Page 89 of Jackpot Joker

Gio’s eyes cut to me, and I see the anger and defeat in them. I bite my lip to keep from laughing. “Gio, I wasn’t planning on leaving. When I saw Dario was awake, I wanted to rush to him, but I knew you and your brothers would have some things to say after what your father said. I didn’t want to infringe on that time, so I came here and started packing.”

“Jasmine, you have to understand we don’t give a fuck what our father said,” he clarifies, and I give him a soft smile.

“I know. I know that you, Luca, and Dario are very different from that man. I also know that Dario is going to need support when he goes back home. I thought I could offer that for him. I know it’s a bit premature because he hasn’t said the words to me, and it’s not like he’s exactly extended the invitation, but I planned on staying with him until he’s back on his feet. Maybe longer if he still loves me after that.”

Chapter 45

Dario

“Fuck, this hurts,” I groan, clawing at the cervical collar the doctor insisted I wear.

“Big baby,” Luca grunts.

“I am not a baby. I’m just delicate right now,” I whine, attempting to garner sympathy from my brothers.

“The doctor said you had to wear it, so keep the damn thing on and stop bitching about it.” Gio has been a bigger grump than usual lately. Things with all of us and Papa are tense, but as the oldest, he gets the largest dose of dear old dad. I don’t ask, but I can tell the two of them aren’t exactly getting along.

I walk around my suite, careful not to turn my neck too suddenly as I take in the space. Gio returned to the hospital alone after I asked him to find Jasmine. My voice had begun to recover, so I was able to ask him how things went with her, but he offered me a sad smile, and I couldn’t stand to listen to him tell me things were over with her.

Losing the woman I love hurts far worse than the injuries I’ve sustained from being shot. The doctors suspect I’ll make a full recovery, but I know life will never be the same without Jasmine in it.

A crash near the bedroom has me jerking my head to the sound. “Fuck,” I groan. “That fucking hurts.” My hands reach up to grab the foam around my neck, looking for any type of relief, but finding none. “What was that?”

I turn my body to my brothers since my neck is out of commission and watch as the two of them stare at one another.

“What was what?” Gio asks. “I didn’t hear anything. Did you hear anything?” He turns to look at Luca.

“No,” the mammoth of a man answers with a shake of his head.

Gio sighs. “Sounds like you could use some rest, baby brother. Why don’t you go lie down and take a nap? We’ll be by to check on you later.”

I run my hand over my forehead, wondering if I really could be imagining things. The headaches have been intense since I woke up, and while I don’t believe I’ve had any hallucinations, the doctor did say it could be a side effect after everything I’ve gone through.

I say goodbye to my brothers, then carefully head to my room behind large double doors. As I twist the golden handle, my breath catches in my throat.

Jasmine is standing there, looking more gorgeous than I’ve ever seen her in one of her delicious jumpsuits and a matching pair of red pumps. Her name comes out as a whisper as I rush over to her.

She’s careful with me, unsure of where to put her hands, but eventually she places them against my chest. I’m certain she can feel my heart beating for her underneath.

“I thought I’d lost you. What are you doing here?”

She places a gentle kiss against my lips, and I moan, melting into her, but too soon she pushes me away. “I’m staying here until you’ve healed. The doctor said it could be a few weeks, and you’ll need some assistance doing basic activities.”

“Is one of those activities being in bed with you?” I ask, causing her to smirk.

“Only for sleep purposes. You’ll have to be cleared before anything else can take place.”

My lip juts out, causing her to laugh. Fuck, I love that sound. Before long, it’s gone, and her lip starts to quiver.

“What’s wrong, angioletta?”

“I thought I’d lost you, Dario. I thought the last time I saw you was going to be outside that damn mattress store. Then again in the hospital. It hurt so much to see the man I love look so unlike himself.”

My eyes close, processing her words. “Say it again.”

“I thought I’d lost you?” Jasmine repeats, and I shake my head, instantly regretting the movement.

“No. Tell me again.”