Two

Sasha’s POV.

“Dad, when does this end?” I questioned.

“What are you talking about?”

Since my dad’s idea of father-daughter bonding was hauling me from Manhattan to Florence just to accompany him to a club to gamble his worth away, we were on our way to the venue on Saturday night.

“You’re getting addicted to gambling, dad.” I knew for a fact that he was addicted to gambling, but I decided to tone things down. “It’s never worth it. Why not just call it quits and enjoy your bliss in New York?”

“Sash, I’ve told you countless times, I do this simply because I enjoy it. I’m not doing it with a gun to my head, am I?” he answered, glancing away from the cuff links he’d been fixing for several minutes.

“How can you enjoy losing a chunk of your properties every time. I mean, an outsider might think we regularly come to Italy to donate to a charity organization. You always go back with less every time we come.”

“That’s what you’re here for. To be my good luck charm,” he said, shrugging.

I used to believe that when I was much younger. Until I learned that I was just an asset he wanted around him to show his competitors. That, just like his car key, I was a prize he could dangle in front of his fellow gamblers to goad them into gambling with him. 

Not exactly a flattering fact.

Which probably explained my unfiltered response to him.

“Is there any good luck in losing every single time? Stop kidding, dad.”

Fear didn’t grip me until the words left my mouth and I noticed Jason turn with a shocked expression before returning his attention to the steering wheel.

My dad’s angry stare turned into a wry laugh.

“Do you know how many daughters beg their fathers for the opportunity to experience the thrill? But you, my daughter, would rather sit at the bar and wait for us to finish because you’re too scared to handle it. The only reason I’ll forgive you is because I know that fear of yours is what is speaking, not you.”

I shook my head side-to-side.

“You’re wrong, dad. I’m not scared of being in that room. I hate it. Being in the same space with those greedy dealers and dangerous mafia men makes my skin crawl! That’s exactly why I make myself scarce.They are all thieves.” Since I already crossed the line, I could as well proceed. “I wonder how many more years it’ll take you to see that!”

“You seem to be forgetting that I’m a mafia man myself,” he remarked, nodding slowly.

About two minutes later, I cleared my throat awkwardly just to break the tense silence.

“I want out, dad. Of coming here to gamble, of ever having to be anywhere close to these gangsters, mafia, and whatnot,” I requested, my voice pleading.

He sighed.

“Something Karen would never have said,” he mused. “You know, family is meant to stick with you, no matter what. In times like this, you bring back the pain of losing her.”

My heart sank.

“Dad, I…I didn’t…I’m sorry,” I paused, looking for the right thing to say as my bottom lip quivered. “I didn’t mean to…”

“You can continue to stay in the bar or anywhere you deem fit while the main event goes on inside. What won’t happen anytime soon is you lazing around in New York while I work my fingers to the bone to multiply the family’s wealth,” he declared, cutting me off.

I pursed my lips.

Now he was furious.

The situation was too familiar for comfort.

My dad being the villain one minute and me being the one owing him an apology in the next.

How the hell does he do it every time?

Is it the mention of mom?

The car slowed to a halt.

I knew exactly what to do once my dad got out of the car: Stay close to him until he meets his fellow gamblers and introduces me to them, sit there until the gambling starts and leave the room with an excuse. 

I had repeated the steps so many times that it had become a routine. 

As I stepped out of the car, I was grateful that, at least, the criminals inside didn’t care about being polite. So I didn’t need to fake a smile. 

We had been at the casino for over two hours and I was chatting in the VIP section of the bar with Jason. 

As much as I would have liked to sit behind the counter like a regular guest, my dad saw it as ‘bad rep’ that could make any of his fellow gamblers that saw me think he was broke and desperate. And I had angered him enough for today.

“You’ve not had your hair down like this in a while. It’s beautiful. You are beautiful,” Jason randomly pointed out from the other end of the couch.

“Trying to make me feel better? Thanks, anyway,” I replied, relaxing into the couch.

“It was a genuine compliment,” he argued, smiling like he always did when my dad wasn’t there to wipe it off his face.

His black hair, green eyes and 6.1” height made him appear dominating but when he smiled, he looked younger and accessible.

Jason and I were close on a different level. He knew more things about me than even Julia or my ex did. 

He had been my dad’s right-hand for as long as I could remember. 

Sometimes, his friendliness made me forget he was as skilled as my dad with the gun.

“Your dad’s anger disappears as quickly as it appears, you know that. You have nothing to be worried about.”

“I’m just tired. I wouldn’t be surprised if he sends his men to kidnap me and bring me here if I refuse to come with him.”

A knowing smile appeared on his face.

“I can’t say I want to be a father like your dad when I start my family. But I know he won’t ever harm you deliberately.”

“Right. And when would that be, Jason? You clocked 30 this year, man.”

“That’s true.”

“And you’ve not met that special lady?” I questioned, leaning away from the couch.

“Trust me, I met her years ago,” he confessed, his gaze on me.

“Really?”

He nodded.

“Her dad is a tough man and I haven’t garnered the effrontery to ask him yet.”

“Oops. Someone like me, then,” I commented.

“Not just someone like you…the person I’m…” he suddenly went silent as his eyes went above my head.

I didn’t need to turn to know my dad was the one behind me.

I stood, picking up my black purse from the couch.

“We’re not leaving yet,” my dad uttered with significant unease in his voice.

Then he signaled to Jason who followed him back into the room he came from.

I sat back, the certainty of the situation hitting me.

This is bad. Very bad.

I just didn’t know what it was—yet.