Page 70 of Jackpot Joker

I shake my head.

“Because you are mine.”

“My brothers and I need to get together and make a plan. Everything is piling up between the warehouses, our men are getting hit, and now my car. We have to start taking action.”

I nod, understanding. At least, I think I understand.

He runs a hand through his hair and takes a deep breath. “I will likely be gone most of the night. Do you want to go to Angelo, or would you prefer I have my driver drop you off at your place?”

I press a kiss to Dario’s hand that’s holding mine. I was really looking forward to seeing his place and spending the night with him tonight, but their family is being attacked, and even with my slim knowledge of how the mafia works, I know if they don’t get things under control soon, all hell could break loose.

“You can take me home. We can have a sleepover at your place some other time.”

“It’s a date,” he says with a smile.

Dario presses a soft kiss to my lips, then breaks it with a sigh. “I will come join you as soon as we have decided on our next steps.”

As we approach my condominium, the driver pulls up to the side of the building. I go to tell Dario good night, but he’s already stepping out of the vehicle, and I smile at how well this man takes care of me. When he opens the car door, I take his hand and step out, falling for my forbidden client a little more.

The elevator ride to the sixteenth floor is quiet, but sweet. Dario holds me the entire time, occasionally leaning down and pressing kisses to the top of my head. It’s not something I thought I would like, but I don’t think I ever want to go another day without them.

Dario drops me off with a kiss before he leaves, and I step into my condo completely blissed out, but utterly confused. Things were not supposed to get this far with the man. Sure, I immediately clocked how attractive he is, and my body reacted to that. But somewhere along the way, Dario has turned into someone I truly enjoy being with. I find myself looking forward to seeing him. And right now, I miss him.

I head straight for the shower, not wanting to wash away Dario’s scent, but knowing I need to scrub away the sweat and utter filthiness of the night.

I had sex on a corpse.

The thought of that should completely terrify me, but for some reason, it doesn’t. Knowing what Dario did to that man simply because he disrespected me? Well, it’s really fucking hot and already has that spot between my legs aching again. I really hope he and his brothers come up with a plan fast so he can join me soon.

The glass on the shower doors fogs from the heat of my water, and I step inside, loving the heat. If I don’t look like a lobster when I’m finished, then did I even shower?

My hands follow in the wake as water sluices down my body. I can’t help but imagine they belong to an Italian man with chocolate eyes and a beautiful smile. I cup my breasts and throw my head back, closing my eyes and remembering every moment from earlier when Dario filled me completely.

I run my hands through my long locks, then reach for my shampoo, my fingertips blindly searching only to find it’s not on the ledge where I always put it.

Strange.

My eyes open, catching the mirror. My reflection stares back at me. And so do the eyes of an indiscernible color.

Then I scream.

Chapter 35

Dario

“Who knew you were going to the game?” Gio asks as I enter his office. Luca’s already here, standing beside Gio’s desk, ready for his orders.

I stroke my hand over my beard. “I don’t know. The whole fucking family? We had the box available, and they know I like to go.”

My eldest brother’s face grows solemn. “Do you think someone within is screwing us over?”

“No,” Luca states, slightly gruffer than his usual tone. “Family wouldn’t.”

I look at him, unconvinced. Our family is fairly fucked up, and Luca has had a front row seat to it all these years. He knows they’re plenty capable, and if anyone has caught news of Papa being sick, well, they could be after us before Gio starts his reign.

“This doesn’t feel like family,” I admit. “It feels personal. Someone has a vendetta against me.”

“I get it’s your car, but you wouldn’t be the target at the warehouses. That’s the family’s business. Someone’s messing with our weapons and our people.”