Page 49 of Unforgettable Billionaire (The Hardcore Novels: Special Editions #3)

When the noise levels off, our waiter walks up to take our order. Aurei tells him our usual. "Crown neat with water."

Ann and Bee stand and excuse themselves. "Bee is tired and needs to rest."

"Jetlag."

They come over to tell me what fun they had. Aurei and I both stand, and they hug our necks. I hear Bee tell Aurei. "Ann said she was a keeper, Bro in law. I have to agree."

He nods. "Yeppers. I don't think I'll let her go."

"You better not. Love looks good on you." She punches his arm playfully.

When they walk off, we sit, and Aurei puts his arm around me then pulls my chair between his legs. He leans up and blows in my ear. "What are you thinking?"

I lift my shoulder and kink my neck as goosebumps pop out, then I cut my eyes at him. "How love looks."

"Hmm. Does it look good on me?"

I kiss his cheek. "It does, but I was thinking about Gio and Antonio."

"What about them?"

"They clearly love each other. They've just grown apart, and that's sad." I look back at them and see Angelo is leaning over, talking to Quintus and Antonio, and I realize Mia is gone.

I'm distracted by that knowledge and give Aurei a confused look when he says. "Gio needed that."

"Oh. Yes. She did." I turn my attention back to them.

They are still sitting stiff, but I can see the 'want to' in both of them.

There must be a lot of 'couple baggage' interfering.

"I think they need a bigger push." Our drinks arrive, and we down the water first, then sip our Crown in silence while listening to the noise around us.

I look around, curious to see where Mia is, but my eyes keep drifting back to Aurei.

He is sitting back, relaxed in his chair, and studying me.

His face looks needy, and his eyes are hooded.

Finally, I ask him. "What are you thinking? "

"How good love looks."

I smirk at him. "Is that all?"

"No." He smirks back. Then his sexy sideways grin spreads across his face. "I thought I'm ready to take you bed."

"It's still too early."

"Then help me take my mind off your perfect pussy. Tell me what trickery you are planning for Antonio and Gio. I see your wheels churning."

I grin at him. "I'm thinking about pushing those two back together."

"Let me know if I can help."

I smile at him. "Thanks. I will."

"It'll cost you."

I chuckle. "Now who's tricking who?"

The DJ steps to the mic and says, "Antonio, you're next."

He looks around, confused. Aurei says, "You're up, cuz!"

"Which one of you paid him more than me?" He laughs and stands. No one says anything as he digs in his pocket. "How much more is this going to cost me to get out of it?" Still, no one says anything. "I guess I'll have to go find out."

As he walks by, I take Aurei's hand and pull him up. "We don't want to miss this." I wave to Gio. "Come on."

As the three of us walk to the stage, I tell her. "Stand right in front."

She watches Antonio as he talks to the DJ. "Why?"

"He's not getting out of it." I put her in position. "Stand right here and enjoy his performance."

She looks at Aurei, and he says. "Stand right in front so he can sing to you."

"Ok!" She says and looks at me. "You paid the DJ?"

I wink at her, then the DJ says. "My bad. It's Siri and Oriana first, then you, Antonio."

Oriana gives a little squeal and jumps up. Antonio jumps down, frowning, and tells us. "Looks like someone has paid handsomely to control the show." He looks at Gio, and she smiles at him.

"Don't be a party tooter. It's fun!"

"It's party pooper." He smirks.

She rolls her eyes, flirting with him. "Tooter, Pooter. Pooper. What's the difference?"

He starts to laugh now and says. "Never mind."

When Oriana steps up on the stage, Aurei lifts me up. The DJ is holding two microphones. She takes one and brings me the other. She is all smiles, "I love this song! We are going to win!"

I grin at her. "Let's put this away!"

When we get in position, I see that Augustus is standing next to Aurei.

He leans in and whispers something to him.

They talk, then Aurei looks back to their table.

I look too for the first time and see that Zita and Bob aren't there.

Only Milo and Vanessa. She must be getting ready to crown Aurei King.

I smile down at him. He's going to be a noble ruler!

Oriana and I sing a duet to "Anything Could Happen.

" She sings first in alto, and I sing the soprano.

As we sing, I watch Antonio and Gio trying to decide if I'm going to go along with my original idea or not.

They are talking and smiling, but not touching yet.

When the song is over, there is clapping, and I thank Oriana.

She waves bye as she hands the mic back to the DJ.

Antonio comes up and stands by me. I hold the mic down by my side. "Gio is having a good time, isn't she?"

