Page 30 of Mafia Shade's Reluctant Bride
His brows shot up. “Which part?”
“She wants to understand it all. She wants to know how the business works, so when it is time for her to inherit her property, she would have a soft landing.”
Dante let out a low whistle. “Hate to break it to you, boss, but you know how difficult it would be to let her in. She knows that none of this is pure, even the seemingly harmless part.”
I rolled my eyes. “She knows her father didn’t run a charity organization. She knows her father wasn’t a saint,”
“She’s got guts, though,” he mused. “Not a bad thing.”
I knew what he was thinking before he even said it.
“She needs to learn, Lorenzo. She’s back in this world now. Whether you like it or not, she’s in it. If you don’t show her how things work, someone else will. And not in a way that’s good for her.”
I clenched my jaw. The thought made my stomach turn. I had refused to think about it from this angle because I wanted to protect her from all of it.
“There are terrible people in this world,” Dante continued. “And you can’t protect her forever.”
I hated it when he was right. I hated that he could read right through my thoughts.
I ran a hand through my hair, exhaling sharply. “Fine. I’ll start with the casino. The clubs. Keep it on the surface.”
Dante smirked. “Smart. Give her a taste. See if she actually wants in or if she just likes the idea of it.”
“She’s not going to let it go.”
“She never does,” I added.
We sat in silence for a moment, both knowing exactly what kind of storm we were about to walk into.
Then, because Dante couldn’t resist, he leaned forward with a shit-eating grin. “So, this is just business for you? Making sure your mother hands over the inheritance? Or are we pretending you don’t care about Maria more than you should?”
I shot him a look. “We grew up together.”
“Uh-huh.”
“She’s like family,” I muttered. A smirk appeared on Dante’s face. He does this whenever he is trying to prove a stupid point.
“Right.”
“I’m just making sure she’s safe. But it is just business. Don’t go around thinking otherwise.” I was trying so hard to prove a point. It was infuriating. I don’t know why I even bother.
“Sure, boss.”
I exhaled through my nose, rubbing my temple. “You’re annoying.”
Dante grinned. “And you’re full of shit. But we’ve known that for years.”
I ignored him because there was nothing to say.
This was business.
Because I wasn’t going to let Maria drag me into something I couldn’t afford to feel. At least, that’s what I told myself.
*****
I decided to drive to the Russo’s mansion hours later. It was a little past four. I wanted to speak to Maria to explain myself to her and to tell her that I wanted to do things her way. I would let her in the best I could. Enrico was waiting outside the Russo’s mansion when I got there, and it was like a bad omen.
He was leaning against the wall, arms crossed and eyes sharp like he’d been standing there just waiting for me to show up.
