Again, the corner of his mouth lifts, and tilting his head in a predatory way, he captures my eyes and holds them imprisoned for a very intense few seconds.
Anxiety spikes in my chest, making my breaths come faster.
“Will you be staying for dinner?” Dad asks, causing tension to coil in my stomach.
I don’t think I can handle an entire dinner with Christiano. Not tonight.
“I’d love to,” he replies, his tone loaded with all the power he holds as the head of the Cosa Nostra. His eyes never leave my face, and it gives me the impression he’s silently daring me to say something.
It’s seldom that I get angry, but he knows how I feel, and just because he’s agreed to stay for dinner doesn’t mean I have to hang around.
“I hope you all enjoy the evening,” I say, a forced, polite smile on my face. “I’ve already made plans with Raya.”
The lie comes easily, and only Mom sees through it, but luckily, she quickly schools her face. “Keep your phone on you in case we hear anything about Riccardo.”
“I will.”
Needing to get away from Christiano’s intense dominance, I leave the living room as fast as possible without running. As I grab my handbag, where it’s lying on the side table near the front door, I hear Christiano say, “I forgot. I have a meeting tonight. I’ll take a rain check on dinner.”
Shit. He better not stop me from going to Raya.
I head back to the living room, and smiling at my parents and Bianca, I dart through the sliding doors. As I walk down the path that leads to the garages and driveway, I hear his confident steps sounding up behind me.
Spotting my personal guard, I call out, “Alfio, I’m going to Raya’s.”
Before my guard can even think to react, Christiano orders, “Don’t bother, Alfio, I’ll take Sienna.”
Shit. Shit. Shit.
I don’t even know if Raya is home.
Panic flares in my chest, and I swing around to face the most stubborn man on this damn planet. “I’m not going anywhere with you. Alfio will take me. Besides, I’ll need him for when I come home, unless you want me taking a cab.”
A dark chuckle slithers from Christiano like a poisonous snake, the chilling sound making goose bumps scatter over my skin.
He only stops when a mere inch separates us, and lowering his head, his ruthless gaze burns into mine. His tone is low and threatening as he says, “Stop pushing me, princess. Either you get into the SUV, or I’ll force you. The fifteen-minute drive won’t kill you.”
Even though fear coils around my muscles, tensing them, I somehow lift my chin higher and hiss, “I beg to differ.”
His already dark expression turns angry as he jerks his head toward his SUV.
Jesus.
Staring at the rage on his face, my heartbeat speeds up and my mouth grows dry. I haven’t seen the look before, which tells me whatever self-restraint Christiano has had up until now is gone.
Oh my God. He’s even more dangerous than I thought.
He’s unhinged.
Chapter 8
Christiano
As Nico takes us to Raya’s apartment, Sienna sits frozen beside me.
The instant she begins to twist her hands together, I place mine over hers. I tighten my grip, and when I glance at her, our eyes meet.
Wide. Green. Terrified.
