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“So this is a…party?”
“Not the frat soirees you’re probably used to, but yes.”
“I never—” Luca shook his head. “Okay.”
Dom nodded and unlocked the door again. Joe and Tony were waiting for them at the elevator.
“Oh no,” Luca said under his breath, and Dom took hold of his arm. He told himself it was to keep the kid moving, but somewhere in the back of his mind, he wondered if it was to reassure Luca that they wouldn’t hurt him tonight.
“Do as I say and they’ll have no reason to touch you.” Dom gave a clipped nod to Tony and went to step inside the elevator, but spotted Joe scowling at Luca. “That’s enough, Joe. You have your orders. He’s off-limits tonight.”
“Doesn’t mean I have to fucking smile about it.”
Dom’s lips twitched as he shoved Luca past the hulking man. “Do you even remember how to smile?”
As they turned inside the elevator and Dom punched the button, Joe aimed a gap-toothed grin, which looked more frightening than his scowl, in their direction.
“Yeah, I just gotta think of him running again and it comes back real easy.”
Luca moved in a little closer to Dom, who thought it funny that the kid was seeking safety from him over Joe. Clearly Luca’s head was all kinds of fucked up.
That didn’t last long, however, as the second the door slid shut, Luca plastered himself to the opposite side of the car, his eyes glued to the doors in front of him.
Dom looked to his cuffs, making sure they were straight and aligned at his wrists. The second they stepped off this elevator, all eyes would be on him.
“Tonight you are to stay by my side at all times. You don’t speak, breathe, or move without getting my permission first. Do you understand me?”
Luca glanced over, and the defiant look in his eyes made Dom’s dick kick despite himself.
“And if I don’t?”
“You and I will go somewhere for a little reminder on what you are and aren’t allowed to do.” His words were meant as a threat, but instead of fear, something else flickered in Luca’s eyes before he lowered them. “Do as you’re told and your night will go just fine. Don’t and it will end very badly.”
Luca shoved his hands in his pockets and shifted from side to side. “What are you going to tell people about me?”
“Whatever the hell I like.”
“And you don’t think I’m going to slip away and tell someone the truth?”
Dom side-eyed him, not in the least worried. “I think you’re too smart to do something so stupid. Now smile. I can’t have you looking like you don’t want to be here.”
On cue, the doors slid open and the bright, glittery lights of the casino greeted them as they stepped out of the small confines of the elevator and onto the marble floors.
Dom took Luca’s elbow and guided him out of the lobby and toward Midas’s main floor, where the gala was being held. As they followed the sounds of a live band and people chattering, Dom couldn’t help but wish he was suddenly back upstairs.
This was literally the last place he wanted to be tonight, but he knew how important it was to their overall plan. Not only at getting New York’s next mayoral candidate in their pocket but also in showing off their latest…acquisition.
“Oh my God,” Luca said as Dom directed him through crowds of people bustling about. “This is where I’ve been this whole time?”
“I thought I told you not to speak?”
“I’m only speaking to you.”
“Well, don’t. I said to stay quiet unless told otherwise. If you can’t do that, I’m sure Joe would be happy to help you out.”
“You know, you really need to think of another threat beyond him. At some point it just gets repetitive.”
Dom drew them to a stop and pulled Luca in close enough that their toes touched. “Okay then, maybe I’ll just call Chef?”
