Page 41 of Little Rabbit

“As for marriage to Alessio, no one will force you into such a thing. Was there a time that it would have happened? I will not lie to you, but the times are changing for our family, and Sofia and Gia has only strengthened my resolve. If you choose to marry Alessio, it will be your choice, and I will welcome the union between the two of you happily, because as much as the two of you seem to argue and fight, it’s clear there is something between you. But that is up to you both to explore.

“This is also a time for you to learn about your family and your heritage. Because while I would love to say when this is all over you can go back to your life before, I cannot.” My heart sinks, and my shoulders slump. Rationally I know this; Alessio has said as much, but hearing Pietro sounds so final. “I am sorry, cara. I know that’s not what you want to hear, but even if it wasn’t me saying it, it would be your family that wants you to further their own agendas. I like to think that while not perfect, we are the better of the options. With us behind you, your life can be somewhat normal, though not exactly the same, in time.”

“Will someone always be after me? Even after the De Lucas are handled? Because aren’t they the main threat?”

“I’m afraid things are never so black and white in this world. You see, the De Lucas are a powerful family and they have connections across the United States, some in Italy, and even with other crime families outside of the Italian mafia. By now, no matter how hard we have worked to keep your existence quiet, the De Lucas are not cut from the same cloth. People have noticed the change in their dynamics, and even now, they’re putting the pieces together. Not only did they have one daughter marry another powerful Don in their city, and admittedly the country, but now, it’s come to their attention that another daughter has surfaced. Such a thing is unheard of in our world. Even if we take apart the De Lucas, their allies may seek to further the cause, and you, being unmarried and a De Luca by blood, would be a way for them to do that and avenge their allies. And those allies will not stop until they have achieved their goal of taking you, or until we make them, by wiping them out completely.”

My frustration rises again and I get to my feet, my body too tense and wired to keep sitting for this conversation. I’m probably breaking a rule doing this, but Pietro doesn’t seem all that concerned. “This, this is why I’m so angry and confused,” I say tightly as I pace, trying to tell myself at the same time to calm down. “Women are nothing more than a vessel. We have no worth here. It’s like we’ve been transported right back to the times before women were considered people, and it’s not even some kind of feminist movement or something I’m talking about. I doubt there are many women that want to join the ranks, so to speak, but we should be more than a hole to breed and bear children. We have our own thoughts, feelings, and dreams. Why can’t that be considered? Maybe some of us don’t want to marry or have children; maybe we have ideas that we want to feel free to speak, instead of standing idly and keeping quiet like a good little dog.”

“The mafia has never been one to change with the times. In fact, it’s downright glacially slow in a lot of things, and I do agree with you that there should be changes, especially with the women in our lives, but unfortunately I’m in the minority. There are those in the new generation of Dons who see the benefits of giving the women in their lives a choice and a voice, but that is not something that can change overnight. With enough strong women standing beside the men they marry and leading by example, perhaps things will change. And, while I myself like to consider myself a bit more progressive, I can admit old habits die hard and most of them will not happen with me.”

“I just…I can’t seem to let that part of it go. And I know it’s because I still don’t understand completely how things work, but every part of me is screaming that if I accept it, I’ll lose that part of myself.”

“Time changes all things in our lives, whether we’re ready for it or not. I know how it feels to have what you thought was your life yanked away from you in an instant.” A darkness crosses his expression, but then it clears. “But I adapted, and so will you. And something tells me that you won’t lose as much of yourself as you think. You are a stubborn one, Sienna, and you have a spirit in you I can’t see you allowing to be broken. Will there be struggles and things that will fester and build until you’re sure you can’t take it anymore? Of course, but you will, in time, come to accept it or change it to suit what you need. That is the sign of a strong woman, and you are by far one of the strongest I’ve known.” He gives me a teasing smile. “Which is exactly why I’m enjoying the way you keep my son on his toes.”

“You won’t be saying that if he pisses me off enough that I kill him in his sleep.”

