****
Dante noticed Enzo next to Madison, and then she took her hand from Enzo, and he made a beeline for them.
“What’s going on here? Why did you touch Madison?”
“I was telling her how you’ve been giving her an extra grand for her bedroom services. But I guess you guys don’t just keep it in the bedroom. I was asking if there was a family discount or if she is running any specials.”
Enzo hadn’t finished when Dante slammed a fist in his face.
Madison screamed. “Dante, don’t.” She tried to pull on his arm. “Dante. Stop. That’s what he wants.”
Gabe pulled her away from Dante, just as Enzo sent a punch that Dante dodged before he headbutted Enzo and knocked him into the table. Plates and silverware clattered to the floor as the two rolled around on the broken dishes.
Madison tried to get to Dante, but Gabe held her firm. “I need you to stay here.”
“Can’t you do something?” She looked up at him.
Lucca had waded in and tried to get a hold of the two of them, along with the other men.
“Stay put.” Gabe left her to grab Dante.
Ainsley came to stand next to her. “Whoa. What did I miss?”
“Enzo being a dick.”
“This is only the third time I’ve met him, but that tracks.”
The men were able to separate Dante and Enzo after some time. Enzo looked worse for wear. Dante still tried to get back to Enzo when Madison ran over to him. “Dante, stop. It doesn’t matter what he says. I want you. I choose you.”
Dante stopped fighting to get away and looked at her. “Please, let’s go home.” She held out a hand to him, and he took it. Lucca and Dante’s dad released him and they walked out of the restaurant and to Dante’s car.
Madison was feeling stupid in the car ride back to Dante’s. She hadn’t let Enzo get in her head like last time when he told her they were in the mafia, but she knew he wasn’t lying that Dante had added money to her cut.
How could she have been so blind? She had wanted to believe that because she was the headliner and doing three sets. Combined with the bartending and tips had accounted for the extra money.
But no. Dante added extra money. She wasn’t as dumb as Enzo believed she was though. She knew he wasn’t paying her for sex. Her and Dante both enjoyed having sex with each other, and there was no need for payment.
She knew he was trying to help her, and she should be thankful, grateful for it even. She had needed a nest egg and to help Henry with his medical bills plus if her dad needed something and her mom had spent the money she would buy it or pay the bill for him.
But it was her choice to take it or not, and he had taken it away from her. He said he wouldn’t do that and he did. She was like an ungrateful baby. She should have stayed and ignored Enzo. She knew what he was trying to do, and she let him win. She followed Dante into the house.
“Madison—”
“Dante—”
“You go first,” Dante said. He placed his hands on her hips.
“I’m sorry I let Enzo get in my head, but I’m still upset with you for adding money to my split. I know you were trying to help me, but I want to—No, I need to do this on my own.”
“I’m sorry I went behind your back and did that. I won’t do that again.” He kissed her nose.
Madison slid her hands up Dante’s chest to wrap around the back of his neck. “I’m also sorry I ruined the engagement party.”
“It’s ok. It wasn’t ruined. Everyone is fine, we’re family.” Dante’s hands moved to cup her bottom and bring her in closer.
“Yeah, but I’m ashamed that I lashed out and tried to hit Enzo. That wasn’t right.”
“But you’ve hit someone before, right.”
