Chapter 18
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
SIENNA
It’s been an hour since Alessandro walked out, and I’m still seated on the edge of the massive bed, staring at the dark silk sheets, the reality of my new existence sinking in.
I protected him. I lied to the federal government for him.
But as the adrenaline fades, the cold weight of resentment returns.
Alessandro manipulated my entire life to force me to this altar.
He expects me to simply bow to his will now that the ring is on my finger.
Well, he is dead wrong.
I stand up, smoothing down the wrinkled lace of my wedding dress, and walk over to the door. I turn the handle, realizing with a little surprise that he didn't lock me in. I overheard Rosalia telling Eleonora her husband used to lock her inside their bedroom when they were newly married.
I step into the quiet, vaulted hallway and head toward the grand staircase.
Near the linen closets, two young housekeepers are quietly folding towels, speaking in hushed, hurried whispers.
They immediately snap to attention the moment my bare feet click softly against the hardwood border of the rug.
"Mrs. Gallo," the older one says quickly, bowing her head. "Do you need something? We can bring refreshments to the master bedroom."
"No, thank you, I'm alright," I say, offering them a soft, warm smile.
I take a breath, keeping my voice gentle but entirely steady.
"Actually, I have a small favor to ask. Could you please prepare a separate bedroom for me?
Perhaps away from the master suite? Just some fresh linens and a working bath would be wonderful. "
The two maids exchange a sharp, panicked look. They glance toward the stairs, as if expecting Alessandro to materialize from the shadows.
"Ma'am..." the younger one stammers, her hands trembling slightly over the towel she holds. "Mr. Gallo... he instructed us that your belongings were to be taken to his suite. We cannot alter his arrangements without his explicit word. He is very particular, and we don't want to get into trouble."
I offer her a reassuring, sympathetic nod, but I don't back down. I have to play the cards I’ve been dealt, and Alessandro gave me a powerful one downstairs in the foyer.
"I completely understand your position, and I promise you won't be in any trouble," I say softly, my tone dripping with polite but unyielding authority.
"But remember what Mr. Gallo told everyone downstairs.
I am the authority in this house when he is away, and my words carry the same weight as his.
He knows how stressful today has been, and we've already agreed that I need my own space to rest for the evening. You can leave the rest to me."
The mention of his speech, delivered with such calm, sweet certainty, works like magic. The older maid swallows hard, looking at my gentle smile and the fierce determination behind it. She realizes that denying the new mistress might be just as dangerous as crossing the don himself.
"Of course, Mrs. Gallo," she says quickly, returning a relieved smile. "Right away. Follow me, please. The violet suite on the east wing is private and completely prepared."
"Thank you so much, I really appreciate it," I reply softly, following them down the corridor.
As we walk away, a wave of quiet satisfaction settles in my chest. I am not ready to share Alessandro's bed.
I am certainly not ready to trust him completely.
He thinks because I saved his empire today, I am his.
But protecting him from the feds was a strategic choice; it doesn't mean I've surrendered.
He manipulated me into this marriage, and I won’t give in immediately like he expects me to.
I need boundaries. I need a space that belongs to me.
Even though I protected him at the police station, I am still entirely unsure of what he truly wants from me—and until I figure out his real game, I will keep him at arm's length.
The maid opens the door to a beautifully decorated, sunlit bedroom with a large vanity and a plush velvet chaise.
"Will this be acceptable, ma'am?" she asks carefully.
"It's absolutely perfect," I say with a grateful smile, stepping inside and drawing the first battle line of our marriage.
Before she can turn to leave, I call out softly, "What is your name?"
She stops, a small, tentative smile touching her lips. "My name is Elena, ma'am."
"Thank you, Elena," I say, keeping my tone warm but firm. "Please ensure my things are brought straight here when they arrive."
She nods respectfully. "Right away, Mrs. Gallo."
I shut the door and finally step fully into the room.
The moment the latch clicks into place, the heavy silence of the room wraps around me.
The first thing I do is reach for the zipper of the wedding dress.
The silk and lace are beginning to suffocate me, acting as a physical reminder of the vows I was forced to take today.
I wriggle out of the layers of white fabric, letting the expensive gown pool unceremoniously on the floor.
I walk into the adjoining bathroom, turn the handle, and step into a freezing cold shower. The icy water shocks my system, washing away the tension of the precinct, the smell of Alessandro’s cologne, and the lingering adrenaline of the interrogation room.
When I step out, I slip into a plush white bathrobe, pulling the thick fabric tight and tying the sash firmly around my waist like a piece of armor.
My new room is not a sprawling suite like Alessandro’s, but I actually prefer it that way. It’s cozy, beautifully decorated, and most importantly, it's mine. I am just happy to finally be entirely alone.
I climb onto the bed and lie flat on my back, staring up at the clean, white ceiling.
