Page 33 of Sinful Bargains

Paul smirked. “Sure, I’ll let him know. But you know Joey—he doesn’t take ‘no’ for an answer.”

“This is too much, Paul! I can’t accept it.”

“Look, Adriana, I’m just the delivery guy,” he said, dangling the keys in my direction. “You’ve got a problem with this, take it up with Joey. I’m just following orders.”

I shook my head, taking a step back. “I don’t want or need his handouts.”

Paul chuckled dryly, cocking an eyebrow. “You think this is some handout? Joey doesn’t do handouts. Joey takes care of his family, and like it or not, you’re family now.”

“Family?” The word stuck in my throat.Family?What did that even mean? The way he said it sent chills down my spine because I had a feeling Joey’s meaning offamilywasn’t the usual one.

Before I could ask further, Antonio darted toward the car, his face full of excitement. “Ma, it’s so cool! Can I look inside?”

“Antonio—” I began, but Paul interrupted.

“See? The kid’s got taste. What’s the harm in checking it out?”

Antonio was already peering into the car windows, his hands cupped around his face to block the carport light.

“This isn’t how normal people do things. You know that, right?” I muttered, shaking my head.

Paul let out a hearty laugh. “Joey’s not exactly ‘normal people.’ You’re in one of the least ‘normal’ places in all of New York.”

I rubbed the bridge of my nose, letting out a breath I didn’t know I was holding onto. “Fine. I’ll talk to Joey. But don’t think for a second I’m keeping this without saying my piece. He was supposed to get my car fixed, not buy a new one.”

Paul’s grin widened. “That’s on you, Adriana.” He sauntered to the driver’s side, opened the door, and tossed the keys onto the dashboard before tipping his head toward me. “Oh, and Joey already paid for the insurance. You’re covered.” He winked and strolled off, whistling, hands tucked in his pockets as he disappeared down the sidewalk toward Davidson’s.

I stood there, frozen, staring at the car. It was too much, too grand, too unexpected. This wasn’t the kind of treatment I was used to—certainly not from a man. And I just knew it came with strings attached.

“Can we keep it, Ma? Please?” Antonio begged, his eyes wide with hope.

Joey was going to hear about this, no question about it.

Antonio huffed, crossing his arms when I didn’t give a response. “It’s ours. Joey took care of it. You heard Paul—he gave it to us because we need a car. What’s the big deal?”

The big deal was that I had asked Joey to fix my car, not replace it. I had trusted him to handle it the way I wanted, but that was my first mistake. I should have known better. Men like Joey always had something else up their sleeve.

Antonio was already running his hand along the door handle, testing the grip, his excitement written all over his face. “Ma, come on, at least sit in it. Just once.”

I sighed, knowing I was already losing this battle. The moment I hesitated, Antonio’s face lit up, and he rushed around the back of the car, slipping into the passenger seat before I could say another word.

I slid into the driver’s seat, the rich scent of new leather filling my nostrils as I wrapped my fingers around the wheel. My old Chevy could never compare to this—not in a million years. The engine purred to life with the turn of a key, smooth and powerful, nothing like the rattling, struggling sounds I was used to.

“This is the nicest car we’ve ever had.” Antonio grinned.

I stole a glance at him as I pulled out onto the road, watching him beam out the window, soaking in the feeling of riding in something so pristine. My stomach twisted. This car was a statement—a message, a claim.

When we reached Angela’s house, I parked along the curb, barely putting the car in park before Antonio leaped out and bolted toward the front door. Angela opened it just as he cut past her, already on his way inside to find Enzo. Angela’s gaze shifted to the car, her arms folding tightly over her chest. Her sharp eyes took in every inch of it before settling on me. She stepped forward, her brows knitting together. “Is this,” she pointed at the car, “what I think it is?”

I pressed my lips together and gave a single nod. Before Angela could say another word, Lucy, who lived right next door, sauntered over.

“Well, that’s a mighty fine gift you were given, Adriana.” She smirked, eyes flicking between me and the car. I clenched my jaw. That wasexactlythe problem.

“Lucy’s right.” Angela nodded along, arms crossed, as she studied me. The two of them stood in front of me like a united front. “It’s only right that you take it for a little spin. You know, make Joey’s money worth it and all.”

“Ididdrive it over here,” I shot back. “And now I’m driving it straight to his shop to confront him, because hepromisedto fix my car—not buy me a brand-new one.”

Lucy smirked. “Mind if I tag along? I think you might be the first woman ever to tell Joey Romanono, and I’dloveto see how that plays out.”

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