My chin lifts slightly as I hear how proud Damiano is of me. At least someone in this room knows my worth.
How am I going to make Dad see it too?
Dad is a businessman. The only way I’m going to get through to him is with cold, hard figures. “Dad, I’m an asset, not a hindrance. If you’ve got more business involving gemstones, I’ll take care of it for you, unless you’d rather lose a considerable cut of a valuable enterprise to someone outside the family? What was the jeweler going to take tonight? Twenty percent?”
“Twenty-five,” Damiano says.
“I’m not taking any cut,” I point out. “All that money is staying in the family, and I want nothing in return except to be allowed to help.” Actually, what I’d like is a thank-you and a little bit of goddamn sympathy when I get groped. But baby steps.
Dad looks at me for a long time while I hold my breath. Finally, he turns to Damiano. “Be downstairs in my study tomorrow morning.”
Without another word, he leaves the penthouse.
My hope deflates like a balloon. I really thought that I was going to get some acceptance from Dad tonight. He would be impressed with me and tell me I did a good job, but he can’t get past the fact that I’m a woman, and mafia women belong at home.
Damiano puts his arms around me and presses his lips to my forehead, surrounding me with his warmth and love. “You were amazing. I couldn’t have done it without you.”
I smile weakly. “Thank you. At least someone appreciates me.”
He takes my face in his hands and caresses my cheeks with his thumbs. “Never doubt it. Did you really slap Dimitriou and tell him to go fuck himself?”
“I did.”
He chuckles. “That’s my girl. I love to see your eyes shining like they did tonight.”
A warm feeling spreads through my belly, and my heart starts to race. We’re pressed against each other, and Damiano’s face is just inches from mine.
He takes my chin between his thumb and forefinger and lowers his mouth to mine. Butterflies riot in my belly, and I pant lightly in anticipation.
For a moment, I think he’s going to kiss me. Really kiss me.
His parted lips brush over mine, the lightest of touches while our breaths mingle. Flames lick at my core, and I wait for himto pull us both into bliss and kiss me. His eyes are closed, and his lashes are dark against his cheeks, but he doesn’t capture my lips.
He’s tormenting us both. Punishing himself for what happened with Ariana. Denying us both what we promised each other.
“Let’s get you home,” he whispers, eyes still closed, lips moving over mine. “I have an apology to get in writing for you.”
10
Damiano
“Was last night her idea? Don’t lie to me to cover for your sister.” Dad glares at me from behind his desk, his hands gripping the arms of his chair. Hostility is rolling off him in waves like I’ve never known from him before. Not aimed at me, at least.
The feeling is mutual. I fix my gaze at the wall just above Dad’s head so he doesn’t see the anger burning in my eyes. Lucy and I made him millions last night, and he hasn’t said thank you or asked if Lucy is all right after being groped.
“It was my idea for Lucy to help me sell that jewelry,” I tell Dad.
“Then your idea was a disaster,” he bellows. “Lucy lied to protect a thief, and she offended two important associates. If you wanted a woman to model the jewels, you should have paid someone who could keep her smart mouth shut. Someone who didn’t care if she was groped.”
“I don’t want anyone to be groped,” I snap.
“You can’t expect the men of Malus to behave any differently, which is why we keep our women away from them.”
I look off to the side, fuming. Dimitriou shouldn’t have dared laid a hand on her, and I should have kept a closer eye on my sister. I won’t make the same mistake next time.
“Your mother and I have frequently discussed Lucy’s constant disobedience,” Dad continues. “Her snooping. Her sour moods.”
“She’s bored and frustrated. She doesn’t like being left out of things.”
