King of Hearts

by C. A. Szarek

  Over my dead body.

  He couldn’t clue her in. Yet.

  This case was making her and their father look guilty as fuck. He had to make it right before he could let anyone know what he was doing.

  Armani cleared his throat and forced a small laugh. “Nickname. Right. All in good fun. No worries, tesoro.”

  ‘Treasure’ in Italian. Gio sucked back a growl. The fucker had no right to call her that.

  Elise’s body loosened a little, but her eyes trailed her fiancé’s frame slowly, like she was making sure he was in one piece.

  He was.

  For now.

  Gio forced a smile and his sister narrowed her eyes.

  “I know you still haven’t mastered ‘manners’ yet, but don’t practice on Marco.” She cocked her head to one side, her long blonde locks shifting, brushing the shoulder left revealed by the design of the fancy platinum dress. Like her shoes, it glimmered in the available light, as if she was wearing a diamond.

  The fabric dipped lower on one side, but covered her other shoulder and lead to a long sleeve where, like the shoulder, the other arm was bare. The bodice revealed more than he’d like to see his sister showing, but he didn’t have time to holler at her. Besides, Elise Giovanni was a beautiful woman. Looked just like their mother.

  The gala was likely some fancy party for high-rollers, so his sister and the douche-caboose were both dressed to the nines.

  Black tie, like the security officer had mentioned.

  Sam, also in a tux, hovered in the open ballroom doorway, silently watching the exchange, but he stayed where he was, about fifty feet away.

  Well, Gio wouldn’t take time to converse with baby bro. His mission with this asshole was far from done. Too bad his sister had found them together.

  Not only did he have no answers, he hadn’t been able to blacken the fucking liar’s eye. Or both of them. His two balls could use some damage, too.

  “What’s really going on here?” Elise’s dark eyes were narrowed, and her hands were back on her hips.

  “You know, I had to do my big brotherly duty and warn him to treat my sister well, and all that.” Gio forced a smile, and Marco let out a nervous laugh.

  “You don’t have to worry about that,” the fucker said, taking a step away, and pulling Elise to his side, much like he’d done last night in their father’s office.

  You’re right, ‘cause there’s no fucking way you’re marrying her.

  His sister’s expression softened when she looked up at her liar-fiancé. She wove her arm around his waist and moved closer. Then she put her eyes back at Gio. “Did you come for the gala?” She arched an eyebrow, like she already knew the answer to her own question.

  “I came to make sure you were okay.”

  Elise offered a small smile. “We’re…coping. Dom should be here soon. You should stay and talk to him. He’s taking Dad’s situation really hard. He went to the hospital this morning.”

  Gio fought the urge to swallow as his mouth went dry. “I can’t tonight. But tell him to call me.” Damn, he really wanted a drink now. His throat was a desert, begging for some scotch.

  Her brows knitted, and he couldn’t stand it.

  He shot forward and tugged her away from Armani, urging her into an embrace. He glared at the fucker over her head. “You look great, Lise,” he whispered and dropped a kiss on her neatly coiffed head.

  “Thanks.” When she pulled back, her dark eyes were misty. “I wish you’d stay. We can get you a tux or something.”

  “You know I’m not good at that shit.”

  She gave the barest nod and he wanted to shoot himself at the disappointment in her expression.

  They just looked at each other for a moment that felt like an hour. After a mutual breath, they spoke at the same time.

  “Did you think about going to the hospital?”

  “I should head out.”

  Elise closed her eyes.

  Gio sure as hell wanted to do the same.

  Chapter Eight

  Gio stared at the white nondescript door. Little gold numbers formed 472 nailed to the front, which was the only thing differentiating it from the others lining both sides of the hallway.

  The building was six floors of nice; not too ritzy and not too rundown, with shiny elevators and corridor decorations, at both ends of the hallway, with a floral display on a table by the elevators. It was bright, with welcoming golden light, and the blue carpet smelled new.

