Chapter 20
Chapter Twenty
Sienna
I should’ve known that I wouldn’t be sitting in the limo with Nico. That should’ve been obvious when I agreed to this plan. It’s not like they lied to me. They explained I was going to be a plus-one, nothing more.
Well, they didn’t add the nothing more part. That’s all me. But the point is the same.
“How are you feeling?” Gianna asks. “Before you answer, let me tell you that you look absolutely stunning.”
I plaster my most convincing smile onto my face, hoping that it looks somewhat convincing. “I feel great. This dress is going to take some getting used to, though.”
“It must be worth it to know how absolutely delightful you look.”
“I never imagined a person like me would go to a gala… especially not one run by the mob.” I smooth my hands over my stomach, feeling a little sick. “Nico said it was the Russians, which means that it was their people, right?”
“Viktor took over toward the tail end of the war. There’s no telling if he was involved.”
“If he was, he deserves to pay.”
Gianna smiles tightly. “It might be better to keep sentiments like that to yourself, dear.”
“Don’t worry. I’m not going to blow up Nico’s date.”
“Sienna…”
When Gianna uses the chiding tone, weirdly, I sort of like it. “Mom used to say my name like that when I was in a mood.”
“It’s a good thing I’m here then, isn’t it?”
“I didn’t mean that – I know it’s not a date. But…”
“It hurts to think of him with someone else?”
I look out the window and happen to catch sight of a beggar with a cardboard sign and a ratty old hat turned upward to accept donations.
“That easily could’ve been me about a hundred times along the way of my journey. I should know better than to complain.”
Gianna looks at the homeless person. “The world can be a cruel place. But Nico is one of the good ones.”
“I believe you,” I say, and I mean it.
Yesterday, I went shopping with Gianna and then sketched a picture of Nico’s old crib, which Gianna has kept since he was a baby. It was an interesting piece with unique challenges. In the evening, Nico and I had sex, made love, or something in between.
He wasn’t as possessive as the first time, but he still took the lead, and I liked that.
“Just remember, tomorrow, I only want you.”
I told him I would do my best. And if it got too much, I’d make an excuse and have someone drive me home. It shocked me how easily I said the part about the driver, as though it was the most natural thing in the world.
Soon, the limo pulls up to The Adolphus. The building is all elegance, carved stone, and tall arched windows. The doorman opens the door before the car stops moving. I step out, and the air shifts. It smells like wealth, somehow.
Gianna smiles at me and takes my arm, and we walk toward the entrance together.
Inside, the lobby stretches wide and high, marble flooring, with gold detailing on the ceilings. Staff move silently like they’ve been trained not to make a sound. We follow the rush toward the ballroom.
It’s all light and space. The ceiling soars. Crystal chandeliers blaze overhead. The walls are pale and grand, lined with gold. Every table gleams. Every guest looks like money. It’s not just impressive. Honestly, it’s overwhelming.
“Are you okay, dear?” Gianna says, touching my arm.
I look around at the men in their suits, the women in their expensive gowns, feeling like the odd one out. That’s until I spot Nico looking at me from across the room. Even with the distance separating us and people walking back and forth, I can tell he likes the dress I’m in.
It’s his posture, the tilt of his head. It’s his… aura.
“Yes,” I say, but a moment later, a glamorous woman walks up beside him. She’s tall, angelic, and wears her dress like it was made for her, jewelry that should count its blessings to adorn someone so beautiful.
“I’m fine,” I mutter a moment later, when I feel Gianna staring at me.
“We should say hello,” she replies, then moves close to me. “Try not to make it too obvious that you and Nico are in a relationship.”
“He’s hiding me,” I mutter.
“No,” Gianna says swiftly. “He wanted to tell the truth, but I persuaded him it wouldn’t be in his, or the Family’s, best interest. I’m sorry for asking you to play along with the charade.”
“I get it,” I say, hoping I’m telling the truth.
We walk across the room, joining the happy couple. Anya has dark black hair, with small crystals interwoven into her artfully placed braids. She looks like someone born into and accustomed to wealth.
“Anya, you know my mother,” Nico says.
“Hello, Gianna. It’s a pleasure to see you again.”
Even the way Gianna and Anya shake hands makes me feel poor.
“This is Sienna,” Gianna says, introducing me. “An absolutely talented artist who is working on a series of pieces for me. You’ll be seeing her work very, very soon.”
“Charmed,” Anya says, offering me her hand.
