Chapter 8
Christiano
As Nico takes us to Raya’s apartment, Sienna sits frozen beside me.
The instant she begins to twist her hands together, I place mine over hers. I tighten my grip, and when I glance at her, our eyes meet.
Wide. Green. Terrified.
I don’t like the fear at fucking all.
“Relax.” It’s not meant to sound like an order, but it does, and I let out a frustrated sigh. “You know I won’t hurt you, so stop looking at me like that.”
Sienna’s voice is shaky, the fragile sound taking a swing at my heart as she argues, “You won’t hurt me, but you sure as hell will force me to do things against my will.”
She’s right.
When I don’t reply and just stare at her, her eyes widen more. “Jesus. Don’t even think about it, Christiano.”
I lean into her and drag my nose through her silky, light brown strands. “Think about what?”
Fuck, she smells good.
“Stop it!”
I pull a little back, enough to make eye contact. “No.”
Ripping her hands out from under mine, she leans forward to address Nico. “Stop the car, please.”
Nico only takes orders from me and continues to drive.
A mixture of anger and panic bleeds over Sienna’s exquisite features. She shoves my chest hard, but instead of getting me to move, she falls back against the door.
Having had enough, I grab hold of her shoulders and yank her into a tight embrace. My arms lock around her, and I’m instantly hit with a sense of peace so great that it makes my entire body shudder with relief.
I’m used to taking what I want and dishing out orders, but as I hold the only woman I’ve ever wanted, I beg, “Just let me have this.”
She stiffens for a few seconds before a miracle happens, and she wraps her arms around my neck. My eyes fall shut from the intense pleasure rippling through my body. I take deep breaths of her scent, and as the ever-present darkness retreats, I feel a glimmer of normalcy.
“Thank you,” I whisper near her ear while rubbing my cheek against her hair. My arms tighten, and it feels like I’m finally getting a hit of a drug after suffering from withdrawals for years.
She moves her hand to my nape, and when she presses a soft kiss near the burn mark from the bullet, my body shudders again, desperate for more.
“I’m sorry.” Her voice is soft and filled with the unbearable heartache she’s forcing us to feel. “I want you to be happy, Christiano. Please move on and find someone who’s better suited for you.”
Anger and frustration curl around my heart. I pull back and lock eyes with her. “Listen carefully.” Moving my hands up, I cup her cheeks. “I will never move on. You need to stop this shit before it causes a war between the families.”
Her eyes widen again, and she gasps, “What does that mean?”
“I’ve given you years, Sienna. I’m running out of patience.” Her green gaze fills with apprehension. “It’s time for you to stop this shit so I can put my ring on your finger.”
“What happens if I don’t?”
Any warmth she’s making me feel fades away until the monster she’s helped create stares back at her. “Then I will take you by force.”
Her lips part as fear bleeds over her face. “You wouldn’t risk the family for me. There’s too much at stake.”
My tone is cold and unforgiving as I say, “You have no idea what I would and wouldn’t do.”
She shifts on the seat, putting as much distance between us as she can while panicked breaths start to burst over her lips. “So you would force me to marry you against my will? And then what? We’ll live unhappily ever after?”
“I’ll be happy.”
A frown forms on her forehead, and her eyebrows pull together in a look that takes a swing at my heart.
“How can you claim to love me, but you don’t care about how I’ll feel?
” When I lift my hand to her face again, she jerks her head away.
“You’re obsessed with the idea. This has nothing to do with love. ”
Holding her fearful gaze captive, I say, “Once we’re married, you’ll see I did the right thing. You’ll realize how futile all this fighting has been.”
Sienna shakes her head, and when Nico brings the SUV to a stop in front of Raya’s building, she grabs the handle and shoves the door open.
As she climbs out, I say, “If I want something, I’ll take it, princess.” Her eyes flit to mine as I continue, “And nothing will stand in my way.”
She slams the door shut, and I watch as she hurries into the lobby.
“Are you really going to force her?” Nico asks while he watches me in the rearview mirror.
“Yes. Eventually”
I’ll do anything I have to do to make Sienna mine.
The instant she’s out of my sight, the darkness takes over every inch of me. It’s accompanied by intense frustration and anger because the stubborn woman is pushing me to my limits.
My phone begins to ring as Nico steers the SUV away from the curb. Pulling it out of my pocket, I glance at the screen, and seeing Enzo’s name, I quickly accept the call. “Are you with Gianna?”
“Yes,” my brother and second-in-charge replies. “She’s just shaken up. Riccardo looks like shit, but the doctors say he’ll make a full recovery. He needs to stay here a few days, then we’ll send them back to New York with the private jet.”
“And Augusto?” I ask as my eyes continuously scan our surroundings while we drive through the Upper East Side.
“He wants to find the men responsible and kill them,” Enzo answers. “So that’s what we’re doing. Rosie is searching for them now.”
“Just watch your backs. You’re on the Yakuza’s turf, which gives them the upper hand.”
“Don’t worry about me. You have enough on your plate that side.”
“Keep me updated,” I order before I end the call.
Silence falls heavily in the SUV until Nico asks, “Where to?”
Needing to be alone, I irritably grumble, “Home.”
