The Slayer (Untamed Hearts #2)(152)

“One dance.” Chuito released her, as if he trusted that Nova knew not to go too far. “I’m serious this time.”

Alaine decided not to think about what exactly Nova saw to make Chuito so certain as she found herself swept into Nova’s arms. He was thick and muscular like Chuito and looked just as good in a suit. She twined her arms around his neck and grinned up at him.

“Why don’t you like love stories, Nova?” Alaine asked as Chuito started dancing with his mother, which she firmly believed was a good thing. She stared up at Nova, who was so handsome and charming it seemed a shame a perfectly good romance was wasted where he was concerned. “You’re not doing your name any justice.”

“I’m doing my name perfect justice,” Nova assured her. “There were no happy endings for Casanova, just a life of crime and pleasure.”

“Mmm,” Alaine hummed, because she was sure Nova knew the history better than her. “Then your mother did you a huge disservice?”

“More than you know, but we’re not gonna talk about me.” He looked down at her with an intense, contemplative expression. “Let’s talk about you instead. How are you, Alaine?”

“I’m good,” she promised as the two of them moved slower than the other dancers, which seemed okay, because if they got too into the music, Chuito might stop dancing with his mother, who looked so very happy. “Just living in the moment.”

Nova gave her a skeptical look. “Are you really considering a move to New York? Even knowing the risks?”

“Unless you have a complaint,” Alaine said and then asked, “Do you?”

“No, I like my associates to be happy. You make Chuito happy. So it makes me happy. I just—” He shook his head as if he was thinking about it. “I dunno. You’ve had a wild ride the past three days. I can’t see ever getting married and dragging someone like you down into this merda.”

“You told us we had to get married,” she reminded him.

“That was probably bullshit.” He shrugged as if bluffing was second nature to him. “I would’ve just written it off as one more thing to f*cking stress about, but you’re in now, and I’ve been thinking about it. If you’ve got a perfectly good law degree, would you consider taking the New York bar?”

“Do you think I could find clients in New York?” Alaine hadn’t really thought that far ahead. “After everything’s done, you think I could set up a real practice there?”

“One client.” Nova gestured to himself. “But he pays well.”

“You want me to work for you exclusively?” she asked him in surprise. “Don’t you already have lawyers?”

“I sorta like the idea of having one I can train. One who’s in. You’re young. You’re not set in your ways. Plus, you’re someone I can really talk to. Sometimes Tino’s smarter than me. Most of the time, in all the ways that count, he’s smarter,” Nova went on as if he had been contemplating it for a while. “And you have a trustworthy face. What judge is gonna argue with a face like that? With that sweet little accent you got going on, they’ll let my boys off just ’cause you’re so nice to look at.”

“Your organization is very sexist. That statement alone proves it.” She pointed it out because she had noticed that about the underworld in general. “You think they’re gonna put up with a woman lawyer?”

“I told you I’m a progressive gangster,” he reminded her and then leaned down and whispered in her ear, “And I plan to own the organization, sweetheart.”

“You’re drunk,” she said with a laugh.

“No less true, though.” Nova gave another wide, Tino-like grin as Chuito walked up and pulled Alaine back to him. Nova didn’t complain; he just said, “Think about it.”

“I will,” she said as she wrapped her arms around Chuito’s neck.

“What was that about?” Chuito asked with a frown.

“Nova offered me a job.” She gave him a look of shock. “A real job. He wants me to be his lawyer after y’all take care of everything in New York.”

Chuito was quiet, as if considering it, but then his friend Luis walked up and asked with a smile, “Where’d you find a gringa who dances salsa like that, bro? I was watching you two earlier. Your chica can really move.”

“No,” Chuito said with a glare at his friend. “You’re not dancing with her.”

Luis arched an eyebrow at him. “You let her dance with the Italian.”

“I’ll dance with him,” Alaine said, because Luis had been there that day in the house. He’d come to their rescue without hesitating, and she appreciated it. “I’d love to dance with you, Luis.”

Chuito barely let her go, but he must’ve trusted it was just a dance.

Alaine danced two songs with Luis.

And because dancing with the bride had obviously turned into a thing, she danced one with Marcos, while Chuito danced with Katie.

Then she ended up with her arms wrapped around Tino’s neck as he leaned down and said in her ear, “You’ll tell me if he doesn’t treat you right. Promise me.”

She laughed and asked, “What’re you going to do if he doesn’t?”