Chapter 126

Lucky

What I didn’t expect was for it to be so elegant. This is no ordinary club with the disco ball and heaving amounts of people sweating and gyrating to the music. This is entirely different. Elegance at its best. In fact, with its highly polished floors, round tables that can easily seat ten, covered in the finest of white linens with candle chandeliers on them and a flower arrangement, it is like something out of the Great Gatsby.

Everywhere I look is gold and black except for a stage in front of the doors, set back where a singer is belting out a song by Aretha Franklin. Her voice is amazing. This wasn’t what I was expecting but actually whilst I was in the car, I felt like an idiot wanting to get out and dance and mingle with complete strangers.

This place has a good vibe to it; people sit at the tables mostly dressed in fine clothes. The men some of them are wearing tuxedos, the others smart jackets and pants with shirts of all colors. And the women, wow the women. Wonderful, long dresses, figure hugging, covered in diamantes and beads. It makes me feel under-dressed.

“This way,” one of my guards tells me as he steers me towards a wide staircase with a gold railing. I am wondering if it is pure gold. It wouldn’t surprise me since Nico is worth more than a billion dollars easily and the rest.

My other guard guides me up the stairs to a seating area with black plush sofas, small round tables and a private bar area. Nobody is up here except for me.

“So, this is a jazz club?” I ask. They both nod and I do not miss the smirk that passes between them. Okay, so it is the safest option and in all honestly, I like the idea of being able to chill to good music and talented artists.

A waiter arrives with an ice bucket that he places in the stand by the sofa I am seated at, and takes the bottle of champagne from it and pours into a crystal flute. The woman’s voice carries well, the acoustics in this place are incredible.

“Can I meet the singer afterwards please? I’d like to tell her how amazing her voice is.” They nod and stand away from me, close enough in case they need to spring into action, but far enough for me to have some space.

Standing, I go to the rail that is all glass paneling and look down at the people seated below all having what looks to be a good time. Who knew that Nico would have such good taste, although judging by the homes of his that I’ve been to so far, they are all tasteful. I wonder if he has an interior designer who helps him with everything, or if it is all his vision.

The singer finishes her set and thanks everyone. I marvel at her emerald green, mermaid dress and how it sets off her dark hair, swept in an updo and her hourglass figure. A younger woman approaches her and whispers something into her ear. The singer glances up and nods.

“Would you like anything to eat, Miss. Gianluca?” Another man asks me. He is fairly short with slicked back, jet black hair.

“Something small to nibble on will be fine. I don’t need a meal,” I tell him.

“Of course.” He bows slightly and backs away before turning. A few minutes later the singer arrives and is brought to me by my detail.

“Hi, it’s an honor to meet you,” she tells me. “Who’d have thought that the great Nico Santangelo would ever take a fiancée. You are beautiful,” she tells me in a southern drawl. I like it.

“Thank you, as are you. You can call me Lucky, no need for formalities. I wanted to let you know how amazed I was with your voice. You should be famous.”

She gives a throaty chuckle. “I’ve had my share of stardom, Lucky but now I like to keep it to private shows. The money is good, I’m well taken care of and I don’t need to travel as much. Thank you for your kind words. By the way, I’m Anita.”

“Pleased to meet you, Anita. Would you like some champagne?”

She takes a seat next to me, her dress sparkling under the lights above us.

“No thank you, it’s bad for my vocal cords and I still have a couple more songs to do. Thank you, though. So, you have come to Nico’s top club here in Atlanta. We’re thrilled to have you. When is the wedding?”

She takes a sip from a glass of iced water that someone has brought to her. “In a few weeks’ time. It will be a quiet affair. The reason I wanted to talk to you was to ask you something.”

“Sure, shoot.” She places the glass down on the table in front of us.

My waiter arrives with a plate of Hor’s d'oeuvres. “I would love for you to sing at the wedding. Like I said it will only be family and close friends so your audience won’t be anything like here. What do you say? Can I persuade you to make a private function?”

She smiles broadly. “I would love to. I’m absolutely thrilled you are asking me. Don’t you wait to hear the other singers first? They’re pretty damn good.”

I smile at her, “no way. I love your voice; it really gets to your heart. I’ll have my people make contact with you to let you know once we have the date set. If it’s an issue let me know. I don’t want you to cancel any of your performances.”

“Lucky, I’d cancel my whole year of appearances to be free for your wedding to Nico.”

My detail stand close by and whisper something to one of the waiters. “You are too sweet, thank you, Anita. Do you Nico well then?” I ask. There is a slight drop in the pit of my stomach at the mere though that Nico and Anita have a history. Am I feeling tinged with jealousy? No way, I’m not that person.

She throws her head back and laughs out loud, it fills the space. “Not like that, Lucky. No way. Uh-huh he is definitely not my type. A man like that needs a woman who can live in his world and I am not her. He found me in Vegas when I was doing a residency there and offered me more money, better benefits and a longer residency to come to Atlanta and sing her for him. He can be extremely persuasive when he wants to be.” She winks.

I pop a bite of cracker with smoked salmon in it, into my mouth and offer the platter to Anita. She declines. “I have to watch this waistline, fitting in these costumes nightly takes a lot of self-control.” I can see that. It fits her like a second skin.

“He certainly can be persuasive that’s for sure,” I reply. Knowing just how well Nico can persuade you to do almost anything with is dark, sultry eyes, the way his body moves like a black panther. Thinking about him and his predatory manner makes me want to squeeze my thighs together.

“It was lovely to meet you, Anita. I won’t keep you, I know you need to get back on stage. As soon as the date is finalized, we will let you know.”

Anita clutches my hand, hers is warm and soft. “It will be an absolute pleasure, Lucky Santangelo.”

I love how that sounds.

Lucky Santangelo,

I want to keep repeating it. Soon, I will be Nico’s wife and once there was a time I didn’t want to have his name but now. Well now, I simply cannot wait to be the wife that he needs to stand beside him and be his Queen.