Page 37 of And Twice as Twisted
“Wh-what?” I coughed past the dryness in my throat, squirming a bit in my seat. “Why’re you here?”
His knowing grin seemed to mock me. “You know why. Mario told me you’re aware of his plans forus.” His tongue traced along the curve of his lips. “I’m just waiting on a few minor details...”
“Lucky is increasing profits, strengthening his hold as he prepares to step in. An alliance makes sense.”
His eyes assessed me as he sat back in his seat.
“You want something else before you agree.” It wasn’t a question.
“I’m a businessman, Sienna. Your brother may’ve been the face of those deals, but who was really at the helm of those negotiations.”
I didn’t need to answer. We both knew it was me.
At one time, I wanted nothing more than for my family to be in the spotlight. I didn’t need the credit, just the overall profitability of our name. However, as of late, I wanted my accolades. They were long overdue.
And Romano was giving them to me.
“You’ve intrigued me, Mr. Bianchi. And I don’t mean by sweet talking my assistant, in order to gain yourself a boring black coffee.”
He tossed back the rest of the cup without flinching.
“Just about every legal deal this family has conducted since I was sixteen was my doing. So, I’m curious… what deal are you willing to broker formyalliance.”
Romeo walked in with a playful smile, quickly dropping it to look at his boss and whisper something in his ear. The agitated growl that left Romano forced my thighs together.
Goddamn, this man was hot. Why couldn’t he be enough for me?
“I apologize but we need to continue this at another date.” Romano stood up from the table, placing a gentle kiss on my hand. “Next time, Farrah can schedule dinner for us.”
“I look forward to connecting with her,” Romeo muttered, garnering our attention. “To schedule that dinner, of course.” He did little to hide his smirk as my hackles rose with the comment.
I crossed my arms over my chest, nodding as they both dipped their heads in respect and left. “Fuck,” I hissed once they were out of earshot.
“Fuck.” The sentiment was echoed back at me.
I looked at the barista who stared longingly at the door, fanning herself with napkins.
“Girl, that shit was swoon-worthy!”
I shook my head and sat back in my seat, unable to pay attention to my tablet. Another latte was dropped in front of me, but I couldn’t focus on anything other than Romano’s suddenappearance. My father had made it clear that he was using me to form a continued alliance with our neighboring city.
But something felt… off.
I took a sip of my latte, the caramel melting on my tongue as my mind raced. Too many variables lurked in my life and I just added Romano to that list. I dropped my tablet on the table with an agitated sigh. My afternoon was screwed. There was no way I was going to be able to concentrate now.
Nothing was ever simple in the mafia. My goddamn brother said he wanted me gone, but there was a reason outside of his concern for my well-being. Lucky for me, I knew when to call their bluff, and no one’s poker face could outdo mine.
“What’re you doing here?” Alexei asked as I stepped off the elevator to my office.
“Ballroom dancing, idiot.”
Rocco chuckled at my back, his disdain for Alexei as evident as my own.
“Lucky said you were headed to Philly?” His innocent question shattered the wall holding back my stifling rage.
My feet pounded their way into my office, the thin heels of my red-soles threatening to crumble from the impact. My hands shook so badly I was unable to grab my door and slam it in his face. I threw my pale-blue Hermes Birkin handbag onto the chair at my desk, gripping the edges to keep me upright.
“So, about Philly…”
