Page 136 of John + Siena: The Complete Duet

Siena was sure John would not want people like her father or brothers knowing anything was wrong, if something was.

“Nothing’s wrong with John, Dad,” Siena said. “He’s a little tired lately. Like me, he works too much.”

“Sure,” Matteo replied. “Men like us always work too much.”

Siena wished she believed her father. Something in his tone—a lilt she didn’t recognize right away—felt like he was placating her. Matteo wasn’t very good at hiding those things. Or most times, he didn’t even try.

He was the kind of man who believed women should be seen, but not heard. Especially the women in his life. He would never expect Siena to ask him anything, or to call him out on his lies. She had not been raised to do that, but right then, it took every ounce of her willpower not to do it.

The only reason she didn’t do it was for John. She didn’t want her father thinking something was wrong. Or rather, that she knew something was, as he said, off with John.

The Marcellos didn’t trust the Calabrese family. Unfortunately, that also included her. There was nothing Siena could do about that, except stay loyal to the one person that mattered the most to her. John.

Regardless of how John’s family felt, Siena was going to take care of John. That meant watching his back and looking out for him. He needed somebody on his side, and she was that person. They didn’t have to believe it—or like it—for it to be true.

As for her father … well, there had to be a reason why the Marcellos didn’t trust the Calabrese. Knowing her family like she did, she didn’t need to question why. They had done enough things over the years that Siena had seen from afar to know that they would do anything to get wherever they wanted to be.

And her father?

Her brothers?

They had always wanted to be on top.

Had they done anything to John? No. At least, not that Siena had seen. Nothing that she could point to and say, yes, this was directly related to harming John, or his family.

She had seen nothing like that.

She knew nothing like that.

Yet.

Because with the men of her family, it was hard to tell what they might do next if given the opportunity. She didn’t trust them, and she definitely didn’t like her father digging for things about John.

Siena asked, “Is it okay if I take a day?”

“I guess so,” Matteo said.

“Great, thanks.”

“And do let John know he can come to me anytime, if he needs something.”

“Yeah, I’ll let him know.”

Except she wouldn’t.

Not at all.

Siena hung up the phone, and set the device aside. On the countertop, the screen blanked out. She continued to stare at it long after the phone call was over. Something just wasn’t sitting right with her. Not about her father, and not about John.

She was brought back to the things she had been noticing about John. Things she had overlooked before because the changes had come on slowly, and she felt maybe they were normal for him, considering. She didn’t have experience with bipolar.

Only John.

Siena knew the truth was clearer than she wanted to admit. She was close to John. Very close. Her perception of him was tainted by her feelings. She was willing to turn cheek to certain things because she cared, and she didn’t want to upset him.

She was worried she might not be able to do that anymore. Not if it meant his health—mental or otherwise—well-being, and safety was on the line.

There was no doubt in her mind that John was not aware of the changes he was exhibiting. If he knew, wouldn’t he ask for help? Wouldn’t he do something about it?