Page 296 of John + Siena: The Complete Duet

“Didn’t say I blamed her.”

“What about that goddamn deal Andino put in with the District Attorney?” Dante asked. “Arthur, or whatever the fuck his name is. Why hasn’t something come of that yet? The boss of the Marcello family cannot remain in lockup for very long. It’s dangerous.”

Gazes drifted to John, but he was still staring at the clock. He felt them looking at him, though, and waiting for a response. He didn’t have very goddamn much to give them right now. He knew as much as they did, honestly.

“We’re quite aware of how fucking dangerous is it for him to be in there,” Lucian snapped back.

John did look away from the clock at that statement. It was very unlike his father to be sharp in his words or tone, but especially to his brothers. Lucian Marcello had long since perfected the art of cold words, and a detached delivery. Even when it came to family. It was how he managed to distance himself from an argument with people he cared about.

“I’m just saying—”

“I know what you’re not saying, too, Dante,” Lucian muttered. “I don’t think we have to worry about someone putting a hit on Andino while he’s in lockup. That’s not the kind of issue we have been having lately. John has a bribe in with two of the guards as well, so he’s being fucking watched as much as we can watch him.”

“Scum has a way of surfacing when they think they have a chance to be overlooked, Lucian,” Dante replied.

Lucian opened his mouth to respond, but John stepped in to save his father the trouble. He knew his father was speaking for John, in a way. He rarely ever did that, but John’s distraction at this meeting was not going unnoticed, either. He couldn’t exactly help it at the moment.

Talking would do nothing.

Talking had done nothing.

John needed to do something.

“I will figure it out,” John said simply.

Dante looked at John, and so did Giovanni. John’s father, on the other hand, only leaned back in his chair like he knew the discussion was just about over with entirely. Lucian was smart that way—he could recognize when John had found his limit of politeness for the day. John had found his limit.

“And just how—”

“I will let you know,” John said, standing from his chair. “I shouldn’t have to make this clear, but this was a plan Andino put into motion. It was his choice to make, and he knew the risks. It was a plan he brought me in on for obvious reasons.”

John’s gaze drifted to where Siena was wiping down the island counter. She kept her gaze on her work, but he had no doubt she was listening to him. The woman was smart like that, and he appreciated it.

“So that means it’s our issue to clean at the end of the day,” John continued, giving Dante and Giovanni a look. “Let us do that without stepping in where you’re only stepping on my fucking toes.”

“John—”

He held a single hand up, and then just walked away from the table and conversation altogether. He left his father, and his uncles behind.

John had said his peace.

He gave his order.

He meant it.

“Where is he going?” Giovanni demanded.

“We’re not done talking, John,” Dante called.

“Actually,” Lucian said, “he is done, and he can be done whenever he wants to be, brothers. Benefit of being the boss—a benefit you used all the damn time, Dante. A boss is a boss is a boss, even if he is the boss of another family. He said what he said. It’s done. Let it be done.”

“John?”

“Hmm?”

“What are you doing?”

“Looking for the fucking cake, Siena.”