When we arrive at the table, Mia is standing on the stage.I sit, but Aurei stands with Angelo.They exchange a look, and he shrugs."I don't know what she is up to."
When the song starts to play, Damn, she sings "Every Breath You Take" by Sting and the Police.The hair on my neck wants to rise.Is this a threat?Aurei studies Mia.I can tell by his demeanor he thinks it is.His body is flexed and tense.I put my hand on his arm, and he looks down at me.
"What the fuck?"
He shakes his head."I don't know what's up."
Gio laughs, "I didn't even know she could sing."
Antonio asks her."Did you know she was going to sing tonight?"
"No.I'm surprised too."
Aurei steps back to where Quintus sits with Jemma on his lap.Antonio leans over, and they huddle together.I look back at Mia, and she is giving the performance of a lifetime.When he comes back to me, he slides in his chair without saying anything, so I ask."Is everything ok?"
"Angelo says she's been angry since they left Rome and something pissed her off earlier.You and I know what."
Gio agrees."She's been angry ever since Siri showed up."
Aurei tells us."She's just showing her ass right now."
But when the next song starts, she stands there.She is singing two in a row.Defiant!Definitely making a statement.It's "Rolling In the Deep" by Adele.
Fuck!She's threatening Aurei!Holy Hades!
I look at Aurei and watch the tension coil.When she sings that she shouldn't be underestimated in the things that she is willing to do, he stands, and the other men stand too in unison.Aurei looks at Quintus and tells him."Stay with Siri.If we aren't back when Mia returns, make sure she doesn't do anything stupid."Then he and Angelo push their chairs back to leave.
I reach for his hand, and when my skin touches his, he looks at me.That face is scary badass!"Aurei?"
"Stay with Quintus."He commands.
I open my mouth to say something, but then close it and just nod at him.There's no point saying anything while her stupid ass is singing that she is not going to let this issue go.I'm not sure why she chose the venue of this Karaoke battle to make her point, but maybe it's just to let everyone else know she doesn't agree.
I watch silently as Aurei and Angelo walk across the dance floor to where his parents are.They have returned to the table again with Augustus and Oriana, Milo, and Vanessa.Quintus comes to sit beside me, and Jemma sits alone in their chair.Our eyes touch, but there is nothing to say.Antonio is holding Gio's hand, and he is whispering to her.She is nodding her head at him.Looking back at the stage, there are a few couples dancing, but most are simply watching her, or Aurei, or me.
Mia is staring at our table, and my skin starts to crawl.She's got balls!By the time the song is over, I'm fit to be tied.It doesn't matter her motives.She's made one helluva statement!When she simply says my name, I stand, knowing the confrontation is at hand."That's not right!That's fucked up!"
Quintus grabs my arm."Oh no, you don't."
My blood boils.Pure venom spews from my mouth."Take your fucking hand off me!Right now, Quintus Liotine!If you think I'm going to sit here after that, you are absofuckinglutely wrong!That's fucking treason in my damn book, buddy.She's threatening Aurei in front of his whole fucking family, and she's calling me out!I told you before.It's his life and his choice."
"And he will handle it."
I snatch my arm away."No.I'm the reason she's threatening him.I'll fucking handle it in front of his whole fucking family too!"I turn to the dance floor."She doesn't know me!I'm going to crush her at her own goddamn game."I flip my hair with southern badass, redneck attitude, and the Vegas Diva walks out onto the dance floor to meet her.When we pass, I stare her ass down.She doesn't blink.She is supremely confident.
We shall see how smug you are in just a motherfucking minute.
"Thank you, Mia, for showing your true colors.I prefer to receive information straight line, not curved."
Her mouth forms a bitter line when she hears Aurei's words come out of my mouth.
I'm pushing her buttons.Good!Goddammit!
Her cold eyes try to cut me, but I simply flip my hair at her and walk to the stage.When I arrive, I take the side steps up.My anger makes my stride long as I cross to the DJ.My breasts bounce, and I don't care.I'll sing Kelly Clarkson's "Mr.Know It All" to Mrs.Know It All!
The DJ looks like he got caught jacking off, and he says."That was weird!"
I smile sweetly at him."What song has the weirdo chosen for me?"
