This wasn’t going well. “Madison, baby.”
“Don’t ‘Madison, baby’ me Dante. I told you I didn’t want to be on the wrong side of the law.”
“Technically you’re not.”
“I don’t think that would hold up in a court of law.”
“Just because you’re dating me doesn’t mean you are on the wrong side of the law. Where is this all coming from?”
“Enzo told me what your family business is after I finished my sets.”
“Of course he did.” Dante wanted to find his cousin and beat him. “So what does this mean for us?”
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
“Enzo said in high school you, uh, didn’t do anything illegal or against the rules, so I didn’t know how you would take it.”
“Not well.”
“I can see that.”
“I was sure it was just rumors that the club was run by the mob.”
“Well, it’s true. I would never put you in a situation where you could get in trouble, and I’m in the process of cleaning things up.”
“Yeah, you mentioned that. Was that the reason for your business meeting?”
Dante could feel himself relax. She hadn’t run away. Maybe she would stick it out with him. “Yes. I’m cleaning up our businesses so that everything is law abiding.” Well, at least looked like that to the feds.
“But you’re not doing it for me are you?”
“Well, no. I had this in motion this before we got together. I told you this, remember.”
“Yeah.”
“And from our weekend at my place?”
“Yeah. You said several times you were working on making changes, and that you were going to do something else.” She touched his face. “Ok. I trust you. I trust you’ll keep me safe.”
He kissed her palm. “Of course I will. I would never put you in harm’s way.”
“I know that. I believe it here.” She touched her heart with his hand. “I’m sorry I freaked out a little. Well, a lot. But I don’t know what to believe anymore.”
“It’s ok. It’s understandable. You can trust me. I have a job offer with a brokerage firm that I’m going to take. I’m going to leave the family.” If they let him leave.
“I want to be with you.”
His heart unlocked, and he leaned forward. “I want to be with you too.” He gave her soft kisses that teased.
“Dante.”
“I know, baby. Let’s go home.” He stood up and took her hand and they went to the car.
****
Madison sat next to Dante in the car. He was holding her hand with one hand as he drove with the other. They were headed back to his place. The day hadn’t ended like she would have pictured it in the morning, but at least it was better than what it could have been after her run in with Enzo and the other girls at the club.
Dante was right. She wasn’t dating the mafia; she was dating Dante the man. The mob tie was like a job and a family he was born into. He didn’t choose that life, and he told her he was taking active steps to get out of it on his own. Before he had met her.
