Page 16 of Drowned in Gold

“You used to run down guys in the Rigiano family for fun—” I put my hand up. “Why am I even entertaining this? I’m going back inside, bye, Marco. Stop following me or I’ll go to the new Don. I mean it.”

He grabs my hand as I go for the door. “Gia,” his tone turns serious.

I peer over my shoulder.

“There’s big things happening for our crew. I don’t want you and Mom living like second-class citizens anymore. Va bene? As the man of this family, I wanted to tell you personally you’ll be taken care of.”

My heart softens a bit. For all my brother’s faults, his heart is in the right place, at least with me and Mom. That doesn’t change where I stand on the matter, though.

“I appreciate the gesture, but no. I’m wiping my hands clean of dirty money. Look. I dip my toes in one innocent event, and my bell starts buzzing like someone died the very next day.”

His lip twitches. “What if I back off a bit? Can I see you around a little more?”

My mind goes immediately to Castor. If I say yes, then our paths could cross again without raising suspicion.

“Maybe.” I smirk, and he smirks back.

“Take care of yourself, Gia. And get some rest… You look awful.”

I gasp, and before I can think of a comeback, he’s cackling and rushing down the stairs.

As soon as I get back into the hallway, I’m hugging Castor’s box and combating all of the butterflies swarming around my belly. This is not okay. We didn’t get caught while he secretly diddled me in the midst of a hundred people, but a damn box almost gets us killed? Really?

I rush into my apartment, shut the door, and double-lock it. This time I head toward the kitchen. It’s small, with beige-colored cabinets and a Formica countertop. I’m staring at the box like I’m about to open a treasure. Well, I am, kind of. There might actually be gold in there.

Before I do, I run to the window and ensure the shades are completely shut, not a sliver of room to peep through, just in case my psycho of a brother is peeking.

Finally, I’m alone, and feel comfortable enough to indulge that note again. As soon as I pick up the laminated card, I blush.

Pervert. I think about actually mailing those panties, but he never gave me an address. Hell, I don’t even have his phone number—

I flip the card to the back and my breath hitches.

Listen, kid. I know we got ahead of ourselves last night, but I just wanted to say… I enjoyed our little date. Make-shift, off-the-cuff, and out of the blue, but sometimes those are the best kind.

Don’t be a stranger.

916-253-6342

It’s a burner, so you won’t have access to me for long…

My mouth hangs open. I thought those budding feelings were one-sided. Reading the note once is impossible. One side has my heart, the other my slit. Never in a million years did I expect anything after our secret meeting.

I can’t stop thinking about his smooth hands and cold rings rubbing my legs. The way he looks at me… like I’m the most beautiful woman in the world… I never felt that with anyone.

When I’m done swooning all over my kitchen, I remember that there’s an actual object in the box. It’s a sleeve of gold coins, stacked. They look identical to the two he paid me for the night, only… it’s ten times more.

“Damn. How much is this stuff actually worth?” I stare at the plastic case that says six ounces, then rush to my phone and Google the worth of it.

My eyes bulge when I see the number pop up on my screen. Ten thousand dollars?

It must be a mistake. For less than four hours’ work? No freakin’ way.

Grenades of joy go off in my heart. This takes care of rent for five months. I can’t believe it. I can’t—

I stare at the card and thumb over the number, my heartrate rising just thinking about calling him.

I shouldn’t though…

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