Page 49 of His Playground

“I can’t protect her if she’s not with me,” he says.

“You also can’t take experiences away from her. She’s a kid. She should have friends. She should be having fun with people her own age. Not hanging out with a bunch of old mobsters.” I laugh.

“Are you calling me old?” Carlo raises an eyebrow at me.

“Yes.” I smile at him.

“Wow… Just when I thought we had a breakthrough, you go for the jugular.” He shakes his head. “I’ll talk to her. If she’s open to looking at some private schools, we’ll take her to check 'em out,” he says. “If not, I’ll find someone to teach her at home.”

“Okay.”

Carlo hasn’t left the apartment since he came home yesterday afternoon. I’m taking that as a sign that they haven’t found the shooter. Because I have no doubt he will want to be the one to deal with the guy when they do.

After making sure my appearance is up to scratch, because I have to meet my father for lunch, I walk out of the bedroom and go in search of Carlo and Jazzy.

“Hey.” I interrupt their game of cards. “Wait… Are you teaching her poker?” I ask Carlo.

“Sure am. She’s a natural,” he says proudly. His eyes travel up and down my body. “Going somewhere?”

“She’s a minor,” I remind him. “I have to meet my father for lunch.”

“Why?”

“Because he asked me to.”

Carlo looks at me for a moment. “I’ll take you,” he says.

“I don’t need you to take me. Also, you probably shouldn’t be taking Jazzy out of the house yet.”

“Deal the next round, sweetheart.” He hands the deck of cards to Jazzy. “I’m going to walk Antonia to the door.”

“Okay. Bye, Antonia.” She waves at me.

“See you later.” I wave back.

“I don’t like it,” Carlo says once we’re out of earshot.

“You don’t like what?” I question him.

“You having lunch with your father.”

“That makes two of us. But I have to do it. Heisstill my father,” I state the obvious. “I’ll be in and out.”

“Why does he want to meet with you?”

“I have no idea.”I really don’t.

Carlo presses the button for the elevator. There are two beefcakes standing inside. “Take my wife to meet her father. Be alert,” he says before turning to me. He wraps a hand around the base of my neck. “Be careful.”

“Always.” I smile and lean in, kissing his lips.

“I love you,” he whispers against my mouth.

“I love you,” I reply before stepping into the elevator.

The two beefcakes escort me to the car, where ten other armed men are standing guard. Carlo really is spooked by the shooting if he’s taking these kinds of precautions. I briefly consider rescheduling my lunch and going back up to the penthouse. The only reason I don’t is because it’s easier to get it over with. Otherwise, I’ll be wondering what it is my father wants for days.

He hasn’t so much as messaged me since the wedding.Why now?I know it’s not to check up on me. I know it’s not out of concern for his only child.