Say Daddy A Mafia Billionaire Romance - Shanna Handel Page 0,43
from her knuckles. “Like what?”
I think of Luke and a delicious warmth spreads over my whole body. “Like, I don’t know. Knowing a man would do anything to protect you, to make sure you’re safe. To go out of his way to do little things to make you happy, to put a smile on your face. It’s wonderful.”
She says, “Aww... you’re almost making me rethink my stance on the uselessness of the male sex.”
“Don’t be so cold. You know what they say about people who protest something too much,” I tease.
She shakes her head adamantly. “Never. I will never, ever fall for a guy like that. You can mark my words. Right here, right now.”
I say, “Let’s drop it. Ready to dance?”
She puts her hand over her belly. “Ugh. I’m too full to dance. Besides, it’s early. Let’s go get a drink first.”
We have the driver take us to an old church that was renovated into a bar. I’ve heard it’s the hottest place right now for people our age to go for a drink. When we arrive, it’s more beautiful than I’ve heard it described.
Lit candles hang from sconces on the stone walls. A huge crystal chandelier looms over the dark wood bar. A woman in a silver gown softly plays a grand piano, the music floating through the room. Everyone is dressed to impress.
The place is packed. Lulu presses forward and manages to get us two seats at the bar.
“This place is unbelievable,” she breathes, looking around and taking it in.
I agree. “A lot better than any of those seedy pool halls back at home.”
She gives a happy sigh. “This is much better. I think I’m going to like city living.”
We order drinks. And talk. And laugh. About an hour later we debate leaving to find a dance club, but this place is so enchanting we decide to stay.
Lulu’s been studying journalism and finally landed a job that paid well enough for her to live in the city. I ask, “You never told me which paper ended up hiring you.”
Her nose squinches up like she’s smelled something awful. “That’s because it’s embarrassing.”
“It shouldn’t be. I’ve only worked in a jewelry store and a club. That’s it. Tell me!” I demand.
“Okay, okay, but if anyone from back home asks, you have to lie and say I work for the New Yorker,” she jokes.
“Just spill it,” I say.
Her brow crinkles and she lifts her hands as if in apology. “It’s The Spread.”
I ask, “That tabloid magazine with all the scandalous spreads about celebrities?”
She covers her face, her voice squeaking out, “The very same piece of trash.”
“Are you kidding? I love that magazine!”
She lets out a groan. “But it’s total garbage.”
I shake my head. “Not to me. Sometimes we need a little salacious reading to get our minds off our own screwed-up lives. Those trashy magazines got me through some tough times.”
She gives an understanding nod. “Living with your mom?”
“Yeah,” I answer.
Her face wrinkles with disgust. “God, that was so depressing. Her trying to dress like you, do her hair like you. Oh, my God, do you remember when she got those blue contacts because one of her boyfriends complimented your eyes? Gross.”
My stomach turns, remembering that terrible time. My mother hating me, yet trying to be me. The men she dated had no morals, unable to keep their eyes off her teen daughter. Jealousy ate at her till I was finally old enough to be kicked out.
Luke is so protective of me; I can only imagine he would be even more so with his own little girl. If a man like one of my mom’s boyfriends ever came around his teen daughter—let’s just say heads would roll.
The door of the bar busts wide open, interrupting my thoughts. In the doorway stands a very angry daddy. I murmur to myself, “Why is Luke here, and why is he so angry?”
“What did you say?” Lulu asks.
“Shit!” Dipping into my purse, I find my phone, pulling it out as he storms over to us. “Ten missed calls? How did that happen?”
She asks, “Your ringer must have been off. What’s the problem?”
Nodding, I gesture behind her. “Him.”
After giving me a curious stare, she spins her stool to see what holds my attention. Livid, Luke is hovering over her shoulder. “Oh. Shit is right. He’s pissed. Do you think it’s because I sent the driver home?”
She sent the driver home! Double shit. Thinking of Luke’s rules, I search her face, begging, “Tell me you didn’t.”
She