  He tried to gather the balls to knock.

  Why Gio had come, he couldn’t figure, but after the latest disaster at The Giovanni, he’d gone back to the PD only to discover the taskforce had called it a night.

  He needed to see Maddie. Couldn’t explain why. Something drove him toward her.

  She’d been the only person on his mind.

  Maybe she was the only one who would keep him from breaking out the scotch.

  It’d only taken the work of a few minutes to get the address of the place she was staying, and he’d been surprised to discover it was an apartment, instead of a hotel.

  His curiosity about that equaled the total cluelessness of him standing at her door.

  If you knock, maybe you could ask.

  But really, why was he there?

  It wasn’t like he was about to tell her what he’d discovered about his sister’s so-called fiancé, or what’d happened at the casino with said fucker.

  Or lack thereof.

  He should’ve pounded the guy’s face into his ass, despite Elise and Sam’s presence.

  It wouldn’t have helped his family sitch—his sister would’ve had an added reason to be displeased with him, but it would’ve made him feel a hell of a lot better.

  He’d figure out who the turd was soon enough, then go from there.

  Gio and Maddie had nothing to discuss about the case. If he opened his mouth, they’d argue, because her evidence pointed to something only his gut said was untrue. He had nothing concrete to exonerate his father, and her proof only crucified him. Or worse, implicated his sister, since she was in charge of everything money at The Giovanni.

  Even if he had figured out Marco-the-cockstain, he wouldn’t have been able to bring Maddie in on it yet.

  “Fuck. Me.”

  Fuck—fucking.

  That was a good idea.

  Maybe he and Maddie—

  He snorted. She’d denied him. Rejected him yesterday.

  That just heaped on another dose of crazy, since he was still standing at her door.

  Is sex what he’d expected from coming here?

  Gio only wanted everything in his head to stop. He made a fist and gave a quick double knock.

  Then waited.

  Waited some more.

  So much time passed, he was about to give up and go, when Maddie finally wrenched the door open.

  She was adorably disheveled. Her hair was damp and mussed, making the golden waves darker in color, and her pretty face was pink, as if she’d just gotten out of the shower.

  Somehow, the idea revved up his resolve.

  The scent of fresh soap swirled around him, mixed with something that was just Maddie, and his hands itched to grab her. She wore an oversized soft pink tee and gray sweats. Relaxed clothing, incredibly sexy, and he’d seen her in a lot less.

  “Gio…” Her gorgeous eyes widened. She swallowed, and he wanted to kiss her throat.

  “Hey.”

  Maddie arched an eyebrow. “I’d ask what you want, but the more urgent question is how did you find me?”

  He smirked. “I’m a good little stalker.”

  As for what he wanted…she wouldn’t like his answer.

  His statement tugged the corner of her mouth up, but her brow was still quirked. “Well, why?”

  “Why what?”

  “Why’d you hunt me down?” She let go of the door and crossed her arms over her breasts.

  He struggled to tear his eyes from that temptation, and met her hazel ones. �
��I…wanted to talk to you.”

  That honey-colored eyebrow shot high again. “You could’ve done that all day. You barely said a damn word.” Maddie tilted her head, studying him. “Or, I dunno. You could’ve called. Texted. Emailed. What’s so urgent?”

  You.

  Not like he could fucking say that. He couldn’t explain that she was the answer to dull the voices in his head, either. She always had been, even eight years ago. She hadn’t known him long then, but she’d helped him get through his mom’s passing. Sorta. The alcohol helped, too.

  Gio’s mouth went dry. Anything he said would make him sound like a liar. Something he’d already done to her today, even if she didn’t know.

  He took a step forward, then another, forcing her back inside the apartment, and he followed, using his much larger frame to make her give enough space to close the door. He did so with a well-placed kick.

  Her feet were bare, which made him tower over her even more.

  “Gio, wh—”

  He snatched her to his chest, and covered her mouth with his.