"Yes." He looks down on her.

"I like her, Antonio. She's a good woman."

His eyes narrow a tad. "Yes. She is."

Augustus meets Oriana at the steps. We talk as they return to their table.

"How long have you two been married?"

"A lifetime."

I laugh. "Hardly!"

He chuckles. "We married too young."

"Oh. Why?"

Now he gives me his full attention. "We were madly in love."

"Were? What happened?"

He gives me a sad smile. "Children."

"Oh! Not enough time in the day?"

"She lost her spark."

"Ah. Well, she seems to be finding it again." I smile at him and hand him the mic. "Here you go."

He puts the mic in the stand as Aurei helps me off, then he steps up to cheers and hoots.

He holds his hands out to calm them. "I will punish the person or person's that paid off the DJ when I find out who, but I will not forfeit, so I'll sing.

" His song is "Locked Away" by R.City, featuring Adam Levine.

Almost instantly, the lyrics transform both him and Gio.

The words ask if the woman he loves would stay with him if he lost everything and got locked away.

If he couldn't buy her fancy things, would she leave?

At first, Gio stands still, and I groove next to her, offering moral support.

But when the rap starts, his eyes keep falling on her, and she begins to groove for him.

Aurei takes my hand. "You amaze me!" I dance a Salsa step to the song.

"Continue to be amazed." I wink at him when the song ends.

Antonio jumps down and stands in front of Gio. Neither of them speak, but the DJ announces. "Gio. It's your turn."

She turns a surprised look at me. "Me?"

Antonio says. "If I have to, you have to." He lifts her up, then he walks up and stares at me, knowing who paid the DJ off now.

I smile, knowing Aurei is grinning at him. "Don't go. You're going to sing again."

He looks at Aurei, and Aurei says. "It's what she does."

He turns silently around and watches Gio as she prepares to sing.

She takes a deep breath, then sings "Big Sky" by Rachel Loy.

The song is about a woman who is left alone and is lonely.

How she is young but feels old. How an older woman gives her advice about being bold because time is slipping away from her.

Time she can't get back. Don't be afraid.

Live with passion! Gio gives a fantastic performance.

She has come out of her shell and sings with confidence.

She tells Antonio with the song that she's not going to live in solitude anymore.

We stand next to him, not dancing but watching Gio too.

I can see Antonio's body tensing. I hope he stays.

Several times he looks over at Aurei, and Aurei ignores him, keeping his eyes glued on Gio.

I slip my hand into his, and he opens his fingers, letting mine slide between, then he squeezes me. Sweet Zeus, I love him!

When the song is over, Gio turns to walk to the end of the stage, but Antonio steps up and calls her over. She looks down on him, and he says. "I'm supposed to sing to you again."

The DJ confirms it. "Antonio. Dude. You're up again."

He sets Gio down, then hops back up. He steps bravely to the mic and sings "Anything Goes" by Randy Houser.

As soon as the words sink in, the pain in his eyes is evident, and the cry in his voice is real.

Gio stands stock still, then she hangs her head, and I see her shoulders shake.

I slip my arm around them. The song is about a man who turns to cheating on his wife because she has withdrawn from him.

The dance floor is quiet when the song ends. The DJ says. "Maximus."

Aurei looks at me and holds out his hand. I leave Gio's side as Antonio jumps down, and I lay my hand softly on Aurei's. His thumb strokes me, and shivers shoot up my arm. "What am I singing?"

I smile. "You are singing a love song they need to hear. Now go amaze me." I turn him around and push.

Antonio is standing in front of Gio. His hands are on her shoulders, and his thumbs are stroking her. She is trying to gather herself before she looks up at him. Antonio glances at me, and the pain is still there.

I tell him. "Stay."

He gives me a single head nod and stays.

Aurei steps up to the mic, and the music begins.

The song is "To The Moon and Back" by Luke Bryan.

The lyrics describe all the different things that a couple experiences throughout years together.

Experiences that bond them. It is a complete love song.

Aurei's eyes lock on mine, and I sway as he sings softly to me.

The love we have sparks electric. His voice is so tender and his tone so pure.

It echoes in my heart. I see Antonio put his arms around Gio, and he draws her to his chest. She lays her cheek against his heart, and they begin to sway to the melody.

I look around and see a small sea of phone lights swaying with them.

My eyes fill again when she lifts her head to look into his eyes. He whispers to her, and then they kiss.

When the song ends, Aurei steps around the mic as the DJ says. "Angelo. We need to lighten the mood."