Page 21 of Waste of Worth

Now, Dino was really getting irritated.

“Why wouldn’t I pay dues to the boss, Damian?”

Damian didn’t answer right away, simply put his back to the wall and let out a sigh. “Ben has been around Terrance a lot lately, saying shit about the Capos doing work on the side and keeping dues that are owed from the boss.”

Jesus.

Was that Ben’s new plan? Get Terrance all worked up about his men and looking into their business until he caused a fucking problem that would start up another fucking feud?

Dino was not in the mood for that mess.

“I pay my dues,” Dino said. “Pass the fucking message along, Ghost.”

Damian nodded once, then pushed off the wall. “Never thought you didn’t, Dino. Say hello to Theo for me.”

“Do it yourself the next time you see him.”

“He’s in a mood lately. By the way, how’s your sister? I heard she went to Europe a while back.”

Dino didn’t answer Damian’s question.

He was already walking away himself.

“OKAY, at first I thought maybe it was just me making shit up, but now I know you’re avoiding me.”

Dino stiffened at Karen’s accusatory words, cursing silently that he hadn’t just come when the restaurant was closed, and not a day that she was supposed to have off. He’d avoided her for two weeks by staying away from the business, but today he hadn’t been given much of a choice when he needed to go over paperwork for an order that was missing several items. He’d called ahead of time, learning that Karen was off for the day, and decided to make his way in.

But apparently she wasn’t off.

“Thought you were off today,” Dino said, never turning away from his work.

Karen scoffed. “You’re not even going to deny it, then?”

“There’s nothing to deny.”

“Right.”

He could hear the sarcasm thick in her tone, but there was something else, too.

Hurt, maybe.

Dino couldn’t dwell on it for long, or he’d find regrets in his behavior. He wasn’t the type to get caught up in his feelings—he didn’t have the time for nonsense of that sort.

“Something you need?” Dino asked.

“Actually, yes.”

“And that is what, exactly?”

“You.”

Dino damn near choked on air, surprised at her blatant statement. He turned fast to face her, only to find her smiling at him in a way that said she’d caught him somehow.

“Say that again, Karen.”

“You asked if there was something I needed.”

“Yes,” Dino said, “keep going.”