Dante’s finger lingered on the bulge of my breast. The fabric of my blouse might as well not have been there; it felt like it was touching bare skin. “I hate it. But I respect him, too. Fear, hatred, and respect are the three most important feelings a Leader should instill in other people.”
“Even in your wife?” Dante withdrew his hand. “Hate and fear have no place in marriage.” He turned away from me and nonchalantly approached my desk, which was filled with folders I intended to read. “I see you are trying to familiarize yourself with our high rollers.”
I struggled with the sudden change of subject. My mind was still reeling from the horrible things Dante had told me about his youth. No wonder he was so good at shutting himself away after the cruelty his father had subjected him to.
I wondered how many of the scars that marked his body were the result of those torture sessions and how many the result of an enemy’s attack. “YES. I want to memorize their faces, names and quirks.
“I thought I should stay until the big bettors arrive and introduce you to them. That way it will seem more official. I asked Leo to send them invitations for an early reception. You will have a chance to talk to them without the usual casino chaos, and they will have a chance to gamble privately for a while.”
I was grateful to Dante for making sure things went well for me. Of course, I knew that at least part of it was because he liked things to be under his control. “Thank you.”
He tilted his head, then looked at me for a moment longer before checking his watch. “Why don’t you get ready some more? The first high rollers should be here in an hour. I’ll talk to Leo and make sure everything is ready for the reception.”
When he tried to pass me, I put my hand on his arm to stop him. Then I stood up on tiptoe and kissed him on the cheek before heading to the desk and grabbing a folder.
After a moment, I heard the door open and close.
Fifteen minutes before the scheduled start of the reception, I made my way to the main floor where a few tables had been set up with glasses and ice buckets filled with bottles of champagne .
There was also a small buffet of canapes.
Dante made his way toward me as soon as he saw me. His presence put me at ease.
Soon the first high rollers arrived. Most of them were at least fifty years old. Old, rich men with expensive designer clothes, tans from too many hours spent on the golf course, and smiles that spoke of overconfidence. These men thought the world was at their disposal. Yet I did not miss the look of respect that crossed their eyes when they faced Dante. You could tell from the way they shook his hand that they were trying to show deference to him. Dante always quickly turned his attention to me, introducing me as the new manager and his wife. The last part always led to a wave of respectful praise of my beauty. While I certainly did not mind being praised for my appearance, it was not something that would help me keep the casino staff in check. I diverted the conversation away from my appearance and engaged the men in small talk. Fortunately they allowed me to, all too eager to share their stories of deception at the IRS, their successes on the golf course, or the selection in their wine cellars, and it was obvious they were used to women hanging on their every word.
I led them toward the roulette table, all smiles, and soon they began throwing money away without hardly noticing, too busy bragging and impressing me. Out of the corner of my eye I noticed Dante talking to Enzo before leaving the casino. I knew he was busy, but I wished he had stayed a little longer. However, I did not have much time for that thought; I was to be the perfect hostess for another group of gamblers eager to make friends with the Chief’s wife.
It was past midnight when things had progressed far enough for me to take my leave. Many of the big gamblers had disappeared to the back rooms with the girls, or were too immersed in gambling to need my attention. I was exhausted, more exhausted than a few hours of talking and listening should make a person. After slipping into the passenger seat, I breathed a slight sigh of relief that I was finally standing up. My legs ached from standing for so long, especially in my uncomfortable heels.
The men had it easier. They could wear their oxfords or Budapest shoes and not stick their toes into pointy shoes. I must have dozed off because the next thing I remembered was Enzo turning off the engine in the garage. I sat up, embarrassed. “I’m sorry I fell asleep. That was rude.” Enzo shook his head. “I’m not sorry.” I was too tired to analyze that statement. I walked into the house, my eyes sliding to Dante’s office door, wondering if he was still there.
Deciding that I was too exhausted to tell him about the evening’s event, I went upstairs, wincing every time my feet touched the floor. I needed to get my heels off as soon as possible otherwise I would go crazy. I walked into the bedroom and froze. Dante was in bed reading something on his tablet. As usual, his upper body was naked, but now, as my eyes examined the scars that disfigured his skin, I could not help but imagine Dante with fourteen years tortured by his father to strengthen him. “Did everything go well after I left?” asked Dante, barely looking up from whatever he was reading. “Yes, the high rollers lost quite a bit of money.” I slipped off my heels and could have cried with relief. “I’m going to take a quick shower.” Dante merely nodded distractedly. I was too exhausted to care. After the shower, I put on a satin shirt and matching panties and went back to the bedroom where I sat on the edge of the bed, my back to Dante. I didn’t feel like making an effort. I lifted my foot and started massaging it. Maybe next time I should switch to ballet flats. They would still look stylish but wouldn’t hurt so much. The mattress shifted and then Dante’s voice reached my ear. “Let go of me.” Before I could protest, he had me lie down and put my feet in his lap. His fingers began to massage my tired feet and calves with just the right amount of pressure. “Tonight there was an exemption. The high rollers needed to get to know you. You don’t have to stay that long in the future. Just make an appearance, greet them, make them feel welcome and then leave. Leo is a capable man.” I hummed, with my eyes closed, as I relaxed under his massage. Occasionally Dante’s finger would reach higher, caressing my knees or even my thighs, and my breathing deepened. Dante was not unscathed either. I could feel his erection pressing against my feet still resting on his lap. “Turn around,” Dante ordered. I turned around and lay on my stomach, knowing exactly what Dante wanted. Tonight it didn’t even bother me that she never wanted to look at my face. I lifted my butt as his fingers hooked under the waistband of my panties and slid them down my legs. Sighing into the pillow, I let Dante awaken my exhausted body with his touch.