Chapter 23
Ryan
I needed to get out of that damn club and clear my head. Fuck! Siena had made my dick hard as fucking steel. I had never been this hard...ever. The white lace teddy she had been wearing at the club left nothing to the imagination.
Fuck, I wanted her, but it was so much more than before. I craved her like the air I breathed. I needed her to be mine, and mine alone. Was that why I had flipped out so much? Was it that I didn’t want to share her with anyone...not even Tony?
Or was it because I had suspicions about what Siena was planning when she’d argued with me about going on stage tonight. I’d been watching her for months now at the club. She seemed to rely on her tips, but why? She was Tony’s girl; he would give her anything she asked for, just to keep her happy and at his side. She didn’t need the money unless she was saving it for something. Was she planning to leave him?
Fuck, why did that fucking hurt so much? But if that was her plan, she was playing a dangerous game. No one could run from the Valenti family, not when they knew so much information about so many things, and had people around the world working for them.
I was still fuming when I turned on the engine. As soon as my car purred to life, I sped off into the traffic, my dick still throbbing painfully in my dress pants. What was Siena doing to me? She honestly didn’t seem scared of me or intimidated by me in the least. I’d never had a woman stand up to me like that, and that only turned me on more. She was so motherfucking hot !
I was out of ways to fight back my desire; that sexy as fuck lace teddy had been the final straw. I didn’t just want to fuck Siena, I needed to fuck her. I really wasn’t sure how my body would function without tasting her again. My dick throbbed for that sweet, wet pussy, and he wasn’t going to take no for an answer. My subconscious, however, was telling me that by doing that, I would put her in danger. Fuck it all! I couldn’t do that to her. I wouldn’t! That would make me no better than Tony!
I was pulled from my thoughts by my phone ringing with a call from my office at the club.
Who the fuck was in my office?
“R...Ry...Ryan, it’s Siena. He’s here.” She sounded petrified.
“Siena? What the fuck are you talking about? And why the hell are you in my office?” I asked, confused. I could hear her panting and gasping on the line. She sounded absolutely terrified. What the fuck had happened? I needed to keep my head and get her to relax. “Sweetheart, I need you to calm down and talk to me, okay? Take a deep breath and let it out.” It sounded as if she was doing as I asked. “Again,” I soothed. That’s it, baby. I’m here. Nothing is going to happen to you, just breathe. “Ok, Siena, what’s going on?” I asked once her breathing had regulated.
“I just finished with my song and was heading back to the locker room. I heard Sapphire talking to some guy, so I stopped to listen before going in. The guy told her to move because they had business to do and then she’d get her payment, but I guess she wouldn’t budge. She said that he had agreed to pay her five grand for letting him and his boys in the back door, and she wanted him to give it to her before she moved. Ryan, she called him Paul. I recognized the name and ran straight to your office. I’m hiding under your desk with the light off.”
The motherfucker was inside the club! Paul Jenkins was a dead man! “Fuck! Don’t move, Siena. I’ll be there in three minutes, okay?” I tried to soothe her, but she could probably sense my anger.
“Oka—” she was cut off by something. “Ryan, someone is trying to open your door!”
“Stay quiet and don’t open it. I’ll be there soon!” If he harmed one hair on head, Paul would die a slow, painful death.
I stayed on the phone until I pulled up outside the club. I was lucky that I spotted Jamie and Bennett arriving at the same time.
“What’s wrong, boss?” Bennett frowned as I began to charge through the back door.
“Jenkins is in my office. He’s after Trixie,” I snarled. “Bennett, do a sweep of the club. There may be more of these fuckers inside. Jamie, follow me!”
I could make out Paul’s voice as I charged down the hallway.
“Fuck, I’m definitely going to have some fun with you,” I heard him say to Siena as I caught sight of them. He was holding her by the waist while running the barrel of his gun down her body
There was one other man standing there laughing, and Siena was shaking with fear. These fuckers were dead!
“Like fucking hell you are!” I roared, pulling out my glock and aiming it directly at Paul.
“Ryan!” Siena cried out my name like a prayer. Don’t worry, baby, I’ll keep you safe.
“Who is this?” Paul chuckled darkly at me.
“I’m your worst nightmare. Let her go, Jenkins!” I glared, squeezing the trigger slightly but not firing the weapon.
