am perfectly fine." I remark

"I apologise Luke, Josh has the stupid tendency to run his mouth whenever and wherever he pleases." Josh's wife, Rei says with a scowl directing at the guy who should be apologising instead of his wife.

She was a headstrong woman. Wasn't ever connected to this world in any way, she was your usual stoic, calm, collected Japanese girl, but Josh and her fell head over fucking heels and the rest was history. It was cute as it was annoying. She continued, "Luke, care to introduce your girl to us?"

"Alaina De Luca, Alaina that is Rei, and then Josh, Ash, Sofia and Will. They all work for our family" I introduce, using my hand to direct whose name belonged to whose.

"It's a pleasure to meet you all. I'm Alaina." She introduces, giving them a courteous smile at them all.

"It definitely is. He places way too much importance in this line of work and never have time for himself." Will shares, again another truly unnecessary information

"I haven't known Luke as long as Will, Ash, Josh, or Rei, but even I know that Luke places work above all else. I hope you make him have some off time, sweety" Sophia chimes in.

She was part of the Russian Bratva that resided here in the US, and similarly to Alaina and I, Sophia and Will were arranged together. But unlike Alaina and I, who only got to see each other face to face three weeks ago, they were childhood friends from 3 years old. So, when they were forcibly put together, it didn't take them long to realise they worked well with each other.

"I'll try. He still is very much a workaholic." Alaina shares and I find myself smiling at her.

"Wait, hold up did you just smile?" Josh asks, smirking. Why did I fucking let my guard on them. They were gonna hold this until the day I fucking die. Nah, they would still bother me in the afterlife or hell. Whichever one I go.

"I was not. You are seeing things. Would like me to book an appointment at the optometrist for you? For your information I have 2020 vision by the way." I retort, not even taking any chances of him using my eyesight against me, which I knew he would.

"Nah, I have contacts in. So, I'm actually seeing in 2020 as well but I am almost 100% sure, you smiled towards your lady."

"It seems your contact are failing on you" I say

"Whatever you say sir." He shares mocking me openly. He wasn't gonna like what was gonna come in future training sessions or missions we were gonna go on.

The only person who wasn't joining in the conversation and hasn't moved even an inch was Ash. This wasn't weird per say, he was always the analytical one, observing quietly and creeps up on you unexpectedly, but even so, it was weird for him to not say anything.

"Ash, you right?" I ask, slightly concerned

"Yea. All good" He replies, tone clipped, making me more concerned but I don't push, telling myself I would ask later.

"If you say so. Now I'm gonna go around. Don't cause any unnecessary trouble, or your head will be next to the tip of my gun tomorrow morning." I say, they laugh, and I make my way around to other tables, making sure I had my hand either on Alaina's waist or holding her hand.

The annoying part of this ball was to show ourselves around, like some sort of circus monkey's needing attention, in the act to show how us, the Taylor's had joined with the De Luca's. It was an annoying, tiring, stupid process, one I never really wanted to ever do, and exposing Alaina to an awful lot of fucked up men wasn't my idea of fun, but Alaina seemed quite content being in this atmosphere and that was all I needed to keep going.

If she was happy, then I was too.