Page 112 of Scorching Sienna

Dee squeals when she exits the vehicle and loops her arm through mine.

“This is amazing. We are going to have so much fun. I can’t wait to tell all my friends about this.”

“Oh Bob, here, take a photo of us.” She holds her phone out, Bob's expression so sour it makes me laugh. But he obliges, even counting to three in his gruff voice before taking it.

“Buckle up, Bob, that won't be the last one you take of us,” Dee jokes, elbowing him as we head toward the fancy entrance of the hotel.

We follow the other guests towards a large hall at the back of The Barcelona, where a concierge ushers us to a private booth on the top balcony. A private waiter attends to us, pouring champagne and offering a selection of entrees.

“This is amazing, Si. Honestly, I feel like I am in a dream.” She pinches herself and then laughs, and soon, I am joining her. She is theperfect companion for tonight. She is so happy and positive, and every new thing is experienced with wonder and awe.

The musical is phenomenal, and we are both crying by the time it ends. It was one of those star-struck lovers’ stories with a happy ending. I wonder if Damon purposefully chose it because of that.

After a quick trip to the powder room to repair the damage we have done to our makeup, we head off to eat the most fantastic meal I have ever had. Dee and I catch up on everything I have missed over the last two years, and when she expresses how difficult her last pregnancy was, I feel bad. I was so overwhelmed with James that I missed all of these things.

“Don’t do that. Don’t beat yourself up. Your plate was as full as mine. Speaking of plates, let's have dessert. Imagine the treat we are in for if the main was that amazing.” And just like that, she lightens the mood.

We are stuffed, tipsy, and giggling by the time we leave. It is one of the best nights of my life, aside from all the ones with Damon.

Damon. My mind shifts to him, and even though tonight has been a great distraction, which is what I think he intended, I can’t help but think about what is happening right now.

“He will be fine. Don’t worry. That man loves you so much that he wouldn’t let anything happen to him. Not if it meant leaving your side.” Dee grabs my hand and squeezes it reassuringly.

That better be true. I had lost one husband, one man I loved. I couldn’t lose another.

Later that night, when we finally climb into bed, that is the one thought that follows me to my dreams.

Chapter 29

Shadow

The bitch approaches the table, the smug smirk on her face making her look unattractive. Perhaps because it was a reflection of what was inside. Rotten. Despicable. Evil.

Julia Scarva.

She is so self-absorbed and self-confident that either it doesn’t strike her as odd that we are on a rooftop restaurant alone, not another guest in sight, or she thinks she is untouchable. I’d bet on her stupidity, so option number two.

“Well, Damon, to be honest, I expected your call sooner. Have you come to your senses?” She mocks, removing her coat before taking a seat. I don’t bother giving her a response.

She rearranges her skin-tight blue dress, pulling on the fabric to expose more of her puffed-up cleavage. She must delude herself that the look on my face isn’t pure disgust as she winks and smiles sensually. I would rather watch Bobby ‘One Fist’ Brown do what he does best than watch Julia trying to be provocative. It's vile andbile-inducing. Nothing compared to my rainbow.

I remind myself that it is because of what this creature has done to my girl that I must go through with this.

The waiter arrives with a bottle of red, one of Julia's favorites.

“Oh, Damon, you didn’t forget,” she gushes, fluttering her eyes at me as the waiter pours her a glass.

Her red-painted lips pull up in a flattering smile as she thanks the waiter before he leaves.

“So, to what do I owe the pleasure? The last time I saw you, you declared your version of love to that little girl next door. What was her name, Sylvia? Sheryl?”

She feigns ignorance, and once again, I hate that I promised Nicolo that I would not kill this vile creature.

I was a monster of my word, especially when it came to a man who was like a brother to me. My only family growing up.

“Sienna,” I say curtly, the little laugh she gives me so false it wasn’t worth the effort.

“That’s the one. So where is little Miss Sienna? Busy baking bread? Or maybe fucking the doorman?”

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