Antonio
I’m still thinking about tonight when I walk back into the casino.
Not in a soft, polite way, either. In a way that makes my mouth go dry, and my torso tighten like I’m bracing for impact. Long legs. Lush lips. That sharp mouth that acts like it hates me right up until it melts under mine.
I adjust my suit jacket as I cut across the floor, the early-day crowd thinner, the lights too bright for how little sleep I got. My body feels good—used, satisfied—until a dull pull in my torso reminds me I’m not invincible. Six months out from taking a bullet, and my muscles still protest if I get too cocky.
I take the employee corridor and head straight for Caterina’s office. Get this over with. Smile. Nod. Pretend I care. Then I go back to thinking about dinner.
Of course I care. This acquisition is important to the family, but today, I can only think about one thing. The rest can wait untilnext week.
Caterina’s assistant barely gets my name out before the door swings open.
Caterina stands there in a fitted blazer, tablet in hand, expression already annoyed. Roberto is inside, seated, jacket off, looking like he’s been awake since dawn and has his own reasons to be irritated.
“Tio,” Caterina says. “Nice of you to join us.”
“Good morning to you, too,” I reply, stepping in and stepping to her. “You look radiant.”
Despite herself, she smiles and brings her lips to my cheek.
Roberto doesn’t smile.
“Sit so we can start,” he says.
I sit.
Roberto folds his hands on the desk like he’s about to cross-examine me. “Where did you disappear to last night?”
“I didn’t disappear,” I say easily. “I redistributed my time.”
Caterina makes a sound. “You vanished.”
“I stepped away,” I correct. “There’s a difference.”
Roberto’s gaze sharpens. “Antonio.”
I spread my hands. “What do you want me to say? The tour was handled. Everyone was entertained. Nobody needed me hovering like a decorative plant.”
Caterina leans her hip against the desk. “Uh-huh. So you found someone.”
I blink once. “Found someone?”
Roberto’s mouth twitches like he’s restraining a comment. Caterina’s expression turns smug.
“You’re practically floating,” she says, eyes flicking over me with a knowing look.
I tip my head. “Maybe I’m just in a good mood.”
Roberto exhales through his nose. “You’re in a good mood because you hooked up with a woman instead of doing your job.”
“I did my job,” I say, calmly. “And after that, I made a personal choice.”
Roberto’s eyes stay on me a beat longer, like he’s weighing whether to keep pressing. Then his focus shifts to business.
“New intel,” he says. “On the Northstar acquisition.”
I try not to let my mind drift away to long legs and perfect breasts.