Page 55 of Now and Forever

After filling my cup, she disappeared beyond the swinging door.

Dario’s dark orbs shone. “You don’t need to ask permission, Catalina. This is your home. Wear what you want or don’t want.” His lips curled. “I suggest for the same reason as at the mansion, that you keep nude to the confines of our suite.”

No worries, I wasn’t planning to walk around as an exhibitionist.

I pulled on the edge of the robe. “I’ll try to wake earlier tomorrow.”

“Maybe I shouldn’t wake you in the middle of the night.”

I left his comment unanswered as Contessa returned with a plate of scrambled eggs, fruit, and rye toast. When I looked up, Dario was reading on his tablet. “Did everything work out last night?”

He nodded. “The incident at the casino was random. It would have been difficult to stop my father if we could have connected it to the bratva.”

“Does the famiglia have whores at their clubs?”

Dario seemed to choke on his coffee.

My eyes widened. “Is that not something I should ask?”

“No, you may ask anything. It’s surprising breakfast conversation, that’s all.”

I plunged my fork into a piece of ripe melon. “We talked about the woman at Wanderlust. You made it sound like the famiglia takes better care of theirworkers.” I decided to change the description. “Do you oversee them?”

Dario took a deep breath and leaned forward. “Yes, we have workers at our clubs. Some at the casinos also. I don’t as a rule have much to do with them. Rocco is in charge of that aspect of our business.”

“You don’t sleep with them?”

Dario laughed. “I’m only unarmed when I sleep and shower. So no, I don’t sleep with our workers.”

I tried to sound as casual as I could. “I was just wondering about the shower last night.”

Dario lowered his voice. “Your first thought was that I slept with someone?”

“Your mother said?—”

Dario reached for my wrist.

My gaze went to where he was holding me and up to his eyes.

“I promised you faithfulness. Unfortunately, my father doesn’t see his marriage vows the way I do. My mother needs to keep her opinions to herself.”

I nodded.

“Do not question my vow.” He let go of my wrist.

Taking a breath, I reached for my cup of coffee. “Okay.” The next subject on my list to discuss was Josie, but after his reaction, I was pretty sure I’d pushed him far enough for our first breakfast. I’d wait for dinner.

“Do you have plans to leave the house?” Dario asked as he sat back against the chair.

My gaze went to the tall windows, seeing the summer-blue sky. “I don’t have anywhere to go, and you said it might not be safe.”

“Kansas City has many renowned art galleries and museums. Isn’t your degree in art?”

“Art history with a minor in business.”

“Business?”

I nodded. “After graduation, I had some offers for curator apprenticeships.”

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