Page 55 of Taking His Heart

“It is nothing. And trust me, CJ, you do not want a running commentary of every thought that flickers through my mind.”

“I would actually love that commentary. Tell me, Dani. What were you thinking?”

“It’s stupid.”

“Okay, I still want to know,” I urge her.

“Seriously, CJ, just drop it.”

“Not gonna happen. I can do this all day. What was it, Daniella Bianchi?”

“Don’t full-name me like a parent. I’m not your child.”

“Then stop acting like an errant child and talk to me.”

“Fine, you want to know what I was thinking? I was thinking how much I wanted you to stay with me. I was thinking that I know you’re about to leave and go and do god knows what out on those streets to find whoever is trying to get to me, and I don’t want you to.”

“That’s it?”

“What do you mean that’s it? It’s a stupid thought. I know that.”

“It’s not a stupid thought to want your husband to stay with you, Dani. Especially after what you just saw.”

“It is stupid when your husband is a mobster. I know who I married, CJ. I also know that if I actually asked you to stay, you would. And you would hate it.”

“Do I want to be the one out there finding this fucker? Yes. But what I want more than that is to know you’re okay. That you feel safe. That you’re not going to be stressed because I’m out on the streets. Also, I’m not a mobster—that’s hearsay. I’ve never been charged with a single crime, Daniella.”

She rolls her eyes at me. “Okay, fine, not a mobster. Tell me. What would you do if you caught this guy? What are you going to do to him? Have a tea party?”

I smirk. “No.”

“Didn’t think so,” she says.

“We should get out there. I’m sure both of our fathers will be here any minute.”

“Great! My dad’s going to want to lock me up in a tower somewhere,” Dani groans.

“Don’t worry, princess, I’d find you and break you out.” I watch as Dani finishes her glass, then picks up mine and empties the rest of that too.

“Can’t waste good whiskey,” she says.

I laugh, stopping when the door opens.

Tío E walks in and looks from me to the bar to the open bottle. “Fucking hell, you owe me a hundred and fifty grand for that.” He points at the bottle.

Daniella tilts her head to the side. “That bottle is only worth a hundred,” she reminds him.

“I’m adding interest.” Tío E smirks.

“Seriously?” I grunt.

“Yes.”

“Don’t worry, CJ, I happen to know someone on the inside. I can get you a replacement for half the price,” Dani tells me.

“Half? You should be able to get it for free,” I grumble.

“Oh, I can, but why wouldn’t I make money off you?” She quirks a brow.