“You know who I am.” He seemed impressed. You fucking wait until I’ve put a bullet in your head if you hurt her, asshole.
“You are not getting back at Tony Valenti by using Trixie,” I stated. Jamie had moved to the left hand side of me and was watching the other guy in the room carefully. “I suggest you let her go before I shatter your fucking kneecap.”
“Who are you?” Paul asked, pulling Siena in tighter and pressing his gun into her side more forcefully. He really shouldn’t be pissing me off.
“Ryan Lawson. Manager of this club and Capo for Carlo Valenti. I’m giving you one final warning, asshole!” I cautioned. “Get your fucking dirty hands off her!”
“You’re not going to shoot while I have Trixie.” I could see tears begin to trickle down my girl’s face. I needed to end this fast.
“True, but I’m not letting you take her out of this club, either.”
“I’d say we are at an impasse, then. Wouldn’t you agree?” Like fuck we were. “How do you suggest we end this?”
“I want you to get the fuck out of this club and pick a fight with Tony some other way.” Paul raised his eyebrow in response. I didn’t want to kill this fucker if I could avoid it. Truthfully, as long as it didn’t involve Siena, I secretly hoped this guy would give Tony a beating he’d never forget. I could hear commotion and shouting behind me, but I wasn’t shifting my focus until Siena was safe.
“I’m up for that, but I’m not letting Trixie go until I’m by the back door. I value my life too much.” Clever fucker, but I knew his game. I’d already spotted the getaway car outside when I arrived. If he tried to take Siena with him, he was a dead man.
“I suggest you start walking then,” I glared. I watched as Paul pulled Siena with him, using her as a human shield. His glock was pinned against her waist as they moved. I hated the fear in her eyes. Just a few more seconds, baby. Hang on.
“You looked worried, Ryan,” Paul mused as his colleague slipped through the rear exit.
“You’re close to the back door. I’m wondering if you’re stupid enough to try and take Trixie with you,” I admitted, leaning my arm on the wall next to the door. Paul smirked darkly, trying to slip through while pulling Siena back with him. Fine, fucker, if that’s how you want to play it. Siena was watching me worriedly, so I quickly grabbed the handle and pulled the heavy door into Paul’s shoulder, making him lose his grip on her for a slight second. That was all the time I needed to pull her out of his arms and push her toward Jamie.
“You were that fucking stupid,” I snarled, hitting him in the face with the butt of my gun. He stumbled, falling on his ass on the pavement.
“Are you going to kill me?” Paul groaned from the ground. It was an intriguing thought—I honestly considered it for a second or two—but I needed to make sure Siena was okay.
“This isn’t my fight, but I’m warning you...leave Trixie out of this. I don’t care if you pick a fight with Tony—he deserves it for more reasons than you think—but I’m telling you to find another way to get him back for what he did.”
“You’re really letting me go?”
“Fuck off before I change my mind!” I sighed, watching him stand up and rush over to his getaway car.
“The club is clear, boss,” Bennett called, but I was hardly listening. My eyes were fixed on Siena, who was watching me with tears streaming down her face.
“I’m going to take you home,” I whispered, moving a few steps toward her. I wanted to pull her into my arms, but there were too many people watching us. Siena simply nodded as I took my jacket off to wrap around her shoulders before I led her to the car.
She was quiet the entire trip, and for once, I had no idea what to say to her. The poor girl had just been held at gunpoint. I wasn’t even sure if she’d seen a gun up that close before.
I followed her into the mansion when we arrived back. We both stopped at the main staircase. I had no idea what to do.
“D...did you need me to help you?” Why the fuck was I stuttering?
“Please,” Siena whispered. I smiled gently, scooping her up in my arms. She was still in that fucking lace teddy, but luckily my jacket was covering most of her skin. I didn’t want to be overwhelmed with desire right now. She needed to be looked after, not lusted after. “Thank you, Ryan,” she breathed against my neck as I pulled her tightly to my chest.
“You don’t have to thank me.”
“I do. I don’t even want to think about what Paul Jenkins would have done if...”
“Shh, it’s okay. You’re safe now,” I soothed as I noticed her start to tremble in my arms. “I’m so sorry you had to go through that. I shouldn’t have been such a dick earlier and I definitely shouldn’t have stormed off.”
“I shouldn’t have shouted at you. I know you were only looking out for me.” We were at her bedroom door now, so I slowly released her. As she slid down my body, gripping my shoulders, I suppressed a groan.