“Hey.”
When she shakes my hand, I feel how clammy it is. Her eyes shine like she’s drunk, or on her way toward getting drunk. I’m not going to judge her. If I wasn’t afraid of what I’d say, I might get drunk too.
“Are you enjoying your evening so far?” I ask, finding the silence awkward.
“How could I not?” Anya puts her hand on Nico’s arm.
Nico pulls away – it’s rude, but I’m glad – but that doesn’t change the look on Anya’s face. She gazes at him adoringly. She looks deeply in love.
I’m shocked at how jealous this is making me. It hasn’t been long enough for me to feel this way. It was just under a week ago that I was telling him we were only going to have one night together.
But the truth? I’m absurdly jealous.
“Will you please excuse me?” I say. “I’m going to use the ladies’ room.”
“Would you like some company?” Gianna asks.
“No, thank you.”
I quickly step away. I feel like I want to scream. I need to calm down.
I’m glad I’ve got the bathroom to myself. I hardly recognize the girl in the mirror. She’s far more glamorous than I’ve got any right to be.
I stand up straighter, try to own the outfit. The gown hugs every curve I usually keep covered. Deep green, off the shoulder, tight at the waist. It’s beautiful. Expensive. I feel like I’ve borrowed someone else’s life. I tug at the neckline, shift my weight. Too much skin. Too much me. The mirror says I look like I belong, but I’m not so sure.
I turn when the door crashes open.
It’s… Adrian, the guy I first saw at the restaurant and then later at Gianna’s house, his hair shines slickly in the light. He rushes across the room, a manic look in his eyes.
“Don’t make a sound,” he growls. “I don’t have any weapons, but if I have to, I’ll hurt you. I’ll fucking hurt you. Get it?”
I’m too stunned to move or react. He grabs my arm and squeezes it hard enough to snap me out of the paralysis. He’s strong. I’m alone, with nowhere to run. Terror grips me as I stare at him.
“Do you understand?”
“Yes,” I whisper. Then, louder, “Let me go.”
“Keep your voice down.” He shakes me. Not hard, but hard enough for me to feel how much stronger he is than me. “Nico isn’t who you think he is. He was involved in the shooting that killed your mom.”
“Wait, what?”
Adrian reaches inside his jacket pocket and takes out a small plastic device with wires wrapped around it. He places it on the counter. “Shut up and listen. You’re going to record Nico. Get him to admit to anything about the mob, the Family, on tape. Otherwise, we will find you. You’ll become a plaything for the Bratva. These are very bad men, understand? The things they’d do to you…” He shudders, then takes a piece of paper from his pocket and lays it on the counter. “That’s proof Nico was involved.”
Adrian lets me go, glaring.
“I mean it. We need them on tape.”
“Them?”
“Nico and Gianna.”
“You only said Nico.”
“I said both of them.”
He didn’t, but I’m not going to argue with him. His words, combined with his sheer presence, are enough to paralyze me.
“I’ve known for a while she’s his consigliere. I just need proof. Understand?” When I hesitate, he darts his hand out and grabs me by the throat. “Understand?”
“Yes,” I say, hating the fear in my voice. “I get it. You don’t have to do anything. Please.” He squeezes harder, making me gasp. “Puh-please.”
Finally, he lets go, looking over his shoulder to make sure that nobody is watching us. “Hide the bug. Hide the report. And just know, if you mess this up, we will find you. The Bratva will make you their little toy. Your life will become hell.”
He leaves the bathroom as quickly as he came. When he’s gone, I lean against the wall, struggling to catch my breath. I grab the report and scan it through blurry eyes. I won’t let myself devolve into frantic sobs, but I can’t do anything about the mist filling my eyes.
The report has Nico Moretti’s name in the ‘person of interest’ section, with two witnesses claiming they saw him fleeing the scene. There’s even an arrest record, which I knew nothing about… and a note that the charges were later dropped because Nico intimidated the witnesses. There’s also a note about a bullet matching a weapon apparently belonging to Nico.
I stuff the bug into my cleavage and then stumble into the hallway. I’ve still got the report clutched in my hand as I struggle to catch my breath. I stumble against the wall, almost falling.
Quickly, I fold up the report and stick that in my cleavage, too. I’m going to need to be careful about having physical contact with Nico now.
Is that going to be a problem?
My man, my lover… it was only a couple of nights ago he promised he wouldn’t make me regret trusting him.