Unspoken Obsession (Casino King #4)

21. Frankie

FRANKIE

I read the message I have sent him for the fourth time.

My heart is pounding, I am struggling to breathe. My hands are shaking a little. I'm dizzy.

I read it again.

It is the right thing to do.

I can't live like this anymore. I can't live with all these secrets weighing me down, the fear of being caught is making me crazy. He is unaware of my true identity, oblivious to the fact that I am a mother and the child is his.

It's too much.

I'm drowning under it all. Ever since I confirmed that he's the man from the gala and let go of any lingering doubt, I've been overwhelmed by the urge to tell him everything.

So, I will start by telling him who my father is.

I will see how he reacts to that and then decide what else to do from there.

There are still a few hours before I need to get ready, so to fill the time, and walk off this insane anxiety - I am going to take Damion to the jumping castle theme park. He'll have an absolute blast there. We have driven past it a few times and he always shouts out of the window about how he needs to go there.

It will be the perfect way to fill the time.

"Damion?" I call out to him. My hands are shaking, so I take a deep breath and force a big smile onto my face as my little boy comes running into the room.

"Mommy?" He says, curious about what I want.

"Do you remember those big, colorful bouncy houses we drove past - the magic castle park?"

"Mm." He puts his hand to his cheek to think for a moment, then shouts, "Bouncy castle."

"Yes. Do you want to go there today?"

"Yes." He shouts, already hyped up. He jumps onto my lap and throws his little arms around my neck.

"Alright, let's go get you dressed, then we can go. What do you want to wear today?"

In a bolt, he is off my lap and running to his room.

By the time I get there, he has already pulled his Spiderman outfit from the bottom drawer. I don't even argue with him. He decides what he wants to wear - and if he wants to go as a superhero today - then so be it.

I help him get dressed, and strap into his car seat - and we are on our way.

I was right. It is the perfect way to distract myself from my thoughts and have a wonderful day with my son. He is over the moon about every castle he gets to jump on. Some are shaped like giant ducks; some are like dragons and some are just like actual castles. We get cotton candy and hot dogs and laugh until Damion is so exhausted he can't even pick his little feet up to take a step.

When we get home, I carry him upstairs and phone Clarissa. Then I get ready for my dinner with Dante at the penthouse - tense with anxiety about how he is going to react to my news.

When I arrive at Russo River Casino, I am almost dizzy with nerves again.

I catch the elevator up to the top floor and knock on the penthouse door. Before I've managed three knocks, the door opens and Dante pulls me into his arms. I lean into him, resting my cheek on his chest, feeling the reassuring warmth of his body against mine.

It's strange how just his embrace can soothe away so much of my worry.

"Come in, little fox. I'll pour you a drink. Champagne or whiskey?"

"Definitely a whiskey, please." I sigh, knowing that I need all the courage I can get.

He chuckles, but I can hear by the way he laughs he is tense, too. He's wanted to know who I am for a long time. I just hope he is ready to hear the truth. I hope he doesn't kick me out straight away.

"Did you have a good day?" He asks, handing me a glass of whiskey, neat.

"I took my son to the jumping castle park. It was bouncy." I say, looking up into his eyes.

That is my first truth for the day. I wait for his response.

He smiles, his eyes narrowing. "Your son - um - how old is your son? Why haven't I had the pleasure of meeting him?"

"He's turning four in a few months. His name is Damion. He's a little ball of energy and love. You will like him. You'll definitely like him." I smile, my stomach fluttering with butterflies. He will do the math; it's not hard.

"I can't wait to meet him. Is that - um - is that what you wanted to tell me?" He asks, frowning.

I take his hand and pull him towards the living room.

I need to sit down.

My entire body is going to collapse beneath me if I don't. I am so nervous.

I sit, facing Dante on the same sofa as him. My legs are turned towards his. I am holding my drink in my lap; I can't stop fidgeting.

He reaches out and takes the glass from me, taking my hand in his.

"Frankie, whatever it is - it's ok. You can't tell me anything that is going to chase me away." It might; he can't promise that without knowing the truth.

"You don't know that." I sigh.

"Try me." He says with a gentle smile.

"I thought you should know who my father is. Since we are spending more time together - and I found out who you are - I just think it's important for you to understand."

"Ok." He nods, encouraging me.

"I am the daughter of one of the most powerful mafia bosses in Las Vegas. My name is Francesca Musetti. My father is Antonio Musetti."

