Page 18 of Corrupted Heir (Mafia Kings: Corrupted 1)

His two dogs followed us to the door and remained there when we went inside. The floor was packed with people—people who were clearly dressed better than I was. Elegant floor-length gowns. Enough diamonds to start up a Tiffany’s franchise. Even the tables were better dressed than I was with their crystal glasses, shiny silverware, and lavish floral arrangements. Outshined by a dinner table—this was definitely not my night.

People stared as we were led through the building to a private room. A goddamned VIP area in a fine dining restaurant. My mouth was dry as a desert when we sat down, and I was about ready to crawl under the table when I caught sight of the view outside the floor-to-ceiling windows next to me. It was breathtaking. A wide open view of Jamaica Bay. The city lights painted a magnificent picture on the surface of the water while the sound of the soft, gentle lap of waves slipped through the glass and wrapped around me like a cocoon.

“It’s beautiful,” I whispered in awe.

“It is,” he said, though there was no wonder in his tone. The view didn’t impress him; he’d probably seen it a thousand times, sitting right here across a different girl every time.

The cocoon slipped away, and I ripped my gaze away from the tranquil scene outside.

“Impressed, Miss Moore?” he asked, like the answer was obvious.

“Please don’t call me that. I’m not your middle school teacher,” I snapped at him. I had a name, and he knew it, so why couldn’t he use it?

“My apologies,Fallon.What’s got you so grouchy?”

“Grouchy?” I raised an eyebrow at him, but he just smiled. “I’m not.”

“Well, you’re being awfully short with me.”

“Well, maybe I’d be a little less ‘short’ with you if you hadn’t been such a dick that night.”

He put a hand to his chest, his palm flat against it. “Me?An asshole? I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“I called you a dick, not an ass. There’s a difference,” I huffed.

“Hmm,” he said with a devious grin. “It’s good to know you’re well-versed in male anatomy.”

I opened my mouth to retort, but words escaped me.Damn it.

If that wasn’t bad enough, the smug smile on his too-handsome face clearly meant he knew he had me flustered.

But instead of pressing his advantage, he sat back in his chair. “Why don’t we get some food and wine into you, beautiful? Maybe that will help take the edge off.”

“Fallon. My name is Fallon,” I ground out, but before he could come up with another snide comment, the waiter came to my rescue.

The waiter wore a tuxedo and had recommendations for wine pairings for the meals we chose. I ordered something that was in a different language and had to point at the menu instead of saying it out loud. There was nothing quite like feeling inferior to a freaking menu.

“Something wrong, Fallon?” Dominic asked as the waiter left our table.

“Nothing,” I said. “I’m just not used to ordering food from a menu I can’t read.”

He frowned at me, and it made me want to punch him right in his chiseled jaw. “Are you trying to tell me you’ve never had a fine dining experience before?”

I shook my head.

“Your father never brought you to places like this?” He seemed genuinely perplexed. Did he not realize that not every family had the money to spend hundreds of dollars on a single meal?

“Never,” I said with my nose in the air. There was no way I was going to feel bad about my modest upbringing. My father had provided for me as well as he could. At least, that’s the lie I chose to believe.

“I suppose you’re in for one hell of a treat. I bet you’ll love it. If you don’t, then I lose,” he said, flashing me a thousand-watt smile.

“What do I get for winning?” I glared at him.

“What does your heart desire?” He took a sip of his drink and eyed me over his glass. I wasn’t quite sure how a person’s eyes could be screaming “sex” but if eyes could do that, his definitely were.

I had to look away. Again, I was saved. Our food arrived. They didn’t bring only what we ordered, but an entire spread that filled the table. I had to admit that if nothing else, the food looked Instagram-ready.

While we ate, Dominic asked about my work, my friends, if I had any pets, and all the other lame questions people asked on first dates, like it was some sort of interview. From the way he looked and acted, I expected him to be the sort to constantly talk about himself.

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