Livy leans toward Maverick and asks, “Hey, Mav. Do you have a favorite crime family that’s not this one?”
“Piccola,” he says gravely, “As an ItalianDon, I’m legally required to say no.”
Stefano chokes on his water.
I knew when I agreed to this not-date that Maverick was head of a crime family.
Did it bother me?
Not nearly as much as it probably should have.
The room suddenly fills with people. They gather around the table, every chair taken within minutes. Staff wait along the wall with platters of food, calm and silent while the family settles in.
“Oh my,” I whisper, feeling instantly overwhelmed.
Maverick leans closer, his voice low enough to hide beneath the chatter. “Are you not concerned that your daughter knows about my family?”
“No,” I admit.
I take a breath and focus on the man beside me instead of the crowded room, the gleaming table, the staff waiting for his signal.
“Should I be sitting here beside you?” I ask. “It seems like a place for someone important.”
“You’re exactly where I want you to be.”
My thoughts stumble.
Well.
All right then.
His gaze stays on mine. “Now tell me why you’re not concerned.”
“For two reasons, really.” I glance toward Livy, who is seated between two of her friends and laughing like she’s been coming here her entire life. “One, everyone in Palm Springs knows what your family is.”
Maverick’s expression doesn’t change as I’m sure he knows this.
“They just don’t care,” I continue. “So no, it doesn’t surprise me that Livy knows. Especially when some of her friends are part of your family.”
“And the second reason?”
I look back at him. “Crime family or not, I’ve seen how you treat your people. Your family.” My voice softens. “The children in your family.”
Something flickers in his eyes.
“I would be perfectly content to let my daughter stay here without me,” I say. “Because I know her safety and well-being would matter to you.”
His face stills.
Completely.
“You would trust me with your daughter’s safety?”
The question is quiet.
There is something deep in his eyes now. Something old and wounded.
I look at Livy again.
