“Or, you could thank me for discovering a weak spot in their security so they can fix it,” she points out, taking the napkin that Alonzo passes her from the table next to us.
“How did you manage to get in?” I demand, narrowing my eyes at her as Alessio presses a kiss to my knuckles and releases my hand, but doesn’t move away. I hear a low warning growl, and turn my head to command, “Friend, Hades,” which instantly makes him subside.
Rori grins and shoots a look up at a very pissed off Alonzo. “I found the non-guarded part of the maze, and had Hades lay out on the grass looking all scared and pathetic, panting really heavy. This one,” she says with a jerk of her thumb to Alonzo, “happened to walk by and see him. When he reached him, he leaned down to check him out and I just stepped out behind him and put a gun to his head. Simple.”
“You’re leaving out the part where you released the beast and let him snap at my balls,” Alonzo grits out.
“Oh, yeah, that,” Rori grins. The crazy bitch is enjoying this; I roll my eyes at her. “Easiest way to keep him from turning around and getting the gun. Besides, Goliath, with the size of you, he probably thought they would be much more his size to play with.” Alonzo growls something under his breath that I can’t catch, but from the widening of Rori’s grin, she definitely did.
I sigh, then I turn to Alessio and Nico. “I’m sorry for my best friend being such an idiot,” I tell them both in exasperation. “But I’ll vouch for her.”
“Vouching means nothing when her family are cops,” Nico snaps at me.
“Nico,” Alessio says warningly. “Pissed or not, you don’t speak to her that way. Ever.”
“Sienna, it’s fine,” Rori butts in. “I get it, and I knew coming here had its risks. If it takes some time for everyone to realize I’m not a threat and I couldn’t care less about my family, that’s fine. As long as I know you’re safe, and I’m here to help you, that’s all I care about anyway.”
I turn toward her, pulling away from Alessio to hug her tight. “I’m not sorry for punching you,” I tell her softly.
She gives a low chuckle as she hugs me back just as tight. “I know, but you didn’t break it, so we need to work on your form.”
“I was holding back and you know it.” I pull away, grinning at her. “I’m so happy to see you.” I hug her again.
“I’m happy to see you too. Especially surrounded by all these hot men. Damn. Who knew the mafia had a beauty requirement?” She pulls away, looking pointedly at Alessio before turning back to me. “Why the fuck did you run from him again? Because, damn girl, if it were me, I’d be running to him, not away.”
“Clearly you should have been listening to her, coniglietto,” Alessio remarks, and I don’t need to look at him to know he’s smiling smugly. I can hear it in his voice.
“As interesting as this little reunion is, we have shit to deal with,” Nico interjects sharply. “Alonzo, seeing as she’s your new charge, she’ll be sleeping with you. Sofia, ensure he has a large enough space for the two of them and the demon she’s decided to bring along.” Then he turns and stalks away.
“Oh goody, I get to room with Goliath,” Rori drawls. She looks back at him. “I hope you’re not a cuddler, because Hades gets jealous. I also hope you don’t mind skin, because I sleep naked most of the time.”
Alonzo glowers at her silently. But since I’m looking at him closely, I see the way his jaw clenches and his eyes swirl with something akin to lust. If I didn’t think that Rori could handle him, I might put up a fight about this arrangement, but instead I keep my mouth shut. I’m curious to see what’s about to happen. Besides, if he tries anything, Hades will tear him apart. Rori just grins, completely unintimidated.
“Quit trying to make him uncomfortable when we both know that’s not going to work,” I tell her briskly. “Come and meet Sofia, who is that guy’s sister, and Gia, my sister. Ladies, this is my sister from another mister, Aurora O’Brien, but we call her Rori.”
Gia and Sofia step forward with smiles, Hades following and staring at them adoringly. “Nice to meet you,” Gia says shyly, shaking Rori’s hand.
“Oh my God, you guys look like twins,” Rori gasps, looking between the two of us. “You, darling, are stunning,” she adds to Gia, who blushes. Then she looks at Sofia, and back at Alonzo. “I can’t see the family resemblance, but you’re also stunning, so I guess good genes run in the family.”
Sofia grins as they shake hands. “My brothers got the height and brawns, but I got the brains. Now, let’s get you settled. I’m going to put you into a room close to Sienna and Alessio. I don’t have anything for Hades here, but I can send someone out .”
“I mostly just need dog food, but I have enough in my bag for a week,” Rori assures her.
“We’ll catch up with you both after,” Sofia says to Gia and I. “Alonzo, I’ll have your stuff moved at some point later today,” she adds briskly. He gives her a scowl, but nods.
“I’ll see you later,” Rori tells me with a smile. “Hades, come on.” Hades groans in a way that only dogs his size can, and then moves to her side, following Rori out of the room. Alonzo trails slightly behind, and I don’t bother to hide my grin at the slump in his shoulders as he accepts his fate.
“I give it a week. They’re either going to be screwing or trying to kill each other,” I tell Gia with a wild grin.
“Really?” Gia asks, surprised. “Alonzo seems so mad, I just can’t see it.”
“Don’t be trying to start shit, cara mia,” Alessio warns, drawing my attention back to him. “Now, Nico is right that we have some things to sort through. If we leave you two alone, are you going to stay out of trouble?” He reaches for my hand again, which is sore, but only bruised. “We’re going to be talking later about you hurting yourself,” he adds, shooting me a dark look.
“I’m fine, and she deserved it. You probably should get used to that kind of thing, Caruso, because we often spar and get pissed at each other over stupid shit.” He doesn’t say anything, just shakes his head, kisses me quickly, and then heads off, shooting a pointed look at Tommaso and Mario who are observing all this quietly in the corner of the room.
“He really adores you,” Gia says quietly with a soft smile.
“How can you tell?”