Pietro grins in amusement; an odd reaction, considering I just threatened to murder his son. “If he upsets you to that point, then perhaps he’s deserved it. And if he lets you kill him that easily, well, then I suppose he would believe he deserves it. A piece of advice my father gave me, and I’ve passed on to all my sons, is never trust a woman not to kill you in your sleep. Women can be vengeful creatures, just as they can be sweet; all it takes is one wrong step and they will exact that revenge.”

“Sounds like your father was a smart man.”

He gives me a wry smile. “He was a brute that loved to beat on his sons to toughen them up, but he had a healthy fear of my mother. The woman threw a knife at his head for stepping on her clean floors with his dirty, bloody boots. And she was very well trained with a knife, so he knew she only missed him by mere inches on purpose. If she wanted to kill him, he would have been dead. But after that, he never again walked into the house with dirty boots.”

I gape at him. “So, what you’re saying is the practice of threatening one’s partner with death is a genetic inheritance?”

He snorts out a laugh. “One could say so. It could also be said that Italian women in general are known for their tempers and passion. And you will be no different, Sienna. That fire in your belly will grow and be passed on to your children, who will be as strong and powerful as you. I hope that I’m around long enough to see it.”

“Are you saying that because you want me to marry your son?”

He shrugs, not denying it. “I think that if you marry Alessio, you will alleviate something inside my gut that worries for my son and the responsibilities that will fall to him when I retire or die. I also think that you are exactly what he needs. But if you decide Alessio is not the man for you, then so be it. And back to my earlier statement: when I say marriage and why it would be an ideal situation, it would mean protection for you. Both from your family, but also from our own enemies that might see you as a prize to take and use against your family or us. Or even Nico and his own territory, since you’re connected to him through his wife. The Caruso name carries much weight in all corners of the world, and few will ever dare go against us because of it. But I can understand if that is not something that you want, so I’ll make you a promise. If, once things are settled and we have dealt with the De Lucas, you still cannot handle it, I will assist you in trying to give you as normal a life as I can, though I cannot work miracles.”

“Why? Why would you offer that?”

He just smiles and doesn’t reply as the office door is thrown open, and Alessio stalks inside, looking pissed off until he sees me and relaxes. His gaze goes to his father and then to me as he strides further into the room. “Is everything alright?” he asks as he approaches me cautiously, almost as if he’s afraid I’m going to bolt. “I woke up and you were gone.”

“I wanted something to eat, but ended up here when I got lost. Your father was kind enough to feed me and keep me company.” I look at Pietro. “Thank you.” There’s a wealth of meaning in those two words, and with a slight incline of his head, Pietro lets me know he understands.

I have a lot to think about. Because, Pietro is right, my life is different now even if I’m not ready for it.

Alessio regards me, brow furrowing with concern, but thankfully he doesn’t press. Though I think that has more to do with his father being here than anything else. Instead, he pulls me into him and presses a kiss to my forehead. I stiffen but he ignores it and says, “Sofia was looking for you. She was saying something about doing some training with Gia.” He gives me a questioning look.

“Gia wants to learn some self-defence so I agreed to help her,” I tell him as I pull away. His eyes flash with irritation at the move, but he releases me. “I guess I should go and find her.”

Alessio pulls out his phone. “I’ll text her so she can come and collect you. Better than you getting lost again and missing each other.”

“While they are busy with that, we need to discuss some things, Alessio,” Pietro says briskly, moving behind his desk. Gone is the easy-going man that had a meal with me; he’s back to the Don in charge. It’s fascinating to watch the change.

Alessio nods, his expression serious. “Yes, Papa. I’m going to walk Sienna to meet Sofia, then I’ll be back.”

“Good. And summon Aurelio and Nico. This will involve them.” He dismisses Alessio without another glance, but his expression softens when he looks back at me. “If you ever need another chat, Sienna, please know that my door is always open to you and you are never a bother.” I nod, and he sits back down, picking up the phone on his desk.

Alright, I guess we’re done.

Alessio puts a hand on the small of my back and gently nudges me toward the door. I need to think over what Pietro said, but right now, a good workout is just what I need. Maybe after that I’ll have a clearer head. Though something tells me the longer I’m around Alessio, the more clouded my head is going to become.

22

ALESSIO

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