Page 38 of Boardwalk Kings

Lovely.

“Yeah, I get it.”

I grabbed the pen and signed the pages without reading a word. Not like it mattered. They were the Boardwalk Kings and wouldn’t hesitate to get rid of me if I became a problem for them.

After I signed the documents, Dante stuffed the papers into the folder and tucked them under his arm. “Go see your father. He’ll explain your duties, and then you can get to work.”

Without further explanation, he left the office, closing the door behind him.

Straight and to the point.

At least with Dante, you knew where you stood. He didn’t like me and thought I was the whore his brothers passed around. So far, I hadn’t disproved his theory.

A few days ago, I was a good girl and never stepped out of line. But having my goals and plans stripped away had a strange effect on me.

I didn’t give a fuck anymore.

Now, I just wanted to live.

I wanted to survive them.

ChapterSeventeen

AVA

After Dante left the office, I headed down the hall to talk to my dad. I balled my hand into a fist and knocked on the door, poking my head inside. Dad glanced up from the computer screen with a worried expression. He had dark circles around his eyes, his skin paler than usual. His black hair looked like he had been running his fingers through it.

“Hey, Dad. Dante said you have work for me.”

He nodded, his jaw set hard.

I entered the room and lifted a pen and pad of paper off his desk. I scribbled a message, carefully blocking the camera’s view.

Why am I here?

Dad read the note and ripped off the page, stuffing it into his pocket. His face was like marble, expressionless.

He tipped his head toward the door. “I could use another espresso. Are you still drinking caramel macchiato?”

I forced a smile. “Of course.”

Dad looked like he was doing his best to maintain a straight face. He’d worked for the Lucianos for a long time and was good at hiding his emotions. And with them watching us on the security feed, we had to be extra cautious.

I followed him out of the office.

We rode the elevator to the ground floor. Neither of us breathed or even looked at each other. The negative energy filled the awkwardness between us, sucking the air out of the space. Whatever he was about to tell me was going to be bad news.

He wore the same look when he told me Mom wouldn’t be coming home for a while. One of her many stays at the wellness clinics she frequented. Being attached to the Luciano family had ruined all of our lives. I was so stupid for believing I had a future without them.

On our way to Starbucks, Dad covered his mouth with his hand and whispered, “They’re watching us. Be careful.”

“I figured as much,” I muttered. “Why am I here, Dad?”

He turned his head to the side. “Because they think I’m stealing from them.”

I gasped at his confession. “Are you kidding me? You would never do that.”

When he didn’t deny the accusation, my stomach twisted into knots.

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