Page 49 of Jackpot Joker

I glance at Dario, but before I can question him, he’s giving Gio his signature smile that has a way of sweeping people off their feet. Damn, he’s pretty.

“Jasmine no longer works for Jorgensen & Munson. She will be representing our family independently.”

“Oh?” Gio says like a question, his dark brows rising. “I hope you left on good terms.”

I fidget with my fingers. “There was a misunderstanding.” Gio cuts me a look that I swear is its own version of truth serum. “They were under the impression Dario and I were together. And we’re not. Intimately, that is.”

Gio looks unimpressed. Luca looks like he doesn’t give a shit. But Dario? He’s grinning from ear to ear. “Well, there was that one kiss…”

“We do not talk about that kiss,” I whisper-yell at him, and it only causes his smile to somehow grow larger.

Dario licks his lips. His soft, beautiful lips. “If you won’t let me talk about it, then perhaps we can relive it?”

My eyes widen, but thankfully Gio speaks up before this conversation can get any more humiliating. “Does Papa know you brought a guest?”

“About that,” Dario drags out. “Luca, would you be a gracious host and accompany Jasmine to get a drink?”

I’m about to argue with him for trying to dismiss me, but before I’m given the chance, Luca uses his large body to block me out of the conversation between the two men.

“Come.”

His one word brooks no room for argument, but it does send a surge to the spot between my thighs. I do as he says, wondering if I wouldn’t mind being bossed around by a man like him in the bedroom.

He guides me over to an impressive bar cart lined with several spirits and mixers. A cabinet of various glasses is behind it.

“Choose.”

I peruse the options but admittedly don’t know how to make my own martini, so I decide to pass on the offer. “I’m okay.”

“What do you want?”

I stare up into eyes darker than Dario’s, shocked by the lengthy sentence he delivered. If it were any other man, I would act disinterested and pretend I wasn’t desperately needing a drink, but I don’t think it’s wise to play games with Luca. “Umm, a martini?”

My request comes out as a question, as though I need permission from this quiet giant. It must work because he begins to mix the drink before my eyes, and it’s pretty impressive.

“You bartend?” I ask, not believing for one second that this man stands behind a bar striking up casual conversations with patrons. Luca Caruso doesn’t seem to be a man of many words.

“Some.”

I decide my assessment is correct when he hands me my drink and I take a sip. “Do you know what Gio and Dario are discussing?”

“No.”

“Do you think it has something to do with me?”

“Yes.”

“You’re not a big talker, are you?” I quip.

“No.”

He navigates me back to where Dario and Gio are standing, the younger of the two looking a bit more chagrined than when I left him. I want to ask him what’s wrong or suggest we go ahead and leave for the night, but a deep cough from behind me has me turning around.

There’s no denying the man glaring in our direction is the head of the family. Dario’s father has a slight hunch in his back, keeping him from standing quite as tall as his sons, but his features are the same as all three brothers. He’s still a very handsome man, despite the fact that age is beginning to wear down his body.

“Who is she?” he barks.

Dario wraps his arm around my waist. “My date, Papa.”