“You know I’ll always look out for you,” I smirked, leaning against her door frame as she opened her door.
“Can you come and sit with me for a while? I’m not sure I want to be on my own yet.” I gulped. I needed to compose myself and tell my dick not to get carried away; that was not happening tonight.
“If that’s what you want,” I muttered, following her into her bedroom.
“I’ll...just go and get changed.” She half smiled, grabbing a few items of clothing and walking into her bathroom.
I wandered around her room, feeling lost. This bedroom was hers and Tony’s. I shouldn’t be in here, but I couldn’t leave.
Siena came out in yoga pants and a T-shirt with her hair pulled back. Fuck, she was stunning in whatever she wore.
“How are you feeling?” I asked, smiling softly.
“Pretty shaken,” she admitted, holding her arms around her body.
It was instinctual. I moved without conscious thought, pulling her to me. She fell into my embrace without a fight.
“It’s okay, sweetheart, I’ve got you,” I cooed into her hair as she started to sob. I scooped her up into my arms and lifted her onto the bed before joining her and pulling her against my chest. We must have stayed that way for hours. I even drifted off a few times.
It was in those few short hours that I realized I couldn’t deny my feelings for Siena any longer. This wasn’t just lust anymore; it couldn’t be. Had I fallen for her?
“You’re leaving?” Siena mumbled as I tried to slip out of bed a while later. I needed to check in with Jamie and Bennett. I wasn’t completely sure Paul would listen to my warnings, which meant we needed to keep an eye on him until he left Chicago.
“I just need to check on a few things. I’ll be back, I promise. Sleep,” I grinned, leaning down to kiss her forehead. She surprised me by moving her lips to meet mine, and with a groan, her arms wrapped around my neck and she pulled me down on top of her.
Fuck, she tasted incredible as her lips crashed urgently against mine. Her hands found my hair, gripping and pulling. Holy shit! How did she know I loved that? I traced the contours of her legs with my hands, and soon they were gliding up and into her T-shirt. I needed to stop, but I just fucking couldn’t.
“Ugh...Si...Siena...we need...to stop,” I moaned as my lips caressed down her neck.
“Just one more minute, please,” she begged, pulling me closer. Was this her way of thanking me? I could give her one more minute. Fuck, I wanted that minute, too. I let my hands continue on their journey underneath her shirt. I wanted to grope her more than anything...just one squeeze of those perfect tits. It had been so long. As my fingertips came into contact with her hardened nipples, we both groaned.
“Fuck, I’ve missed this,” I snarled, pulling on her nipples as I crashed my lips hard against hers once again. Siena thrust up toward me, and it didn’t help my growing erection. I needed to stop before I actually fucked her. “Siena, baby, we need to stop.” I pulled away reluctantly, looking at her as she lay beneath me.
“Thank you, Ryan,” she smiled, running her hands through my hair before she finally released me.
“Why do we always end up in a lip-lock?” I teased, pulling myself off the bed.
“That was a little more than a lip-lock, Ryan.”
“Sorry, you know I get a little carried away when I’m with you,” I admitted. “Are you going to be okay?” She nodded, lying back down. “I’ll be in the office if you need me.”
“Ryan?” I turned just as I was about to open the door. “That kiss was a thank you. Don’t read anything into it, okay?”
“I won’t,” I sighed, leaving quickly. It had meant something to both of us; I felt it in the kiss. Why were we denying our obvious feelings for each other? Okay, maybe it had something to do with getting ourselves killed if we ever actually did anything about it. Fuck my life!
––––––––
“Y ou’ve done well, my boy.” Carlo patted me on the back when he and Tony returned the next day. It had been a waste of time in Miami. The Leonis weren’t interested in hearing about a petty feud. If it had been a situation concerning the two families as a whole, it would have been different, but an argument over a poker game between two rival mob members was of no concern to them. Tony and Paul had to sort this dispute out themselves.
“What’s Tony going to do now?” I asked. He was upstairs checking on Siena to see if she was well enough to attend church this morning.
“He’ll try to talk to Jenkins...to reason with him. Tony has already agreed to pay him back the money if Jenkins will stop long enough to listen,” Carlo said as he looked over at his computer. He was checking his shares, I gathered.
“What were the Leonis like?”
