Page 38 of Aldo

I sat down with a grin. “So…”

He shrugged. “I told the boys to let him go. Gave him his chance.”

“And?”

“Let’s say he is going to be sore in the morning. Breathing in might be a problem.”

“Did he get a hit in at all?”

“Only his head when I stepped aside and he hit the wall. Then he lunged again—sort of like a bull, snorting and angry. I took him out in two fast punches. Shame it happened so fast.” He sipped his scotch. “The boys took pictures, he was informed he was no longer welcome, and they delivered him to his car. I comped his parking. After his losses at the tables, I’m not sure he had enough money left to pay for it, and since I confiscated his player pass, he had no way out other than that option.”

I smirked as I took a sip.

“I had them put a tracker on his car. We’ll put his face in the system, so if he comes back, we’ll know.”

“Good.”

He watched me. “I decided to let him go before you showed up, Aldo. I wasn’t sure he’d make it out the door.”

“He grabbed her. Put marks on her.”

“And this matters to you because…?” He paused. “And don’t tell me it’s because she’s an employee.”

I met his gaze. “I have been with her almost every night since our date.”

His eyebrows shot up. “Still?”

“Yes.”

“Aldo. What are you saying?”

I shook my head. “I have no idea. But there is something between us. I can’t deny it.”

“Are you seeing her later?”

“She has a pass for my room. My private room.”

“Holy fuck,” he mumbled.

“She makes me feel different. Think different. I think I want—” I stopped. “I don’t want to talk about it.”

“I don’t either. Next thing you know, we’ll be braiding each other’s hair and sipping wine.”

I had to laugh. “God forbid.”

He finished his scotch and stood. “I’m going downstairs.” He paused at the door. “If you need time, if she needs anything, it’s yours, Aldo.”

“Thanks.”

He met my eyes. “You care about her. Then she’s important to you. Which makes her important to me.”

And he walked out.

CHAPTER 13

ALDO

Iheaded to the deli before Vi’s shift was over, and I walked with her across the lobby and up to my room. She was quiet but calm. We had a bath, floating in the lavender-scented water. She loved the aroma of the soothing plant, and I knew I would never smell it again without thinking of her—of our time together.