My mind begins to race as the quiet settles in.
I wrap my arms around myself, wondering where I am going to go from here, how I am going to survive inside this golden cage, and how best to deal with my dangerous new husband.
I don’t know how long I sleep for, but I’m woken up by a soft knock on my door.
Rubbing my eyes and yawning, I slip from the bed.
I realize it’s already dark outside, the moonlight casting long shadows across the floorboards.
My heart instantly clenches up in my chest, a sudden spike of anxiety hitting me as I hope and pray it isn't Alessandro standing on the other side.
But when I open the door, a wave of relief washes over me. There are three large security guards standing in the corridor, holding all of my luggage and personal belongings. Elena is standing right behind them, offering me a small, reassuring nod.
I smile warmly and thank her before opening the door a bit wider for the men.
"Thank you," I say to the guards, gesturing to the floor just inside the room. "You can just set the things down right by the door."
They do exactly as I ask, offering brief nods of respect before turning and walking back down the hallway. I quickly shut the door behind them and turn the lock, finally breathing a sigh of relief.
The very first thing I do is kneel down by my largest suitcase and unzip it, tearing through the neatly packed clothes.
I search frantically until my fingers wrap around the familiar metal of my phone.
I know my sisters must be absolutely worried sick after everything that went down at the reception.
I power it on, watching the screen light up with dozens of missed calls and unread texts. Without wasting another second, I tap on the screen and call Camilla immediately.
It doesn’t even ring twice before she picks up.
"Sienna! Oh my god, Sienna?" Camilla’s voice bursts through the line, tight with sheer panic and worry.
Before I can even answer, I hear the rustle of the phone being shifted, and Daniela’s voice chimes in on the speaker. "Sienna! Are you okay? Where are you?"
"Girls, breathe. I’m fine, I promise," I say, my voice softening as a wave of genuine warmth hits me. Just hearing their voices makes this cold room feel a little safer. "I'm perfectly fine. I'm back at the mansion with Alessandro."
Camilla lets out a long breath. "Thank goodness. Father has been absolutely impossible. He refuses to give us any kind of update. Every time we ask what happened at the precinct, he just barks at us and says you and Alessandro are fine and to drop it."
"You know you can trust us, Sienna," Daniela adds, her tone dropping into a quieter, more serious register. "Tell us the truth. Are you really fine? Did something happen?"
I let out a soft laugh, leaning my head back against the headboard. "I really am fine, Dani. A little tired, but completely unharmed. I promise."
Both of my sisters let out a collective, heavy sigh of relief through the speaker.
"Okay, good," Camilla says, her usual bright energy starting to return. "Because I was about to stage a rescue mission. When can we come visit you? I want to see you with my own eyes and be sure you’re okay."
"You can come over at any time, Cami. You too, Dani," I smile, looking around my quiet room. "You don't need an invitation."
"Perfect. I’ll speak to Dad tomorrow," Camilla says carefully.
I frown, my grip tightening slightly on the phone. "Why do you have to ask Father about that? You're visiting your sister."
Camilla hums over the line, a sudden, heavy note of caution entering her voice.
"I just... I want to be on my best behavior right now, Sienna.
I'm really trying not to get on his nerves.
" She pauses, letting out a small, nervous breath.
"Especially not before he decides it's my turn to be married off to some other man. "
A cold lump forms in my throat. I hate how much she’s right.
A heavy wave of sadness washes over me as the reality of my new situation hits home. Now that I’m married to Alessandro and trapped inside his world, I can’t protect her anymore. I can't stand between my sisters and our father's ruthless ambitions the way I used to.
We stay on the phone for a long while, talking about lighter things just to keep the dark reality at bay, until the exhaustion finally catches up to me.
"I have to hang up, girls," I say softly, checking the time on my screen. "I need to call Rosalia and Eleonora next. I know they’re probably losing their minds with worry, too."
"We love you, Sienna. Call us tomorrow," they chime in together before the line clicks dead.
When I hang up the phone, I take a deep, shaky breath, letting the silence of the room settle over me before I press the next contact to call them.
The hand we’ve been dealt as Massimo’s daughters is such a cruel one.
From the outside looking in, I understand how people could be envious of us.
We are the daughters of one of the most powerful and feared men in the state.
We have endless wealth at our disposal, elite security details guarding our every move, and constant proximity to success and influence.
But as I look around this empty bedroom, waiting for the inevitable moment my dangerous new husband comes looking for me, I don’t see how any of this is worth envying. It’s just a beautifully decorated prison cell, and the price of our luxury is our freedom.
But as I’ve always done, I refuse to let this life break me. I am going to deal with this the best way I know how, protect my sisters from afar, and keep my head held high. Alessandro Gallo might have bought my hand, but he hasn't conquered my spirit.