Page 48 of Little Rabbit

Sofia and Gia share a look, but I ignore it. Instead, I open the door to the bedroom, walk inside and gape. Holy shit, this place is something else. It’s a thousand percent not my style, but if you want to talk expensive, this room feels it. The room is very large, with a king-sized bed against the far wall, complete with drapes falling from the ceiling and being pinned to the wall in some kind of intricate pattern that make it feel grand. The headboard and footboards of the bed are made of what looks like steel, with intricate designs carved throughout, and two matching nightstands that look much the same on either side. In the middle of the room is a chandelier dripping with crystals.

The walls are covered in a black wallpaper with silver designs, and they frame all three windows. I turn to look at the two doorways on the left wall, and from my angle can make out that one is the walk-in closet and the other the bathroom. I already know they’re going to be just as dark and opulent. I turn back and look at the other parts of the room, taking in the gothic furniture and dark rugs, until finally I see the office space at the back of the room.

It’s just as gothic looking as the rest of it, and considering how dark out it is right now, it’s still decently lit by another chandelier that sits directly over the large wooden desk. Behind the desk is a wall of tall bookshelves, mostly empty but for a couple of books that look old, and a few small knick-knacks. Chairs in each corner sit empty, and I get a bad feeling about them, though I’m not sure why. The office area is like a little nook on its own, but it’s a good space for me to set up and work.

“The room needs some life in it,” Sofia says briskly, looking around critically. “We’ll work on that after this whole mess has been taken care of. I think it was used by Nico’s father.” Gia gives a soft shiver, which is all I need to know that Nico’s father wasn’t a nice man. “But I think it will suit everything you need,” Sofia continues.

I smile at her. “Yeah, this will be fine. I might even take this one and kick Alessio out to the one across the hall.”

“The one over there is a bit smaller, but just as dark,” Sofia says as she leads us over to the opposite room. “And it doesn’t have the desk, so I don’t blame you.” She opens the door, and I look in and see a room much like the one we just left, just flipped, with a slightly smaller bed, and without the office area. Though there is a cute window seat in the window closest to the bed. “Lazaro is in the room next to this one,” Sofia continues, “and Alonzo will be in the room on the other side of him. It’s better to have them all together instead of spread out if things get crazy.”

“Or they get crazy,” Gia snickers. “Last time they were here, they were throwing knives.”

“Why?” I ask, blinking in surprise.

Sofia scowls. “Because my brothers can’t accept I’m a grown woman and can choose to sleep with whoever I want. And if they try to do that again, they’ll be going back home with a few more holes in them. Now, I have some things to see to and get back in shape, because while I was gone, people have clearly been slacking. It’s going to be a long night, so I suggest you both get some sleep while you can.” Then she hurries out of the room, her steps loud and determined on the marble floors.

I look back at Gia. “I don’t know if I feel bad for the people who work for her or not.”

Gia smiles. “I think they’re all a little afraid of her. Sometimes I am too,” she whispers conspiratorially. “Are you going to be alright to get yourself settled in? I know the guys are talking and checking on things, but if you want me to hang around I can.”

I shake my head. “No, I’m fine.” I nod toward the bag still slung over my shoulder. “I have all the protection I need in here. Are you okay?”

She nods. “I’m good. The flight back was good, but I’m still super tired. I imagine the jetlag is going to hit hard for a couple of days.”

“Yeah, I get that.” We step back out of the bedroom, and I arch a brow when I see a man standing there, looking tough as nails and a bit annoyed as he takes us in. I’m instantly on edge, but Gia just smiles at him.

“Sienna, this is one of Nico’s security, Tommaso, who has been given the unfortunate charge of being my new bodyguard,” Gia says.

“It is a privilege to guard the Don’s wife,” Tommaso says stiffly, but I don’t miss the way he doesn’t include me in that statement.

Gia rolls her eyes. “Yeah, sure. You’d probably rather be doing anything else. Is anyone going to be watching Sienna?”

“Underboss Caruso will see to her security,” Tommaso replies simply. “Are you heading back to your room now, Signora Armani?”

Gia nods slowly, but bites her lip. “I don’t feel right about leaving Sienna here without anyone. Especially knowing what happened, and another attack could come at any time.” She looks at me. “Maybe I should stay here with you,” she hedges.

I’m not blind to the annoyance that flashes in Gia’s guard’s eyes. I don’t know what the problem is with this guy, but he clearly doesn’t like me, so I just shake my head and reply, “I’m fine. Seriously. Go and get some sleep and tomorrow we can find the gym in this place and work on your training again.”

Gia hesitates, but exhaustion clearly wins out when she slowly nods and says, “Alright. If you need anything, just call me or Sofia.” Then she surprises me by reaching out and giving me a tight hug, before she pulls away and then hurries off. Tommaso follows her without so much as a backward glance at me, and I roll my eyes. Either Nico’s men don’t trust me, or they’re assholes. I’m leaning toward the latter. It must be a requirement to become a mafia guy.

I walk back into the large bedroom, glancing around and then moving to put my bag near the desk and pull out my burner phone. No one has said I can’t call anyone, but I also feel like if Alessio finds out, he’s going to be pissed. But, if I don’t call Rori soon, she’s going to lose her mind. I was supposed to call her the morning after Alessio took me, but yeah, that definitely didn’t happen.

I put in the SIM card and dial her number. I wince when I hear her screaming at me on the other end.

“You fucking bitch, I’m going to kill you. Do you know how scared I have been that I haven’t heard from you? Especially knowing that Alessio fucking Caruso was after you? It’s been two days. Two fucking days and not one word. Not even to tell me you’re fine but will call me later. Nothing. I’m going to strangle you the next time I see you.” She’s gasping when she finishes, and I wait for a couple more seconds. With Rori, you never know if she’s going to keep going.

When I realize that she’s done, I say carefully, “If I promise to buy you something big, shiny, and pretty when this is all done, will that make you a little less pissed at me?”

“Bribing me with pretty things? That’s your solution? No, not this time, you evil witch. I will not allow you to distract me. You are forever on my shit list for scaring me so badly. Now, where are you?”

“Well, see, that’s the thing, and why I didn’t call you right away. Alessio did manage to find me in Greece. After I hung up with you, he broke in.” Then fucked my brains out, but I don’t bother with that detail. “He took me back to their home in Sicily. Side note, they call it a villa, but it is an actual freaking castle. I don’t know why I’m surprised at that, but you should see it, Rori. It’s stunning. If I had time I would have taken pictures. And it has secret doors and?—”

“Shut the hell up and tell me where you are,” Rori snaps, exasperated.

“Right, sorry. Anyway, I was only there for one night, and then we found out that my sister’s home was attacked here in New York, and?—”

“So you’re in fucking New York now? Wait just a fucking minute. You fled the US to get away from the mafia drama, and now, after all of that effort, you have landed your ass on the East Coast, in the middle of the whole fucking problem? Have you lost your fucking mind, Sienna?”

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