The Escort - By Gina Robinson Page 0,28

in his eyes. Trust and confidence, and amusement. And something she couldn't define. If he had given her the gold piece, it couldn't have meant more. Reluctantly, she looked back at the table.

The banker shot. The dice hit the back of the table and rolled back into a pair of sixes.

Angelina screamed, delighted. She turned and hugged Tonio, still screaming and bouncing.

"One hundred and forty dollars!" she cried.

Sal and Maria watched, amused at the couple in front of them. They exchanged a sly, knowing look. Maria whispered something to Sal.

"She's quick with math," Tonio said to them. "And do you see the way her eyes dance at the thought of money?"

Tonio pried her loose and took his winnings. He laced his arm around her waist and addressed his friends. "Let's get out of here before Dorso finds out how much we took him for."

He guided her out through the door and into the alley.

Chapter 6

"What does the victor want for her efforts?" Tonio asked. Gravel crunched beneath their feet as they walked through the dark alley. Little points of light filtered through pulled shades from windows on either side, lighting their way.

"Anything?" Angelina asked.

"Anything." He stopped to pound out a drum roll on a nearby garbage can.

She tugged at his arm. "Stop! You'll annoy the neighbors."

"So?"

"I'd like to get out of this alley. I feel like someone is going to jump out at us."

Tonio grabbed her hand and pulled her, laughing and running, between two buildings into the street where street lamps glowed protectively. Sal and Maria tagged along behind, too dignified to run.

"Better?"

"Much. Anyone could have robbed us back there."

"And the streets are so much safer." He laughed. "Wise choice. We must protect our winnings. But fear not, sweet lady, you'll always be safe with me." He patted his stiletto. "You forget, the darkness affords its own protection."

Maria and Sal came up behind them, calm and amused. "Next time you change the route, give us fair warning," Sal said. "What does the lady want? Has she decided?"

"I wanted out of the alley."

"No, Tonio promised you a reward; you must hold him to it," Maria said. "Or he'll be insulted, won't you, Tonio?" She held her hand to her mouth as if conveying a secret, but she made no attempt to whisper. "Remember, he said anything."

"In that case I know exactly what I want." She appraised Tonio. "But I don't think he can give it to me. So I'll settle for a Stella Starr hat with a Parisian gown to match," Angelina said lightly. "A dark gray walking dress with leg-o-mutton sleeves highlighted with white ribbon stripes, and matching skirt, a frilly white shirtwaist underneath, and a really fabulous evening gown of velvet."

"What color gown?"

"Deep red. No, garnet. Very low cut."

"I thought you meant something to eat, Tonio," Sal said.

"So did I, Sal." He looked at Angelina as he spoke. "The lady fancies herself a Gibson Girl. And I thought she never left Little Italy. Where did you hear about Miss Starr?"

"Oh, from people here and there. A girl can dream. I saw the fashion books, and the ladies at the train depot, the ones traveling first class." She lifted her full, dull brown skirt. "These full skirts are hardly in style for hoeing a garden, even in Italy. Someday I'll have rich, fashionable clothes. I'll look like the women of your youth." Somehow that suddenly seemed important to her.

"It's not worth the trouble. Most of them were vain and empty." He leaned close to her and whispered. "You'll never get there shackled to your old man." It was a challenge.

"Oh? And with whom could I?"

Tonio leaned close and whispered in her ear. "I'd like to see you in that dress, the garnet one."

"Perhaps you will someday. Strike it rich in your mine and buy it for me," she whispered back. He didn't seem surprised that she knew about his mine. He laughed loudly. Sal and Maria stared at them, left out of their private conversation.

"Gelato," Angelina said suddenly. "I'd like ice cream."

"I'd like something stiffer," Sal said. "Maria doesn't let me drink when I gamble."

"You need a clear head to win."

"See, she takes care of me."

"It's too late, the ice cream parlor is closed," Maria said.

"The bars never close." Sal looped his arm around his wife's waist. "We can't go back to Dorso's, but Napoli is just up the street."

"Old Man Gambino still hang out there?" Tonio asked.

"Suppose so, why?"

"The lady wants new clothes. Let's go. I'll buy you