Page 7 of Black Jack (Advantage Play 5)

His arrogant grin makes my blood run cold. “I’m really not.”

What are you playing at, Dom?

Studying him carefully, I ask, “Why would you arrange for me to marry a Fed?”

“Because if you’re married to a Fed, our threats to blackmail all the dicks you’ve sucked will hold more weight.”

My gaze narrows. “How can you be so sure?”

“Because they won’t be able to kill you without repercussions. All your little clients will pay to keep you quiet instead of slitting your throat when you approach them with all the dirt you’ve collected during your little visits. We’ll be able to make them pay us hand over fist before disappearing into the sunset.”

Pay us.

Because he thinks he has a right to the money I’ve earned by spreading my legs for every guy Burlone sent me to. For every politician. Every celebrity. Every mafia family with a secret that needs to be revealed. Everyone. Yet, I never would’ve done any of it if he hadn’t wasted our entire family’s wealth on his gambling addiction.

Selfish bastard.

At least I’ve collected useful information during all of those visits. If I’ve learned anything in this business, it’s to keep my eyes and ears alert. Always watching and always listening for every dirty little secret and skeleton in their closet. And boy, do they have a lot of skeletons.

“And how did you convince a Fed to marry me?” I ask, searching for any loopholes he might’ve missed. Because even though he’s insane, this actually might work.

Dominic’s smirk is as hollow and lifeless as his soul, but he flashes it nonetheless. “I can be very persuasive.”

“In the Romano’s basement?” I clap my hands. “Bravo, Dominic. I’m impressed.”

His hands clench into fists at his sides. “You really are a bitch, Bianca. You know that, right?”

“I learned from the best. Now, tell me the truth. How did you convince a Fed to marry a Castello? What leverage do you have?”

“You don’t need to know.”

“But you’re going to tell me anyway,” I push.

“And why would I do that? You’re nothing but a woman in a man’s world, Bianca––”

“And you’re nothing but a roach in a basement,” I spit. “Tell me the truth or I walk away.”

“And where would you go?” he challenges.

“Doesn’t matter––”

“Oh, but it does. Because you’re nothing but a pawn in this game, and if you want us to win, then you’re going to play by my rules.”

“I’m leaving,” I announce, my tone laced with bitterness. Turning on my heel, I reach for the door when a cold hand grabs my wrist and yanks me away from it. I flinch as he presses my forearm behind my back at an awkward angle. But I don’t cry out. That would only egg him on.

His hot breath fans against my neck as he leans closer, making my face scrunch up with disgust. “You are a Castello. And whether or not you’d like to admit it, we’re family, and we will get through this together. Do you understand me?”

My lashes flutter as I fight back my repulsion. I hate being a Castello. And I hate being this close to him. He’s never seen me as anything but a cash cow to pay off his debts. But he’s right about one thing. Despite my best efforts, I’m nothing but a pawn, and my freedom in deciding my future was ripped away from me the moment my mother died.

“Yes,” I whisper, searching for the numbness that can whisk me away from here. Maybe not literally, but it’s enough to take the edge off moments like this, and I need it desperately. “I understand.”

He releases his hold. “Good. I’ve been in contact with a dirty Fed who soiled your precious fiancé’s name. If I testify against him, it’ll clear Jack’s name. That’s why he’s agreed to marry you.”

Rubbing my wrist, the wheels turn in my head as I piece together the information he just gifted me with. “So, you’re going to testify in court? That you were in contact with a Federal agent?”

“Yes.”

“And you understand that if you do this, the entire mafia will come after you.”

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