Page 33 of Little Rabbit

Gia laughs. “He’ll follow me for sure. Maybe he’ll meet with everyone really late and sleep straight through and it won’t matter. But I’ll be there in the morning.”

Sofia nods, then she looks at me. “I’ll meet you at your room so you don’t end up getting lost. And tomorrow I’ll take you on a tour so you know how to find your way around.”

I nod. “Yeah, this place is a maze, and with my luck I’d end up in the dungeon or something.”

Sofia snickers. “We don’t have a dungeon per se, but the cellar is creepy as shit, so yeah, you don’t want that. Now, the big question is, do you want a room close to Alessio or as far away as possible?”

I chuckle. “I think you already know the answer.”

She grins wickedly. “Just giving you a chance to have something close in case you want to add a few more hickeys to your collection.” She gives a pointed look to my neck.

I refuse to be embarrassed. “I think he’s given me more than enough, but thanks for the concern.”

Gia and Sofia both snicker. “Alright, well, let’s get going before the men realize we haven’t come back and start searching for us,” Sofia says as she pushes herself up and sets her wine glass on one of the tables nearby. We follow suit, and I slip on my shoes before following her and Gia inside.

I wonder how Alessio is going to react when he realizes that I’m not spending the night in his bed. A sly smile pulls at my lips. Guess he’s going to have to get used to it.

18

SIENNA

The room that Sofia leads me to is stunning, if a little stark for my taste. But it has a beautiful window seat that overlooks the back garden, and will be the perfect spot to watch the sunset. Not to mention, there’s even a secret door that has a winding staircase that leads to the rooftop terrace. The four-poster canopy bed is super comfy looking, and the ensuite is as luxurious as you might expect with a walk-in stone shower, a separate clawfoot soaker tub under a wide stained glass window, and double vanity.

“I think this will work out nicely,” I say with a grin at Sofia. “Who is next to me?”

Sofia snickers and replies, “That would be Massimo. I’ll let him know that you’re in here so he’s not surprised, but don’t worry, he won’t tell Alessio. The two of them are brothers, but they still love to piss each other off just as much as they did when they were kids. ”

I look around again. The room has some artwork and some smaller pieces of furniture like tables and a chaise. It’s not as grand as Alessio’s room, but it’s definitely one I can be comfortable in. “I want to check out the terrace, can I?” I ask. Sofia laughs and walks to the wall near the door. She moves a book on the little table beside it, and the door unlatches with a very soft click. “That is so cool,” I beam. “I had something like this in my apartment in LA, but it’s always cooler when it’s in a castle. Makes you wonder how many times whoever was in this room so many years ago escaped out this way for a little bit of quiet time for themselves.”

“It makes me think of a special place for two lovers to meet,” Gia sighs dreamily.

“She reads a lot of romance novels,” Sofia explains wryly as we all start to ascend the steps. I marvel at the stonework throughout, and then I beam when we reach the top and Sofia opens the wooden door revealing the terrace, and the low lights that make it look like it’s almost glowing.

“Wow,” I breathe.

“It’s something, isn’t it?” Sofia smiles. “You two sit out here and enjoy it. I’m going to grab a few things, and I’ll be back.” She heads back down, leaving the door open behind her.

“I was thinking the same thing,” Gia grins. “You know, I always wished for moments like this. Being able to step outside and look up at the stars and just take it all in without worrying that someone will make me stop.”

I frown at that and look at her. “You weren’t able to do this?” I ask carefully.

Gia gives me a sad smile. “No. I was locked away in my room or in my own wing of the house and wasn’t allowed to be out and about wherever I wanted. And then when I was allowed my own apartment, it was a lower unit in the middle of the city so I couldn’t see the stars. No balconies or anything either. So now, I’m going to do this whenever I can and make up for lost time.”

My heart breaks in my chest at the thought of what my sister has suffered; knowing that while she was living completely isolated, I was with my parents being loved and doing all the things that most take for granted. I act on instinct and wrap my arm around her waist, and we look up at the stars for a long moment, neither of us saying anything. Finally, I can’t stop the words that are bubbling up in my throat. “I’m sorry, Gia. I really am sorry I left you all alone.” My voice cracks and I swallow hard to keep the tears at bay.

Gia looks at me and I see her own eyes are wet, but there’s no resentment there, no judgment, no hate, even though she has every right to feel all of them. “Why? It’s not like you knew I existed, and honestly, I’m glad you didn’t have to deal with all of that, or hear the vile things that they like to spew. You got to be loved and accepted for who you are, and you’re wonderful. I just hope I can be as strong as you are some day.”

“You’re plenty strong for having dealt with all of that and still stand here,” I correct her. “Even though I don’t know much about you, I wager that everyone who matters thinks you’re wonderful just as you are. Which is why you and I are going to work to be close and be there for each other.”

“Yeah, I’d like that very much. And, really, Sienna, please don’t ever feel bad about any of it. None of it is your fault, and none of it really could have been prevented. If things were different, you’d be married off by now and miserable.” She gives me a teasing smile. “Instead of giving a sexy underboss a run for his money.”

I smirk, the tears receding. “True. I can admit that the man keeps me on my toes. I still can’t figure out how he found me though,” I finish with a frown.

Gia snickers. “Oh, trust me, Alessio is damn good at what he does. Or rather, what all his men can do. I mean, he knew things about me that I didn’t even tell Nico when we first met. Like how I know American Sign Language. Considering I didn’t even exist on paper because the family didn’t want any record of me, just so they could keep their all male sons image, I don’t know how he could possibly know that, but he did. He signed to me the first time we talked.”

“Wait, Alessio knows sign language?” I gasp, shocked.

Gia nods. “Yeah, and he’s proficient at it. Which means he’s studied about as long as I have, even though I’m a bit rusty. My tutors taught me; I also learned Italian, and Spanish.”

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