Total pages in book: 58
Estimated words: 59304 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 297(@200wpm)___ 237(@250wpm)___ 198(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 59304 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 297(@200wpm)___ 237(@250wpm)___ 198(@300wpm)
Siena is on the ground too, lying on her back, breathing raggedly. Seeing that my father is tending to my mother, I rush to Siena and kneel at her side.
“Siena? What happened? Are you okay?”
“I’m—winded,” she pants. “But—fine.”
“What happened?”
“The rocks gave way,” my father says in a low growl. “I didn’t react quickly enough. Marcela was going to fall, but Siena acted fast. She saved her son. She saved your mother’s life.”
I gently take Siena by the shoulders. “I’m going to sit you up, okay? See if it will help with your breathing. I’m going to do it slowly because you may be injured.”
She nods. “O… kay.”
Softly, I guide her to a sitting position, and then slowly rub her back in circles. She slowly begins to breathe steadily.
“I think I’m okay,” she says slowly.
“Nothing feels broken?”
“There’s not much pain. Just a little.”
“Or you’re just stronger than most.”
“Siena, sweet girl, you saved my life,” my mother says, rushing over, her hands clasped to her chest.
“I don’t understand. I scouted this spot yesterday. The rocks weren’t loose. I wouldn’t have brought you up here if I thought there was even a slight chance something like this could happen.”
“This isn’t your fault,” I tell her sternly. “The location was fine for the other two photo shoots. You couldn’t have known this was going to happen.”
“He’s right, Siena,” my mother says. “You’re my savior. Siena the Savior. That’s your new name.”
“We should head back,” my father mutters. “Son, will you help Siena?”
“I’m fine.” Siena stands, wincing.
“Don’t be so proud,” I tell her, offering my arm. It’s the same thing I told her when she refused a hand to get back into the rowboat. She appears to have difficulty accepting help.
She squeezes my arm, then leans heavily against me. “I think it’s shock more than anything.”
“That’s understandable. But whatever happened, it would’ve been much, much worse if you weren’t there. My mother’s right; you’re a savior.”
“I’m just glad she’s okay.”
“She is. Because of you.”
We reach the bottom of the ridge a minute after my parents, since Siena is walking slowly. Evidently, my mother has already told everyone about what happened. The group is already making its way back through the palm trees toward the beach as they discuss what happened.
Eddy has lingered behind as if waiting for us, but it’s not to make sure we are okay. He marches up to us, glaring at Siena. “What the hell happened?”
“Whoa, Eddy. Back off.”
He ignores me, pointing a finger at Siena. “I want answers. Now. How did Marcela almost fall? Weren’t you paying attention? I know you’re a rookie, but—”
“Back off or I’ll break your fucking jaw,” I snarl.
Eddy takes a step back, looking at me like he’s ready for a fight. I know I should calm down, but there’s this fire in me sometimes. It comes with the mafia life, with the things I have to do. Violence. Howling at the moon like a goddamn wolf.
“Get ahold of yourself, nephew.”
He’s right. I know he is. Siena’s watching me, I can feel it. I can’t let her see the darkness inside, or let her know who I really am.
“Siena has been through a lot today, Eddy. She doesn’t need you making it worse. If she wasn’t there, who knows what would’ve happened to Mother and Father? You should be thanking her.”
“Dario, it’s fine,” Siena says.
It’s not, but I can hear the nervousness in her voice.
I stare at Eddy, waiting for him to back down…
Or not. For a while now, I’ve suspected him of regretting his decision to back away from the consigliere spot. Sometimes, I wonder if the only reason he didn’t want to be second-in-command is because he preferred the idea of being Don.
Of replacing my father.
He storms off.
Siena looks up at me, concern in her honey eyes. “That was intense.”
“I didn’t like the way he was speaking to you.”
“I can’t afford to fall out with my client’s brother, Dario,” she says. “You should’ve let me handle it.”
“Regular customer-service stuff wouldn’t work on Uncle Eddy. He needed a firm hand, and that’s what I gave him.”
“Now, he’s going to have it out for me.”
“Don’t worry. I’ll protect you.”
She pushes away from me, her touch burning into my side. “I don’t need you to protect me.”
“If that’s the story you want to go with, fair enough, but I’m not going to just stand here while he insults you.”
“You can play the knight in shining armor all you want. It doesn’t mean I’m going to throw myself at you.”
Something feral awakens in me, and I grip her waist, pulling her close and looking into her eyes. She gasps and gazes up at me. “And you can pretend you’re indifferent all you want, but that doesn’t mean I can look past it all.”
“Let me go,” she whispers.
“Say that like you mean it.”