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“Those flowers aren’t from me.”
My heart stills and my eyes widen as I process his words. Fear slithers through me as I realize maybe my family has finally found me. Max is giving me a quizzical look now.
“I’m tired, Max.” I try to hide my fear and close my eyes. My mind is reeling with what this means. I wait for him to argue with me, but he doesn’t. Like most nights, he shuts off my lights and the space beside me dips. His strong hands pull me in, embracing me.
“You’re safe,” he whispers. That rough voice of his and the way he holds me is enough for my body to relax into his. “When I find out who is sending my girl flowers, I will destroy them. I will do it for you.” I wish his words sent me into a panic, but instead, they give me comfort.
Chapter 23: Sienna
“Youcleanupwell,for being a bar wench,” Jameson says as we walk into the gala.Who says things like that?He holds on to my elbow tightly, the pressure of his grip painful, but I refuse to wince.
My eyes seek out Dante, finding him with his whole family at a circular table. Max is there with a date, as promised. My lips twist with disgust, even though I have no right to the reaction. Jealousy ripples through me. They all look happy, like a family unit. I never had that and wouldn’t even know how to fit in.
I wonder if Max realizes how easily he fits in with them. The men stand, leaving the table and making their way to the bar.
“Now is a great time for introductions.” Jameson pushes me toward them, staying behind and out of harm’s way.
I force my shoulders back and hold my head up high as I approach them. My heart is pounding against my ribs and I swear they’ll take one look at my face and see guilt. No one notices me, except for Max. His eyes are glued to me as I take each step. They blaze with anger and lust, the combination lighting my skin on fire and my heart adopts an impossible pace.
Max in a three-piece suit is heavenly. His broad shoulders stretch his jacket in all the right places. His smirk grows when he sees me looking him up and down before my eyes turn to Dante.
I was hoping Dante would spot me right away, but the conversation with the brothers has his complete attention. I pause, wishing I could turn back. I glance back to Max, his features are hard seeing my attention turned to his brother.
Taking a deep breath, I force my presence to be known. “If you’re not ordering a drink, move on so others can,” I say in an annoyed tone, but the smile on my face can’t wait to see their reaction to someone talking to them like that.
As expected, the four Mancini Men turn to glare at me, but when their eyes land on mine, their faces melt and smiles curve their lips. All but Max’s, of course. I step in to give Dante a hug, just because I hate the way Max is looking at me. Dante stiffens in my embrace but after a second, his arms relax into a hug around me too. It’s progress.
“Babe, when you said you couldn’t come with me tonight, I asked someone else,” Max cockily responds.
“Yes, I met her earlier. Lovely girl,” I lie. I already hate her for no reason. I turn my back so Max is no longer in my view and speak to Dante. “Dante, I want you to meetmydate.”
Dante extends his hand to the tall stranger behind me. “Not him.” I roll my eyes and this time it’s Max who lets a laugh escape his frown. “He’s over there.” I point at Jameson and hold my breath, not knowing what reaction any of them were going to have.
Dante’s face instantly transforms into something I’ve never seen. It’s pure rage, his hands curl into fits until he notices everyone staring at him and he masks his emotions.What the hell have I gotten myself into?
I take a few steps back when all of their attention slides to my date, wanting to get away as fast as I can. Max and his brothers grumble something under their breaths, before I’ve turned around and walked in the other direction. I don’t care how sketchy this might look.
A hand grabs mine, and before I can rip my fingers away, Max turns me to face him and pushes my back against the wall. His arms fall to the wall space beside my head as he leans down into me.
“What have you managed to tangle yourself in, Sienna?”
Max
Sienna is frozen, pushing herself against the wall like it will suck her in to free herself from me.
“How did you manage to be a naughty girl when you’ve been everything I watch and think about? You’re making play moves from under my nose while I’m the one who can’t get enough. I watch you eat, breathe, sleep.” I can hear the vulnerability crack in my voice, and it makes me feel weak.
“You need a hobby.” Her voice is breathless caged under me.
My nose slides down the side of her face until my lips are at her ear. “Youaremy hobby.” She’s way more than that.
I’ve never slipped until Sienna came into my life. An unhinged feeling coats each of my nerves while she masks her emotions and whatever she was struggling with before disappears like she’s transferred it all into me. The dread that was so obvious in her eyes has now transformed into determination. My strong girl is back.
My normal numb heart is aching, but it doesn’t even know why yet, and I can’t stop looking at her.
Her fingers brush over my jaw, the electricity between us zapping like a taser, digging deep into me, and I’m tethered to her, unable to let go. I’ll never let her go. I’m in love with every side of her, even the part that defies me. It has my heart rate accelerating, my muscles becoming excited about the chase she’s going to lead me on.
“You need to let me in.” My lips brush against the shell of her ear. “It would make this so much easier.” I smirk and look at her face. “But I’ve always liked a challenge.”
