Page 10 of Daddy's Mad Love

“Distract the blonde?” I asked.

Gio smiled, a light sparking in his dark eyes, confirming his interest in Hailey’s friend. I mentally wished her luck. I couldn’t remember the last time my cousin had shown genuine interest in a woman, but Gio and I were like two peas in a pod—what we wanted, we took.

“No problem.”

Straightening from where we were standing against the wall in the shadows, we headed across the room, following Hailey and her friend to the bar.

Hailey

I’d had more to drink than I’d meant to but couldn’t seem to stop. I was having fun. The events of the day seemed so far away, which is where I wanted them—one step removed or more if I could manage it. Eventually, I’d have to deal with it, but not yet.

I was going to laugh, dance, and have a grand old time until I had to go home and figure out my next move. I’d planned to make my getaway in the early hours of this morning, but that plan was out the window. I was too drunk. I hadn’t meant to get this drunk, but now that I was, I would have to put off my plans for a day. Perhaps making a break for it during the day would be better, anyway. Less expected. More people to blend in with. New York City had a bustling nightlife, but daytime was even busier.

“You should come home with me,” Clara said to me, her words slurring. “They won’t expect that.”

“No.” I shook my head. “That might put you in danger. You don’t want to catch the eye of any of those bastards.”

Clara’s eyes widened, her fingers coming up to cover her mouth in mock shock that was a bit real.

“Ooooh, you said a bad word!”

I had to laugh. Clara was the one with a sailor’s mouth. I don’t think she’d ever heard me curse before. She started giggling, then I started giggling, and it was as if I couldn’t stop. Hysteria? Inebriation? Sheer panic? An unholy combination of all three?

“Hello, ladies.” The deep voice that purred in my ear was like ice water thrown over me.

My giggles cut off, as did Clara’s, her eyes widening with shocked horror. I didn’t need to see her expression to know who was pressing up behind me, his hand already on my waist, touching me in an all-too-intimate manner. I might have only met him once, but I would recognize Giacomo DiNardo’s voice anywhere.

Another man was sidling up next to Clara, his features and suit close enough to Giacomo’s, I knew they had to be related. Darkly handsome, perhaps a bit shorter than Giacomo, but with shoulders a touch broader, he looked down at Clara as if she was a particularly tasty treat.

“Leave her alone!” I reached out to push him away, the alcohol making me far braver than I might have been otherwise, but Giacomo caught my hand, pulling me against him.

“Your little friend will come to no harm,” Giacomo murmured in my ear.

My belly did an unexpected flip, tendrils of warmth stirring between my legs as though my body remembered him touching me there and how good it felt. My nipples stiffened as he wrapped his arm around me, partially mimicking the stance he’d held me in earlier that day, making the betrayal of my body complete.

“As long as you come and dance with me. Now, little one.”

Bastardo.

I wanted to gnash my teeth and curse him, but Clara was already being pulled toward the dance floor by the larger man. She shot a glance back over her shoulder, frightened and unsure.

“Mr. DiNardo, can I get you something to drink?” The bartender’s voice.

I groaned. Of course. Somehow, even though it was the newest spot in town, he was already known there. With my luck, he probably owned the joint.

“No, thank you, Victor. My girl and I are going to go dance.”

“Very good, sir.”

One arm wrapped around my waist, Giacomo steered me to the dance floor while I did my best to ignore the way his closeness was wreaking havoc on my body and my senses. My mind was trying to race, but it felt sloshy and weak, thanks to the alcohol.

There had to be a way to escape, but I could tell Giacomo was sober. And he knew the people here. And his capo had Clara. I couldn’t leave her, even if I could escape the arm wrapped around me like a steel band.

I nearly stumbled into his arms when he swung me around on the dance floor, pulling me into him. My legs weren’t working quite right. I stared up at him, hating myself for finding him attractive, for my body’s response to being pressed up against him, yet unable to do anything about it.

He was a good dancer, which added salt to the wound.

“I have to admit, doll, I was surprised to hear you’d gone out tonight.”