Sienna is the only one who can control the monster living in me, but that also means she has the power to unleash it.
She doesn’t realize it makes her the most powerful person in the Cosa Nostra. She can pull my strings like I’m nothing more than a puppet. If she tells me to kill for her, I will. No questions asked.
Nature calls, and positioning my arms beneath Sienna, I get up and place her on the other side of the bed before I walk to the bathroom. Once I’m done using it, I go to the kitchen and grab a bottle of water from the fridge, drinking some while heading back down the short hallway.
Entering the room again, I switch off the light, and as I sit down on the bed, I ask, “Want some water?”
“Please.” I hand Sienna the bottle and wait while she drinks, then take it from her and set it down beside my gun.
Lying on my back, a tired sigh drifts from my chest.
Sienna shifts closer, and when she pulls me toward her, I curl my body around hers and press my face into the crook of her neck.
She begins to brush her fingers through my hair, and it makes goose bumps spread over my skin while my body shudders from the intense relief of having her hold me.
After a few minutes, I say, “I’m done talking about everything. You have a month to plan the wedding, or I’ll drag you to town hall. I don’t care where we say our vows, but for the sake of the families, I’ll give you time to make the arrangements so we can celebrate the day with everyone.”
Her body begins to tremble, and after a while she whispers, “You’re going to regret it.”
“I’ll never regret anything when it comes to you,” I mumble, already half asleep. Pressing a kiss to her skin, I whisper, “Night, baby.”
It feels as if I’ve just drifted off when the sound of a heartbreaking cry wakes me with one hell of a start. My mind is instantly clear, and I quickly realize Sienna’s crying. Her back is to me, and she’s curled into a small ball.
“No!” Her sobs come fitfully, and the words are barely audible. “…Don’t die…No!”
“Baby.” My voice is loud to pull her out of the nightmare, and when I shake her shoulder, she darts upright, a horrible sound tearing from her.
“Jesus fucking Christ,” I snap, moving fast to catch her against my chest. “It’s just a bad dream.”
Each sob from her takes a swing at my heart, and I quickly rub my hands up and down her arms, squeezing and releasing because it always helps to calm her. It takes way too fucking long, and by the time she finally stops crying, she slumps against me.
“Sienna?” I tilt my head to the side while taking hold of her chin so I can tip her face up. Seeing a glassy look in her eyes, worry shoots through me. This time, my tone is harsh as I snap, “Sienna!”
Slowly, her gaze begins to focus on me, and I exhale a breath of relief. “Are you okay?”
“Yeah.” Her voice is fragile and soft, and it makes my protective side go into overdrive.
Gripping her tightly to my chest, I pepper her temple and the side of her face with kisses. Minutes pass before I realize she’s fallen asleep against me. Refusing to let her go, I ease us down into a more comfortable position.
Holding my woman as if my life depends on it, I close my eyes, and with her scent filling every breath I take, I drift off again.
The next time I wake up, I find myself alone in bed. I blink against the light breaking through the curtains.
Christ, what time is it?
Lifting my arm, I squint as I look at my wristwatch.
One fucking pm?!
I dart off the bed, and patting my pockets for my phone, I don’t feel it. Glancing over the bed, I don’t see it anywhere. The aroma of bacon catches my attention, and I shove my fingers through my hair as I leave the bedroom.
As I walk into the kitchen, Sienna glances at me, then points at the counter. “Your phone’s been ringing non-stop, so I took it out of your pocket and put it on silent. You should change your password. It was easy to figure out.”
I pick up the device, and seeing over fifteen missed calls, I feel like crawling back into bed.
“I already spoke to Nico and told him not to worry. I let the rest of the calls go to voicemail.”
“Thanks,” I murmur while switching the device off and setting it back down on the counter.
