Page 17 of Taking His Heart

“That’s a job you’ve assigned to yourself. You don’t need to take care of us,” Rosie says.

“You want to have fun, Rosie? Fine, let’s have fun.” Aurelio pulls his phone from his pocket.

“What are you doing?” she questions him.

“Booking us a table. I happen to know a much better club. Come on,” he says, leading the way to the front of the casino.

Rosie and I share a look. Neither of us utters a word, because we have no idea what our brother is up to.

It’s not until we get to the valet that everyone else in our little entourage catches up with us. “You booked a table at Seven Mile?” Alfie asks Aurelio.

“Yes, they want to have fun. We’re going to have fun.”

Alfie and Aurelio share a look.

“Wait, she needs to go home,” CJ says, pointing at me.

“She has a name, asshole.” I glare at him. “And a mind of her own and something called free will.”

“Oh, I’m more than aware of your free will, darling,” CJ replies, his tone dripping in sarcasm and a hint of hurt. It’s the darling part that sends shivers up my spine, though.

“Okay, are we going or are we standing around here all night doing the will they or won’t they thing?” Frankie looks between me and CJ.

“It’s a won’t. Definitely a won’t,” I tell her before getting into the back of the car while my brother holds the door open.

“I think you have a shot,” I hear Elias tell CJ before the door closes.

“Are you okay? You’re flushed,” Rosie whispers from the seat next to me.

“It’s the alcohol.” It’s a lie. It’s CJ. He has this effect on me. Which is why I need distance between us.

“Okay, well, we need more of that.” Rosie smirks.

“You have two hours. Both of you, and then we’re going home. You do not leave the club. You don’t sneak off to any darkened corners. You stay right within my line of sight the entire time. Do you understand?” Aurelio says from the driver’s seat.

Alfie laughs from where he’s positioned in the passenger seat.

“You know it’s your sister’s fault they’re even out,” Aurelio reminds him.

“My sister doesn’t do a thing wrong. It’s not her fault,” Alfie says with more seriousness than he should. Does he even know who his sister is?

“How’s Molly?” I ask.

Alfie has a thing for a new woman who’s in town trying to buy buildings while he’s doing everything in his power to prevent the sales from going through. She already got her hands on one. There’re two more she’s going after.

“Molly is a fucking genius.” Alfie smiles like a fool in love.

“Yeah, shitty taste in men, though,” I retort.

Alfie turns in his seat, sending me an icy glare that I’m sure scares most people. “Whatever it is you’re doing with my cousin, you need to stop.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I assure him.

“CJ, he was fucked up last time you left. Don’t fuck with him, Daniella,” Alfie warns.

“Don’t talk to her like that, asshole.” Aurelio shoves at Alfie’s shoulder, forcing him to turn back in his seat.

“You didn’t see the mess she left behind,” Alfie grumbles.