Page 18 of Filthy Desire

“My nonno, grandfather. Mario Ferraro, the first don of New York. He’s old school.”

“I’ll bet. He must be disappointed you haven’t married yet and given him six great-grandchildren.”

Gio let out a deep chuckle and the sound had Kara shivering. “Do you know him? Because he said almost the exact same thing to me the last time I talked to him.”

Kara laughed in return. Then she remembered that she wasn’t supposed to be enjoying herself. She was in debt to this man.

“No, but I’m familiar with big families. My mother was half-Italian.”

“And the other half?”

“Irish.”

“Family reunions must’ve been fun,” Gio commented.

“They were. Loud and boisterous. Until they weren’t.”

Kara didn’t want to think or talk about the family she’d lost. The parents who had abandoned her. And the remaining relatives who cut off all contact as the media storm erupted.

“Where are we going?” Kara asked.

“To one of my casinos.”

“Legit or underground?”

“What do you think?” Gio asked with a smirk. “I own several legal casinos but the exclusive, members only one does four times the business in the same period. People with money love to belong to an elite, secret place that only the wealthiest can access.”

“I know that very well,” Kara replied and shifted in her seat. “So, what did your PI uncover about me this week?”

“I don’t know what you mean,” Gio bit out, his eyes glittering in the dark.

Kara should look away, but she didn’t.

“Please. I spotted his van parked outside my building four days in a row. Jasper Hawk should think about improving his methods if he wants to go about unseen.”

Gio smiled, like a hungry wolf about to pounce on his prey.

Beautiful but lethal.

The intense look he gave her had her shivering again. She should’ve brought a jacket with her. Then again, the air inside the car was warm so her reaction had nothing to do with the temperature.

Shit.

“He doesn’t need to hide. He was checking on your schedule, learning your routine. He wasn’t trying to capture you in an indiscreet moment. But I’ll pass along your advice.”

Kara glanced out the window and observed that they were headed south, then crossing the George Washington bridge.

“Taking me to New Jersey?”

“That’s right.”

“I’m surprised the bigwigs from Manhattan are willing to head out there. The drinks must be really good.”

“The casino is in a secluded residential area. Hardly any local police around. And so far, business has been very good. My cash flow has no complaints. For the most part,” Gio replied.

“You’re not concerned someone might recognize me?”

“No one at this place cares. And because you’re with me, they wouldn’t dare. They come to gamble, snort, and drink. Anonymously.”

---