Page 100 of Gin & Trouble

She snatched the ball cap from my head and put it on. “There problem solved.”

I wanted to laugh and drag her into my arms and apologize for doubting her. It would be so easy to let my guard down and pick up where we’d left off in the penthouse, but I couldn’t. Not yet. Not when she’d lied about so many things.

For now, I play it safe. Keep her at arm’s length until I figure this out.

Frankie did a seated happy dance. “I’m in Meriwether’s email.”

“That was fast.” I couldn’t help but smile. “Send Leo the login information.”

She typed out an email before closing the laptop. “Are you okay?”

“I will be.” I pointed in the direction of a distant island. “That’s Alicudi.”

“How long until we arrive?”

“An hour or so. The marina is on the other side.” I debated on how to tell her Enzo was a lost cause but couldn’t find the words.

“Dante.” She laced her fingers with mine. “I’m really sorry. I should have told you about Enzo before. I mean…I tried a couple of times, but something always came up.”

“I can see how it would be difficult to throw, ‘By the way, your mother had an affair with my dad,’ into a conversation.”

Frankie nodded and glanced away. “It’s gross to think about.”

“That’s putting it mildly.” I kissed the back of her hand. “You should know, Enzo turned down a seat on theFratellanza. I don’t think he will help you.”

“I meant what I said. I’m going to destroy the results.” The honesty in her voice unraveled the knot in my gut. I had absolutely no reason to trust her, but I did.

“No. Too much of our lives has been decided for us because of who our parents are. Enzo has a right to know and to make his own decisions.

“It’s not just our parents. It’s everything. The rules. The expectations. The mob demands absolute control over every aspect of our lives.” Frankie wiped her eyes. “I was stupid to think I could find a way out.”

I knew exactly how she felt. Not that long ago, I’d said the same thing to Marco, but he’d done it. He’d sacrificed himself to buy the rest of our freedom. “Miracles happen. Just don’t get your hopes up about Enzo. We’ll have to find another way to help your sisters.”

Her expression brightened. “We?”

I hitched a shoulder. “Well, see…that’s the thing. No matter what happens between us, I’m not going to see you married to some crusty old Italian mafioso.”

Frankie folded in on herself as if to ward off another blow. “You don’t have to help me.”

Lifting her chin, I put my face in her line of vision. “I want to.”

“But why? I mean, after everything I’ve done.”

Because despite it all, I freaking love you.

“What else am I going to do for the foreseeable future?”

She furrowed her brow. “I don’t understand.”

I shrugged. “You’ve proven you can’t be left alone without getting into some sort of trouble. The way I see it, I have two choices. Stay with you and continue to work together, or throw you overboard.”

She grinned, but I recognized it for what it was—an attempt to hide her disappointment. “Work together?”

“It’s all I can give you right now.” I refused to make promises I couldn’t keep. Until the battle between my head and my heart was over, I’d keep my feelings to myself.

“I understand.” She eyed me and then the water. “But there’s another option. I could swim for it. Are there sharks?”

“There are sharks in every ocean, Frankie.” I loved that she could find humor in the middle of a shit storm.

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