Bender (Vegas Venom Book 4)

When Julie Bradford, the Venom social media manager, calls me in for a meeting in Dante’s office, my innards twist like tangled fishing line.

“It’s probably nothing,” Latham assures me as I finish packing up my things in the locker room. “Twenty bucks says she wants you to show off your abs for a post or something. You’re the last hot unmarried man on the team, after all.”

Cash makes a rude gesture. “Screw you, Newberry.”

“If you get really lucky, maybe he’ll slap a photo of your bare ass onto a billboard overlooking the strip,” Anders mutters.

“You’re still mad about that?” Latham asks. “Sex sells, my friend.”

“Of course, I’m mad!” Anders barks. “It’s a huge violation of privacy…!”

“… that stops traffic!” Latham brings his fists to his eyes and rubs. “Boo fucking hoo.”

While Anders slaps back and complains to Latham again, Noah sidles over to me. “He’s probably right, buddy. Julie’s probably just got an idea for some campaign. Don’t sweat it until you have to.”

“Si,” I mumble around the tightening of my throat. “Probably, it is fine.” But I do not believe it.

Any time I have to interact with Dante, I get nervous. When he first called me, back when I was still in Italy, he held my whole future in his hands. He decided what would become of me. The other players do not think much of Dante, but I feel as though he reached across the ocean and plucked me out of my old life to bring me here. Never have I seen as much denaro as I see when I am with the Venom. Never have I seen such friendship either. I do not want to leave here. Vegas is my new home. I am not sure that Dante is a good man, but even so, I am very grateful. Without him, I would still be back in my old life, drinking espresso and playing hockey for almost nothing and staring into a long and empty future.

Such a lack of prospects can make a man less of a man.

I am also terrified that someday he will take everything I have away.

As I drag my duffle bag through the hallway, I say a little prayer that I will not be sent away just when my life here is starting to become something I cherish.

I knock on Dante’s door, and from inside his voice says, “Come in.” I am not prepared for whatever is about to happen, but I have no choice but to push the door open and step through.

Julie is already there, sitting at one of the chairs across the desk from Dante. Our boss looks annoyed, which I think is a bad sign, but at least he is not glaring at me. Instead, his focus is on Julie, who looks completely relaxed.

“Hello, Marco!” Julie waves, as though we are good friends. “Great to see you again.”

I do not spend much time with her, or anyone from the front office, but I suppose that she has to look at so many photos of the team that she does not think of us as near-strangers. There are so many people working for the Venom who ensure the success of the brand but are not on the team itself, and I am ashamed to admit that I do not know most of the people in the front office very well. I tend to focus on my game, but without them, I would not have a job.

“Sit,” Dante grunts, and I do so. My boss does not even bother to glance my way before he addresses Julie again. “What is this about?”

My heart lifts. If he has to ask, I am probably not about to get released.

“I had an idea.” Julie steeples her fingers and sits back in her chair, not the least bit worried about Dante’s glare. “I would like to do an in-house commercial for Gustoso.”

Gustoso is the new Italian restaurant inside Dante’s hotel, the Mona Lisa. The food is good—the restaurant has catered several events for the team since it opened. I nod along to her idea. If doing this will keep Dante happy, then as always, I will say whatever he wants to hear.

Dante, however, does not seem impressed. He narrows his eyes at Julie and leans against his desk. He is not as tall as I am, but I am still afraid of him because he is very powerful. If I tried to fight Cash, he could probably knock me out cold. If I tried to fight Dante? He would not need to lay a finger on me. I am sure that he has people who could make me disappear.

And I do not have any people who would care to look for me.

“Hear me out,” Julie insists.

I nod. “I listen.”

“I don’t have time to listen,” Dante drawls. “Talk fast.”

“Marco had a moment at a pizza place the other day.” Julie produces her phone and opens the screen, then shows it to Dante. He stares at it with bored eyes and does not bother to take it from her hand as he watches.

“Pizza place?” I ask. “You mean Terrible Luigi’s?”

Julie grins and turns her phone toward me, where a muted loop of video plays. It is me pulling apart the stuffed crust as I complain about the definitely-not-cheese inside.

“Who had a camera?” I ask in bewilderment.

“Everyone has a camera all the time,” Dante murmurs, staring me down with that lethal glare of his. “You should know that so you’re not responsible for any bad press.”

“We can ride this wave,” Julie says as she tucks her phone back into the pocket of her blazer. “I have some ideas for a funny video ad we could film. Something short. Nothing too crazy.”

Dante purses his lips. “Funny?”

“People love Marco. They’re more likely to share a video if it’s got a clever concept. You’re both Italian, and it would be an ad for your Italian restaurant. Must I continue?” Julie is still smiling, but I can hear the sharp edge in her voice. She is even brave enough to give Dante a bit of well-deserved side-eye. She will not take no for an answer. I like her even more after this exchange that Dante is not controlling.

“When?” Dante asks.

Julie’s lips curl into a smile. “I thought we could do a low-key thing right now, if Marco’s free. I know how valuable your time is, Mr. Giovanetti.”

Dante’s previously blank face cracks into a smile that shows too many teeth. “You checked my schedule, saw that I had a two-hour window, and knew that if you didn’t lock me in right away, it would never happen.”

“Something like that.” Julie twists toward me. “What do you say, Marco? Do you have some time?”

“I…” I turn from her to Dante, wondering what he wants me to say. He inclines his head very slightly, and I nod in return. “Si, now is good. I am so very hungry from morning skate. I am wanting something delicious with real cheese. Perhaps you can recommend?”

Julie winks as she gets to her feet. “I know just the place.”

Dante sighs as he adjusts his collar, as if we do not all know that if he did not want to do this, it would never be happening. “There had better be cannolis involved. And find something decent for Marco to wear, won’t you? He looks like a bum. Athleisure violates the dress code of my restaurant.” He strolls to the door and opens it for us.

I am not looking forward to spending the next few hours with my prickly boss, but it is much better than what I was expecting when I came upstairs, so I will take it gladly.