“Here goes nothing.” Sucking in a deep breath, she flung the dice across the table. The action seemed to turn into slow motion as everyone’s heads turned and tracked the progress of the dice as they hit the side and bounced to the table. The first die landed with a solid thump on a five. Then the second die landed on its edge, teetering between a one and a two.
Please land on the two.
She couldn’t watch anymore, so she closed her eyes. When excited shouts filled the air, she slowly cracked just one eye open. She’d rolled a seven.
Thank God!
As she let out the breath she’d held, Mario quickly scooped up the dice and returned them to his pocket. A set of arms surrounded her, and then Michael’s mouth landed on hers. After he’d kissed her, he whispered, “I should’ve known if anyone could do this, it’d be you. You’re like a cat with nine lives, Dani.”
Yeah. If only he knew the truth.
She glanced at Mario to gauge just how angry he was about losing that much money and was surprised when he winked and patted his suit coat. Were those dice rigged? And had he let her win?
Mario leaned close and whispered, “Congratulations, Daniella. The next time you come to Vegas, please stay with me . . . but gamble somewhere else.” He grabbed her hand, held it over her head, and shouted to the crowd, “Ms. Botelli wins.”
Mario nodded to the boxman, and with her hand still in his, he led her and Michael to an office suite on the second floor. After Dani explained all about helping Julia, Mario instructed an older woman who looked like Betty White to transfer money to the various accounts that Julia had e-mailed to Michael’s phone. As Dani sat quietly, watching the remaining balance of her winnings grow smaller and smaller, her cell rang. It was her mother, so Dani rose to take the call in the outer office so everyone wouldn’t hear her getting her ass chewed up and spit back out.
When Dani answered, her mom’s angry voice blasted out, “Why are your breasts plastered all over the Internet?”
“Are the ones you’re referring to in a bright-red halter-top dress?”
“Now the whole world has a practically naked picture of you. Didn’t being kidnapped teach you anything about keeping a low profile? And worse, you look like a common streetwalker. If you can’t afford a decent dress, then you’ll need to get a better job or start accepting help from me.”
“Mom, I didn’t mean—”
“You never mean to do dumb things, Dani, but you just can’t seem to help it, can you? Why can’t you be more like your sister? At least when she screws up, she has the sense to call so we can start damage control!”
Ouch.
It wouldn’t do any good to remind her mother that she was thirty years old, not sixteen, and could dress however she liked. Since they were old enough to walk on their own, she and her sister had been lectured on “acceptable public behavior.”
Her mother fiercely protected her public persona, carefully planning her every move, and always dressed as if there were going to be reporters waiting. Appearances meant more to her mother than the Oscars she’d won. All the cell phone cameras at the craps table should have reminded Dani that warning her mom would have been a good idea.
Having a famous mother sucked. Why couldn’t her mom be more like her grandmother, who didn’t give a damn what anyone thought of her?
The stress of the day left her unable to put up any semblance of a decent fight, so she whispered, “I’m sorry, Mom. I’d never embarrass you on purpose.”
The lack of challenge in her words must’ve thrown Annalisa completely off-balance, because her voice softened by ten decibels when she replied, “When are you coming home?”
It was approaching three o’clock on Sunday afternoon, too late for the long drive home. She and Michael had decided to stay the night and leave in the morning. “Tomorrow.”
Dani pondered the question that burned to escape. Why not? Her mother was already pissed off, and all she could do was refuse to answer again. “Is Mr. Giovanni my father?”
“I promised your father I would never reveal his identity . . . to anyone!” Those ten decibels were back and rose by twenty.
Her mother’s curt reply launched a missile that landed directly in the center of Dani’s already bruised heart. Feeling utterly betrayed, she said, “Well, of course. Because he’s much more important than me. It was dumb of me to have asked!” She ended the call and fought her sudden urge to cry.
Drawing a deep breath, she threw her shoulders back and joined the others again.
Mr. Giovanni smiled and said, “All we need now is your account for the rest, Dani.”