I say it all in one breath, speaking clearly, but fast. I had to get it out. I had to get the words out of my mouth before I changed my mind.

Dante is staring at me with wide eyes - shook into silence.

He hasn't said a word; time has stopped. I'm afraid he will leave me now, knowing who I am.

I say nothing. I have to wait. I have to let him process.

I wait, trying to be patient, but my heart is beating too loud and too fast. Tears pool in the corners of my eyes, and I will not let them fall. This is why I didn't tell him because losing him is going to hurt.

"Dante?"

He looks into my eyes, frozen.

"Dante? Do you know who Antonio Musetti is?" His reactions suggest he understands who my father is.

He nods. "I know who your father is Frankie - Francesca - I have dealt with him on a few occasions in the past. Him and I - we run in the same circles."

I nod.

Mafia circles.

Of course, the man who owns the biggest casino in Las Vegas would be linked to the mafia too. I guess it is no surprise to me, but I'm still disappointed, my dreams were always to be free from the mafia.

Is he just like my father?

I have never gotten that impression from him. I've never associated him with the things my father does.

No, that is ridiculous. Just because he moves in the same circles does not mean he is the same as my father.

He has never been cold, cruel, or controlling towards me.

I bite my lip.

Looking into his eyes again. I search for answers, a clue to what he is thinking.

Finally, after an eternity he smiles.

I frown, and he pulls me closer to him on the sofa.

"It makes sense to me now. I understand why you tried to run from your father - and why you had to be so secretive. I really appreciate you telling me that, Frankie. You can always be honest with me."

I let out a gasp of relief as he pulled me into a hug.

I don't know what I expected, but I know what I feared, and I am so relieved that my fears did not become reality.

When he pulls me back again to look into my eyes he asks, "Can you tell me why you left - why you ran away to Canada?"

"It was because of my son. I didn't want him to suffer the same upbringing that I had - under my father's tyranny, control, manipulation, and cruelty. I wanted a better life for my son. I was, and still am terrified that my father wants to take him as the heir to his empire. He is my father's blood, a boy, the perfect candidate in my father's warped mind."

Dante nods, then reaches up and brushes a curl away from my face, tucking it behind my ear in a gentle gesture.

"Whatever happens, I will do everything I can to keep you and your little boy safe, Frankie." He leans forward, his fingers wrapped around my chin as he presses his lips against mine.

The kiss sends a shiver of delight through my body as it eases the last of my fears and anxiety away. He did not get angry or ask me to leave - instead, he promised to help keep Damion and me safe.

I can't describe the relief flooding every cell in my body.

All the pent-up anxiety I was holding onto suddenly ignited beneath my skin, burning like a wild passion for this man.

Every moment I spend with him makes me want him more.

His movements are filled with the same urgency as he pulls me onto his lap. His kiss becomes deeper, more forceful, and possessive as he grabs a handful of my hair and locks his mouth over mine.

I gasp at how hard he is, my legs wrapped around his waist as he pushes up against me.

A knock on the door makes us both jump. Dante grumbles as he stands, lifting me off his lap and guiding me down on the floor, standing there looking bewildered and glowing with lust.

I grin and wipe my fingers across my lips as I pull my clothing straight.

Dante looks down at his cock and shakes his head with a chuckle.

"Do you think you could get that?" He asks, sitting down again.

I laugh as I walk to the door and pull it open.

The doorman smiles. "Evening, where I can put your food order."

"On the table would be great. Thank you." I point to the dining room table just past the living room in the open-plan design space.

The doorman nods a greeting at Dante, who nods back.

Then he leaves, and as soon as the door closes Dante, and I pack up laughing.

He stands up and walks over to me, hugging me against him and kissing my forehead.

"Sorry, I got very carried away there and forgot about the food that was arriving. Let's eat while it's still hot otherwise, it won't be as good. We can pick up where we left off a little later." He grins.

I nod and let him lead me towards the dining room table. He pulls out a chair for me, hands me a plate, and lifts the lid of the platter.

It is a surf and turf with calamari done in several ways, steak strips, and chicken pieces. There is enough food here to feed way more people than just us.

"Are you feeding an army?" I laugh, letting Dante dish up for me.

"I wasn't sure how hungry you'd be - I would rather over cater than leave you wanting more."

"There is nothing wrong with you leaving me wanting more." I grin.