Page 15 of His Playground (Owning Vegas #2)

Chapter Fourteen

I ’m nervous, so nervous I don’t instinctively pull away when Carlo reaches for my hand as we exit the car and make our way through the Royal Flush Casino. Jazzy is tucked against his other side.

“You okay?” he asks me.

“Uh-uh.” I nod my head. But I’m not okay.

“You’re a shitty liar, remember? What’s wrong?” he presses.

He’s right. I am a shitty liar. It’s always been one of my flaws. I wish I could improve on it. “What if they don’t like me?”

“Who?”

“Your friends, Carlo. What if they don’t like me?” I clarify.

“Who the fuck cares? I like you.”

“They’re your friends. You don’t mean that,” I tell him.

“I like you, Antonia. You’re nothing like the evil stepmother Cinderella got,” Jazzy chimes in.

“Thanks.” I smile at her. “I like you too.” She is a really good kid. I mean, I don’t have any experience to compare it to, but she is a sweet little girl.

“Also, if you don’t like them, I’ll tell them they have to like you anyway, because you’re my daddy’s wife,” she says so matter-of-factly. “And all the uncles do what I say.” She whispers that bit like it’s a big secret.

“See? Sorted. If they don’t like you, Jazzy’s got your back. Come on, you’re going to be fine, Antonia. I’ve never met a single person who didn’t like you,” Carlo says.

“Right.” I roll my eyes. I’m sure there are plenty of people who don’t like me. I’d even put money on it, and I’m not a gambler.

When I see Carlo scanning the casino floor more frequently that he normally would, my Spidey senses kick in. “Did something happen, or are you expecting something to happen?” I ask him.

I keep thinking about that text I got earlier.

Do I want something to happen to him? Especially now that he has Jazzy?

No, but am I ready to find a way out of this marriage?

Yes, because if I stay, I’m going to end up letting my guard down.

I’m going to give this man whatever is left of my heart.

And like I said, I won’t survive when he breaks it again.

“I have two of the most valuable things to me in my hands right now. I’m just being extra cautious. You have nothing to worry about,” he says. “I’ll never let anything happen to you.”

I know he believes that. I’m also not stupid enough to fall for it. I’ve been raised in this life. I know the dangers. I know what happens to women in our world when an enemy gets their hands on them. My father made sure I knew.

I look down at Jazzy. I really hope for her sake that Carlo can keep that promise to her.

To always keep her safe from the monsters.

There’s no doubt in my mind that he will do anything—and I mean anything—to make sure nothing happens to her.

And if it did, that’s when we’d see the devil flinch in fear because what Carlo will do to anyone that hurt her…

Well, let’s just say your worst nightmare wouldn’t compare.

By the time we reach the elevators, my nerves haven’t dissipated. They’ve increased tenfold. I’m not usually this anxious. And honestly, why do I even care if his friends don’t like me? I don’t even like him .

When we step into the elevator, Jazzy lets go of Carlo and comes around to me. She takes my hand. “It’s gonna be okay, Antonia,” she whispers, comforting me.

This kid really has such a good heart. “I know.”

“Wanna know what I used to do when the bullies would make me scared to go to school?” she asks.

I look to Carlo, who is now clenching his jaw. Bullies? Someone bullied her? Hell no. That’s not okay. “What did you do?”

“I would think of a happy time. My mama used to take me dancing, and it always made me happy, so I just remembered that,” she explains. “And tried to ignore the bullies.”

“That’s a great idea,” I say. “Later, I want you to tell me who these bullies are. I’ll go sort ?em out.”

“That’s what Carlo said too.” Jazzy laughs. “You can’t beat a bully by being a bully. It’s not right.”

“Maybe,” I agree, because I know she’s right. But that doesn’t mean I don’t want to put those little shits in their place. I turn to Carlo. “I’m going to handle them.”

“They’re kids, Antonia. What are you gonna do?” he whispers.

“I’ll figure something out. You can’t let anyone get away with bullying her,” I tell him. “I won’t.”

Carlo smiles at me and the doors open. I drop his hand because Jazzy rushes into the room, dragging me behind her.

“Guys, this is Antonia, my daddy’s wife. You have to like her because I said so,” she yells at the top of her lungs. All eyes turn to me, and I can hear Carlo laughing behind us.

