Page 120 of John + Siena: The Complete Duet

“Does he?” John asked.

“Hmm?”

“Have something else to deal with, Grandpapa?”

Antony smiled slightly, and his gaze drifted in Siena’s direction before going back to his grandson. “We all have things to deal with at the moment. It’s a part of being a Marcello, John. You shouldn’t forget that, regardless of other things in your head or heart.”

Gio cleared his throat. “We’re going inside. Do you want to walk in with us, or not?”

The three men waited.

John sneered. “Nah, I’m good.”

That was that.

Andino gave John a nod as the older two Marcellos turned and headed back up the stairs. Gio kept a hand on Antony’s arm as the two navigated the icy parts. Andino stayed behind them both, and a couple of paces back.

“What was that about?” Siena dared to ask.

John shook his head, and gave her a smile. “Nothing, bella. Don’t worry about it.”

She didn’t think it was nothing.

“Do they not want me here?”

“It’s not that.”

“What is it, then?”

“Bad blood,” John murmured. “It’s always been that way, and it’s probably not going to change.”

“You mean—”

“You’re a Calabrese. I’m a Marcello. The history between those two names in this city is enough to make any man in my family cautious.”

“Cautious,” she echoed.

“Yeah, love.”

“About me.”

John coughed, and squeezed her hand tucked into his elbow. “Like I said, don’t fucking worry about it. We’re doing us, not them.”

“Yeah, but—”

“I did what I did, and here you are,” John said, giving her a look with hazel eyes that stopped her words, heart, and breath for a split second. “Now, come on. God doesn’t like people to be late to Mass. Or, that’s what everyone told me growing up. Apparently, He fucking takes attendance like it makes a difference or something.”

Siena laughed.

What else could she do?

“It’s inviting them in,” someone growled. “That’s what this does, or at the very least, gives them the idea that’s what we’re doing.”

“That’s not necessarily—”

“The idea of it can be just as fucking dangerous, Lucian.”

“Everyone knows that isn’t his intention.”