his past clicked into place. Now, I understand why he’s so insistent on maintaining control of his life, in all facets, whenever possible. Now, I understand why he seems to have such a keen understanding of Deanna’s own problems with drinking. Now, I understand why he’s so insistent on security. He couldn’t protect his dad. But he can protect other people. People like me. The thought is jarring but also in a way heartwarming. I can now recognize actions he took that felt invasive, or like he was trying to hold me hostage, as protective. It all makes more sense now.
I squeeze my arms around him more tightly and then plant a gentle kiss on his cheek.
“Come here,” he says. He pushes his chair back from the table, where our half-eaten breakfasts remain, and pats his lap gently. I climb onto it and snuggle up into his arms, resting my head on his chest. “You have been surprising in many ways, Lilly,” he murmurs, his breath tickling my ear.
“I could say the same about you.” With last night’s sexual exploration and this morning’s personal confessions, I feel closer to him than I ever have. I recognize him as a person now, complete with his own trials and tribulations, not just the scary, all-powerful big boss of the Fortuna and Destino. I want to say more but before I can, David’s phone rings.
“Shit.” He lets out the curse word. “Sorry. Terry is only meant to call me in case of emergencies, so…” He nudges me gently off of his lap. I climb off and step to the side, allowing him to reach into the pocket of his bathrobe.
“What?” He barks the single word into the phone. His face loses the softness it had a minute ago as he listens to whatever the person on the other end of the line is telling him. He regains the hard, tough look he usually carries. The one I’m used to. He regains that mask of the big boss, the one that scares me.
“Jesus Christ,” he exhales the words and brings his hand to his face, rubbing the spot between his eyes gently. “You’ve got to be kidding me. Which one?”
I watch with worry, wondering what the problem could be. Maybe those guys—Tony and Bobby—from the night before are back and causing trouble?
“Okay. No, it’s fine. I appreciate your letting me know, Terry. It was the right thing to do. I’ll head over there immediately.”
My heart sinks at his words. So much for David’s day off. I’d been looking forward to spending the extra time with him.
He ends the call and stands up abruptly, looking to me. “Get dressed. We’ve got to take care of something.”
“We…like you and me?”
“Yep. It’s Deanna.”
My body turns cold and I stare at him, open-mouthed, frozen in place.
“She managed to get herself into a high-stakes game at another casino. And she’s down almost $100k.”
“She can’t pay that,” I say dumbly. I feel numb and my brain can’t muster more beyond this obvious statement.
“I know,” David says. “We’ve got to get over there. Now.”
“We?!” My voice squeaks.
“She’s your sister isn’t she?” He says gruffly. “Come on.” He’s already striding briskly inside, shrugging off his robe as he walks and letting it fall to the floor. I stare at this muscular physique, watching as he rapidly pulls clothes on.
“Lilly!” He glances at me. His tone is sharp and commanding. It’s what I need to shake me out of my daze.
“Coming!” I trot after him and grab the first thing I can find to put on, a strapless, summery maxi dress, long and flowing, that falls all the way to the floor.
David is already waiting by the penthouse door and tapping his foot impatiently by the time I make it down to him.
“The car is already downstairs,” he says quickly. “Come on.”
Mike and Ben are waiting for us when we step out of the elevator. Instantly, I feel a kick of adrenaline. They accompany us through the casino and usher us into a large black Escalade that’s waiting. The burly guys get up front, Ben behind the wheel. I glance at them anxiously.
“It’s just a precaution,” David assures me, as if reading my thoughts. “The casino owner is a reasonable man but he’s not going to be pleased when we interrupt his high-stakes game. And it never hurts to have some muscle.”
“Okay,” I say, trying to give him a confident smile. I’m pretty sure I fail. I want to say more but my