Page 88 of Jackpot Joker

“Umm, Pen. I have to go.”

“What? No. You do not open that door, Jasmine Baker. I swear if this were the other way around, you would already have the sheriff’s office, state police, FBI, CIA, and a SWAT team at my place.”

I roll my eyes at her dramatics, though I know she’s not too far-fetched. “I’m okay, Pen. Promise. I’ll call you later.” I hang up on my friend and take a deep breath as I face the door that’s once again being hit with a fist. Then, I open it up to the Italian man on the other side.

“Hi, Gio.” I step aside to allow room for Dario’s brother to enter, then shut the door and turn to him with my arms crossed over my chest.

“Dario’s awake.” It’s not exactly a greeting, but I suppose it will do.

I sigh. “I know.”

He nods as if he had already determined as much. “He wants to see you.”

“I figured.”

Gio runs his hand over his salt-and-pepper hair as he makes his way over to the sofa, stepping around the boxes I have stacked around the room, filled with my belongings. “Listen, what you heard our father say, I want you to know the rest of us don’t feel that way.”

I lick my lips, but don’t speak. Gio takes a deep breath. “Dario wasn’t trying to trick you. He wasn’t trying to make you fall for him. I mean, I guess he was, but not because he was doing it out of loyalty to the family. He really fucking likes you. Maybe more than that.”

My teeth capture my bottom lip, but I still remain speechless, forcing Gio to continue. “I know it should be him telling you all of this, but the fact is, his voice isn’t fully back, and it’s not like he can leave the hospital to come chase you down. Trust me, he tried.”

My heart flutters at that. I can picture him trying to rush after me. I know he saw me in the doorway, overhearing everything his father said. It’s not like I meant to eavesdrop, but if you’re gonna talk shit about me with the door wide open, well then, I’m going to listen.

“Gio, I know Dario thinks…”

“Please, listen.” He cuts me off.

I release another deep breath but concede. I don’t need to listen to a word Gio says. I’ve made up my mind, but if it will make him feel better to let it out, I’ll give him the time.

Gio leans forward with his elbows on his knees, ready to tell his story. “My brother has been a lover of many women.”

“Okay.” I toss my hands up, interrupting him. “I really don’t need to hear all this.”

Gio turns defeated eyes up to me. “Please, Jasmine. Just listen.”

Begrudgingly, I take the seat next to him, willing to hear what he has to say even though it sounds like he’s trying to break my heart.

“Dario has had many lovers, but there are only three women I’ve ever seen him love.”

And right here is where my heart rips. I didn’t know Dario had been in past relationships where he had fallen in love. I truly wasn’t even sure he was capable of it. I blink back tears before they can fall, and Gio continues.

“Our mother. Our sister. And you.”

My heart stops. Did I hear him correctly?

“What?” I ask in a whisper.

“Dario loves you, and again, I know it’s not my place to say that. I know you need to hear the words from him, and I am certain he plans on saying them. The situation right now is all kinds of fucked up, so when he does finally tell you, can you please pretend to be surprised? I mean, I can take him if he comes up swinging, but he’ll be all whiny about it, and that drives me fucking insane.”

I bite my lip, knowing exactly what Gio means. He takes my silence as a sign to continue.

“I’m asking you to stay. To give him a chance. He’s already lost two of the three women he loves. Please don’t make him lose you, too.”

I look at him, my face struck with confusion. “Why would he lose me?”

Gio throws his hands up as though showing me the packed-up condo. I don’t need him to point the boxes out. I was there when I packed them. “You’re fucking leaving. Running away because you overheard the fucked-up words of our father. And I get it. He’s always blamed Dario for the death of our mother, and the way he treats him, and by proxy you, I wouldn’t blame you for wanting to get the fuck away from here. But…” He stands up from the couch and looks down at me. “I’m asking you to help heal my brother. His body isn’t the only thing in recovery. His heart has been for a very long time, and I think you’re the only one who can piece it back together.”

I sit there for a moment, processing everything Gio said. Eventually, I stand up, placing an arm on Gio’s shoulder. “Can you help me with my boxes?”