“Better lighting?” Byron offered.
“Less ambition,” I said. “Everyone in here looks like they’re networking through eye contact.”
Alessio gestured toward a table of interns aggressively pretending not to recognize a cabinet member. “Those kids are drafting policy in their heads.”
Byron smirked. “That’s adorable. I remember hope.”
Kristoff didn’t laugh. “They’re Sienna’s age. I sure hope they hold on to that hope.”
“How is she doing?” Alessio questioned.
“She’s back at university.” He sighed. “Although, I wish she’d just stay home and take online courses.”
“She’s a brave kid,” Byron noted. “Did she ever say what possessed her to hack into a mobster’s bank account?”
Kristoff shook his head and the table went silent.
“Please send me the bill.” Kristoff finally broke the silence. “You have all my contact info.”
“Considering what your stepdaughter went through, this one can be on the house.” I clicked my tongue. “I hear you got to her just in time.”
Kristoff nodded. “Yeah, before she could be sold off to some sick asshole. But she saw some shit, and it left a mark.”
Byron lowered his glass slowly. “Maybe she should see a therapist?”
“She saw Dr. Violet Freud a few times,” Kristoff said.
“And?” I asked.
Kristoff exhaled deeply. “Sienna told her to cut the crap with the woo-woo stuff because it’s not working for her.”
Alessio whistled under his breath. “The kid’s got teethanda backbone.”
Kristoff rubbed his temples. “Sometimes a bit too much backbone. She tends to keep her thoughts and feelings close to her chest, much to my wife’s dismay.”
“Sometimes time and space are the best cures,” Alessio offered.
“But Sienna and Sophie are close, right? Maybe they’re helping each other,” Byron suggested, just as the waiter appeared with another round of drinks.
Kristoff waited for the waiter to leave before he answered. “Thanks. Now I’m even more worried.”
I slid another beer across the table toward him. “They’ll both come to terms when they’re ready. First thing, don’t interrogate her like it’s a goddamn Senate hearing.”
Alessio nodded. “Second thing, always offer gift cards and food. The opposite sex loves carbs when they’re upset.”
Kristoff blinked. “They do love bread.”
Byron smiled faintly. “Look at that. Progress.”
Kristoff took the drink. “Thank you. For everything. Especially for agreeing to keep an eye on Sophie.”
I lifted my bourbon-filled glass. “Sure thing.”
Alessio smirked. “Rescue, emotional or physical, is Kian’s specialty.”
Outside, another layer of white flurries danced in the air as we clinked our glasses, and I wondered just what I’d gotten myself into.
Chapter 2
