Page 135 of Empire of Temptation

“I doubt it, but thank you.” I sipped the juice and blinked in surprise. “I thought this was orange juice.”

“Bergamot juice. Popular in Italia. Do you like it?”

“It’s good. Tart. Not as sweet as orange juice.”

“I keep it around to impress the ladies,” he said with a wink.

I toyed with the glass and peeked up at him through my lashes. “You don’t have to stay, you know. I don’t need to be babysat.” Or spied on, whichever the case may be.

“I’m not going anywhere. I like it here.”

“Gabi, come on.” I tapped my fingernail against the glass. “You could be back home, doing more than cutting limes and lemons.”

“My father asked me to stay and look after you. This is a great responsibility because you mean everything to him.”

I couldn’t help it—a snort emerged. “We both know that isn’t true.”

He put down the knife he was using and braced his hands on the bar. “Val. Bella. How can you not see this? He has never allowed a woman into his life before. Leo and I have never met any of his women, other than our mothers, because he keeps them separate, capisce?”

This was immaterial. “Your father is a liar.”

“He’s not. But he is a man with great responsibilities on his shoulders, and sometimes he hurts people without realizing it.”

The way Gabi said it . . . “Has he hurt you?”

He straightened and took up the knife again. “I am a second son. The focus has always been on Leo, the heir. As it should be.”

“Not at the detriment of your mental health.”

He lifted a shoulder. “Our world isn’t so concerned about mental health. But being here has helped.”

“You mean at the restaurant?”

“Yes, but New York in general. I like having something to do.”

“You were bored at home?”

“Not bored, but my father kept me protected from most of the family business. I mostly drove old men around.”

“It’s better than being shot at.”

“Are you kidding? I’d much rather be shot at than listen to old men fart and blow their noses all day.”

He’d rather be shot at? I couldn’t pretend to understand it. “I would never let a son of mine into that world.”

He shook the knife at me. “Never say never, Val. My father will return one day.”

And what? Knock me up? No, thank you. And even if he did, I wouldn’t turn my child over to the mafia. “Can we please talk about something else? I’m done thinking about your dad.”

“Allora, then we will talk about something else. You need to move back into the mansion.”

“What?” My back went ramrod straight in horror. “No way. I’m staying at my house. Why in the world would I move back into that mansion?”

“Because it’s safer. And I’m tired of sleeping in my car every night.”

“You don’t need to sleep in your car. Get a room at the inn.”

“Staying at the inn won’t allow me to keep watch over you.”

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