Page 51 of Jackpot Joker

Once standing, I cross my arms and glare at Salvatore Caruso.

“Do you have evidence that people followed Dario to the warehouse?”

The laughter ceases. Instead, there are small gasps and intakes of breath, but I refuse to back down, even when the man I’m questioning glares back at me. “Who are you?”

“Jasmine Baker.”

“She’s my date, Papa,” Dario says, repeating his claim from earlier.

Salvatore snorts. “Then control her.”

“I am not his date. I am his attorney, and without evidence, there’s no reason to accuse Dario of being the reason men were able to track your beloved warehouse or kill a member of your family.”

Salvatore narrows his eyes at me. “They chose you to replace Jim?”

My face scrunches. “Why would he need to be replaced?”

He laughs, a full, deep belly laugh. “Because the man is dead. Strangled. It was a careless act and one that could cost our family fortunes.” He focuses his cruel eyes on Dario once more as though somehow the sweet, funny man could be the reason behind another man’s death.

“I don’t appreciate you continuing to imply that Dario has anything to do with the death of these men. I may not be with some fancy firm, but I can assure you that if you can find the men who actually are responsible, then I can do everything in my power to help you seek justice.”

Dario’s father cocks his head and gives me a degrading smirk. “I don’t think you and I seek justice in the same way.”

I look around the table and truly see the people sitting around it. All but Dario, my fallen angel dressed in white, is in black attire. Most of the men have gold chains around their necks. Many have full, dark beards. And every single one of them is carrying a weapon.

My eyes find Salvatore’s again, and I shift my hands to my hips. “I guess there’s only one way to find out.”

“And how is that?”

“Hire me.”

Silence presses around the small space inside the car as Dario drives across town to my condo. I don’t think either of us expected that to be the route we took in securing me a position as the family’s attorney, but for some reason, Salvatore agreed to my demand.

I think I hate him. No, I definitely hate him. In fact, I’m not a big fan of anyone in the family, which I learned tonight did not only consist of aunts, uncles, and cousins, but also the capo—whatever the hell that was. Dario’s family runs the fucking mafia, and now I work for them.

So many questions were on the tip of my tongue as we got in the car, but when I glanced over at the defeated man beside me, I chose to keep quiet. The gorgeous smile I’ve come to see so much over the past month is completely absent from his handsome, yet downtrodden face.

When we pull into my complex, Dario surprises me by pulling up to the entrance and idling the car. He makes no attempt to get out, and I hate the way that hurts. “Are you not going to walk me inside? Make sure I’m safe?”

He exhales slowly. “I’m sure you’ll be fine.”

His words are soft, and I never realized how much I love the typical sound of his voice until the bounce in his words is no longer present. “How can you be sure?”

Dario leans his head back against his seat and closes his eyes. I watch as he fills his lungs with air and slowly releases it. “You seemed to have no problem standing up for yourself. If you can do it against my father, you can take on anyone.”

He opens his eyes and turns his head so he’s looking at me. “Good night, Miss Baker.”

My heart shatters at the formal use of my name. A lump forms in my throat, making my voice sound choked. “I’m sorry, Dario.”

When he looks away, saying nothing, I know he’s done with me. My hand shakes as I reach for the door, but I stop myself from opening it. Regardless of his dismissal, I decide I can’t leave things as they are between us. If he can be a pestering, persistent, pain in my ass, then by golly, so can I.

“Dario, talk to me,” I demand. “Yell at me. Tell me that I embarrassed you. That I put more strain on your relationship with your dad. But don’t shut me out.”

He looks at me, his eyes heavy. “You’ve wanted me to leave you alone since the day we met. I’m only trying to give you what you want.”

“I want your anger. I want your fire. I want your passion. I want you, Dario.”

His eyes flare, and I realize how my words came across.