“Oh yeah. I guess we skipped dinner.” I also might be swaying slightly. It’s a good call on his part, because now that he mentions dinner, I realize I’m getting a little nauseous, which is unusual for me.
Paolo asks the croupier to change out my chips and he tucks them in his pocket. “I’ll keep them for you, unless you want to hold them?”
"No, you can. I'm rich." I beam at him.
We turn to leave but we're blocked by a tall gorgeous redhead in stilettos. "Paolo, good to see you." She leans in and they exchange cheek kisses on both sides. She's cool and sophisticated. Not overly eager. Definitely confident.
I instantly hate her until Paolo says, "Caitlin, this is Corey, my sister-in-law—Stefano's wife."
I relax into a smile and shake her hand. She looks to be my age—maybe we’ll be friends. Even drunk I realize what a crazy thought that is. Am I actually inserting myself into Paolo’s life? Like I’m really seeing things long-term with him?
I think I am.
"Oh hi. I met your husband earlier. Nice to meet you."
"Same. Are you having fun? Looks like you know how to play the hell out of the roulette table."
“Corey used to work as a croupier here until Stefano snatched her away. She’s also a poker champ,” Paolo says.
Corey lifts her brows in surprise and jerks her thumb at him. “I’ve never heard him so conversational before. Who knew?”
I beam, because she’s right, he does conserve words and I have a feeling he’s using them now to put me at ease. I stand on tiptoe to give him a kiss on the cheek. “He saves his words up for when I need them.” I hope she can’t tell how drunk I am.
Corey splits a glance between us and smiles. “I’m glad you came, Caitlin.” She seems to really mean it.
“We’re going to get some food,” Paolo tells her. “See you tomorrow for sure.”
As Paolo leads me away I say, "It’s a good thing she’s married. I thought I was going to have to throat punch her there for a minute."
Paolo stops and pulls me into his arms, amusement and affection dancing on his normally inexpressive face. "I told you, little hacker. I don't cheat."
I blink up at him. I'm swoony but I'm also drunk. I want to hash everything out now. All the crazy thoughts swirling through my brain about why I shouldn’t be with him. Right here on the casino floor. In front of everyone. "What if I cheat?"
His brows slam down. "Are you fucking kidding me?"
Clearly the wrong thing to ask.
But I want to know. He says he won't hurt me but he's a dangerous man. What happens if I cross a line? What are those lines?
"I won't—I don't either," I assure him quickly. I grab his arm. "I promise. It's just—"
"What?" He's still pissed. That shouldn't excite me. I am wired so wrong.
Because I'm tipsy, I lightly slap his chest. "You kidnapped me and threatened my brother's life! I just need to know what happens if I piss you off."
Anger ripples over Paolo's expression and he steps back and scrubs a hand over this face. Then he shakes his head. "No more of this," he says.
I shake my head. I'm already getting queasy. "You can't tell me no more."
Of course he can. He just did. And that's exactly the point I'm testing here. I'm with a dangerous, controlling man.
He throws his hands in the air in that distinctly Italian way. “What do you want from me?”
"What if I ran away?"
"You gonna run?"
"No, but what if I did? What’s the line?”
Exasperation dances over his face and he narrows his eyes, but I can tell he’s thinking about his answer. “Okay, where’s the line?” He catches my chin and lifts it to bring our faces close. “If it’s business, I’m gonna deal with you in a business-like fashion. You steal from the casino, you threaten my family, talk to the Feds, we’re done and the gloves come off. If it’s personal, I’m not a douche. You break my heart, there’s no retribution. That plain enough for you?”
He’s annoyed with me, but I’m too dizzy over his words.
You break my heart…
That implies he has a heart to break. And that he’s given it to me.
Can that be possible?
I beam at him. “Yes. Thank you.”
He frowns. “Yes? I said the right thing? I’m not sure how that’s possible. Little girl, you never swing the way I think you will.”
My smile gets wider. “And that’s why you love me,” I sing.
His lips slowly quirk. "You're lucky you're so fucking cute." He throws me over his shoulder and carries me through the throng of staring strangers until we reach one of the restaurants in the casino. There he sets me down gently and straightens my clothes.
“Table for two, Mr. Tacone?” the hostess chirps.