Page 36 of John + Siena: The Complete Duet

Great.

Bookkeeper, and a server.

Perfect.

Siena tossed her book aside with a soft sigh, and stood from the couch. Her father followed behind as she headed for the kitchen. With the electric kettle turned on, she kept her back turned to her father as she pulled out instant coffee, sugar, and a mug from the cupboard. At least this way, she figured her father might get the hint that she was not up for conversation.

Apparently not …

“I wondered if maybe you would be out tonight,” he said behind her.

Siena stiffened. “Why would I be out?”

“You’re twenty-five. Surely you have friends, and you like to do things. Don’t most girls your age?”

“Haven’t you told me for basically my whole life that idle hands and bad behavior would only shame you and the family?”

Matteo chuckled darkly. “That I did.”

“I don’t go out very much, Dad.”

Mostly true.

“No friends, either?”

“A couple.”

“What about men?”

A knot of tension tightened around Siena’s spine. She tried not to show how uncomfortable the question made her as she turned around to face her father.

“Like dating?” she asked.

Matteo nodded. “Exactly that. Are you seeing someone?”

“Would it matter if I was?”

“I should think it would be my business if you were,” he replied.

“Yet, I’m not.”

“At all?” he pressed.

Siena’s gaze narrowed. “Where is this coming from, Dad?”

Because it all screamed strange and odd to her. It wasn’t like her father to care much about her personal life as long as she kept it quiet, and private. As long as nothing she did brought shame to her family, then he never spoke a word about it.

After all, he wanted a compliant, easily controlled daughter. Much like how he preferred his wife, too.

Matteo waved a large hand. “Your brothers mentioned maybe you were dating, and I thought I should ask.”

What?

When would her brothers—

Siena’s thoughts slammed together with a heavy realization. All she did was ask about one single man in front of her brothers, and the first thing they did was run to her father with the information.

Like a bunch of assholes.