Page 12 of Joey

“Okay.”

I lean on my elbow, watching him as he eats and smiles at his daughter. “Thank you, D.”

He waves his hand dismissively, unaccustomed to my gratitude. “It’s about time you did something to pay your way around here.”

“Did Kat do something freaky to you before she left or something?”

“Joey!”

“I’m sorry, but you’re in an exceptionally good mood.” I laugh, and Gabriella giggles too, like she understands what I’m saying.

“I’m always in a good mood, aren’t I, sunshine?” he says to his daughter, who squeals in response.

“D?” Max’s voice drifts through the open doorway, and I smile to myself. Any day I get to see Max’s fine ass is a good day.

“In here,” Dante shouts, and a few seconds later, Max walks through the door, dressed in jeans and a shirt with rolled-up sleeves, looking way finer than any man ought to look. He eyes Dante’s steak.

“You want some lunch?” my brother asks, nodding down at his plate.

“No. I already ate. I spoke to Dmitri last night, just wanted to give you an update.”

I know Dmitri Varkov is in the middle of a takeover and that the man he’s trying to oust is the same man my brothers pinned our father’s murder on, but I’m not sure what Dante and Lorenzo have to do with it. I lean forward in my seat, curious to know more.

Dante’s brow furrows into a frown. “Give me fifteen minutes to put Gabriella down for her nap and then I’ll meet you in my study.”

I guess he isn’t quite ready to involve me inallthe family business just yet.

Dante leaves the room with my niece, leaving Max and I alone. He sits beside me and steals a slice of tomato from my plate. “How was your night out?”

“Fun.”

He arches an eyebrow at me. “Fun?”

“Yes. You know what that is, right? Something people do when they have a life.”

His eyes darken. I’d like to claim I have no idea why I enjoy pushing his buttons so much, but that would be a lie. I love to get a rise out of him. Seeing that thick vein bulge in his neck and his eyes turn so dark they smolder like coal makes butterflies swirl in my stomach.

“Who did you go out with?” His tone remains cool even as his eyes burn into my skin.

“Monique and Lexi. And Lexi’s guy friend, Nyx.”

He narrows his eyes.

I let out an exasperated sigh. “What?”

“Monique DeLuca is trouble, Joey.”

“Yeah, you’ve been telling me that since I was fourteen, but guess what, Max? You don’t get to tell me who I can be friends with.”

He grunts in response.

“Most guys love Mo.” Does he? He’s never had much time for her, but does he avoid her because he secretly likes her?

He scoffs. “Most guys see her as an easy lay.”

“Max!” I snap. “That’s completely sexist.”

“How is it sexist if it’s the truth? She goes home with a different guy every single time you go out.”