  Maddie was right with him. There was no delay in her opening and kissing him back, so score one for him.

  Their tongues danced and dueled, only this time she wove her arms around his neck and pressed closer, her soft curves melding into his chest. She didn’t have a bra on from her tiny peaked nipples brushing against his torso. That made him groan.

  Gio slanted his lips over hers again and again, tasting her until she sagged in his arms, and his head spun. His zipper bit into his hard cock, and damn, he wanted her.

  The burn for her was familiar, but his desire ached; it’d been so long since he’d held this woman in his arms.

  The sense of rightness holding onto her that used to tease him back then, even though he’d been too young to want it, cascaded over him like it had before. But this was different, too. Stronger. More urgent.

  Now, he didn’t want to let her go.

  “Gio,” Maddie breathed into his mouth.

  “Do me a favor, don’t lie to me.” His statement came out low, guttural.

  She pulled back and stared up at him, those eyes amber with arousal, just like he remembered.

  He bit back another groan.

  “Lie to you?” She panted, pushing her impossibly soft breasts into his chest even more.

  “Don’t tell me you don’t want me.”

  The crimson stain on her high cheekbones spread, deepening and going up to her ears. She was so beautiful. So much more than he remembered.

  He expected her to look away, but she didn’t.

  Maddie didn’t pull from his arms, either. “I—”

  “You what?” Gio demanded softly.

  “Is that what you came over here for? Sex?” Her demands didn’t hold enough accusation for any real bite. She still remained his in embrace, her breasts to his chest, her hips glued to his.

  There was no way she couldn’t feel his erection.

  “I don’t know.”

  Maddie cocked her head to one side and her hazel stare bored into him. “Really?”

  “You’re the only one who can quiet the noise in my head.” The bit of honesty made him wince, but her face softened, and his heart skipped.

  “It’s your dad, isn’t it? Did you come from the hospital?”

  “No. The casino.” He couldn’t lie to her again, not about his stupid father.

  Sorta.

  “How’s your dad?”

  “No change.”

  It wasn’t untrue, even if he didn’t know the details. Elise would’ve told him if something about their father’s medical condition had worsened; or improved. Big Tony was still in the hospital, and Gio still couldn’t go.

  “Oh, Gio.”

  Guilt made him feel like a liar after all. Again.

  She’d told him all those years ago that half-truths were just as bad as lies. The same for lies of omission.

  Maddie squeezed her arms around him and pushed to her toes to kiss him.

  Gio quickly took control, and the lip-lock went on until his balls pulsed painfully.

  Her hands opened and closed on his biceps, but she made no move to pull away. “We shouldn’t do this. It’s a horrible idea,” she whispered as they both struggled for normal airflow.

  “You’re probably right.”

  That gave her pause, and those green-flecked golden eyes were so fathomless as she scanned his face. There were so many questions there, but Maddie didn’t ask him anything.

  Should he mourn or rejoice?

  “Do you want me to leave?” Gio whispered.

  Why the fuck was he giving her an out?

  The hovering guilt gave him an answer he wanted to ignore. He was playing off her sympathies regarding his father to get in her pants. That was worse than lying.

  Was he using her?

  “When you kiss me, it feels like it did eight years ago. More than that, it feels like no time has passed.”

  He had a feeling the confession wasn’t planned, because her gorgeous face lit up all over again, a more appealing shade of pink than he’d ever seen.

  Gio cleared his throat. “Same for me. I tried to say that yesterday.” This, at least, was a truth he could confess.

  Maddie’s eyes went misty.

  His tongue glued to the roof of his mouth. He should’ve teased her instead of gone for the truth. It was too heavy, old emotions making something more out of this than the lust he was trying to ride out. The lust he needed to concentrate on.

  Maddie had been right about one thing yesterday.

  Eight years was a long time. However, when he held her, kissed her, Gio felt he same about her as he had at twenty-three.

  That couldn’t spell anything but disaster. Worsened of course, because of her case.