When my phone begins to ring again, I let out an aggravated growl and rip the device out of my pocket. Seeing it’s Dad. I close my eyes and take a deep breath before answering, “Yes, Dad?”
“Have you talked to Enzo or Gianna?”
“I’ve just spoken with Enzo. He’s with Gianna and has everything under control.”
Dad exhales an audible breath of relief. “Good. While I have you, what’s this I hear about you beating up Will?”
Jesus fucking Christ.
My temper flares dangerously high, and I can’t keep the aggression out of my tone. “He deserved worse.”
“Why?”
“Because he’s a piece of shit that doesn’t do anything for his family,” I snap angrily. “You can all be glad he’s still breathing.”
“I’m not fighting you. Calm down.”
Calming down is the last thing I’m able to do right now. “I have to go.”
“Put the phone on speaker.” Frowning, I do as he asks. “Why?”
“Nico,” Dad says to get my guard’s attention.
“Yes, Sir?”
“Bring Christiano to me.”
The call ends before I can argue, and it takes a lot not to crush the fucking device in my fist.
“Sorry,” Nico says, then he changes direction and carries out the only order that trumps mine.
Dad might be retired, but he’s still respected and obeyed by all the men.
Twenty minutes later, Nico parks the SUV in my parents’ driveway, and I let out a heavy sigh as I exit the vehicle.
Before I make it halfway up the path, the door opens, and Dad tips his head, indicating for me to follow him.
We head straight to his office. He shuts the door behind us, then without saying a word, he points at one of the leather chairs.
I take a seat and watch as he pours two tumblers of whiskey. After handing one to me, he sits down and orders, “Drink.”
“I have work to do,” I say, my tone too tense.
Dad levels me with a glare that would make most men piss themselves, and knowing he’s serious, I down the amber liquid.
As it burns my throat, he orders, “Talk to me.”
“I’m…” The usual response of saying ‘I’m busy’ stalls on my lips, and after taking a deep breath, I admit, “The thing with Sienna is getting to me.” Indicating a very fucking small space between my pointer finger and thumb, I say, “I’m this close to forcing her to marry me.”
Dad sips on his drink, then shakes his head. “Franco and Augusto won’t allow it.”
When I stare at Dad, his eyebrows lower and he mutters, “Fuck, you’re serious. Why, Christiano?”
“Could you live without Mom?”
A resigned expression settles on his face. “If Sienna doesn’t agree, it will rip the Cosa Nostra in two.”
Standing up, I begin to pace while my mind races a mile a minute. “Only if they know she’s being forced.”
“What does that mean?”
“Sienna is a people pleaser. She’ll do anything to keep the peace.”
“Jesus, son.” Worry ghosts over his face. “Would you really do that to Sienna? Force her to marry you against her will?”
My tone doesn’t waver as I say, “Yes. I will do whatever it takes. Once we’re married, she’ll realize I did the right thing.”
He stares at me for a long moment. “The other men trust you to lead them. Don’t destroy everything we’ve worked so hard for.”
Dad gets up again and pours us each another whiskey. As we enjoy our drinks, we sit in silence, and my temper settles a little, enough for me to think more clearly.
After a minute or so, I ask, “Why do you think Sienna broke things off with me?”
“Son, there’s a lot I know, but when it comes to women, I’m stupid as fuck.”
A chuckle escapes me, then suddenly the office door swings open and Mom comes in, gasping, “I thought I heard your voice!”
I get up and brace as Mom makes a beeline for me. She plows into my chest and hugs the shit out of me.
Feeling guilty because I don’t come around more often, I press a kiss to her hair. “Hey, Mom.”
Just as quickly as she hugged me, she pulls away and rushes to the doorway. “I’ll make your favorite for dinner. You’re staying, and I don’t want to hear anything about work!”
When she disappears into the hallway, Dad says, “She misses you a lot. Spend the evening with us. It will do you some good, and I won’t have to worry about you for a few hours.”
Not wanting to hurt Mom, I nod. I walk out of the office and go to the kitchen where I find her rushing around, taking ingredients from the fridge and pantry.
I sit down by the island, and when she passes me, her fingers brush over my neck, near the wound. “What happened?”
And so the questions begin.
“Nothing for you to worry about,” I reply.
“And the bruises on your face?”
I let out a sigh. “Just sparring with the guys.”
She begins prepping all the ingredients for beef goulash and asks, “Did you speak with Enzo and Gianna?”
“Of course. They’re both fine.” I rest my elbows on the counter. “Gianna will be home soon. Try not to worry.”
“I’ll always worry,” she murmurs. “Especially about you and how reckless you are.”
“I thought you didn’t want to talk about work,” I say, which earns me a scowl from her. Getting up, I walk to her and wrap my arms around her from behind. “Sorry, Mom.”
When I let go, she turns and looks me up and down. “When did you last have a home-cooked meal?”
“The other day,” I lie as I lean back against the island, crossing my arms over my chest.
I watch as she chops mushrooms, and just like when I was a kid, I find her movements calming.
Once we’re married, Sienna will probably arrange dinners with Mom, and we’ll get to spend more time together.
Once we’re married.
The corner of my mouth lifts.
She has one month.