Page 52 of Scorching Sienna

Was I even in a position to call a mafia boss on his private phone like that? Sure, Damon could as they worked together, but who was I? A nobody server. Embarrassment blooms across my cheeks and doesn’t dissipate even when we arrive.

Only determination to see that Damon is all right drives me forward. As we climb out of the car, I first notice that we are in an industrial area, the parking lot filled with cars. Noise is coming from a large warehouse a couple of meters up from where we are parked.

We make our way there, Bob walking so close to me that I can smell his cologne. Something spicy and woodsy. It's not even close to the one I miss—whiskey, cigars, and forest.

We finally see the warehouse's entrance and a queue of people, most of them dressed to the nines. I look down, realizing that I am wholly underdressed for the occasion.

“Ah, there she is!” Marcello's booming voice draws my gaze and everyone else's. Everyone knows who he is, and their immediate recognition is seen in how they dip their heads.

“Marcello, it's so nice to see you again,” I greet him as I approach him. His open arms indicate he expects a hug, and I oblige because what else am I to do?

He releases me and smiles, but the smile quickly fades.

“What is this?” His finger points towards my neck, the bright industrial light not doing me any favors.

“It was…well…” I don’t know what to say as I stumble for the right words.

His eyes narrow, and his head tilts slightly to the side.

“Someone hurt you. This now makes sense.” Marcello fills in the blanks. His words are even more mysterious than what I have left unsaid.

“What makes sense?” His question is waved away with his hand as he leads me inside, with Bob, Jordan, and Kai following behind.

“These are your friends?” Marcello asks, looking back at the mismatched entourage.

“Sort of, yes.” I have just met Bob, so I wasn’t sure how to introduce him.

“They will mingle. You will meet my son and my wife.” Bob doesn’t need to be told twice, branching off from us to go who knows where. Jordan and Kai fall behind but keep me in view, their eyes darting around the room, probably searching for Damon.

“Lucy!” Marcello calls to a woman standing beside a handsome man who towers over her.

“My darling, there you are.” Lucy smiles at Marcello, her eyes lingering on him before they move to me.

“And you must be Sienna. I am so glad you could join us. When Damon told me you were not well, I was disappointed. Marcello has told me so much about you.” Lucy doesn’t hesitate to pull me in for a big hug, her expensive perfume and feathers from the scarf she has draped over her shoulders tickling my nose.

“I was feeling much better. But I see I am underdressed. Had I known…” I peter off, rubbing my palms against my jeans nervously.

“Magnifico!” The man standing beside Lucy grabs my hand and places a lingering kiss on the top, his brown eyes meeting mine seductively.

Lucy slaps him on the shoulder, scolding him in Italian.

“I’m sorry. This Casanova is our sonAlessandro.” Lucy’s voice holds a warning as she introduces me to the man still smiling at me seductively while his eyes travel my body.

“Alessandro, this is Sienna. Damon’s Sienna.Non toccare.”Whatever Marcello says, there is a warning in his tone.

Alessandro’s face lights up with surprise, and then he laughs.

“Well, this is interesting.” Why was this always the reaction?

“Come. I have a couple of dresses that will fit you. Let’s get you changed, and then we can look for Damon,” Lucy says, looping her arm with mine as she leads me away.

When I look back, Marcello and Alessandro are in a heated conversation, with Marcello's face indicating he is unhappy.

“Don’t worry about them. Come. There is a private room back here that is strictly for family use. And tonight, you are like family, yes?” Lucy laughs as she looks at my confusion, and I feel like I have walked into a scene for a movie I’m not prepared for.

We enter a door she closes behind us before leading us into another room—an office.

“Here. I think this one will fit you perfectly. I don’t have spare shoes, but your black boots will work well with it.” Lucy hands me a short black dress, pointing to a small bathroom on the side.

---