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I nodded my agreement but loathed the idea of her leaving the house without me. I shifted my gaze out the door and caught Nonna watching me while she spoke to someone. Her gaze, which once brought me so much comfort, now brought only anger.
“Can you distract Nonna long enough for me to go talk to her?”
“No,figlio.” She set her glass down and angled herself, so her face was hidden from Nonna’s view. “Your nonna needs to think you’re finished with Sienna. If she even suspects for one moment that you’re not going to listen to her about her fears, who knows what she’ll do. Don’t underestimate her. Let me go to Sienna. I’ll tell her what we’ve discussed, and as soon as there’s an opportunity that’s safe, you can go to her. But for now,” she stood and ran a soft hand down my cheek, “stay away.” I gave a slight nod of agreement and forced myself to sit back in the chair.
I’m not sure how many times I tapped the screen on my phone to check the time. With every minute that passed, I felt my chest growing tighter, my blood pumping harder, and my foot vibrated against the floor.
Fuck it.
I texted Gain in spite of the fact I knew he was working in the garage. I’d sent him on a mission to set off Nonna’s car alarm. Gain was a particularly trustworthy soldier and never asked questions, just did as he was told. Moments later, I heard the alarm, and the kitchen was instantly illuminated with flashing headlights. Abramo shot up from his chair and went racing outside with Nonna hard on his heels.
I hopped to my feet and charged down the hallway, up the stairs, and into Sienna’s room. Mama shook her head in defeat as I burst into the room, then smiled at me.
“I’ll leave you two be, then,” she said but leaned in as she passed me to speak quietly into my ear. “A plan has been hatched. Don’t waste time discussing it, just reassure her that you love her. No more than five minutes.” She eyed me as she said that.
Once the door was shut, I locked it and quickly moved across to her. I was glad the room was dark. She didn’t need to see the pain and hate I was carrying on my face. She sat with her back straight and her legs over the side of the bed. She sniffed and wouldn’t make eye contact with me. Her hair fell all around her face as I knelt in front of her and found myself unsure what to say. Instead, I took her hand and slid my family ring onto her ring finger then moved her hand to my chest, covering it with my own.
“We’ve spent a lifetime getting to right here, I will not let a name change that.”
“I swear,” she croaked, “I swear I had no idea.”
“I know.” I cupped her cheek with my free hand. I hated to see her hurting and how much this situation really did change things. She flinched slightly at my touch but didn’t pull away from me. “I’m so sorry for everything, Sienna. I trust you more than anyone in this world. I was momentarily blinded by all our family rules. I want to spend the rest of my life making that up to you.”
She let out a sob and leaned into me and pressed her lips to my neck. I wrapped my arms around her, wanting nothing more than to hold her tight.
“We will get through this, but—”
“I know.” She took a deep breath and hesitated, and it reminded me that she and Mama had already hatched a plan.
“You should go.”
She sighed and pulled back, but I grabbed her head and pressed my lips hard against hers. Again, she tightened at my touch, but a moment later she surrendered, and I knew as she relaxed and kissed me back that we were going to be all right.
Donte was leaning against the counter when I came in, and the moment he registered me, he shook his head and stepped back. His gaze swept quickly around at Nonna’s new soldiers, who now seemed to hover everywhere now, and cleared his throat.
“Ah, boss, this was left for you.” He pointed to the counter, knowing better than to have touched it. As I studied it, Niccola and Vinni came in and joined us. Then Mama, who looked as though she hadn’t slept all night, emerged from behind them and gave me a slight nod to read it.
“She traced the words,La Fine.” Donte’s tone made me look up.
It was written in flour, which he knew meant it was for me.
“What context is this?” I grated.
“I told her about the story that Niccola used to share about you. About how you were in love with someone, and that’s why you didn’t date.” He cleared his throat. “The look on her face told me everything. When I told her I knew it was her, she begged me not to tell a soul. That’s Sienna, making sure everyone else around her is all right, even at her own expense.”
“Donte,” I warned, not needing a rundown on Sienna’s personality.
“She’s saying your story is over, boss.La Fine,” he blurted then averted his eyes from me.
I turned away from them and broke the seal on the envelope she left. The necklace she always wore was curled in the corner of the fold, and I slid it out into my palm. My heart skipped a beat as I realized the bear pendant no longer rested against the crow. I grasped the chain and threaded it through my fingers as I tugged the paper out. The room went silent as her words flooded my head and my stomach sank.
Dearest Elio and Capris,
As a little girl, I dreamed of having a place I could call home, a room that was just for me, and parents who would tuck me in, kiss me goodnight, and chase the monsters away.
Then one day I met you by the pond. You earned my trust and slowly became my friend. You taught me what it meant to share life experiences, and I eagerly awaited each note you would leave for me tucked in the trunk of a tree. As the years went on, I fell totally in love with you and let my guard down enough to finally meet your family.
I never thought I would ever be so accepted by anyone, let alone complete strangers, and to feel their warmth and love was overpowering. I’ll admit I was nervous at first. Who could blame me? It was my first interaction with people who were so obviously happy and wanted to share it with me. You brought me that.
