Total pages in book: 56
Estimated words: 54103 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 271(@200wpm)___ 216(@250wpm)___ 180(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 54103 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 271(@200wpm)___ 216(@250wpm)___ 180(@300wpm)
"You are my obsession. That's why I can't stand thinking about you believing I would harm an innocent woman. I've killed people, Sienna."
I expect a gasp, some indication of shock, but she merely nods. "I suspected as much."
"But those I've killed deserved their fate. Or I was defending myself. I've never harmed a woman or child. Nor would I." My tone darkens. "Adrian will pay."
"What will you do to him?" Sienna asks.
"String him up. Tear him apart. Make him scream for forty days and nights before finally allowing him to bleed out. But you shouldn't hear these things."
She digs her nails deeper into my skin. "I don't want you concealing anything from me. Your mother told me about the mob, about her position within it."
"She did?"
"Yes," she confirms.
"She must trust you. She guards her secrets even more fiercely than I do."
"If I'm going to be part of this, I want to be fully included."
"What do you mean—be part of it?"
She looks at me as though I'm missing something obvious. "Adrian thinks I'm spying on you. Surely, you can use that somehow. You can use me to—"
"No," I interrupt. "It's too dangerous."
"But—"
"Sienna," I groan. "You've suffered enough already. I won't allow you to risk your life."
"Who said that's your decision to make?"
"I own you, remember."
She shakes her head. "That's romantic. That's... erotic. That doesn't mean you control every aspect of my life."
I guide her to the bed. "It's been an exhausting day. We'll discuss this another time. We both need rest. I have a long day tomorrow."
"Doing what?"
"Trying to prevent a war."
Her demeanor softens slightly. "This conversation isn't over."
"Fair enough," I grunt. "But don't forget who your Don is, piccola pittrice."
I climb into bed and draw her into my arms. She rests her cheek against my chest. Within minutes, she's breathing softly in slumber. I watch over her, knowing sleep will elude me for hours, if it comes at all.
Protecting my woman takes precedence over rest.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Sienna
"You've forgiven me too easily," I murmur while setting up my easel. It's the afternoon following the party. While I slept, Nico informed Gianna about last night's events... omitting certain intimate details, hopefully. I ached for Nico when I woke to find him gone, but I understand he has a lot to deal with.
Gianna smiles at me from the armchair in her expansive library. I had the idea for a surrealist piece using the books as backdrop, with each volume containing a fragment of her essence: a penetrating eye here, a hand adorned with jewelry there. It's experimental, and I’m shocked and honored that she's willing to commission such an unconventional piece.
"My sweet girl, you weren't born into this life. And Nico explained how terrified you were about carrying out my depraved nephew's demands."
"That's true, but I was equally terrified of disobeying, so I'm not certain how much credit that merits."
"You're inherently good, Sienna. I consider myself fortunate to have met you— and my son even more so. If you were anyone else, he would banish you for what happened. When I inquired about his intentions, he said you'd already received your punishment."
My cheeks flush as I focus intently on arranging the easel. Last night encompassed countless emotional shades: desire, resentment, anger, confusion, connection. All intermingled like pigments on a palette.
"I didn't ask what he meant by that," Gianna remarks.
"I'm not entirely sure myself."
"Is that why you've turned crimson?"
"Gianna!"
Her laughter dissipates the tension. "I know. I'm terrible. What’s wrong?"
"Nothing," I murmur.
"You look as though you've seen a ghost."
"When you laughed, it brought me back to all those moments, Mom, and I laughed together like this. Things are progressing quickly with Nico, and..." I hesitate, reluctant to sound sentimental or weird.
"You're like the daughter I never had," she says. "If you see me as a maternal figure, I won't object, sweet girl. In fact, I'll consider myself blessed."
"I can't believe how complicated everything has become," I murmur.
"Life is inherently complex. It never follows a linear path. I believed I would remain my husband's, then my son's, prisoner indefinitely. Nico thought he would forever remain silent while his father and brother committed atrocities— all to safeguard me. We could never have anticipated this. Sometimes surrendering to fortune or destiny proves wiser."
"I've never believed in destiny," I say. "The world has always seemed too cruel."
"And now?"
"I don’t know about destiny. But with Nico—and with you—there seems to be something... something that goes beyond rational explanation."
"Something magical," Gianna suggests.
"I wouldn't go quite that far."
"When you envision the future, do you see Nico there?"
"Yes."
"You answered without hesitation. You didn't even think about it."
"He's a good person," I murmur. "Which sounds crazy after last night, but he truly is. I... I care deeply for him."
"Don't torment me like that. I thought you were about to confess your love."
"Life isn't a fairy tale, Gianna. People don't fall in love within days."