“Uh, hi?” I say, not knowing what to do after that introduction.

“And if you don’t like her, then you’re just mean. And I don’t like mean people,” Jazzy adds.

“Well, then, I think I just found my new best friend,” Sammie says. “Welcome to the family, Antonia. Nice dress.” He chuckles.

“Thank you.” I try not to glare at his reminder, but I don’t think I manage to school my features as well as I should. “Jazzy wanted to match,” I reply—my way of explaining the reason I changed.

“Right.”

“Look! I got lip gloss, Tío E,” Jazzy says, running over to Carlo’s friend, who also happens to be the leader of a Mexican cartel. Although with the way he softens for this little girl, you wouldn’t think it.

“You do. Who gave you that? You are way too young for makeup,” Emmanuel tells her.

“But it’s pretty,” Jazzy whines.

“I think you look beautiful, Jazzy,” Charlotte, Louie’s wife, chimes in. “This is my friend, Evie. She’s here for the weekend.”

“Evie,” Jazzy repeats. “Are you going to marry Tío E? Because he has your name on his wrist. And my daddy has Antonia’s name on him and he married her.”

“Ah… no, that must be a different Evie,” Charlotte’s friend replies while sending Emmanuel a look that would make most people squirm. Not him, though. He doesn’t react at all.

“Huh, well, it’s nice to meet you,” Jazzy says.

“You too,” Evie replies.

Carlo’s hand lands on the small of my back.

“Antonia, welcome. It’s so nice to finally have you all over for dinner.

It was last-minute, though, so I’m sorry if it’s…

lacking.” Charlotte pulls me in for a hug.

Her sweet southern accent makes me smile.

There’s something about her that I’m drawn to.

I don’t know what it is, but I honestly think I could be friends with her.

“Thank you for having me,” I tell her.

“Now, let’s go get a drink. Jazzy, you wanna come with us?” Charlotte asks.

“Yes!” Jazzy rushes over and surprises me when she takes hold of my hand. I like it. I shouldn’t be taking comfort from a child. But she’s offering it and I’m not going to reject her affections.

“I have white or red. What do you prefer?” Charlotte says as we walk into the kitchen.

“Ah, red, please.”

“You got it.” Charlotte hands me a glass of red wine. “So, how’s married life?”

“It’s… different,” I say, choosing my words carefully.

“You used to date Carlo, right?” Evie asks.

“Ah, yeah, a long time ago,” I admit.

“Carlo loves her. He told me. And he doesn’t ever lie to me,” Jazzy says.

Well, shit, he told her that? I do think that in some twisted way Carlo thinks he loves me. His actions all those years ago prove otherwise, though. I don’t say anything.

“Tío E told me he loves Evie too. That’s why her name is on his wrist,” Jazzy continues.

I watch a look pass between Charlotte and her friend. “What do you know about Emmanuel?” I ask Evie directly.

“Enough,” she says. “It’s not me. It’s a different Evie.” She’s either lying to herself, or just flat-out lying in general. Either way, it’s not my place to call her on it.

“He’s always been nice to me. I mean, I’ve met him a few times when he’d come to my father’s house,” I say.

“Wouldn’t all men be respectful and nice to you in front of your father?” Evie asks.

“You’d think, but no.” I snort.

“People were mean to you, Antonia?” Jazzy tugs on my dress.

I look down at her. “Not really mean. Just… not as nice as they should be.”

“I think people suck,” Jazzy declares. “Well, not Carlo and my uncles, or you guys, but other people suck.”

I agree but probably shouldn’t encourage her to hate people.

“I think you just have to find your people in life. And you, sweetheart, found us. We are your people, always,” Charlotte says gently.

“I’m gonna go check on Carlo.” Jazzy runs out of the room.

“I’m going to make sure she’s okay,” I say, following her. “Jazz, wait up!”

She stops and turns around. There’s a slight wetness to her eyes.

“Oh my gosh, honey, what’s wrong?” I ask, dropping to my knees in front of her.

“My mama was my person. And then she wasn’t. What if you all go away too?” The tears are streaming down her cheeks now.

“Oh, honey, no. That’s not ever going to happen,” I reply, pulling her against me. Jazzy’s tiny arms wrap around my neck, and I hold her tight. “I promise I’m not going anywhere, and your daddy… Carlo isn’t ever going to leave you.”