CHAPTER SIX

"You look amazing!" Emilia stood back looking at her very impressive handy work. She had spent the day shopping with Rosalia and forcing her to try on all sorts of wild party dresses just to cheer her up and get her in the mood for the night. She had also convinced her friend to surrender and pamper her with her best makeup work. She had indulged in an 8 week casual makeup course some time ago and had a few tricks up her sleeve.

Rosalia was blessed with stunning big green eyes and thick long black hair. So when Emilia complemented them by sticking to natural brown eye shadows with smoky eyes along with her short and flirty black and silver sparkly strapless dress, she made Rosalia look like an absolute knockout!

"Oh no I can't go out like this"

"Don't be ridiculous, you're absolutely stunning! Ricky won't be able to keep his hands off you"

"Jesus Emilia! That's what I'm afraid of" Emilia laughed while styling her hair at the same time. "Seriously Emilia maybe we should swap dresses? This one makes way too much of a statement" Emilia shook her head disagreeing with her very nervous friend. She did not really understand why she was so nervous about looking so stunning in the first place. She was a natural beauty and this most certainly was not the first time the ladies put on flirty dresses and hit the town.

"Rosa what is it? You have way more confidence than this seriously" she sighed and watched Rosalia walk over to the kitchen to take out a bottle of Sierra clear tequila. "I think I just need some shots" Emilia's eyes widened as a huge smile sprawled across her face. She clapped her hands in jubilation as Rosalia poured her a shot and offered it to her. This was going to be an interesting night.

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Giovanni sat with his younger brothers Antonio and Matteo and their brother-in-law, Nicholas (Nico) Conti. They were upstairs in a VIP area at Slippery which was on 11th Ave in the city. It had been a long day of theories and scrambling trying to piece together any information regarding the card game hold up. Even though they were still technically conducting business they decided to have their meeting and drinks at the club where they received a 'free' VIP area whenever they requested; in exchange for protection and occasional financial support for the club.

"The boys here tonight?" Giovanni asked, referring to the Soldiers and Associates, "most of them," Antonio replied, "some had plans with their Mrs." They laughed while getting comfortable with cigars and drinks.

The area was spacious and very secluded with their own private bar and servers. They were seated on long adjoining pleated leather couches with coffee tables in front of them which were set with various styles of glasses, from champagne to whiskey and bowls of ice. The lighting was mostly blue and dark, setting a real party scene.

They were seated on the couches closest to the rail overlooking the dance floor and DJ.

Antonio and Matteo were both a few years younger than Giovanni. He was 33, Antonio was 29 and Matteo was 30. Antonio was engaged to be married and Matteo was the only official married one of the brothers, he and his wife Eleanor had a 3 year old girl Sophia.

Nicholas Conti married into the family by marrying the De Luca's family only daughter Alessia, she was 29 and shared the same birth date as her twin brother Antonio.

"How are things with our sister?" Matteo asked his brother in law as the waitress came over to top up their drinks. "Great" Nico replied instantaneously with a smile, "still trying for a baby"

"What are you shooting blanks at?" Giovanni retorted jokingly and at the same time feeling a little strange about making jokes about his family's sex lives. Nico laughed back then knocked down the strong burning whiskey, "definitely not shooting blanks my friend. We're in no rush though, just enjoying trying"

"Whoa" at that point all three brothers looked a little disgusted, "conversation over" Matteo stated loudly not needing to hear anything further about his innocent little sister.

The ladies had managed to arrive at Slippery just slightly over tipsy. They were still completely rational and civilized thanks to Rosalia deciding they indeed needed to pace themselves, they were just really relaxed and much more friendly due to the boldness of the alcohol. They had enjoyed a nice casual dinner with their dates at a nearby Thai restaurant. They continued on to a local bar for pre-drinks before stumbling into Slippery with the intention to party.

"Us ladies are going to hit the ladies room for a few minutes guys, why don't you get us something to drink?" Emilia suggested grabbing onto Rosalia's arm and dragging her to the ladies room for a quick update.

"So?" She enquired the moment the bathroom doors closed behind them. They stood in front of the mirror touching up their lipstick. "What do you think of David?" She asked curiously about her best friend's opinion on the guy she was currently seeing. "He's nice" Rosalia raised an eyebrow knowing Emilia did not want to hear about his 'niceness'. "Come on Rosa, seriously!"

"He's definitely good looking, seems like your type, although he is also quite clingy, that's not your type" Emilia nodded, "I've been thinking the same thing about him. I thought maybe it's just because this is new, you know?"

"Absolutely, give him a few more weeks and he'll completely stop that"

"HEY!" Emilia shouted, making Rosalia burst out laughing, "I'm sorry that was such a low blow!"

"What about Ricky?"

"What about him, Emilia?"

"Well, do you like him?" Rosalia laughed a little nervously this time, "I don't know, he's nice too, but-"

"Rosalia! You're impossible to please, give this guy a chance, you never give anyone a chance I try to set you up with. I'm starting to think you're a lesbian and one day you're going to wake up and confess your love towards me!" The puzzled look on Rosalia's face told Emilia it would be a very cold freezing day in hell before that ever happened!