Page 27 of Family Secrets

Lisa’s eyes shifted between his, her lower lip trembling slightly before she squared her shoulders. “You’re right, I’m sorry, Gino. I came with Elizabeth tonight, an apology for snapping at her in the office today.”

His pulse quickened at the mention of her name, his eyes shifting to the crowd, ignoring the curious stares. He searched the faces for the girl he couldn’t shake. After a second sweep of the room, Gino found her sitting in one of the aluminum chairs on the opposite side of the room.

“Why?” Gino questioned absentmindedly, keeping his eyes on the dark-haired beauty.

“Why what?”

Dropping his gaze back to Lisa, Gino realized his error in showing interest. Needing a quick cover, “Why did you snap? Is she fucking up already?”

Lisa tossed a look over her shoulder, finding Elizabeth talking with some suit she didn’t recognize, despite the casual look she had going on she was turning heads. “Tony came in with a payout and she tried to refuse it. I set her straight.” Lisa recalled the bold way Elizabeth stared back at her before agreeing she could handle the rules. “She won’t be a problem.”

The lights overhead dimmed, as the announcer stepped into the center of the ring signaling the beginning of the event. Needing a minute to collect himself, “Better not be,” Gino threatened. Pushing passed Lisa, he made his way to the far corner of the room.

With his back firmly against the wall, Gino tried to watch the fighters in the ring. However, his attention was stolen by the mysterious woman whose eyes never left the fight. Elizabeth Smith was nothing like the women who surrounded her, jeans and a jacket versus sequins and fur. She was pure and natural, with her lack of makeup and colored hair, and, if he were to be perfectly honest, she was far more beautiful without it.

As the fighters for the second-round tapped gloves, Niko came to stand beside Gino, remaining silent until the round was over.

“Still think I’m wrong?”

“I didn’t say you were wrong, old man. But saying it and proving it are two different things.”

“So, what are we going to do, let it go and waste the opportunity?”

Gino absently watched the boxers circle one another, tossing limp-ass punches at one another.

“I need proof, Niko. Solid as fuck proof before I drop a fucking bomb like that.”

“There are ways to get the proof. Question is, Giovanni, are you willing to do what it takes?”

---