I turn on her. “What?”
She doesn’t back down. “Do you think Andrea will try to attack the mansion to get Sienna back?”
I smirk. “You’re asking an awful lot of questions for someone who claims she isn’t worried.”
As I head out of the kitchen with my coffee, she follows again.
I stop abruptly and face her. “Are you worried that when Andrea comes looking, he won’t find Sienna… and then he’ll discover your little stunt?”
She shrugs, completely unbothered. “No. I’m not worried.”
I pause, waiting.
“Because you won’t let him take me,” she finishes, looking me straight in the eyes.
Something tight and possessive twists in my chest. I kind of like that she has faith in me to keep her safe. Even if she shouldn’t.
I take a slow sip of coffee, studying her over the rim of the mug.
“You sure do think you’re important, don’t you?”
She tilts her head, a mocking little smile playing on her lips. “I do think I’m important. Having me is pretty central to whateverdeal you’re trying to force with my father. Or are you telling me you’re not competent enough to handle Gallo?”
I should be offended. Instead, the challenge in her voice only makes the corner of my mouth twitch.
“You can’t be so sure of yourself,” I reply coolly. “I can always find another way to bend your father’s hand. You’re not as indispensable as you think, princess.”
I finish the last of my coffee and hand the empty mug to a passing maid without looking at her. Then I turn and head upstairs. Of course, she follows.
I stop halfway up the staircase and glance back at her. “Is there a reason you’re following me around like a lost puppy?”
Before she can answer, Marco’s voice echoes from the bottom of the stairs.
“Boss.”
I turn. As I pass Eleonora on the steps, I catch a whiff of her scent,. It hits me harder than it should. I grit my teeth and keep moving.
“Daniel,” I snap my fingers at him where he’s hovering nearby. “Eyes on her. Don’t fuck it up again.”
I don’t wait for his reply. Marco and I head straight into my office. The moment the door closes, he drops into the chair across from my desk.
“I heard about the roses,” he says.
“That bastard Gallo is trying to spook us,” I mutter, sitting down.
Marco nods. “We’ll be ready if and when he attacks. I’m putting measures in place to make sure the house is breach proof. Extra men on the docks as well. I also rerouted the next three shipments through the secondary channels like you wanted. The Russians are getting restless about the delay, but they’ll wait.”
“Good. Tell them patience is profitable.” I lean back. “What about the politicians we own? Any movement on the port authority?”
“Senator Hale is still in our pocket. He’s blocking the new inspection bills. But the Gallos are throwing money around downtown. We might need to remind a few people who really owns this city.”
I nod, already mentally noting who needs to be pressured next. “Do it quietly. No bodies unless necessary. We’re already dealing with enough heat.”
Marco studies me for a second. “You good?”
I drag a hand down my face. “Just handle it.”
He stands, but pauses at the door. “And the girl?”
