Page 45 of Little Rabbit

I glance at Nico who is already heading for the door, then back at my father. “I’ll try, but we both know that being with each other every day, he’s going to find it hard to resist me,” I joke. Nico stops and glares at me over his shoulder before leaving the room.

Papa sighs. “I’m never going to have bambinos at this rate. Be careful.” He sits down and I head for the door, Lazaro following behind me.

“I’ll find the girls and get them where they need to go,” Lazaro offers. “I’ll make sure the jet takes off around the same time as Nico’s. Probably going to be a couple of hours. And I’ll make sure Alonzo is ready too.”

“Good. And Lazaro, just so we’re clear, if anything happens to me, you will see to it that Sienna is protected and taken care of,” I add before we separate. He nods, understanding.

It’s a stupid statement considering I will allow nothing to happen to me or Sienna, but still, it needs to be said. Because in war, there can only be one winner, and I always come out on top.

23

SIENNA

Gia groans as I knock her down once more, and this time, she just lays there panting and moans, “Uncle. No more. I’m already going to be bruised and hurting for days after this.”

I glance at Sofia who’s grinning. We’ve spent the last half hour working with Gia, who is admittedly good when it comes to stamina and running, but the actual hands on, she definitely needs practice. “It’s only your first day, so I think that’s good,” I agree with a smile, sinking down onto the mats beside her prone body. Sofia takes a seat on the other side. “But we do need to get you working with some weights. Being fast is one thing, but if you don’t have strength behind it, you’re going to struggle.”

“I’m going to struggle anyway,” Gia huffs, pulling herself up slowly into a sitting position, wincing a couple of times. “But I know you’re right. Maybe Nico will work with me.”

Sofia snickers. “Or he’ll find a way to fuck you in the gym and work on your cardio instead.” I snort, even as Gia blushes, but still smiles. “He probably doesn’t want you to learn how to do this shit so you can’t use it against him.” She winks at me. “Like how Sienna got him last night. I’m still pissed I missed it, and that Massimo didn’t fucking record it.”

Now it’s my turn to wince. I glance at Gia. “How pissed at me is he?”

Gia shakes her head. “I don’t think he’s pissed at you. At least, not much. He’s still a man, and he’s got an ego the size of this room. But once we were back in the guest house, he was more concerned about me and making sure I wasn’t hurt. Oh, and he was pissed at Alessio, but he’s always pissed at him for something, so that’s not anything new.”

“So he’s not going to order me to scrub floors or something as pay back?” I joke lightly. Though, honestly, I wouldn’t blame him and would do it anyway if it would ease some of the guilt inside me.

“Of course not. He’s just pissed about it today because the guys won’t stop ribbing him,” Sofia butts in with a roll of her eyes. “The big bad mafia Don taken down by a girl isn’t something they see often. But you can bet your ass if it was one of them, they would be acting the same way. Sienna, don’t worry about Nico, seriously. He’ll get over it, and he has other things to focus on, so he won’t hold it over you.”

I sigh. “I just wish I knew how to act around everyone. I don’t know how to handle all the mafia stuff.I feel like I’m walking on eggshells. And I thought for sure Pietro would be pissed at me, but he wasn’t all that concerned.”

Sofia and Gia share a look, and then Sofia looks at me seriously. “Alessio is an idiot on a good day, and while this time, he’s technically right, you should know he would never allow any of that to happen. Neither would Pietro. It wouldn’t matter who the other Don was. They could demand all they want, but when it comes to the Carusos and Cattaneos, this is a lot more respect for women and their opinions. With the De Lucas, sure, that would probably be the case, but I think for you, the biggest thing to remember is you are not a De Luca, other than by birth. You don’t share a name with them, and you don’t know them. You technically will fall under the Armani protection because of Gia’s marriage to Nico, but you also fall under us and the Carusos because of your connection to Alessio. Like it or not, it holds a lot of weight to be considered the Don’s future daughter-in-law,” Sofia advises. “Even if you don’t plan on that being the case, letting people think it goes a long way.”

