Born in Blood Collection Volume 1 - Cora Reilly Page 0,163

not wanting to have you for himself.”

I flushed with happiness, but I decided to keep the mood light, worried a more emotional response would make Dante retreat again. “I think Antonio would have said the same about you. I think you might have been his type.”

Dante laughed and his entire face transformed. “That’s not something I want to think about.”

I smiled. “I imagine you don’t.” I paused, curious. “What would you do if one of your men came to you and admitted that he was gay?”

“I would tell him to keep his disposition a secret and to fight it.”

“It’s not like people choose to be gay. They are gay or they aren’t. You’d force your men to live a lie.”

“They can live a lie, or they will have to live with the consequences.”

“You would kill someone for who they love.”

“Society may have come a long way but the mafia is built on traditions, Valentina. If I declared I’d accept Made Men to be gay, all hell would break loose in the Outfit. That would be one change I wouldn’t be able to push through. I wouldn’t kill someone for confiding in me, as long as they kept it a secret. I don’t doubt that there are soldiers in the Outfit who are attracted to men but who’ve learned to restrain themselves. They are probably married and live a lie, but as long as they do, they are safe.”

We were still sitting close together, actually talking in bright daylight. I reached for Dante’s chest, lightly brushing my fingertips over a long scar there. Dante gripped my wrist, gently this time, and pulled my hand away. He slid his legs out of bed and stood. I watched as he headed for the bathroom, completely naked, and yet encased by hundreds of invisible layers I could never penetrate.

I dropped my hand in my lap. With a sigh, I got out of bed as well. There was no sense in lying back down alone. I had a busy day. My first day in the casino without Dante. I was anxious and excited at the same time. After a quick shower, I took a ridiculously long time trying on different outfits. I didn’t want to look too sexy, but I also didn’t want to hide my femininity. I knew those men, especially Raffaele, didn’t like that a woman was now working with them—and worse, was their boss—and I had no intention of making this easier for them. They had to learn to deal with strong women, and if they couldn’t, that was their problem. I chose a knee-length dark-blue pencil skirt, matching sling-back heels and a white blouse with a round neck and long puff sleeves. After I’d tugged the hem of the blouse into my waistband, I put my hair up in a bun, letting a few wayward strands hang down.

When I entered the dining room, it was deserted. I stopped in the doorway, letting my eyes rest on Dante’s usual place. His newspaper was folded beside his empty plate. With a sigh, I headed for my own chair. The door opened and Gaby walked in, carrying a carafe with fresh orange juice and a coffeepot. She smiled brightly at me. “Good morning, Mis…Valentina.” She gave an apologetic look but I only smiled, happy to see a friendly face in the morning. “I hope you slept well?”

My cheeks warmed. “Yes, thank you.”

She poured me coffee and orange juice. “Would you like some eggs or pancakes?”

“No, I’ll only have a croissant and some fruit.” I gestured at the array of pastries and fruit in front of me.

Gaby turned to leave. “Wait,” I blurted, then flushed at how desperate I’d sounded. Gaby faced me with wide eyes, as if she worried she’d done something to offend me and would be punished. “Why don’t you keep me company?”

Gaby froze.

“Only if you want to. I’d like to get to know you better.”

A shy grin spread on her face, but she didn’t sit down.

“You don’t have to stand. Sit.” I pulled out the chair beside mine. Gaby put down the carafe and the coffeepot before she lowered herself gingerly in the chair.

“Have you had breakfast yet?”

Gaby hesitated, then shook her head.

“Then have a Danish. There’s more than enough food for the two of us.” I grabbed the basket and pushed it over to her. She took a chocolate croissant with a mumbled thanks, her cheeks turning red.

I grabbed one for myself, took a bite, then followed it with a