Page 36 of And Twice as Twisted
“Stop speaking in circles and ask the fucking question.” His impatience curled my lips into a grotesque smirk. He didn’t know his man was missing… until now.
“Why did you send someone to Sienna’s apartment to pick her up?”
His brow scrunched, and for some reason, it gave me pause.
“Pick her up?” He nodded towards Romeo, who stepped outside to make a call. “I didn’t send anyone to pick her up.”
He was telling the truth. I could tell, read it on his face, hear it in his voice.
“Didn’t send anyone to pick her up. But you had someone on her.” It wasn’t a question, and his knowing smirk proved my point.
“I did. You should speak with Mario about that.”
Al turned and showed him his phone, giving Romano a glimpse of the man I’d just killed.
“It’s true. I had someone watching the apartment, butthat’snot him. Though I’m assuming he’s the reason one of my guys is missing.”
“You’re lucky I believe you.” It was my gut reaction.
Romano wiped his mouth and smiled, his scar dancing with the movement. Romeo walked back in and whispered in his ear. “I gotta go. I’m heading back tomycity and would like to stop for a coffee along the way.” I wanted to give him a matching scar toanswer for his feral smile. “Till next time, Deluca.” And then he and the rest of his entourage left.
“You really think he didn’t order it?” Al’s question was one I could answer with no hesitation.
“I know he didn’t.”
True to his word, it appeared the Agostino patriarch didn’t believe his son or his men could protect his daughter. I understood Mario’s need to ensure Sienna’s safety, especially with Octavia still missing. But to seek an outside source was not only a sign of weakness but an act of disrespect to those who looked up to him.
“Make that call to Lucky now. He needs to have a conversation with his father.”
We climbed into the SUV, our minds consumed by the newest unanswered question. Meanwhile, the beast inside my chest was rattling the cage and all he wanted was blood.
Chapter 13
SIENNA AGOSTINO
What a fucking nightmare.
My family had officially turned on me. At first, I was beyond devastated and now I’m downright pissed. I know I have—at times—made decisions without consulting them. It made them angry. Then they saved my ass or vice versa and we moved on. But to stick up forhimand hand me off to another man, that wasn’t okay.
Far-fucking-from it.
“Miss Agostino, what a pleasure.”
I set my cup on the saucer, swiping a drop of my coffee from my lips with my tongue, while Romano greedily traced the movement with his eyes. “Mr. Bianchi, I do believe you’re in the wrong city,” I mused as he pulled out a seat before I could offer. “And, of all the quaint little coffee shops, you just so happen to visit this one.”
“There’s a lot you still don’t know about me, Sienna.” The silence stretched for a moment as a million questions bubbled to the forefront of my brain. “Perhaps I’m just an avid caffeine enthusiast.” He looked around the meager décor and outdated furniture.
“Perhaps.” I sat back and crossed my legs, tapping my thumb on my thigh as I eyed him curiously.
“OrperhapsI was in the city on business and happened to stop by your office.” I knew where this was going. “Farrah is quite pleasant.”
“Farrah is a sucker for a good romance story, and a chance meeting is right up her alley.” She’d have happily told him where I was.
He nodded. “My presence seemed to piss off yourbestie.Farrah all but threw your schedule at me to get me out of there.”
“Alvin?” I questioned but already knew the answer. “He’s a tad protective. Now, after…” I gulped past the pain. “Af-after Octavia, he’s borderline territorial.”
“If you were mine—” Tucking a stray curl behind my ear, Romano stroked my cheek. “I’d be downright murderous.” The conversation dropped to just above a whisper, his stare never wavering.
