Matteo

I led Adriana toward the back of the club and the door opened before we reached it. Gabriel stepped out and his face lit up the second he saw me.

He was dressed in his usual style with a white linen shirt unbuttoned at the collar and gold chains around his neck. His smile was wide and genuine, he moved toward me with his arms open.

"Matteooooo," he said and his voice carried even over the music. "It's been too long my friend."

We embraced and clapped each other on the back, it felt good to see him after everything that had happened. Gabriel pulled back and kept his hands on my shoulders, looking me over like he was checking for injuries.

"I heard about the hospital situation," he said and his smile faded for a moment. "That car race almost killed you. I was worried but I knew you were too stubborn to die."

I shrugged. "Takes more than that to keep me down."

Gabriel laughed loud enough to make people turn their heads. "That's what I told everyone. I said Matteo won't go down that fucking easy." His eyes shifted to Adriana and his expression changed to something I didn't fucking like. "And who is this beautiful lady?"

"My wife," I said, making sure my tone was clear. "Adriana."

Gabriel's eyes went wide and he let go of me to step closer to her. "Your wife? Matteo you didn't tell me you married a Goddess." He took her hand before I could stop him and brought it to his lips, kissing it while looking straight into her eyes. "It's an honor to meet you Adriana. You are even more stunning than I imagined."

I felt my jaw tighten. Gabriel held her hand too long and his thumb brushed across her knuckles, I wanted to rip his damn hand . Adriana glanced at me and I knew she could see exactly how I felt about this.

"Gabriel," I said, letting the warning hang in my voice.

He laughed and finally let go of her hand but kept his eyes on her for another second. "Forgive me. It's not every day I meet someone so captivating."

The woman who had been at Gabriel's side was still on her knees and she looked furious. She had been smiling at him when we arrived but now her expression was cold as she watched Gabriel stare at my wife. She huffed crossing her arms, when Gabriel didn't notice she turned and walked away into the crowd.

He didn't even look after her. He clapped his hands together and gestured toward a private booth. "Come come. Let's sit and catch up properly. I want to hear everything."

We followed Gabriel to the booth and it was separated from the rest of the club by a velvet curtain. The table was polished black wood and the seats were leather, a waitress appeared the moment we sat down.

He ordered shots without asking and leaned back with his arms spread across the seat. Everything about him was relaxed and open, it was the complete opposite of how I operated.

"So tell me," Gabriel said, looking between us. "How did you two meet? Matteo never mentioned he was seeing anyone."

I was about to answer but Gabriel was already waving at the waitress for more drinks. The shots arrived on a silver tray and Gabriel passed them around with a grin. "To old friends and new beginnings," he said, raising his glass.

We drank and the liquor burned down my throat. Gabriel ordered another round immediately, I grinned. This was just how he was. Loud and generous, he made everyone feel welcome no matter who they were or where they came from.

The music shifted and one of the dancers on the nearest stage started a new routine. She wore a red bodysuit covered in crystals, her legs wrapped around the pole as she spun. Gabriel leaned forward with his elbows on the table, his attention locked on her.

"Look at that," he said. "Isn't she incredible?"

I glanced at the stage but didn't see what the excitement was about. The dancer moved seductively and the crowd cheered but I had no interest in watching. I picked up my drink and drummed my fingers on the table. Another dancer joined on a second pole, wore black leather with straps across her body. She moved slower and the two of them created some kind of rhythm together.

I looked at my glass, wishing we could get to business but I knew Gabriel wanted to catch up first. When I glanced up I saw Adriana watching the dancers with complete focus. She couldn't take her eyes off them and when she realized I wasn't watching she smiled so bright it caught me off guard. I huffed out a laugh and shook my head at her.

Gabriel noticed and grinned. "She likes the show."

The night dragged on and Gabriel kept ordering more shots. I lost track of how many Adriana had, I could already see it hitting her. Her movements got looser and she started swaying in her seat to the music. The crowd on the dance floor were getting wild, bodies pressed together under the lights.

Adriana moved in her seat and her hips swayed as her shoulders rolled. I put my hand on her waist to steady her and when she looked at me I could see how drunk she was. I tried not to smile.

"You're drunk," I said close to her ear.

"Maybe a little," she said and leaned into me. "I want to dance."

I shook my head. "I don't dance Princess."

She grabbed my arm and looked up at me with that expression I knew too well. "Please?"

"No," I replied, the words coming out faster than I expected.

Gabriel laughed from across the table. "Come on Matteo. The lady wants to dance. I'll take her if you won't."

My hand tightened on her waist immediately. Like I would ever let him fucking touch her. I stood up and pulled Adriana with me. "We're dancing."

She grinned as I led her toward the dance floor. Gabriel's laughter followed us, I heard him say something about jealousy but I didn't give a flying fuck.

We pushed into the crowd and people surrounded us on all sides. They pretended not to look but I felt their eyes on us. They knew who I was and they were watching to see what I would do. I kept my focus on Adriana.

She moved against me, wrapping her arms around my neck. I kept my hands on her hips and guided her through the music even though this wasn't my thing. She pressed closer and after a moment I stopped fighting it, moving along with her. The crowd blurred and it was just us.

She looked up at me and something shifted in her expression. She was watching me like she was planning something, it made my pulse quicken. Then she pulled back slightly and gave me a look that I knew meant trouble. I raised an eyebrow in question as she smiled and turned away from me.

She started walking toward the nearest stage where one of the dancers had just finished. The pole stood empty under the lights and the crowd was still cheering.

"Adriana," I called but she didn't stop.

She climbed the steps to the stage and every eye in the club turned toward her.