Chapter 19
Dominic
We walkinto the Cockpit through the back door, straight into the Ring Room. It’s already thick with people. Most fighters have a match tonight, so the energy is high and every table and stool is occupied.
“Hand on my arm,” I tell her through straight lips, and Mila hooks her hand into the crook of my elbow.
“Smile,” I add, and she grins. “Not like that,” I correct her, and it’s gone in a flash.
“Then how the hell do you want me to smile? That’s my waitress smile. It’s made me a lot of money, you know.”
“You’re not a waitress anymore, and you’re not smiling for money. You’re smiling for show. Just present a gentle smile that says I belong here, and I’m happy to be here. Don’t spread a smile across your face that says, I can’t believe I get to be here,” I say.
“Anything else?” she snaps through the smirk that is just the right type of smile.
“Yeah, loosen your grip,” I tell her. “There’s nothing to be nervous about. We’re just a happy couple.”
“Oh, is that what we are?” she jabs, and I smirk. I need to look happy to be here too, and her spicy attitude keeps me on my toes.
We make our way to our table in the VIP section and take a seat with Andrew and his date.
“Well, if it isn’t Mila,” Andrew says, standing until Mila is sitting. “We’ve heard a lot about you.”
“Good things I hope,” she smiles.
“He never shuts up about you,” Andrew says.
“Oh?” she asks, and Andrew laughs. I resume my quarter of a smirk.
“My apologies,” Andrew says. “This is Bianca,” he introduces his date. Bianca isn’t new, but she’s not regular. Andrew has a habit of cycling through his women. Sometimes he adds a new one to the rotation.
“Hello,” Bianca says, neither put off nor impressed by Mila.
“Hi. Your dress is stunning,” Mila says, and Bianca only blinks. Then Mila adds, “Versace?”
Bianca’s expression shifts from bitchy to pleasantly surprised. “Yes. How did you know?”
“Who wouldn’t?” Mila practically purrs before taking a sip of water.
“Damn,” Andrew says under his breath, giving me a look of approval. I respond by slipping an arm around Mila.
The evening goes smoother than I expected. There are a lot of sideways remarks between us, but it comes off as sexy banter to everyone else. I guess it is both a relief and a surprise.
“So how is it living on beachfront property?” Bianca asks. She is on her third martini, and both Andrew and I are nursing old fashions. We are both fighting later tonight, so it’s only one drink for us. Mila is sipping on a mocktail, insistent that she has a yoga class tomorrow and alcohol makes her bloat. I’m starting to think the girl doesn’t drink at all, but I’m also loving that she can enjoy herself without it. I think boozy Mila would put me on edge considering how unhinged her mouth can be without it.
Tonight she is behaving and playing the part beautifully.
“It’s lovely,” she says, smiling over at me. “Always something to do.”
“Dom does have the sweetest pool in the neighborhood,” Andrew adds.
“Let me guess, it has a waterfall,” Bianca says, and Mila’s eyes sparkle as she smiles toward Bianca.
“It has a grotto.”
Bianca shrieks and grabs Mila’s hand, squeezing it. Then she turns to Andrew.
“Why don’t you take me over there, Drew? I want to go in the beachfront grotto,” she pouts.