“My account? Oh, no thank you. Please keep the money, Mr. Giovanni. I don’t want it.” As badly as she could use the money, there was no way she was taking any for herself. That would feel like cheating.
Her phone dinged with a text from her mom. Dani, I’m sorry. I was upset. I didn’t mean to hurt you.
Whatever. Dani hit “Send,” tucked her phone away, and turned her attention back to Mr. Giovanni.
With a raised brow, he asked, “Are you certain? Your mother mentioned something about your substandard transportation.”
Her mother was quite the Chatty Cathy when it came to Mr. Giovanni, wasn’t she? “Yeah, well, my mother doesn’t know it yet, but that car is down for the count, so I’ll be acquiring a new one with my latest commission check. Maybe the next car won’t be such a great embarrassment to her. Like I am.”
With tears burning her eyes, Dani rose and headed for the door. She’d had about all she could handle for one day. She called out, “Thank you for all your help, Mr. Giovanni, I appreciate it.”
Michael appeared beside her as the office door swung closed behind them.
Mr. Giovanni’s angry voice called to his assistant. “Get Annalisa on the phone. And don’t take no for an answer.”
Great. Now what had she gone and done?
Chapter Twelve
Michael considered it a wise move to remain silent, lengthening his stride to keep up with Dani’s angry ones, as they headed toward the bank of elevators. In all the excitement, he’d forgotten to ask Mario if he was Dani’s father.
He wouldn’t leave Vegas without asking.
Dani had become upset about something while they were in the accounting office, but he didn’t have a clue what it could be. And why would she turn down all that money when she needed it so badly?
Maybe because it came from Mr. Giovanni? Had he told her he was her father during their earlier chat, or had he threatened her? Daring a glance her way, he noted her trembling bottom lip. Not only was she angry, but she was fighting against tears as well.
Mr. Giovanni had treated her nicely in the office, even as he watched his $130,000 being dispersed. Michael doubted he’d missed anything that could have passed between them.
As they waited for the elevator doors to open, he stepped closer and slipped his arm around her shoulder, pulling her against his side.
Dani leaned her head on his shoulder. “I’m sorry I wore this dress when you asked me not to. One of these days maybe I’ll learn to listen to the voice of reason.”
Voice of reason? Something was definitely wrong for Dani to admit that. Should he ask or just let it go?
He laid a kiss on the top of her head. “What’s wrong, Dani? Can I help?”
She turned and slipped her arms around his neck, staring intently into his eyes. “Yes. You can promise you won’t yell at me when you see my chest plastered on your Internet homepage, because I’m afraid you will.”
“I already have. It was the top story a few minutes ago. They were all excited about it because it’s so rare to dig up any news about you and Sara. But I’ve been looking at your chest all day, and the last thing I want to do is yell at you.” He leaned down and kissed the silky, soft skin just in front of her ear. “I want to make love to you, Dani.”
When she responded with a low, sexy hum, he whispered all the things he intended to do to her lovely, now-famous
chest.
To his great relief, she leaned back and smiled. The wicked gleam in her eyes suggested he’d made just the right move to help her forget her troubles.
“Since this dress inspires such creativity in you, maybe I should ask Julia to let me keep it?”
He pulled her firmly against him as desire heated his blood. He leaned down as if to kiss her, stopping a breath away from her parted lips. “Over my dead body.”
When he closed the gap and kissed her, Dani’s lips curved into a grin under his.
The elevator doors parted, and he led Dani inside, squeezing between the other five passengers already aboard.
When the doors swooshed open on their floor, he took her arm and led her toward their room.
“Hey, Mario Andretti, slow down. I’m wearing heels here,” Dani said as she struggled to keep up.
He checked his stride and, after slipping a hand under her knees, picked her up. “This will be quicker.”
When they were in front of their door, she nibbled on his ear as he tried to swipe the card in the lock. Distracted, he tried three times to get the little light to turn green. With his path finally clear, he kicked the door open, stepped inside, and dropped Dani to her feet.
