Chapter 13 – Luca #2
"Of course," she says the words flatly. "Ever hear of privacy?"
I scoff. “There’s no such thing as privacy in this line of business.”
She’s about to hit me with a comeback, sharp and cutting, which I find myself eager to hear. But instead, her mouth closes, and she turns back to the folder of photos.
The fight she chooses not to have with me guts me more than any words could.
"You don’t have to sit with me," she says curtly. "If I recognize someone, I’ll let you know."
Did she just dismiss me? In my own fucking kitchen?
“Yes Sienna, you will. Because you’re stuck here until we find out who did this.”
She glares at me before returning to scanning each page. Sienna doesn’t seem to appreciate just how scary and intimidating most people find me. Or how serious this is.
My phone buzzes. Pulling it out, frustrated at the interruption, I glance at the screen and curse. This can’t be good.
"I need to take this." Sliding out of the chair, I’m oddly disappointed when she doesn’t even acknowledge my departure as I step into the hallway, phone to my ear, and brace myself.
“Luca? You should get down here. Now.” Nico sounds anxious, rare for him, and it sets my nerves on edge. He’s never worried.
"What's happened?"
A pause. In the background, I can hear the clammer of distant conversations, movement, and the sterile echo of an empty hallway.
"It's Kate. She’s… gone." Another pause, longer this time. "Maeve O'Sullivan just arrived. Finn's with her. They don’t know yet."
Kate's mother, the matriarch of the Irish family, and a woman whose reputation for calculated brutality rivals my father's, is there.
I press my palm flat against the wall, cursing loudly and repeatedly. I need to figure out what the hell I’m going to tell them about what happened to Kate, and fast.
“Luca?” Sienna’s worried voice drifts to me from the kitchen, but I can’t focus on her right now. She’s already gotten me distracted, and being distracted in this line of business gets you killed.
"I'm on my way," I assure him, the enormity of this ever-worsening situation sinking in.
“Hurry,” Nico warns, obviously not wanting to break the news to them himself.
I can’t blame him. It’s not going to be pretty. Shooting the messenger in this instance is a real possibility.
Ending the call, I stand there, letting the weight of this moment settle. Instead of panicking, a steely determination settles in my bones as a plan forms in the dark recesses of my mind.
It’s a long shot, but right now, it’s the only one I have.
One of my men rounds the corner, and I grab him by the arm before he can pass. "You're on the girl until I get back. She doesn't leave this house. She doesn't make any calls. She doesn't so much as step outside for fresh air. Understood?"
He nods, taking in the pretty house guest currently being served tea by Carmella, who’s more than a little intrigued by the only woman I’ve ever allowed to stay in my house.
Sienna looks up when I re-enter the kitchen, concern etched on her features. “What’s wrong?”
Carmella pauses at the sink, dish towel in hand, and fingers fluttering to rest on her lips as she waits for the bad news she senses is coming.
"I have to go." I keep my response flat and controlled, devoid of any emotion. "I need to tell Kate’s mother that Kate passed away."
Carmella blesses herself and lowers her head.
Sienna gasps, her hand coming up to cover her mouth. "Oh, Luca, I'm so sorry."
Her genuine grief for Kate, and her real sympathy for me, catches me off guard and makes me uncomfortable. She didn't even know Kate, yet she cares deeply.
With violence such a frequent part in my life, I’ve hardened myself against its effects.
Sienna’s kindheartedness highlights the gulf between us now. She goes to stand, intending to hug me, so I cross to her, looming over the table before she gets the chance, with my hand out.
“Phone. Nobody knows yet. I can’t afford any leaks.”
Disgusted that I would dare accuse her of gossiping about such a tragedy, she hands it over, slapping it into my palm with more force than is necessary.
I curl my fingers around it, brushing her hand as she pulls away.
Her beautiful blue eyes lock with mine, the depth of her emotions, both disappointment in me and her sadness over Kate, stir a hint of regret inside me over my callous tone. Squaring my shoulders, I force it down as she rocks back, cheeks pink, and scowls at me.
I turn to leave then pause. "Don't give him any trouble." I point to the guard posted at the door. "If anything happens to her while I'm gone," I say, loud enough that she’ll hear, "you're a dead man."
His face goes pale. Good. I don’t need to turn to know Sienna’s eyes are blazing with anger, but she won’t try anything if someone else will suffer the consequences.
I'm climbing into my car, Enzo at my side and a holster tucked away under the black jacket I’ve donned, when I glance back at the house. Through the kitchen window, I see Sienna standing at the sink with Carmella, one hand resting on the older woman's shoulder as she comforts her.
“You sure this is a good idea?” Enzo asks.
I’m not sure whether he’s talking about Sienna or meeting the O’Sullivan’s, but the answer is the same.
“I have no fucking idea.”