Page 40 of Little Rabbit

I hear a low chuckle to my left and I jump, flushing in embarrassment when I see Pietro standing in the doorway next to me. “You’ll figure out your way quickly enough I’m sure, cara,” he says with a warm smile. He’s wearing a casual dress shirt and tan dress pants, gold rings on most of his fingers. Tattoos poke out of the open collar of his shirt, and while he gives the appearance of a mafia Don, it’s somehow softer.

“I’m sorry, Don Caruso,” I say with a wry smile. “I was trying to find the kitchen and I went down the wrong hallway. I’m sorry if I disturbed you.”

He waves that away. “Call me Pietro, my dear. And it’s never a disturbance to be interrupted by a beautiful lady.” Ah, now I see where his son gets his charm. “Why don’t you come in and keep me company, and I’ll have the kitchen send something up?” he suggests, stepping back and revealing an expansive office.

“Oh, I don’t want to interrupt your work,” I hastily say. I know the man is nice enough, but he’s still a freaking Don. I’ve already screwed up terribly with one, and this one is far scarier than Nico. Maybe it’s because of all the things I’ve read about him, but at the same time, I can’t seem to connect those with this man. He’s far too nice, too sweet. It’s disconcerting.

“I was about to take a break so all you’ve done is give me a proper excuse,” he says with a wink. I follow him into his office, and I can’t help but look around.

The room is massive, about the size of Alessio’s bedroom with shelves of books, different pieces of furniture including a couple of sofas and chairs, and a very large hand-crafted wooden desk. A few of the windows are made of stained glass, while others are plain, currently open to let in the warm air and smell of the gardens outside. It’s a beautiful space, and I already know that if I had a space like this, I would rarely leave. I’d probably get a lot of work done. “This is stunning,” I tell him when I look back at him and see him watching me with a patient smile.

“My father hated it, said it was too far away from all the important things a Don should be surrounded by,” Pietro says, indicating for me to take a seat at a small cafe table near one of the windows by his desk. “Myself, I prefer to have the peace and quiet, and the ability to escape when the mood strikes.” He gives me a wink and I relax. “Now, let me call down and get some things sent up. Anything you’re not partial to?”

“No, anything is fine, thank you” I say with a grateful smile. He nods and picks up the phone on his desk, speaking softly before hanging up.

“It shouldn’t be too long. Gives us a chance to chat.” I nod, though I’m instantly wary. What does he want to talk about? Shit, maybe he heard about what happened with Nico last night and is about to take me to task for it. “Oh, now, what’s that look for?” he asks me, arching a brow. “Is something the matter?”

“Ah, well, no, not exactly. I guess I just don’t know what you would want to talk to me about.”

He says nothing for a moment, just regards me with those dark eyes that see far too much. Finally he sighs and says, “Sienna, I know you are nervous, and on one level I understand. I’m a Don, and despite everything you’ve been through with my son, that’s not the same as being in this kind of situation is it? But I can assure you that you have nothing to worry about here. With me or anyone else.”

I lick my lips nervously. “I’m sorry, I don’t mean to be so awkward, but, well, I’m feeling so off kilter right now, and after last night, I just…I’m worried to, ah, screw up again.”

“You’ll be fine. Now, how about you tell me what has you concerned? I’m sure it’s not all that bad, right?”

I wince. “Not unless me attacking Nico by mistake isn’t all that bad.” I have to give it to him, because the only reaction I get is a slightly arched brow. He motions for me to continue, and before I can stop myself, it all pours out until I’m finished, and he blinks at me for a moment. Then he starts to chuckle, before he lets out a booming laugh. My eyes widen as I stare at him. Okay, that was not the reaction I was expecting.

It takes another moment for him to stop laughing, but when he does, he grins at me. “Now I know why Nico is sporting quite the bruise and he’s as growly as a bear today. I figured he and Alessio finally had it out, but this is better. You, cara mia, are going to keep things lively around here, and I think it’s just what this place needs.” He gets a wistful look on his face. “It’s almost like when Sofia was growing up and pulling her pranks or getting revenge on the boys when they did shit to piss her off. It used to annoy me, but now the older I get, the more I miss it.”

I blink at him. “Wait, you’re not upset that I assaulted, angered, and disrespected another Don under your roof?” I ask him carefully. “Alessio was pretty pissed about it.”

