Page 172 of My Mafia Queen

She tosses me a curious look.

“What about you?”

“What about me?” I ask, grinning while heading to the exit.

“Are you going downstairs to meet Damaso?”

I stop and pivot to face her.

“How do you know about downstairs?”

She gives me a full mouth grin.

“I know. I have spies.”

I latch my hands onto my hips.

“Who’s spying for you?”

Lips pressed into a smile, she shrugs.

“Who did you charm?” I ask again.

“Vito…?” she murmurs.

“Vito? He’s a grown-up man.”

“I didn’t charm him. I asked him, and he told me that every night, you put on a nice dress and go downstairs. Meet Damaso in the casino.”

“Uh-huh. And?”

“Nothin’. I was just saying. I know what you’re doing.”

“You’re going to do that as well one day. Maybe… When you are older.”

“Really?”

“Yes. Really. You have to grow up first.”

“And get a puppy first.”

“And get a puppy first.”

“And then I can date a man like Damaso.”

I laugh.

“Forget about men. They’ll come to you when you’re older, like me.”

“You’re not old,” she says, and I can’t argue with her, although I’ve been more mature since I started to live with Damaso.

My life is nothing like it used to be.

“You’ll meet them at the right time. Start with the puppy. And a friend of your age.”

“I’m trying.”

She falls back into the pillows, and I pivot to walk out before changing my mind, spinning around, and looking at her.

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