Nothing.
He couldn’t even look me in the eye.
I didn’t bother to press the issue.
We had eyes and ears on us everywhere in this casino. Dante probably had people tailing us with recording devices. At least now it made sense why they abruptly forced me to leave New York with them for a job I literally couldn’t refuse.
Dad hadn’t talked to me since my graduation dinner. And even then, he barely spoke two words. If I could sense his unease, Salvatore and his sons could, too. So, why was I here if they were on to my dad?
What did they want from me?
“I need you to do something for me,” Dad said before we got in line for coffee.
I halted outside the door and grabbed his arm, pulling him aside. “What the fuck is going on, Dad? What did you do?”
“Nothing.” He ran his hand across his jaw and sighed. “Salvatore is suspicious, but he won’t come out and say it.”
“Will he find something?”
“Ava,” he whispered, his eyes downcast. “I messed up.”
“I need to know what you did if you want me to help you fix it.”
His eyes lifted to meet mine, dark hair falling onto his forehead. “I’m in over my head,” he admitted. “I made a few investments that didn’t pan out.”
My eyes widened at his confession. “You thought you’d make it up with their money? Dad, you can’t be serious. Why didn’t you ask me for money?”
“Because I spent it.”
“What?” I gasped. “All of it?”
He scrubbed his hand over his mouth and nodded. “I’m not the bad guy here. Ava, please. I need your help.”
I blinked, still trying to process his betrayal. Not only did he steal from his oldest friend, but he took my money as well. It was my emergency fund just in case I needed to get out of this corrupt town. And now, we were stuck here.
“I had over seven million dollars in my accounts,” I shot back. “How could you spend my money and not tell me you were in trouble? Are you gambling?”
“No. I took a few risks on a new hedge fund. And then, I borrowed money from the wrong people.”
“Who did you borrow money from?”
“The Vitales,” he whispered.
Cheeks flushed with anger, I shook my head. “You took money from a rival crime family? They are the Luciano’s competitors, and they hate each other. Are you out of your fucking mind? This is going to get both of us killed.”
“Don’t use that tone with me, Ava.”
I was angry, but he was still my dad. And if there were anything I could do to save him from getting whacked by the Mafia, I would do it.
“What do you need from me?”
“Mr. Rossi is a forensic accountant the Lucianos hired. He’s been going over the books. I think Salvatore brought you here to find the paper trail.”
“I doubt I’ll find it if a forensic accountant couldn’t.”
He sighed. “You underestimate yourself.”
“How does Salvatore even know how good I am with numbers? It’s not like I broadcast it.”