Page 2 of Morally Gray Daddies

Granted, I really didn’t want to totally piss off two mob families, but if I had to shoot the DiNardo heir, too, then that’s what I would do.

Unfortunately, she didn’t come to her senses.

The ceremony went by, then the reception, and Hailey barely glanced at me, much less gave me an opportunity to talk to her by herself. Though she wasn’t as sanguine as she was pretending—my girl had a knife hidden away in her bouquet. I couldn’t see her using it, but desperate times called for desperate measures. Maybe she had more of a ruthless streak than I thought.

She was Don Bianco’s granddaughter, after all.

At least the food at the reception was good. I didn’t eat much, though, as I kept an eye on Hailey and Jack, her new husband.

“Excuse me. May I have this dance?”

The deep voice sent tingles up my spine. I’d been aware of his approach, though I’d pretended otherwise.

I turned my head, widening my eyes as if in surprise.

“Gio. How nice to see you again. I’d love to dance.” I hopped up, beaming at him like the dizzy girl he thought I was. I’d met him the night he and Jack had come to fetch Hailey. He’d done his best to distract me—and he was very distracting—while Jack pursued Hailey.

At the time, I hadn’t realized what was going on, or I would have gotten us out of there. I’d recognized him, but I hadn’t known they were there for Hailey.

I’d actually been quite sure they were there for me, that they’d realized I was the thief they’d been looking for.

It hadn’t taken me long to realize they didn’t suspect me at all.

Holding out his hand, Gio smiled as I took it, though the smile didn’t quite reach his eyes. I wasn’t sure his smiles ever did. None that I had seen so far. He was a cold man, possibly even a cruel one, yet my body lit up like a match every time he was close.

“What a beautiful wedding it was,” I said with a happy sigh as he pulled me onto the dance floor.

Of course, the music changed as he did so, going from a swinging beat to a smooth, slow one. Gio didn’t look at the band, but somehow, I knew he’d arranged it that way. Call it feminine instinct.

I beamed up at him as he put his arms around me, still acting like I hadn’t any more sense than a squirrel. Sadly, the little shiver that went through my body when I felt his hand against the small of my back didn’t require any acting. He was big and scary, and he made me want to melt and do wicked, delightful things that I’d only ever read about.

“Didn’t you think it was beautiful?” I asked when he didn’t answer. He loomed over me, so much taller and broader, making me feel petite and cute. I hated it and loved it at the same time. He wasn’t trying to intimidate me right now, but I felt the difference in our sizes like a threat because I knew that size could easily be used against me.

But he doesn’t suspect anything, so there’s no reason for him to.

“Sure.”

He was placating me, and I resisted the urge to roll my eyes. Instead, I babbled at him about how beautiful everything was—the flowers, the dresses, the venue—while he swayed me around the dance floor. Whatever I could do to make him regret asking me to dance.

To my surprise, he kept his gaze on me the whole time. Was he actually listening to my nonsense? I didn’t know how I felt about that.

“I hope Jack will be able to make her happy,” I said, glancing over to where the two of them were standing together, speaking with guests. I looked up at Gio. “Do you think he’ll make her happy?”

He grunted in reply.

I narrowed my eyes at him. I’d already established that I was protective of Hailey, so I didn’t have to pretend I wasn’t.

“He’d better make her happy.”

Gio’s lip curled up.

“Or else what?”

“Or I’ll find a way to make him unhappy.” I sniffed derisively. “I do still work for the police force, you know.”

“I know. I’ll make sure he does, too.” For once, real amusement flashed through Gio’s eyes.

Great, the only time I could put a genuine smile on his face was when I threatened him. Granted, threatening them with the force was a joke. I already knew Chief Barnes was in the Bianco family’s pocket and had been for years. Still, it would be nice to get a little respect.

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