Page 41 of Broken Rules
“No. I simply didn’t want him around. It shouldn’t surprise you with all the hatred between Dante and my father.”
“So, how come you’re here?” Luna asks, arms crossed.
I’m growing annoyed with the nosy inquisition. I can’t explain how my status changed from mafia boss’s daughter to mafia boss’s girlfriend because I still don’t know how that happened. “Dante’s doesn’t exactly quit without a fight,” I say, looking at Bianca bouncing in her seat. “Should we go?” I point to the dancing crowd.
“We can’t go there,” Luna says, turning her head the other way, lips pursed. “Our men don’t dance, Layla, so,obviously,we’re not allowed to dance with other men.”
“Who said anything about other men? We can have fun together.” I stand, pulling my dress down, but neither of the girls follow my lead. “Don’t tell me you’re scared of them. What will they do?”
“Layla, you can’t go down there.” Sandra pleads. “Didn’t Dante tell you?”
“Tell me what? that I can’t dance?” I scoff, finishing off my drink. “No, he failed to mention that. C’mon, get up. You can tell them it was my idea.”
Jane saves me from an embarrassing situation, rising onto her stiletto heels. Once she’s up, the other three stand too. We find enough space so we can all dance in a small circle. Disclosure and a remix of “You and Me” blasts from the speakers. My new friends enjoy the music, losing themselves in the beat. Seeing their kind smiles, I stop worrying about whether I fit in. I’m the first one forced to push away a guy who wants to dance with me. Luna does the same when a tall, dark-haired man reaches for her hand, swaying as if he’s had a few too many. I don’t want to get them in trouble, but if no one’s hitting on us, Dante and his men shouldn’t have a reason to keep us upstairs.
Or so I hope.
“I can’t remember the last time I danced!” Bianca shouts over the music. “I’m so glad you’re here!”
Songs blur together. I count eleven tunes before I realize men have been steering clear of our little gathering for a while. I glance around, smiling at two bodyguards who stand fifteen feet away by two tall pillars that support the balcony. They shove aside anyone who comes near our tight circle. I look up, knowing the security didn’t devise this brilliant idea alone. Six pairs of eyes watch us from the balcony. Only Dante’s missing. Rookie holds a glass of whiskey, pointing behind me. A second later, a warm arm snakes around my middle, and I’m turned around, meeting Dante’s lips.
His hands slide down my body as he deepens the kiss, his tongue skimming mine slowly. “How about a break? You’re barely catching a breath.”
“Okay, a break sounds good. But only a short one.” I gesture for the girls to follow us upstairs, where fresh drinks wait on the table.
Rookie shakes his hand, readjusting his wristwatch, eyes on me. I’m not sure if he’s annoyed or amused. “I guess it was your idea to take them dancing?”
“It wasn’t easy to convince them.”
“There’s a rule Dante apparently hadn’t mentioned,” Luca growls. “You stay here because we have enough shit to deal with without worrying about you.” He rolls up his sleeves, exposing the colorful tattoos snaking up his arms. “You attract trouble like a magnet, so do us all a favor and stop rebelling.”
Dante tenses beside me, leaning forward, ready to interject. I squeeze his thigh under the table, silently asking him to zip it. If I want respect, I have to earn it.
“Change your attitude, Luca,” I say, unaffected by his reluctance. “You don’t know me well enough or long enough for your tone to sit well with me.”
Frank’s pawns treat me just like Luca does; like a silly little girl they can walk all over. I’ve dealt with men like Luca more than I should. Compared to the son of New York’s mafia boss, Luca’s child’s play. He may look impenetrable to an untrained eye, but I’ve dealt with his kind all my life, and Luca sure lacks confidence. He cocks an eyebrow at me, making another mistake. I don’t think he knows how to handle my attitude. The other girls probably never talk back, so he must’ve thought I’ll recant and shut up. Wrong address.
He casts a loaded look at Dante, his jaw flexing as he grinds his teeth.
“Don’t look at him,” I snap, setting my glass aside. “He won’t help you. You started with me, so you’ll deal with me.”
Dante chuckles while everyone around the table remains silent, watching us as if watching tennis, heads turning from me to Luca and back.
“You don’t use your brain for work, so worrying about your girl shouldn’t be so exhausting. Don’t even start talking about safety. We’re not up North where everyone wants you dead. You think anyone will dare touch Sandra knowing she’s with you?”
“Not many people know she’s with me. We don’t print it in the local newspaper,” he says in an arrogant tone. “They always stay here. Theyneverobject, so be a doll and don’t get in the fucking middle.”
Not many people know... how can they be so careless?
“Who does Adam date?” I ask.
“Allie Carter.”
“And?” I urge, but he doesn’t grasp what I’m telling him. “Did you read about it in a newspaper?” I look at Dante. “Didn’t it occur to you it might be good if all the scumbags know who they should steer clear of?” Up North, all the junkies know which girls are off-limits.
“Luca’s right, Star,” Dante says, glancing at the girls. “You never said you wanted to dance, and we don’t read minds. If you want to have fun, I don’t see a problem. I’ll make sure we have two more bodyguards on Saturdays, so they keep an eye on you.” He glances around his men. “All good?”
No one disagrees but Luca’s sulking. “Is this what it’ll be like now? You’ll agree with everything Layla says?”
