Page 57 of And Twice as Twisted
“Did you sleep at all last night?”
I barely acknowledged Alexei, my eyes glued to the coffee maker.
“Sienna, this isn’t healthy.”
“You’re not healthy.” I ignored his mutteredreply about me beingchildishand added, “I’ve secured another contract.”
“I thought the whole point of getting away was to leave your familyandwork behind.” He sipped his own mug, watching me over the brim. “It’s been months and yet you’re working even hardernow.Why?”
I refused to voice the answer because it was embarrassing. I’d had time away fromhimto heal myself in more practical ways. But now, I had a whole new reason for living. I should’ve taken caution when it came to my heart. I wasn’t strong enough then, but I am now. I’ve turned into something my family wouldn’t like, but the heartless part of me didn’t care. Only one thing kept me going anymore, and I’d cherish it until the day I died.
I didn’t need the money. I needed the distraction that work allowed me. It had been a while since Alexei and I fled from the hospital. My records were erased, as if I had never been there. I needed the anonymity to heal myself after the mental and physical trauma that Gio inflicted on me. However, those monsters would never go away. And I could never go home. If I did, they’d all hate me for what I’d done. It didn’t matter that it was right, that I’d done it for myself, for my future. They’d hate me all the same. Even worse, I knew if I went home, the look he’d give me would break everything I’d worked so hard to rebuild.
“Want to go for a walk?” Alexei asked, knowing what my answer would be.
Just feeling the sun on my face and the peace our simple country life afforded me was a slice of heaven. I thought I wanted to rule New York, but after having a taste of this, I’d come to love the serenity the open space gave me. I could laugh, smile, and feel free for the first time in… ever. Alexei had helped me achieve it, and for that, I’d be forever grateful. But I knew I’d eventually have to go back. To face the people I loved and accept their hatred.
Our days at the cottage—and by cottage, I mean four thousand square feet of modernized living space, overlooking aprivate lake, with no neighbors for miles—were simple. We took walks, I worked endlessly to continue my empire, and Alexei cooked. It was something he picked up because he was tired of driving forty-five minutes for subpar meals that were loaded with fat.
At first, I struggled with the emotional side of things. My hormones were on overdrive and the more distance I’d put between me and my family, the worse it got. I’d drowned myself every day in my work and that was what kept me sane… my work and moments like this.
“Do you think he will hate me more than I hate myself?” I asked as we sat down on the edge of the dock.
“Do you really hate yourself? Or do you hate that he isn’t part of your happiness?” Alexei gestured a hand over the water. “That he isn’t here to experience this with you.”
“Both.” I answered truthfully, tilting my head back to feel the sun. “I’ve given all of them so much of myself, never putting my own needs before theirs.” He nodded and seemed at a loss, so I continued, “They may not understand my reasoning, but it’s what was best for me. For us.”
“My uncle saw him recently. Said he is more himself, in control again.”
The damn butterflies never got the message to leave. “How would he know that?”
He opened his mouth to reply when we both heard the sound of an approaching vehicle. “Fuck, get inside. Quickly.” Alexei charged for the side of the house while I darted up the secluded path to the back door. I felt like a million pounds were holding me down as I fled up the stairs, darting to one of the various spots where I’d hidden guns. No one would force me to leave.
“Lock it down,” I shouted at the maid. I shoved the Glock into the waistband of my pants and darted back outside. I trailed the shadows around the house, my back sliding across its exterior asI listened to the short, even steps of someone approaching from around the corner.
“Fuck!” a masculine voice hissed out as my hand connected with his throat. He moved fast, grabbing my arm and attempting to twist it behind my back. I shrugged him loose as he swung an elbow, but unable to avoid it, I clenched my teeth as it connected with my cheekbone.
Pain exploded behind my eyes—effectively knocking the wind out of me—but I kept moving my feet, ducking, and swaying to avoid having my arms pinned down. He grunted and cursed as we danced. I fed off the pain I inflicted on him, my own injuries stinging just a little bit less with each blow I delivered.
“Motherfucker.” The man dropped as someone tackled him against the house and he landed like a ton of bricks.
What do you get when a mob boss, five armed men, and a gorgeous blonde head out into the middle of the woods? Vengeance.
“I found her,” Persephone called out. “Are you okay?”
I swallowed back the pain rising in my throat. “In not so many words, yes.” I couldn’t help the grip I maintained on the Glock as they approached.
Dom Moretti eyed me as if I were a ticking time bomb, his hold on Persephone soft—yet it served as a clear, unspoken warning as well.
You killed my brother.
Did he want revenge? I felt like I could trust Persephone; she’d kept her promise to me. But could I trust the rest of them?
“Please don’t draw that gun from your back,” Dom stated, causing his men to tense, their fingers itching to grip their own weapons. “We mean you no harm.”
“I’m sorry…” I started to say, but he stopped me.
“I’m not. My brother was an absolute piece of shit and you did all of humanity a favor by killing him.” I could tell he meantevery word. “We’ve all been at the receiving end of his cruelty.” Dom unfastened two more buttons on his white shirt, showing me a large scar that seemed to run along his chest. It was somewhat faded but still grotesque.
