Page 70 of Loyalty

Siena scowled. “First, I’m twenty-five, not a toddler. Try to speak to me like an adult, and I’ll remember not to use big words for you when I respond. Second, what do you want?”

“Time for dinner.”

She waved a hand. “Yeah, I’ll be right behind you.”

“Siena, you could try to be pleasant tonight.”

“No, what I could have done tonight, Kev, was stay at home on my couch under a blanket and watched the newest episode of my favorite show. Instead, I am here. Dressed and prettied up to show off Dad’s beautiful family for whoever he’s putting this show on for.”

“And we’re so awful, right?”

He flashed her a grin.

She smiled right back.

“Something like that,” Siena said.

Kev sobered momentarily. “Seriously, what’s up with you?”

“I don’t know. Nothing in particular at the moment.”

“But still something. I know how women work. You all say nothing is wrong, but in reality, you’re stewing in some kind of shit inside your crazy heads.”

And that, everybody, is one of many reasons why Kev can’t keep a woman.

Siena didn’t say that out loud.

But it didn’t make it any less true.

“You going to tell me what’s wrong, or what?” he asked. “Because I don’t have all day, and they’re waiting for us at the table.”

She shrugged. “Don’t you ever get tired of putting on airs for Dad and his people?”

Kev cocked a brow. “Siena, I am one of his people.”

Yeah, shit.

She hadn’t thought of that, but she should have. Her brothers never understood why she didn’t enjoy being the child of a mafia boss the same way they did. Kev and Darren were revered as sons and made men, while she was the toss-away girl.

This conversation was going nowhere.

And fast.

Standing from the chair, Siena brushed down her skirt. “All right, let’s get this over with.”

“Smile,” Kev said as she left the sunroom.

Siena flipped her brother off over her shoulder instead. How’s that for a smile?

It only took a minute or two for them to get back to the dining room. Siena heard his voice echoing out from the space before she even stood in the entryway.

“Whiskey is fine,” he said.

His voice came out dark and rich.

Like honey.

Fuck.