  He wanted to say something—anything—but words wouldn’t form.

  “I’m sorry for threatening to go to Olinsky. I don’t want you kicked off the taskforce.” Her voice was soft, and she averted her gaze. “I’m not afraid to work with you. You’re a detective now, and all your coworkers say you’re a hell of a cop. You can help my case.”

  “You want to talk about this now?” He sure as hell didn’t, despite the compliment that was no doubt Hector-originated. Gio needed her body to be the distraction he’d been seeking. He needed to bury himself inside her and forget. At least for a little while.

  Maybe he had come to her place for sex, after all.

  He couldn’t let himself feel the guilt. He cared about her—whether he wanted to or not—so he wasn’t using Maddie.

  Those hazel eyes flared when he rolled his pelvis, pushing his erection into her belly.

  Maddie rocked her hips right back and he groaned. Her attention landed on his mouth. “Not really.”

  He smiled, slow, intentionally sexy, and a bit triumphant.

  Madison Granger never could tell him no.

  “Wanna show me where you might have a bed in this place?”

  Chapter Nine

  Maddie cradled her face in her hands. She was in her bathroom, planted on the closed toilet. She’d…run from Gio so she could…think.

  What the hell are you doing?

  Something she had no business even considering—ever.

  Besides, it was too soon. She’d just gotten back in to town.

  Yesterday.

  Somehow, none of that mattered.

  His kisses were just as potent as eight years ago. He was just as hot as then, too. No, maybe more so, since he’d grown into a real man, more seasoned, more muscled than the rookie cop, twenty-three-year-old Gio.

  The kiss in the office supply room was like a preview.

  For him showing up on her doorstep? Or for an X-rated movie?

  She’d spent the day pretending not to notice him, trying not to spare him any glances as he’d posted himself, fairly brooding, in the corner of the conference room her taskforce had taken over at the PD.

  He hadn’t said much, so she’d failed to see
him in real action. No proof of what Olinsky and his coworkers had raved; Gio was the best detective on the squad. Hector Garcia had especially had nice things to say, but she suspected a little hero-worship. Not that he wasn’t worthy of that.

  If anyone asked him anything, Gio stated he was considering the evidence and would let them know when he had a plan. Who knew, maybe that was his normal way of investigating. Perhaps, since no one contradicted him.

  Maddie had let it all go; she was trying to avoid him, after all.

  Speaking of brooding, she’d mulled over what he’d said about his father since he’d declared Big Tony couldn’t possibly be laundering money.

  Her initial investigation hadn’t been able to prove what the Chicago accountant, Cesare Fratelli, had claimed. The Giovanni had been started by mob funds traced back to the Falcone crime family. It was heavily suspected, but rumors were rumors—hearsay that didn’t help her at all.

  Regardless, Gio’s father had kept his nose clean.

  For over forty years.

  The latest activity they’d detected had been new. Less than a year ago in origin.

  She’d asked herself a dozen times what’d changed. So far, her delving into the financials only revealed that something was off. The details were fuzzy, which is why she’d gotten the go-head to come to Sin City and fully check things out.

  So maybe Gio had a point.

  Maybe that had been part of the reason she’d promised to let him prove his father’s innocence, as he’d claimed he would.

  Maddie wouldn’t report his tie to the casino to Olinsky. Even after only meeting and working with the guy a day and a half, she could tell the fair-haired man was on the up-and-up, and would yank Gio off the taskforce in a heartbeat.

  Not making the case harder on him would have to extend to his father’s health. No matter what the full investigation uncovered, there’d be hurt for Gio and his family. She’d always liked his siblings, especially his sister, Elise.

  Maddie could only hope getting reacquainted with them didn’t involve too many jail cells. Research had revealed Elise worked in accounting at The Giovanni, and as much as she hated it, the beautiful girl she’d called a friend eight years ago was implicated, too. She wouldn’t speculate. Only cold, hard evidence from a real investigation mattered.