Page 5 of Wicked Takeover
Not to stroke him. She was reaching out to shake hands.
Her fingers were soft and moist, a delight to hold. He squeezed them gently.
New color flooded her face and throat. A soft smile touched her lips.
He liked that. “So you’re Frank’s little girl.”
Caution replaced her earlier sweetness. Hurt filled her eyes. “We’re related.” She spoke barely above a whisper. “Or were.”
Her reaction wasn’t a surprise. Frank had told him what had happened long ago. Stuff Dante wasn’t about to bring up now. Not his place. He called himself a fool for bringing attention to her relationship—or lack of one—with her dad.
Her tightly bunched shoulders eased from their protective stance, but she didn’t fully relax. “And you are?”
He’d forgotten to tell her. “Dante Avana. Your dad hired me on as manager, though I do my share of piercings and tats.”
Lauren stared at his left biceps. She got a dreamy look. So did she like the design or his arm?
He puffed up, strangely proud about the possibility of either.
She shifted in place and glanced around, taking in the parlor.
Before their silence grew too uncomfortable, he took command. “Want me to show you everything you own?”
Lauren slanted him a look.
He gave her one right back. She’d be fun to tease and share laughter with. “You know—furniture, equipment, computers, other stuff?”
She got soft and feminine again, then composed herself quickly, like she’d flipped an internal switch.
In his experience, transformations like that generally happened with cops or attorneys. He suspected she might be a lawyer.
She smoothed her suit jacket. “Can I ask you something?”
He hoped it wouldn’t be about her dad, given the history Frank had revealed. “Shoot.”
“Would you be interested in buying this place? I wouldn’t ask, but I really need the money, you know? I, ah…that is…” Her face flamed. “I recently lost my job.”
Dante understood perfectly. He’d had trouble with his last career, which had nearly destroyed his hope in humanity but did lead him to this parlor where there were good times and few hassles. Just what he’d needed and she didn’t want to mess with. He couldn’t blame her since she’d have the most to lose if she stayed and the business went belly up. “At this point, I couldn’t handle the expense.”
“The payments wouldn’t be that bad. I’d make them reasonable.”
“Sorry, I can’t.”
She slumped.
He wondered at her desperation but didn’t ask. Drama was the last thing he needed in his life. But she was Frank’s kid, and he couldn’t help the empathy and tenderness that rushed through him at how hopeless and weary she looked. “Hey. It’ll be all right. Everything will turn out. If you want, I could lend you a couple hundred to help.”
Astonishment flickered across her face. “You’d do that for someone you don’t know?”
It was only money. A truth Dante had learned a few years back when everything had changed for him, and he realized there were more important things in life than chasing wealth. “We’re family here. You own the place. That is, if you are who you claim to be. Should I ask for identification?”
Lauren gave him a cool look that didn’t quite come off. “Ask all you want. You’re not seeing my driver’s license.” Clearly she was on to his teasing and giving it right back.
“Picture’s that bad, huh?” He winked.
Her cheeks colored even more. “Maybe.” She cleared her throat. “Do you mind if I look around by myself? Can you show me where the books are?”
Her fragrance enveloped him. His blood thickened. “I’ll show you whatever you want.”
