The tension filling the room left as fast as it had come on. “Eh. You get your eyes off her, boy. Luna isn’t for sale.” Then he chuckled, pleased that another man coveted what was his.
Milo winked at me.
Winked.
I fought the smile threatening to break across my face. He was totally fucking with Gino. The guy had balls, I had to give him that. It didn’t make me relax around him, but it made breakfast a hell of a lot more amusing.
“So,” Gino said, interrupting our silent mirth. “You sure you have nothing on Luca or his two apes that you can give to me? Nothing at all?”
Lowering my eyes, I continued eating my breakfast, but my ears were wide open this time.
“Afraid not,” Milo told him. “And even if I did, I wouldn’t tell you, Gino. That’s why you guys keep me alive.”
Just what exactly did this guy do for them? He wasn’t mafia. I could tell that right away. And not just because he had blond hair, green eyes, and pale skin, unlike the darker complected Italians I was surrounded by in this house. I knew because of his mannerisms and the way he talked. He was respectful, but it wasn’t ingrained in him like the mafia families. It was possible he was a made man, but I doubted it. Most likely, he was some type of mercenary, paid well to keep his mouth shut. So why Gino was trying to get information out of him was beyond me. Talking was a death sentence. Even I knew that.
“No, that’s not the reason,” Gino told him. “We keep you alive because you’re the best at what you do.”
“Thank you,” he responded with a smile that sent gooseflesh skating across my arms.
“Luna, the coffee is gone. Get Milo another pot.”
I shoved some scrambled eggs into my mouth, then set my fork down and reached across the table for the empty pot. “Of course. How do you like it?” I asked as I chewed. I was too hungry for manners.
“Just a little half and half, please.”
Leaving the table, I retrieved the full coffeepot and the half and half and brought them back to the table. They’d both lowered their voices when I got up, and I couldn’t make out what they were saying, but the conversation was heating up by the time I returned.
As I approached the table, Gino waved his hand in front of him and made a face like something in the room stunk. “Non me ne frega un cazzo!” he shouted.I don’t give a shit!
I paused briefly before setting the coffeepot and creamer down near Milo. He thanked me as he poured another cup, but there was no smile this time.
As I walked back around to my seat, I glanced at Gino to see if he wanted me to leave now, but he completely ignored me. I hesitated again, then sat back down and went about finishing my breakfast. Being uncomfortable for a few minutes was far better than starving all day.
“I think we’re done here, Gino.” Milo took a sip of his coffee, set it back on the table, then scooted his chair back.
I braced for another show of Gino’s temper, but he just shook his head and huffed out a laugh. “Sì, sì. We’re done. There’s no need to make Luna suffer through any more of this business talk. But sit, Milo. Sit! Let’s enjoy our coffee and Luna’s company, eh? It’s a beautiful morning.”
It was cold and rainy. A typical Texas winter day. But after a glance in my direction, Milo shrugged and pulled his chair back up to the table. His green eyes landed on me as he picked up his coffee cup. “So. Luna. What do you do with yourself? Besides bet your life away gambling, I mean.”
I laughed. I couldn’t help it. “Um, I’m a dancer at Honey’s. At least, I was,” I corrected myself. “Up until a few weeks ago. I’m on an extended leave of absence,” I clarified. The owner of the club was present for our poker game, and assured me I’d still have a job if and when I was able to come back.
“Do you miss it?”
“Excuse me?”
“Dancing,” he said. “Do you miss dancing? Or are you glad Gino stole you away from that life?”
I thought about it for a minute. “I don’t miss it or not miss it,” I told him. “It was a job.”
Gino made a face. “Don’t let her fool you. She misses dirty old men ogling her tits and ass.”
“No,” I told him. “I miss making fools of those dirty old men by taking all their money.” I didn’t mention the fact that he’d been one of those men for months before he won me. And I was still taking his money. I just had to give up a little more for it now.
They both laughed. Gino’s was a little self-deprecating.
Milo cocked his head as he studied me. “You said you worked at Honey’s?”
Unable to fit any more food into my stomach, I set down my fork and took a sip of my juice. “Mmhmm.”
