Page 261 of John + Siena: The Complete Duet

Lucian seemed to understand, and only gave his son a nod in recognition. John was coming to learn that maybe he had more than a couple of safe places—in many ways, his father was becoming one, too.

“I didn’t mean to overhear,” Lucian said, “but I heard what you said regarding Andino.”

John’s irritation flashed through his gut.

Hot and poisoned.

Damn.

He wished he could let that go.

“He’s putting Siena in danger again and again,” John said. “And for what? Nothing.”

“Not nothing, son, to—”

“Take over the Calabrese. He’ll absorb the Calabrese Capos, streets, and their crews into the Marcellos, which will only make his organization bigger when he finally takes over Dante’s position officially. So, that compared to Siena’s life? Nothing, Papa. That’s what.”

Lucan looked over at John, and his familiar hazel gaze flashed with something John didn’t recognize. “He’s not explained this to you at all, has he?”

“Explained what?”

“You’ve got this all wrong, John.”

“Again, wh—”

John’s question was cut off by the sight of a black sedan with tinted windows slowing down in front of the drive leading up to Leonard’s home. He saw the driver’s side front and rear windows roll down a few inches, and gun metal glinted in the light.

“Shit,” John hissed.

He grabbed his father, and took them both to the ground with enough force that he was worried he might have broken something.

Bullets rained down.

Relentless.

Violent.

Deafening.

John kept his father covered.

Fucking Calabrese.

More people were going to have to die for this.

Shame.

John scrubbed a hand down his face in frustration as more people flooded into the hospital room. Jordyn snapped at anyone who came too close to her husband while the nurse gave Lucian his first small dose of morphine.

Getting two ribs broken could be painful, after all.

“Give me the run down,” Dante said, moving in beside his brother’s bed.

Sweet Jesus.

If there was anyone’s glare who could rival the Devil’s, it was John’s mother. Even his uncle couldn’t help himself but take a quick step back when Jordyn leveled it on him. John held his chuckle back, but barely.

“Jordyn, it’s—”