The insult hits me like a match to gasoline. The blood roars in my ears, my muscles locking as I prepare to vault across the table and rip the smug look right off his face.
Before the situation can explode into violence, Sienna’s hand gently but firmly rests over mine. Her skin is cool against my burning knuckles, applying just enough pressure to anchor me.
"Alessandro, please," she whispers to me, her voice a quiet, grounding command. I close my eyes for a fraction of a second, drawing in a sharp breath, and force myself to calm down. The lethal tension humming in my muscles begins to ease, though my gaze never leaves Nino’s face.
She turns to smile at Nino, who is still glaring aggressively across the table at me. "The tensions are high right now," she says, her tone smooth and entirely diplomatic. "I’m sure we all understand why Alessandro is angry about this. This isn't just about his wedding—this is about all of us. But we don’t need to fight each other."
Enzo nods slowly, tapping his cigar against the glass. "Sienna is right. We are a family.”
Nino scoffs, though he shifts back slightly into his seat. "If Alessandro doesn’t want a fight, he should not have accused me. I am a loyal member of this council."
Sienna keeps her perfect smile firmly in place, entirely unfazed by his hostility. "Then let's clear the air completely. How about a padel game tomorrow? Right here on this court. Bring your wife. You’ll play against me and Alessandro."
Nino narrows his eyes at her, trying to read the angle she's playing. “A game?”
"Yes. Let's settle the score properly," she continues, leaning forward with an air of playful challenge that completely hijacks the table. "Since you and your wife are the reigning champions every weekend, I think you should prove it. Tomorrow morning, right here on the Melvitto court. Couple against couple. Let's see if your game is as good as your talk."
A few of the other elders let out surprised, appreciative chuckles, the threat of a physical brawl instantly dissolving into the promise of a high-stakes social match.
Nino shifts in his seat, his chest puffing out again as his pride takes the bait. "A match? Against the Don and his new bride? I wouldn't want to embarrass the head of the family, Sienna."
I want to punch him so badly my knuckles ache, but I force my expression to remain flat. I know exactly why Sienna is doing this. She's laying a trap. It will be infinitely easier to get information out of Nino when he’s feeling relaxed and arrogant, rather than backed into a corner in front of the entire council.
But fuck, I am going to need a shitload of patience to get through the next twenty-four hours without snapping his neck.
"Don't worry about us, Nino," Sienna laughs. "Just make sure your wife brings her best gear. We'll see you on the court at ten sharp."
Nino glares at me one last time, assessing the challenge, and beneath the table, Sienna's hand tightens reassuringly around mine, warning me to stay steady.
“Okay. But if I win, Alessandro has to apologize to me. In front of the entire council."
Before I can growl out a flat refusal, Sienna lets out another soft laugh and gives a dismissive wave of her hand. "Deal."
I cut my eyes to her, my jaw tight. There is absolutely no fucking way I am apologizing to this bastard, win or lose. Sienna rises from her chair as gracefully as a swan, smoothing down the front of her dress. I rise right along with her, placing a hand firmly at the small of her back.
Fuck, she is hot. Standing there with that sharp Caruso pride radiating off her, I realize I can’t wait to get her back home and behind closed doors.
"Have a pleasant evening, gentlemen," I say politely to the table. “See you tomorrow, Nino.”
The elders nod silently as we turn on our heels. I guide Sienna across the stone patio, keeping my pace steady, and we walk back to the parked car in silence.
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
SIENNA
As early as nine-thirty the next morning, Alessandro and I pull back through the gates of Melvitto Garden.
I am way too excited for this match. Firstly, because I wasn’t lying yesterday when I told the elders I used to play padel with my sisters. We used to play every single weekend back home, and it was brutal.
Secondly, because I deliberately omitted a very important detail: I am exceptionally good at it. I fully plan to completely wipe the smugness right off Nino’s face today. His wife can get it too, I really don’t care.
On the drive over, I had asked Alessandro if he is any good at the sport. He just shrugged his massive shoulders and muttered that he "knows how to swing a racket." Killjoy. I don’t even mind, though. I’m good enough for the both of us, and watching himmove around a court in athletic gear is going to be a view I won't mind analyzing.
Nino is already waiting on the glass-walled padel court when we arrive, spinning a racket in his hand. Standing beside him is a stunning woman with perfectly styled dark hair, wearing a sleek, designer tennis skirt.
Nino smiles proudly the moment he sees us approaching, his eyes gleaming with the same arrogance from yesterday. "Ah, the Don and his bride. You're early." He motions to the woman beside him. "This is Giulia, my wife."
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Giulia," I say, stepping forward with a warm, genuine smile.