Backing her up against the closed door, he released the clasp that held the top of her dress up, intent on making good on his earlier promises.
Just as his hands filled with her soft, warm flesh, Jerry’s voice boomed out, “Jeez, horndogs, get a grip. There’s a little kid in the room.”
He instantly dropped his hands to his sides as Dani fastened her top. Seriously? They couldn’t catch a break.
Dani leaned her head around his shoulder. “Jerry? What’s Emma doing here?”
Michael glanced down, checking to see if Dani was covered enough to move aside. When it looked like they could earn a G—no, with that dress they’d get no less than an R rating—he turned around.
When Emma spotted Dani, she screeched with pleasure, crossed the room, and launched herself at her as Jerry replied, “What do you mean? Julia said you knew.”
Dani picked Emma up, then laid a quick kiss on her puckered lips. “Hi, Em.”
“Hi, Daaani.” She turned and beamed a sweet smile at him. “Hi, My Coal.”
As disappointed as he was to be interrupted, he couldn’t help his grin. It was the first time she’d ever said his name. “Hey, Emma.”
Dani turned her attention back to Jerry. “What were we supposed to know?”
“She got a tip from one of Greg’s relatives and left to find that scumbag in Arizona. She said she’d pick up Emma on Wednesday, or Thursday the latest. Oh, and she said Emma had her last dose of Tylenol for her teeth at two o’clock.” He lifted his hands. “Guess you’re back on babysitting duty.”
Dani’s head whipped around, and she met Michael’s gaze. She muttered the same word his mind was screaming.
“Dammit!”
While Michael checked his e-mail, sitting up against the headboard in the other bed, Dani tucked the sleepy Emma under the covers and kissed her forehead. They’d had a busy evening, going to dinner with Mr. Giovanni at one of the restaurants in his casino that had an entertaining Teppan chef, then to a magic show playing in his opulent theater.
Completely charmed by Emma at dinner, Mr. Giovanni had joined them for the show, scoring them front-row seats, and arranged for Emma to help with one of the tricks. The crowd roared with laughter when she gave them a perfectly timed “ta-da!” The kid was definitely a ham, with a real future in show business.
Emma had babbled about the show long after it was over, especially about the animals. Doves had soared above their heads, and live bunnies hopped around the stage, but it was late, and her little eyelids couldn’t stay open another minute.
After attending the show, Dani understood the weird magic-hat vision she’d had a few days earlier in Julia’s kitchen when she found that postcard advertising the hotel.
Emma pulled Wilbur under her chin. “Nigh, nigh, Bur. Nigh nigh, Daaani.” Her little eyelids slowly drifted closed.
Satisfied Emma was asleep, Dani rose and tossed Jerry the bottle of meds she’d picked up from the gift shop. “Take these, and don’t argue. We leave in the morning.”
He studied the bottle in his hand. “What? Are these sleeping pills?”
She nodded and crossed her arms. “Very mild but effective. Mr. Giovanni said he’d station men outside our rooms, so you can sleep. Come on, Jerry, you can do this. It’s our last night. Julia would be proud of you for resisting temptation.”
“Ya think?”
The stupid grin on his face moved her. She probably had the same expression every time she looked at Michael. Jerry was clearly smitten with Julia. Or maybe just her boobs, but still. “Yeah. Women like strong men who can resist temptation. I’ll be sure to tell her.”
He glanced up and met her gaze. “Thanks, Dani. And just so you know, I didn’t send that picture of you in the dress to your mom. I was just playing with ya.”
“Thanks. But I still think you’re a pain in the ass.”
Chuckling, he nodded and headed for the door that connected their rooms. “You’re a bigger one. Good night.”
Afraid she wouldn’t be able to behave herself, Dani kissed Michael good night, turned out the lights, and crawled beside Emma instead of Michael. She’d promised him a good time when they got home, where Emma could be tucked into a separate bedroom.
She stared at the ceiling, sexually frustrated and madder than hell that Julia had taken off again, when her phone dinged with a text.
It was her mom. Dani? Are you still up?
