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I slid my hands into my pockets and regarded her with a nod. “You sure you’re up for this? Because it’ll be a snooze fest.”
“It’s fine,” she said with a smile. “It’s part of the job.”
“Exactly, sweetheart.” Dante opened the door for her and let her go first.
I trailed behind, my hands still in my pockets, and watched him open the door so she could get into the back seat of the SUV. He treated her like she was his date, not his daughter, and I wondered if he did that for my benefit.
He got into the front seat with the driver.
I took the other seat in the back beside Scarlett, the center seat empty between us. I spent my time looking out the window and fighting the temptation to look at her legs in that skirt. She had such nice legs…especially when they were wrapped around my head. My mind drifted to thoughts and memories, and I wondered what panties she wore.
Fuck, I had to get my shit together.
Fifteen minutes later, we arrived at the abandoned café in the market district. There was a closed sign on the window, and some people continued to walk along the streets with their crepes and gelato.
I was annoyed that Dante had decided to bring her to this. It was no place for a woman. Well, a woman like her, at least.
We checked in with the host and then were guided down the stairs until we reached a door. A bouncer was there with a cigar in his mouth, and he let us pass when he recognized us. We entered a smoke-filled room, a table in the center with men seated with poker chips in front of them. There were two stripper poles, both occupied by topless women spinning around to the loud music that played over the stereo. The couches were taken by men who watched the private show, bills across the carpet and the dance floor.
“Dante.” Julio rose to his feet and greeted him with a handshake. “You came to party.”
He smiled. “Business is the only party I’m interested in.”
Julio shifted his gaze to Scarlett. “And you brought your own entertainment?—”
“This is my daughter, Scarlett.” Dante’s smile disappeared. “She’s learning the trade.”
I was pissed she was even in this situation, with the scum of the underworld. Dante’s arrogance was obnoxious, because he should keep his beautiful daughter far away from pigs like this. He was powerful—but not invincible.
“Ooh.” Julio nodded slowly and stiffened. “I see. Welcome, Scarlett.”
She shook his hand with a smile. The scene didn’t seem to bother her at all—her poker face wasn’t that bad. She didn’t cough at the smoke. She didn’t stare at the naked women. In fact, she helped herself to a drink, making herself a scotch like everyone else.
I still didn’t like it.
It was hard to focus on greeting everyone when she was all I cared about. I shook hands, made myself a drink, and just to keep up appearances, tossed a couple bills on the stage and received a smile in payment. I grabbed a cigar and lit up before I dropped into a chair next to Demetri. “How’d you fare?”
“Lost eight thousand to his asshole.” He nodded toward Julio.
“I hear he cheats.”
“I’m starting to wonder the same thing.” He nodded toward Dante and Scarlett, who talked to others across the room. “What’s her story?”
“She’s Dante’s daughter.”
“I know, but why’s she here?” he asked as the cigar remained in his mouth. “With an ass like that, she belongs onstage, not here in the crypt.”
It took all my strength not to say anything. Not to react. To just sit there and do nothing. I took a big drink of my scotch and let the booze do its work. My eyes watched her move across the room, watched her carry herself like she belonged there. Then she did the unexpected, pulled out a couple bills from inside her bra and walked up to one of the strippers. She shoved a wad of cash inside her G-string then walked away.
Every man in the room froze at what she’d just done.
If I was hard, so was everyone else.
She smirked as she walked to the table, knowing she had everyone’s full attention. She took a seat at the table, away from me like she didn’t know me. She grabbed one of the cigars and lit up like she’d done it several times before—even though I’d never seen her smoke. One arm was crossed over her stomach, while the other elbow was propped on her wrist. She closed her eyes as she savored the taste of the cigar then released the smoke from her mouth. “I love the smell of cigars.”
Was this the same woman I was fucking?
Dante took the seat beside her. “Let’s talk numbers, gentlemen.”
