Page 6 of The Gangster King

Nothing more.

I even had my education limited because of my sex. The fact that I wanted one and had a desire to understand business was laughed at.

But I am my father’s daughter.

Everyone underestimates me.

They shouldn’t. One day I will leave this place, and I have a plan to do just that.

“He’s dead,” I say softly when Dante doesn’t reply.

I can see the pain in his eyes, as if whatever happened tonight hits him. He’s now safe inside the walls of my home and it’s crashing down on him.

I don’t usually lower my barriers like this with Dante. It’s way too dangerous. But his father is dead. Even gangsters have a heart.

Generally.

He loved his father. So tonight, I drop the attitude.

“Yes.” Dante nods.

“Where is your mother? Gianna?”

I have no details about what took place and wonder why my family isn’t aware of it yet.

Dante shakes his head and sits on the arm of a chair.

“The FBI is looking for me,” he says, lifting his gaze to me. “I need a place to lie low.”

I walk over to him, tying my gown closed.

“You could’ve done that ten minutes ago.” Dante stares at my now covered breasts, and I shake my head.

Even in the face of his father’s death, he still can’t take his eyes off my body.

As always, I ignore him.

“Dante, you can’t stay here. My father will need to know if you do,” I say, telling him what he already knows.

We both know how this works and I’m surprised he even came here.

It was reckless of him.

He is a wealthy man. He could have gone to a million different places. Yet he came here.

“I’m fully aware of how this fucking works. But I’m asking for your help,” he hisses. “One night. That’s all.”

I drop my head and rub my forehead.

“If he catches us, tell him we’re fucking,” Dante adds.

I gasp. “No.”

Christ, no.

Dante doesn't understand how precarious this time is for me. At any given time, my father could send me off to another familyto marry. If he thinks I’m sleeping with Dante, who has made no secret of his desire to marry me, then it would speed up any plans he may have.

I can’t let that happen.