Chapter 46
RORI
“I really don’t know how to take that Tatiana, no wait, Lane, isn’t as bad as we thought,” Sienna mutters, sipping on her wine and shaking her head. All us ladies are sitting in Nico and Gia’s pool room, getting our feet wet and relaxing.
It’s been an emotional day, but after everything, it feels right. The men have gone to discuss next steps and logistics for what comes after most of us leave, but that’s not something I want to think about yet. It still boggles my mind that I’m going to be leaving for Sicily in the morning.
Alonzo is excited to show me his home, already planning and talking about what we can do in the future. He has a small home on the Caruso estate, so we’ll have privacy, but still close to the others, so I’ll see them almost daily.
We’ll see if he feels that way when he realizes just how often Sienna will be over, but he’ll just have to accept it.
“I don’t think you need to do anything with that, but knowing the back story I think helps.” I lean back on my hands, closing my eyes. “I’ve been rolling it around in my mind, and even though I’m pissed that she was behind it all, the outcome of it, I can see why it was worth it.”
“I just can’t believe that your ex-husband is alive.
” Amara cocks her head at me. “And I’m still surprised that Alonzo didn’t try to kill him.
If an ex-boyfriend came back into the picture, I don’t know if I could stop Lazaro.
You saw the way he was acting when he saw me in Alonzo’s shirt that time. ”
“Alonzo understands that he’s more of a brother to me. He always was.” Though I don’t miss the jealousy in his eyes when I mention him. I’ll have to make sure that he understands that I’m not comparing him. I make a mental note to talk to him about that later.
“What I want to know is more about these Romanovs,” Sofia says, arching a brow at me. The low light in the room does nothing to dim the shine and sparkle of her ring. Dante did a damn good job picking that out. “They sound like an interesting bunch.”
“And insane.” Sienna scoffs. “Who the hell likes being drugged? It’s the weirdest foreplay I’ve ever heard of.”
“They don’t have sex while drugged,” I point out. “At least that’s what I took from that. Based on our history, consent is a big thing for me, and I know Mishka feels the same. And considering what Lane’s been doing…”
“Yeah, okay, then they’re just weird,” Sienna agrees. “And you’re sure that she’s not going to come back? I kind of want to talk to her without all the other shit in the way. I mean, she is our cousin and Amara’s sister.”
“I think she’s going to have to get things settled with Ilya first, and with all the other shit she’s set in motion.
” I glance at Amara, noting her sad expression.
“I think she really deep down wants a relationship with you, Amara. Maybe in time that can happen, but if she came within ten feet of you now, Lazaro is liable to shoot first and ask questions later.”
“I know you’re right.” She gives a forlorn sigh.
“I just wish things had turned out differently. It feels like I lost her all over again.” Then her eyes widen, like she’s just realized how that must sound.
“Not that I’m not happy to have you guys,” she rushes out.
“I just, well, she’s my sister, and you’re cousins and…
shit, never mind, the wine is going to my head.
” She takes a healthy gulp, face flushed in embarrassment.
We all laugh and grin. “It’s different when it’s a sister and not a cousin,” Sienna agrees, assuring her. “Don’t worry, we get it, Amara. But at this point I think of you more as a sister than a cousin anyway.”
Amara grins, relieved. Gia nods her agreement.
“Does that mean I get to be the annoying sister?” I joke.
Sienna snorts while the others grin. “You’re already the annoying one. I don’t know how Alonzo puts up with you.” I shove her lightly, making her laugh.
“It’s probably all the orgasms.” Amara snickers. “Wring his balls dry and he’ll put up with anything.”
Sienna and I roar with laughter, Gia looks both disgusted and intrigued, Kida grins, and Sofia just shakes her head.
“I think that’s all the wine for you tonight, darling,” she tells Amara. “Poor Lazaro has no idea what he’s getting into, does he?” Amara flushes, then grins mischievously.
Before long everyone starts to head to bed, tired and ready to call it a night. Sofia leaves after giving me a hug and promising to keep in touch. “I need your help with a little surprise for Alonzo at my wedding,” she adds with a conspiratorial grin.
Intrigued, I nod. Damn, I’m going to miss her. Sofia and I have become good friends.
Finally, it’s just Sienna and I. It’s our first real moment alone. The silence is easy, but there’s still the undercurrent there that I want gone between us.
I turn to her. “I’m so sorry, Sienna.”
She looks at me, her expression serious.
“I know. I’m still hurt, and it might take me time to get over it and really trust you again, but I want to.
The logical part of me understands everything you’ve said, your reasons why, and that I would probably do the same in your shoes.
But you were in trouble, and you still didn’t tell me.
You didn’t trust me to handle it. To understand and trust you. ”
“I know. And I’m going to work to prove you can trust me, Sienna.”
“And if you ever do something like that again, I’m going to kick your ass from here to the Arctic and back.”
I give a shaky laugh. “Fair. I love you, Sienna.”
“I love you too, Aurora.” Then she grins. “And here we are in relationships with men that are practically brothers.” She laughs. “And not a monkey in sight.”
“Those fucking monkeys,” I groan, but I hug her tight.
Everything will be alright. It will be okay.
“Wait, does this mean that if I want to get back at Alessio you can go all ninja and shit and help?” Sienna gasps excitedly, pulling away and gripping my shoulders.
“It does.”
“Think of what we can do,” she squeals excitedly.
“Alonzo, you’d better keep your woman in line,” Alessio’s voice says mildly, startling us. I turn my head to see Alonzo and Alessio lounging comfortably against pillars on the other side of the pool near the door.
“Where’s the fun in that?” Alonzo asks, grinning. “Fuck, I’ll probably be helping her with how often you’re a pain in the ass.”
Alessio rolls his eyes, and they both head our way. Sienna and I share a grin.
This is going to be fun. Sicily isn’t ready for any of us.
Alonzo helps me to my feet, grinning down at me. “Already plotting, orsetta?”
“Always.”
“What does that mean? Orsetta?” Sienna asks.
“Little bear,” I tell her. “Apparently I’m cute and cuddly, but I have claws that I’m not afraid to whip out when I’m pissed off.”
“Or when you’re dragging them down my back when I’m deep inside you,” he whispers in my ear, making me shiver and heat build in my gut. “I still have light marks from earlier on the plane.”
“Maybe I should rectify that,” I suggest.
He grins, and I’m up and over his shoulder instantly. “See you in the morning,” he calls over his shoulder even as Sienna laughs.
Considering that I see the way Alessio lifts her in his arms and plants a kiss on her mouth, I don’t think we have to guess what they’ll be up to too.
Alonzo carries me to our room, the same one we stayed in before, and drops me on the bed with a wicked grin. Hades gives a low groan from where he’s lounging on his dog bed, making me laugh.
Alonzo gives me a heated stare, already unbuttoning his shirt. “Clothes off, orsetta,” he orders, his voice low and sensuous. “I don’t plan on sleeping much tonight.”
Who needs sleep when you have a sexy Italian man in your bed?