“And,” Gia adds, “if you’re ever not sure, ask me. I can tell you. I’ve been through it where I couldn’t say anything. And now, that isn’t the case. Sure, sometimes I’m not certain if I should speak my opinion, but Nico listens, and so does Dante. And the Carusos seem reasonable to me. I mean, Pietro talked to you and didn’t get upset with you, right? Even if he had every right to be, he listened. And if I can be blunt, the only people you ever need to worry about are the ones you’re closest to. Focus only on knowing the ins and outs of dealing with Pietro and Nico, and the underbosses. Everyone else, follow the lead of those you’re with. If I’m ever not sure, I keep my mouth shut and listen and then ask Nico later.”

I sigh. “Yeah, see, that’s the problem. I can’t always keep my mouth shut. My parents taught me to speak my mind or let people know what bothered me. I can be tactful, but keeping thoughts to myself isn’t my default. I think that’s what I’m scared of the most. Saying the wrong thing and embarrassing Alessio, or Pietro, or even Nico. I don’t want to strain relationships because of that.”

“All valid concerns,” Sofia agrees. “There is no handbook on how to be a mafia woman, Sienna. We all wing it and find our way as we go. You’ll be the same. And you’re not doing it alone. You have me and Gia to guide you. But I also think that with everything going on right now, you don’t have to worry about any of that. The only other Don to deal with is Nico, and you’re family, so you automatically will get some leeway. So stop stressing and just be yourself. Eventually you’ll figure everything out.” Gia nods in agreement.

“I’ll try. Now I just need to figure out what to do about Alessio,” I say with a roll of my eyes.

“What’s there to do?” Sofia laughs. “Ride that man with everything you got until you make up your mind. Darling, I saw you in that hallway, and phew.” She fans herself dramatically.

I chuckle. “Oh, yeah, he definitely knows what he’s doing, but I really don’t think that we’re compatible past sex.”

“Why not?” Sofia asks, arching a brow.

“Because he’s…he’s Alessio,” I groan weakly. “He’s bossy, controlling, and drives me insane. Half the time I want to strangle him, and the other half I want to jump his bones. Not to mention, what the hell could we ever have in common? He’s the heir to a huge empire, and I would rather work out or sit in front of a computer all day creating things.”

“Hate to tell you, darling, but the first part of that applies to mafia men in general,” Sofia says drily. “And the other part is bullshit excuses. I think you like him more than you want to admit, and I get it. You can’t let something go just because you’re different. But, I’ll give it to you that you’ve had a lot of different things thrown at you in the past couple weeks, so adding in a man like Alessio is going to feel overwhelming.”

“I felt super confused with Nico,” Gia offers gently. “I mean, you’ve met him, he’s intense. He kept telling me that I was his and belonged to him, and I wanted to scream every time he did. But then I got to see the parts of him that no one else does, and well, it helped me to realize that Nico the Don has many layers, and I’m one of the very few people who get to see them all. Maybe once you get to know Alessio and spend more time around him you’ll realize the same.”

I think back to the conversation that Alessio and I had in the tub last night, and then in the bed, and I see her point. Because with you, I can be myself and I don’t have to play the role I’ve always had to play.

Before I can reply to any of that, the door to the gym bursts open and I turn to see Nico with Lazaro hot on his heels stalking inside. Nico’s face is a hard mask, and I’m instantly on alert. Even Lazaro’s face is hard and grim. “What happened?” Sofia demands as she jumps to her feet. I help Gia up, even as she groans, though I can see the concern on her face.

Nico doesn’t answer, he just grabs Gia and carries her out of the room, bridal style. Gia gives us a worried look over her shoulder, but then they’re gone and Sofia and I look at Lazaro expectantly. Lazaro, thankfully, isn’t as close-mouthed. “Nico’s home was struck by Marco De Luca,” he tells us briskly. “They have to get back and handle it, but you’re both going as well. Seems that at the same time, Rafaele Parisi called in a hit here, and has instructed that Sienna, and Gia are to be captured and brought to him. We can’t risk you being here if shit goes south, so we’re heading to New York where we can protect you at Nico’s fortress.”

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