“The things worth fighting for usually are.”
“It’s pretty pathetic I’m experiencing my first crush at thirty-two. I have been thinking back to when you were crushing on Ben, and it’s so amazing you got your guy.”
Her expression takes on a dreamlike quality, as it does so often when she’s talking about her husband. The man she has loved since she was a young girl. “It is, and he was worth every moment of pain I endured to get to this point. I always knew the way I loved him was more than just some childish crush though I didn’t fully understand it when I was thirteen.”
“You give me hope,” I admit. “And you inspire me every day.”
She gives me a quick hug. “I love you, sis, and you inspire me too. You have so much inner strength. I wish you could see yourself the way others do.”
“So, you’re not mad at me anymore?”
She stands, securing the towel firmly around her chest. “I forgive you, and I forgive Mom. I know you were both protecting me. And even if I don’t agree, I can’t deny I had it easier growing up in blissful ignorance.”
“All I wanted was to shield my little sister.”
“I know.” She shuts her locker, glancing down at my workout clothes. “I take it you’re showering at home?”
I nod because there’s no way I can shower in public without risking a panic attack. Sierra knows this now although she doesn’t understand why. I go to great pains to hide the scar tissue on my back.
“Okay. I’ll be quick. Then we’ll have time to grab a takeout coffee before we head to the school.”
Fifteen minutes later, we head out onto the sidewalk. It’s a brisk February morning, and I welcome the zinging breeze blowing across my face. It reminds me I’m alive, and there is still a lot to be grateful for. Alesso pushes off the wall, rubbing his hands together and lifting the collar of his coat. “Ladies.” He nods respectfully, quickly checking us out, ensuring we’re intact after our yoga class. His eyes linger on me a few seconds longer, and warmth blossoms to life in my chest. I shoot him a shy smile before looking away.
“We’re going for coffee.” Sierra points at the coffee place at the end of the street. “You look like you could use one.”
“For sure.” He steps into line behind us as we start walking in that direction. “It’s fucking freezing today.”
Prickles of awareness skate across the nape of my neck, and my breath stalls in my chest. My eyes dart around, and I tune out Sierra and Alesso as they talk, scanning the area for the source of my anxiety. I can’t shake the feeling I’m being watched, but I don’t spot anyone or anything out of the extraordinary.
“What’s wrong?” Alesso asks, and I realize we have come to a stop in front of the coffee place and my sister and my crush are staring at me with growing concern.
“Nothing.” I’m probably just being paranoid, and I don’t want to worry anyone without reason, so I plaster a smile on my face and hope it’s reassuring. “I just zoned out for a bit.”
“You’re sure?” Alesso probes.
“I’m sure, and the coffee is on me.”
7
ALESSO
Serena’s been spooked since earlier, and I know she lied to me. I don’t know what put her on edge in town, but she’s been jumpy and out of sorts ever since. I’m hoping she might open up to me later, over our usual nightly glass of wine.
I’m by the front door when Ben arrives from New York with Ciro—his bodyguard—in tow. My brows lift when Nario steps into the house behind them. Nario is another one of Ben’ssoldati,and his bloodthirsty legacy is widely known withinmafiosocircles. Ben tends to bring him along if he wants to intimidate the fuck out of someone or he wants to deliver a particularly vicious beatdown. So, it’s surprising to see him at the house.
“We need to talk before dinner,” Ben says to me, as Nario closes the front door behind him. Ben’s gaze swings in Ciro’s direction. “Let Sierra know we have an additional mouth to feed and then show Nario to one of the guest rooms to drop off his bag.”
“No problem, boss.” Ciro strides in the direction of the kitchen with Nario at his side while Ben and I head to his office.
I fix drinks as Ben removes his wool coat and scarf and settles into the chair behind his desk. I hand him a bourbon and sit down across from him, sipping my whisky. “What’s up?”
“I attended a Commission meeting today, and a plan is in place to reclaim Vegas. I need to visit Salerno tomorrow, and I want you with me and Leo.”
“Nario is here to watch over Sierra,” I surmise.
Ben nods, draining his drink, and I arch a brow. “Today was the day from hell.”
“What else happened?”
