Page 69 of Jackpot Joker

Dario smiles at me before slapping the dead man across the face. “I’ve already called in a team to come clean it up.” He must read the concern on my face because he adds, “Don’t worry. They’re professionals and will make sure there isn’t a trace of any of us in this room once they’re finished with it.”

I bite my lip, unsure about how to ask for what I want next.

Dario must sense my anxiety, because he comes over, cupping my face and placing a gentle kiss against my lips. His touch instantly soothes me, and that’s something I don’t really want to unpack right now. “What’s wrong, angioletta?”

“I don’t want to go home.”

He hums. “Where do you want to go?”

“I’ve never been to your place before.”

Dario laughs. “You have, actually. Both of them.”

I narrow my eyes, and my lips turn down, confused. “Wait, where do you live?”

He grabs my hand and opens the door of the closet so we can begin our walk back to the valet desk. “I have a suite at Angelo, and then another one at my father’s place.”

I shudder. “I do not want to go there.”

He presses a kiss to the top of my head. “Neither do I, if I’m being honest. But, I would love for you to join me at Angelo tonight.”

I tilt my chin and smile when he knows what I want, pressing my lips to his. “I would love to.”

When we reach the desk, we’re surprised to see the attendant still there, a worried look on his young face. Beside him is a man in a suit.

“Mr. Caruso, sir, I’m so sorry.”

The man in the suit pats the kid on the back, then walks over to Dario, extending his hand.

“Dario, we are unsure of how it happened, but during the game tonight, someone vandalized your vehicle.”

I grip Dario’s arm as his jaw tightens. “I assume you pulled the footage.”

“We did.”

“And it was wiped?”

“It was.”

Dario nods. “I’d like it anyway. I can send it over to one of my guys and see if we’re able to pull anything. Thank you for sticking around to tell me.”

He walks over to the kid and pulls several bills from his pocket before mussing up the boy’s hair. The look of relief on the kid’s face melts my heart, and when he hugs Dario, who doesn’t hesitate at all to return the gesture, I feel it unlock a little more for the man.

When they release with one of those manly pats on the back, the man in the suit nods at Dario, takes the boy, and walks him outside. Dario pulls his phone from his pocket and begins to text someone.

“A driver is on the way. They should be here in about ten minutes.”

I nod and walk over to him, loving the way he instantly opens his arms and pulls me to his chest. “Do you have any idea who you think would have done it?”

He places a kiss on my forehead, and something flutters in my chest. “No, but I will. I’m glad you distracted me with your wiles, though.”

I place my hands against his chest in an attempt to push him away, but he doesn’t budge. “Hey now, my wiles may have kept you alive.”

“Hmm, maybe. They better be glad we weren’t around.”

“Because you’re actually a tough guy and not just some pretty boy?” I tease, and Dario pulls me in closer to him.

“Because, Jasmine Baker, I will destroy any man who tries to harm you. I will break the fingers of any man who puts his hands on you. I will gouge the eyes out of any man whose stare lingers too long. If his lips get anywhere near your skin, I will put a bullet through his fucking brain. Do you know why?”