Chapter 9
Chapter Nine
Sienna
After quickly changing into one of Evelyn’s dresses and applying a layer of lip gloss, I walked with her out of the house under strict instructions to follow her lead. She smiled at one of the security guards and gave him a wave, then took my hand in hers as we teetered on high heels toward her car. His eyes never left my ass to survey my face, and Evelyn reassured me that the darkness would blanket my identity.
Apparently, this is something she’s done before, and I wonder where the hell the meek and mild girl I thought I knew has been hiding this version of herself.
We drive toward the venue in a comfortable silence, listening to Rhianna as she follows the satnav. Her car is old and not something I’ve ever been in before, but I’ve never felt so comfortable and free at the same time.
No security, no control. Just us and the open road. I close my eyes and relish the breeze coming through the window and smile as I imagine Stone and me driving like this, without a care in the world and no threats of violence.
The constraints of our lives severed, bringing with it a future together. In this moment, I allow myself to believe it’s a possibility. My body thrums with happiness, and I indulge in the feeling of freedom.
“This is it.” My eyes snap open, and I take in the building as her car comes to a spluttering halt. Not quite what I expected, so I scrunch up my nose at the dilapidated warehouse.
“Is it safe?”
Evelyn scoffs a laugh. “You’re seriously asking me if it’s safe?”
She’s right. I live in the Mafia. Nothing is safe.
Before I second-guess myself, she’s hopping out the car. “Come on.”
The floor vibrates with the roar of the crowd as my eyes remain locked on the man in the cage. His scarred back flexes with each calculated swing of his arm as sweat drips from him and blood pours from his opponent, who wobbles with the impact of each punch.
“Jesus, he’s a machine!” Evelyn gasps from beside me as we’re transfixed on Stone’s match.
He’s fierce, raw, confident, and assertive, moving with ease around his opponent. Like a lion circling its prey, he’s in complete control, and I wonder if he’s just as commanding in the bedroom. I shift from foot to foot as my panties become slick, and the ache between my legs intensifies.
As if there’s an invisible force, his head snaps to the side and his gaze locks with mine. Time and my heart stop as his eyes narrow before awareness crosses over his face, and his opponent uses the opportunity to hit him in the jaw, and our gazes disconnect. The sound of the punch resonates through my bones, and I whimper on his behalf as he stumbles slightly, and guilt rushes through me.
“Oh, shit.” Evelyn jolts, and I follow her focus, where dark eyes glare in our direction, then Czar jumps to his feet and storms toward us. He’s never appeared so furious as he is right now, and for the first time in my life, my brother’s anger terrifies me.
“M-maybe we should leave?” Evelyn grabs her purse from the floor, and I nod.
“Maybe you shouldn’t have fucking come!” he booms. Just how the hell did he get through the crowd so quickly?
Fury burns on each one of his handsome features. His face is red as he glares at Evelyn and me. Then he jerks us by our arms, and my jaw drops at his roughness.
The crowd parts as if on his command, and he marches us toward a door, but my feet struggle to keep up with his powerful strides.
“I can’t fucking believe this. Do you realize how much money you just cost me because that son of a bitch got a hit in?” he sneers.
“I’m sure I can’t begin to imagine.” Evelyn rolls her eyes, and my eyes bug out at her words. Nobody speaks to Czar like this. Nobody.
“Keep that smart mouth of yours shut!” he snaps as he leads us down a dark corridor with a group of his men following swiftly behind us.
She scoffs. “You normally want it open, and now you want it shut. Make up your damn mind, Czar.” Holy shit. Who the hell is she? My eyes flare with outrage and awe.
He throws open the door, shoves us inside what appears to be an office, then slams the door behind us, making me jump.
Evelyn seems completely unperturbed at his outburst, and I have to wonder what life she must lead to not be bothered by his volatile behavior.
“We were having a good night.” She stares down at her nails as if fascinated by them, and truthfully, I’m gobsmacked at her nonchalant behavior.
“Good fucking night?!” Czar looks fit to burst as he tears open the top button of his white button-down shirt and paces the room. “That punch he got in just cost me millions, Evelyn. Have you any idea how my father’s going to react to that loss?”
A flash of fear ripples through me, and I struggle to suck in air, my chest constricting with each attempt. I know exactly who will get the blame for that loss. Czar’s eyes meet mine, and an understanding crosses between us, then his shoulders sag. “You shouldn’t have been here, Si—” He’s cut off by the office door being thrown open.
“What the fuck is she doing here?” Stone’s stormy eyes land on me, guilt swimming in them.
His presence sends butterflies fluttering through my stomach, and I gasp sharply, surprised at how intoxicating his presence is to me. He looks away while I take in every inch of his solid, muscular frame.
Sweat pours off him, and my mouth waters to sample it. His knuckles drip with blood, and I have a sudden urge to kiss his wounds, giving him the affection he craves.
“Take her home. I want to speak with Evelyn,” Czar says, his gaze locked on Stone as he leans against his desk. It’s like Evelyn and I no longer exist while they stare at one another and have a secret conversation.
Finally, Stone nods, then turns, not giving me eye contact, and opens the office door. “Follow me.”
As I chance a glance at Evelyn, she is looking everywhere except at Czar, and my lip quirks. “Will you be okay?” I ask her.
“Stone,” Czar barks out, causing me to jolt, and Stone grips my arm and pulls me through the doorway. His touch burns through me as he rushes us down the corridor.
“Don’t know what the fuck you’re playing at, Sienna,” he says through clenched teeth. The venom in his tone causes me to whimper as he marches us down the corridor. Then he pushes open a door, pulls me inside, and slams it behind us, and the lock engaging has me spinning to face him.
My heart thunders in my chest as nervousness overcomes me. His gaze seethes with hatred, forcing my throat to lock up tight. I step back, and he follows me until I’m flush with the lockers. Then he places his hands above me, caging me in. His thick arms twitch with unadulterated rage beside my head, and anger radiates from him in suffocating waves.
What the hell have I done?
What the hell are they going to do to him? A strangled whine leaves my throat, and I hate myself for showing weakness when he is always so strong.
My eyes latch onto the tattoo on his bicep, and I’m hit with a memory that reinforced his strength in my mind.