Ruthless: A Bad Boy Mafia Romance by Lauren Landish Page B

"Hey, Dante. How'd the pickup go?"
    “Easy peasy,” I said, taking the money out. "Here you go."
    "He sounds excited," Luisa commented, smiling. "What, did you shoot someone?"
    "No, nothing like that. Just, things went well. Danny Huong even called me Mr . Degrassi by the end, and well . . ." I paused, suddenly realizing I'd let my personal excitement mix in with my professional work. "Nothing."
    "No, what is it? I'm too intrigued to let it go now," Luisa said, standing up. I noticed for the first time that she and Tomasso were in their suits, getting ready for something, I guess.
    "Okay, well, you know I've been taking dance lessons with Carmen, right?"
    "Duh," Luisa answered in her quirky, fun to listen to, modified American slang. She was dualistic in that way, very businesslike when she had to be, but relaxed and personable at other times. As she had trained me more, I was seeing more and more of this personable side, and I liked it. "She's one of my best friends. Of course I know."
    "I kinda asked her to dinner," I said, "and we're going out in about fifteen minutes for coffee and dessert instead."
    They both paused, then smiled, nodding. "Good," Tomasso said, not even looking at the cash as I set it on his desk. "Then I have one more thing for you."
    "What's that?" I asked, hoping I wouldn't have to cancel or delay.
    "Get that car you're driving waxed and detailed. The place I want you to take it to is closed for the night, so you'll have to do it tomorrow. Keep it tonight. Oh, and turn in your gun to the kitchen before you go," Tomasso replied with a grin. "We'll work on getting you your permanent one later. Also, stop by tomorrow. I want to talk to you about who else I'm bringing on our crew. Now get out of here before you make Luisa angry for making Carmen wait.”
    I was actually three minutes late pulling up in front of Dreamstyle Dance, mostly due to a car accident that slowed up traffic on the road nearby. Getting out of the car, I didn't even have to knock as Carmen came out, looking jaw-droppingly beautiful in a skirt and blouse that actually coordinated with my suit.
    "Wow, you look amazing," I said, going up. I wasn't sure how to greet her, but she solved the problem for me by opening her arms, and we hugged. It felt good, with her firm body pressed against me. Not that I hadn't been aware of her body for weeks now, after hours and hours of dance practice. After all, ballroom dancing isn't something you do by yourself, and I'd spent a lot of time with my hand resting on her back, her tiny hand in mine, inches apart. “Nice outfit. Almost looks like we coordinated it.”
    "My best friends are Luisa and Adriana, remember? I kind of knew what you’d be wearing.” Carmen said with a chuckle as she stepped back. She'd put on heels, which brought her up to all of five foot five, much closer to my six foot one in the dress shoes I was wearing. "I may not know the ins and outs of Bertoli business, but I know what they wear for work. Even Luisa rocks a suit most of the time."
    “That she does,” I said, laughing. "That woman has an eagle eye when it comes to creases in the knot of your tie."
    "And you weren't checking her out?" Carmen asked flirtatiously. "I mean, she is the same height as you. It usually makes guys notice her even more.”
    "And married to my boss, and not my type,” I said, trying to avoid the subject. We walked back to the car and got in, but Carmen wouldn't let the subject go. She was having too much fun with it.
    "Oh, so you think she's ugly then?"
    "No! Of course I don’t,” I said. "Okay, let me just put it out there, and then let’s drop it. Luisa's a beautiful woman. No, I'm not interested in her. I like working for her and Tomasso, and I don’t want to say anything to jeopardize that."
    Carmen looked over for a second, then laughed. "Dante, you're a trip—I’m just messing with you. I'm glad I said yes when you asked me out."
    “And why did you say yes? And don't tell me just