She was tempted to ignore her, but just couldn’t do it. Yes. What?
I know you’re angry with me, but could you please come up to the penthouse? Mario and I would like to have a word with you.
Her heart skipped a beat at the mention of Mario and her mother in the same sentence. Her mom must’ve flown in from California. Why?
Please, Dani? It’s important.
Oh, all right.
She threw the covers back and slipped her sweater and jeans over her tank top and gym shorts.
Michael raised his head. “What are you doing?”
She leaned down and whispered in his ear. “My mom and Mario want to talk to me.”
“I didn’t hear the phone.”
“My mom texted me.”
“I’ll go with you.” He threw back his covers and started to rise, but she laid a hand on his hard chest to stop him.
“Jerry’s drugged up and sound asleep next door. You need to stay with Em.” She kissed his stubbly cheek. “I’ll be right back.”
Yawning, he settled back in, mumbling, “’Kay.”
Michael was so cute in his silk boxers and beer T-shirt. Who would have thought GQ Michael would ever own a Corona T-shirt? Smiling, she searched the dressers and nightstands, finally finding her key. After pulling the door shut behind her, she found a third thug like Jerry waiting for her. The other two nodded as they sat outside their doors in the hallway.
Thug number three said, “Hello, Ms. Botelli. I’ll take you up.”
She followed him into the elevator. The man slipped a card into a slot she’d never noticed before that illuminated a large bright-blue capital P on the electronic menu. Once the doors had closed, the elevator took off like a rocket, and after only a few seconds, the doors silently opened, revealing a dark living room framed by large windows that highlighted the Las Vegas skyline. As soon as she stepped into the room, the elevator doors softly whooshed closed behind her.
City lights sparkled in every direction, and it took her eyes a moment to focus on two people in silhouette, their arms crossed, nose to nose, in the middle of a full-blown fight.
Fascinated, Dani sat on the arm of a plush couch to watch.
Mario was growling. “You are the most stubborn woman on earth. Look at the whole picture. You’re too narrow-minded and treat her like a child.”
“Oh, and n
ow you’re going to give me parenting lessons?” Her mother’s eyes grew wide, and she poked him in the chest with her index finger. “You’ve got a hell of a lot of nerve, buddy!”
Dani had never seen any man elicit that much emotion from her mother, and she thoroughly enjoyed the show. But when Mario glanced in Dani’s direction, his hand shot up, instantly shutting her mother up.
That hand move was impressive. The two of them obviously had some sort of intimate relationship.
“Hello, Dani. Thank you for joining us,” he said pleasantly.
Huffing out a breath, her mom turned and plastered on a smile. “Hi, honey.” Then she crossed the room and, in a comforting familiar way, tilted Dani’s face up and laid a kiss on her forehead. “I’m sorry it’s so late. Thank you for coming.”
“I couldn’t help overhearing your . . . discussion, but didn’t want to interrupt.”
Her mom let out a sorrowful moan.
“Sorry.” Mario smiled. “We didn’t see you there.” Then he raised a brow and faced her mom. “Annalisa, I think you should start.”
Her mom sent a lethal stare his way, then turned and faced her. “Mario and I were just discussing our differing opinions about your earlier gambling spree. While he finds your behavior noble, helping your friend out, I forbade you to gamble, and I meant it. He and I will never agree on that, but I want to apologize for the way I handled your question about your father. I did make a promise to him”—her eyes narrowed at Mario—“and as a result, I made you feel as though you were less important to me than him, and that was not my intent.”
Dani shrugged. “Okay. Apology accepted.” Her mom had always made her feel that way when it came to her father. Nothing had changed. And it was late. She turned to leave.
“Wait. One more thing. Mario also made me aware that I’ve given you another inaccurate impression. You are not and have never been an embarrassment to me, Dani. I love you.” She wrapped her arm around Dani’s shoulders and pulled her close. Whispering in her ear, she murmured, “You and Sara mean more to me than anything in the world, and I’m sorry I hurt you, sweetheart.”
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