“I only met the Underboss because the Boss was otherwise engaged, but Luca was very understanding. It would seem that Jenkins is a live wire, just like my son.”
“So every Mafia family has one,” I teased.
“Perhaps,” Carlo chuckled just as Tony walked in. “How is Trixie?”
“She wants to come to church,” he replied, darting his eyes at me. What the fuck was his problem? I’d saved his girl—again, I might add—but Tony was still glaring at me like he wanted to punch me.
Half an hour later, Siena came down the stairs looking like an angel. She nodded, gesturing toward me before Tony pulled her into his arms.
“You look lovely, baby,” he muttered, kissing her lips. Lovely!? She looked fucking stunning . I rolled my eyes in frustration and walked outside, pulling a cigarette out.
“We’ve done a sweep,” Bennett called from behind me as I finished my smoke.
He and Jamie must have just gotten back. “Anything to report?” I asked.
“There’s no sign of him.” That wasn’t good; something told me that Paul Jenkins was still in Chicago. A mad man wouldn’t just walk away when he’d been wronged. He was going to make Tony pay for stealing from him, one way or another.
“Well, keep an eye out. I’ll be at the club after church if you need me.” The boys nodded as Carlo emerged with all the family.
Church was a big thing to any mafia family, but it meant even more to me. Siena and I were the only non-family members invited. She was family in Carlo’s eyes, just as I was, even if we weren’t bound by blood.
“What did you think of the service?” Heidi asked as we began to make our way down the aisle. Would this woman ever get the hint?
“There’s a lot that can be said about sacrifice.” I smiled, trying to inch away from her before Vincent came over and started talking about weddings again. Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed Siena watching me as she stood with Tony. I couldn’t quite get a read of her face. Was it jealousy?
“Have you ever had to sacrifice anything, Ryan ?” Heidi asked.
My sanity every time I talk to you? “No, not really,” I sighed, watching as Carlo made his way over to me.
“Can I speak with you, Ryan?” Carlo asked. Heidi made a quick exit after that, as did most of the family.
“Is everything okay, Carlo?”
“I wanted to say well done. The East District is under control, and well...you ran things effortlessly while I was out of town.”
“I’m just doing my job.”
“Ryan, you have no idea how much I wish Tony were more like you.”
“He’ll learn, Carlo, just give him time.”
“I’m not so sure anymore,” Carlo admitted before we were interrupted by shouting and screaming. I had one guess at who was outside...Paul fucking Jenkins.
I rushed out the doors, coming face-to-face with my biggest fear. Paul and his men were pointing their Glocks at Tony, who, in that split second, had pulled Siena in front of him, using her like a human shield. Motherfucker, was that really how he saw her?
I didn’t even think. I had no time before those fuckers pulled their triggers. In that instant, I had to make a choice: me or Siena? Of course, there was only ever one answer.
I dove in front of Siena and pulled her down with me just as the guns began to fire. I could feel the bullets as they ripped through my skin like fire, but all that mattered was Siena safely nestled in my arms.
How many times had I been hit? The stabbing fire seemed to come from everywhere, but then began fading away. Everything around me became almost dreamlike, as if I were floating. I could hear gunfire in the background, and people rushing around yelling, but one voice was all I could concentrate on.
“Ryan! Ryan! Look at me, please! Stay with me! Don’t you fucking go anywhere , do you hear me?!” Siena sobbed, looking down at me. She was holding my shoulder, pressing down hard. Fuck, it burned. I must have been shot there.
“Si...Siena,” I forced out, trying to lift my hand to touch her face. She must have known what I wanted, because she leaned her head down toward my hand.
“Why did you do that, Ryan?” she sobbed.
“I made...a choice,” I croaked. “You are...too...important...to me.”
“You jumped in front of bullets to save me.”
“B...because I lo...” I didn’t get a chance to finish as I began to choke on my own blood. Fuck, this was bad. Was I dying?
“CARLO!” Siena screamed. “We need to move him now! He’s losing too much blood!” I could feel everyone rushing around me as I began to slip under.
I tried to rationalize my actions. I saved Siena. I had just sacrificed my own life for her. What did that tell me? I kept coming up with the same conclusion...the one truth I had been fighting for the last two years. I could no longer deny it.
I was in love with Siena Clark, and if I made it through this alive, I needed to tell her.
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T o be continued in ...