Pietro reaches across the table and takes my hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze. “Cara, there is little you could do that would truly enrage me. It’s not an ideal situation, but the last twenty-four hours have been tense and full of emotions for you. Besides, Nico needs to be reminded of his place now and again.”

“His place?”

His eyes take on a slightly darker hue and his smile sharpens. “That he’s not as powerful as he likes to think. And considering your connection to both the De Lucas and the Carusos, well, he never will be.”

I’m not sure how to take that, but I slowly nod. “Well, I’m still going to apologize because I feel like I should.”

“Then consider it accepted, though most certainly not needed.” I relax, and he calls out when there’s a knock on the door. In walks a maid, and she sets the tray in front of us, piled high with different dishes, and then sets out a bottle of wine. “Grazie, Eva,” Pietro says to the woman with a smile. The woman inclines her head, gives me a curious glance and then walks out, closing the door behind her. “Help yourself, cara, and then I want to know who Sienna Harris is.”

“You didn’t read my file?” I ask in surprise as I take a plate and heap it full with different options. There’s a little bit of everything here and my mouth is watering at how good it smells.

“I have, but I believe strongly that one should know someone from their own words and not what’s on a piece of paper. Too impersonal. So, tell me about you, Sienna. Anything you feel like you want to share.”

I’m hesitant at first, unsure what he could possibly want to know that he doesn’t already, so I tell him a bit about my childhood, and my journey to my career. After a while, I relax and tell him a bit more. He chuckles over some of the stories, and tsks when I tell him about some of the escapades I got into in college. When I finally finish my food, and apparently my life story, I flush. “I’m sorry, I’ve talked your ear off,” I rush out.

He waves me away. “Sienna, you will learn soon enough that when it comes to family and those that I care about, I have all the time in the world. I’ve sat many hours in this office and other places, talking to my sons, including those that aren’t mine by blood or birth, as well as the woman that I consider a daughter since I wasn’t blessed with any of my own. Gia, of course, has been added to that list, and you’ll be right there. Perhaps I can ease some of the worries on your mind as well.” He gives me a calm, but pointed look. “Because while I love my son, he’s as dense as a rock at times, and when it comes to you, it’s clear common sense leaves him.”

I smirk, unable to help myself. “Yeah, we’ve established that.” He smiles, but says nothing else, watching me patiently. I look away from him for a moment, unsure of what to ask. Finally, figuring it’s better to start with the biggest question and go from there, I say, “My biggest issue is I don’t know what I’m doing, or what I’m going to do now that this is apparently my life. I have no idea what’s expected of me, or what the rules are. I’ve obviously made a mess of them so far.”

“I think you need to cut yourself some slack. You’re acting like we expect you to know the rules immediately, when you rightfully don’t know anything. If my son was thinking clearly, he would realize that. You may be part of this life by blood, but due to circumstances beyond your control, you were raised in what sounds to be a very loving, non-mafia home. Now, you’ve been thrust into this world; maybe your birth family or another rival of ours would expect you to figure it out and deal with it, but here, we’re more patient. Mostly because we can afford to be. Give yourself a few more days before you worry about that too much, hmm?”

“Maybe I wouldn’t feel so stressed if someone told me what I’m expected to do while I’m here. Or what I’m not allowed to do. I understand the point of getting me here, and I realize I was stupid for running, but no one has said what I should be doing now that I am. Alessio made it sound like I need to marry him and settle into life here. That he expected me to marry him not long after I arrived. Is that the plan? That we get married, and then I stay locked behind these walls for the rest of my life?”

Pietro frowns at that, and then mutters something under his breath, though I can’t quite make it out. I hear Alessio’s name and what I assume is something derogatory in Italian, based on the tone. Hopefully I haven’t gotten Alessio in trouble with his father. Shit, have I fucked up again already by saying anything?

Finally, Pietro briskly moves the tray from the table and sets it on his desk, before turning back to me, his expression serious. “Sienna, my son is an idiot, and for that I’m sorry. Had I known how badly he was handling this, I would have come to retrieve you myself. Perhaps then it would have saved you some confusion. Let me start from the beginning. The only thing expected of you while you’re here is to stay on the grounds unless you are escorted by our men, though it would be preferable if you don’t leave the grounds until we have this entire situation well in hand. You are not a prisoner here, and you’re free to spend your days doing what you wish, whether that be working or spending time wandering and relaxing. We’ll get you set up with a place to work if that’s what you choose.

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