Bella downed most of the martini and groaned. “At least you’re making money off these people. Politicians only talk about themselves. If I have to hear another one of their stupid stories, I will blow my fucking brains out with my dad’s gun.”
I let my eyes wander for a moment, and as expected, I had four sets of eyes on me.
“They always stare at you,” Bella commented. “I wish they’d look at me like that.” She waggled her eyebrows. “The things I would let the Luciano brothers do to me.”
“It’s kinda weird. I wish they would come up to me and say something.”
“Maybe that’s the point. The kings like to make people feel insignificant. Like they own them.”
“Because they do. Everyone in this room is only here out of fear or loyalty.”
“You get to live in Manhattan.” Bella sighed. “Lucky bitch. I’d kill for a dream job and an apartment in the city. But, instead, I have to stay here and play the role of the dutiful Mafia daughter.”
“Your dad will arrange your marriage.” I took a few steps toward the outdoor patio off the right side of the room. “Sorry, girl. But you never had a choice.”
“That’s why I need to have all the fun I can now,” she countered with a sour expression. “It’s only a matter of time before he sets me up with some fat, lazy gunman in the Luciano army.”
I looked across the room and spotted Stefan, Angelo, and Nico hanging out by the bar. Dante was with their father, Salvatore Luciano, talking to the mayor of Atlantic City.
Their family got Mayor Blackwell elected. That was how they got so many deals for their casino to pass through the legislature. Having friends in high places also kept the authorities off their backs.
Nico drank from a highball glass, shoving a hand through his blond hair as he watched me. Like he was afraid I would disappear into thin air if he didn’t keep his blue eyes on me.
“Bella,” Mr. Parisi called out, his hand raised to beckon his daughter.
He was a Made man and next in line to become a captain. Every man in Bella’s family had been in the Mafia. So neither of us had many options for friends. Our parents didn’t like us talking to outsiders. It was too risky to let them into our real lives.
Bella was my only friend.
When I moved to New York City to attend college, I didn’t get the whole experience. I was always afraid that someone would find out what my dad did for the Lucianos.
“Ugh,” Bella grunted, rolling her eyes. “Duty calls. I’ll find you when I’m free.”
With my dad talking to new clients, I saw this as an opportunity to take a break—a few minutes of normalcy.
Alone.
So I set the empty glass on the table by the patio doors and went outside. We were on the twentieth floor of the Portofino Hotel and Casino and had the perfect view of the Atlantic Ocean. It was dark, with nothing more than the moonlight and strings of fairy lights illuminating the oversized balcony that wrapped around the side of the building.
Men and women dressed in elegant gowns and tuxedos drank and smoked cigars. I walked past a group of men who ogled me, heading toward the end of the balcony where it was the darkest. Maybe my dad wouldn’t find me until the end of the night. That was my only hope at this point.
From the moment I stepped into the casino, I wanted to leave. I knew I would see the Luciano brothers, who were a reminder of everything I ever lost. The childhood I never got to have. A mother who was sent away because she couldn’t handle the stress of this lifestyle.
My dad was rarely home and left me with the staff. I never had boyfriends, only quickies and hookups. Relationships were short-lived. Whenever I made a new friend or met a guy, they were suddenly too busy.
Even in Manhattan, someone followed me at Columbia University. I wasn’t sure if it was for my protection or if the Lucianos had someone tail me to ensure I wasn’t telling their secrets. God forbid I got too close to someone and accidentally said something stupid.
But I knew the cost.
I would never tell.
I stopped in front of the balcony and stared at the ocean. From a distance, orchestra music flowed out from the party. Combined with the waves crashing on the beach below me, it was peaceful.
Perfect.
Gripping the railing, I breathed in the salty air and closed my eyes, thinking about happier times. In the morning, I was leaving to go back to Manhattan. And in one week, I would graduate and start my new job. Everything in my life was falling into place.
I was almost free.