Page 61 of Jackpot Joker

“Do you really think that’s what I want?” Gio asks through gritted teeth.

“I think you’re ready.”

“Ready for you to be gone?” Gio bellows. “Ready for you to give up? Ready to watch my father fade away and leave me to fend for myself?”

My father slams his hands against the table. “Ready for you to be a leader! Ready for you to continue making sure this family remains powerful and feared. Ready for you to be the man I know you can be.”

Silence lingers after Papa’s outburst, and when he has calmed himself down, he continues, “I’m ready for you all to be the men I know you can be.”

My eyes flash up to my father’s, but he quickly looks away.

“But before you can take over,” he says, “there are some things that have to be handled. First of all is finding the fuckers who keep infiltrating our warehouses, stealing our weapons, and killing our men.”

“Luca and I have looked into everyone to see if there’s a leak within, but we’ve come up short every time. Our men are loyal.” I admire the way Gio stands up for the men in our organization. He’s going to be a great don when the day does come.

Papa’s head bobs slowly as he chews another piece of veal. “That’s good, but someone is doing us wrong. There are more than our soldiers working for us. We got doctors, florists, drivers, chefs, even lawyers.”

I don’t miss how he spits the last word out with disdain.

“I can assure you our attorney does not have a hand in this.”

He throws his hands up. “I’m just saying none of this shit started until she came to town.”

“Jasmine would not betray us!” I’m shocked at the decibel level of my voice. I don’t think there’s a time I’ve ever yelled at my father. I hate that I fear him.

Papa wipes his mouth with his napkin and tosses it down on the table. “Yeah? How can you be sure? How do you know she isn’t at home sleeping with our enemy and giving them every piece of info she’s gathered on us?”

I inhale slowly so I don’t raise my voice again at my dying father. He might deserve it, but it’s not worth the fight. “She wouldn’t do that. She isn’t like us. She’s good. She’s honest.”

“Hmmph,” he grunts. “I don’t need good; I need loyalty. Here’s what you’re gonna do—you’re gonna make that girl fall in love with you. You’re gonna dine her, wine her, and fuck that broad so good she’ll be begging for you not to leave her bed. You gotta make sure she would never turn her back on you. On us.”

What my father is asking for is everything I want. I realize that making Jasmine fall in love with me is the end goal, because since she came into my life, there’s been no other woman for me but her. I’m thrilled with the idea of both getting my girl and being in my father’s good graces for a change.

“And you think Dario can do that?” Gio quips, and I glare at him.

Papa studies me and then gives me a rare smile. “If any of us can, it’s him.”

And for the first time in twenty-two years, I feel like my father believes in me.

Chapter 30

Jasmine

Working from home is a bit lonely, but not that much different from working at a firm where people only talk to you so they can talk behind your back. At least at home, I can get coffee any time I want, and nobody tries to steal my lunch.

I’ve looked over each of the new buildings the Caruso family is interested in purchasing, completely ruling one out since it’s condemned. Dario is scheduled to come over and meet with me so we can go over my findings, but until he gets here, I’m not sure what to do with myself.

Thoughts of Dario flood my mind. I hate how damn attractive the man is, but even more, I hate the way he makes me laugh and brings me joy. Why does a man who can’t take anything seriously and deals with illegal shit have to be the one I’m attracted to?

I’ve been waiting for him to collect the winnings of his bet we made at the bed-and-breakfast, and the anticipation of going to Inferno with him has me constantly on edge. The way my body craves an orgasm from the man is ridiculous, but it has me glancing at the clock on my stove to see that I have just enough time to ride one out on my own before he arrives.

In my bedroom, I pull the pouch out of my nightstand drawer and retrieve the same toy Dario used to bring me to orgasm the second time that night. I still cannot believe the man got me off with a frozen banana. I strip off the sundress I threw on this morning and remove my underwear before climbing into bed.

Positioning the stimulator directly over my clit, I press the button and keep it on a low buzz as I close my eyes and think about the man due to arrive at my condo within the hour. His dark eyes stare at me like pools of chocolate I want to drown in. His pouty lips kiss my neck. His strong, thick fingers pump inside me, stretching me for what I have no doubt is an impressive cock he keeps hidden behind linen trousers.

My right hand presses the button again, sending pulses directly where I need them. My hips begin to grind against the toy as my left hand snakes up and cups my breast. “Yes, Dario,” I moan, imagining it’s him pinching my needy nipple. “Fuck, that feels good.”

“Then keep going.”