Wanting to check on my parents, I use all my strength to shift to the end of the bed, but before I can get up, the door opens. Mom comes in, her face blotchy from crying, and taking a seat beside me, she caresses my hair.
My lips part, but she speaks first. “Gianna just called. Riccardo’s surgery went well. Augusto is almost in Tokyo, then we’ll know more.”
I wrap my arms around Mom and lean my weight into her. A sob bursts from her, and she grips me tightly.
Even though I’m a mess, it brings me some peace knowing I can comfort my mother.
“I’m so sorry,” I whisper. “I wish there was something I could do.”
“Just having you and Bianca here helps a lot.” Mom pulls back and gives me a watery smile. “I’ve taken one of your Xanax, so I don’t lose my mind from worrying.”
I hug her again, and knowing she needs to hear the words, I say, “Riccardo is strong. I’m sure he’ll be okay.”
Pulling back once more, her eyes drift over my face. “How are you holding up?”
“I’m fine,” I lie because the last thing she needs right now is to worry about me. She’s done enough of that for far too long.
It’s one of the reasons I’m moving out. Then I can have my meltdowns in the privacy of my own home.
Being around the Cosa Nostra constantly only reminds me of how volatile our world is and how fast I can lose a loved one.
“Girls, come downstairs,” Dad calls out.
“Maybe your father has received more news,” Mom says with hope in her voice as she darts up and hurries out of my bedroom.
I climb off the bed and stop by my dressing table so I can pull a brush through my hair before I go to the living room.
“We appreciate it,” I hear Dad say.
When the couches come into view, my feet stop dead in their tracks. Christiano’s eyes instantly lock on me, and as he rises to his full height, a chill spreads over my body.
I take in his usual black pants and dress shirt, the fabric tight against his body and following every curve and bulge of his muscles. My eyes flick over his fresh wounds.
A raw burn stretches over the side of his neck, and there’s a cut through his right eyebrow. There’s also bruising on his jaw and cheek.
My lips part with a gasp, and pain slices ruthlessly through me.
Seeing my reaction to him being hurt, the corner of his mouth lifts in a smirk. With the confidence of a God, he crosses the living room to me. Not caring that my family's attention is focused on us, he wraps an arm around my waist with a remorseless certainty of a man who never asks permission, before I’m pulled flush against his solid body.
He clearly doesn’t give a shit about consent, which worries me greatly.
What if Christiano decides to take me, not giving me the option to say no? As time passes, he’s becoming more ruthless,and one day, he might not care about tearing the Cosa Nostra apart.
Don’t be stupid. Nothing is more important to him than the family. He’ll find the woman of his dreams, and he’ll get over his feelings for me.
With his other hand, he grips hold of my chin, and forcing my head to tilt back, he leans down and presses a kiss to my forehead. Just like every other time he’s taken liberties with me, his lips pause against my skin. I know he feels the tremble moving through me.
Yeah, you keep lying to yourself, Sienna. A man like him doesn’t know the meaning of giving up, and he’s made it very clear he wants you and no one else.
Christiano takes a deep breath of my scent, and it feels as if he’s savoring it. Eventually, his mouth drifts down my temple and cheek until he reaches my ear. “I’m sorry about Riccardo. How are you doing?”
Intense tingles rush over my body, and my heart begins to hammer against my ribs for a whole different reason. Even after all this time, the attraction I feel for him only continues to get stronger, which is a big worry.
The moment is way too intimate for me to handle. My hands shoot up, and pushing against his chest, I try to put some distance between us.
Thankfully, he lets go, and I’m able to take a couple of steps away from him.
My tongue feels heavy as my answer leaves my lips way too quickly. “I’m okay. You didn’t have to come over.”
