Page 108 of John + Siena: The Complete Duet

“I would rather stand.”

“Why, are you going to fuck off if I say something you don’t like?”

John tried to let that statement brush off his shoulders, but it was damn hard. “I see Haven is downstairs. Siena is chatting with her.”

Andino’s gaze narrowed. “You brought her here?”

“I was with her when you called. I promised to spend the day with her since all I do is work my fucking ass off. I owe her time every once and a while, don’t I?”

“Sure, John, but you know how they feel about—”

“I imagine, the same way they feel about Haven, no?”

Andino tensed, and his broad shoulders stiffened. “Point taken.”

“Yet, she’s here, I noticed.”

“You sound like a broken record.”

“Give me something to give a shit about, cousin. It’s been weeks, and all I’ve wanted to do is break your face. So yeah, give me something right now.”

Andino glanced up, and cleared his throat. “Maybe I’m taking a page out of your playbook.”

“Which is what?”

“Doing what I want.”

John laughed. “That’s not going to be an easy road.”

Andino smirked. “No, definitely not. I didn’t want to pull the underboss card to get you here, John. Honestly. I know you think I’m a fucking jackass right now, but I was fine with letting you come to me when you were ready.”

“That so?”

“You felt like I crossed a line, and I get that.”

John bristled. “You did cross a fucking line, man.”

“They already had somebody watching you, John. I was approached because Dante had a guy trailing you, and he thought I might know something.”

Instantly, John found the closest chair, and sat his ass down. He felt like that was going to be needed for whatever Andino might tell him next.

Andino leaned back in his chair, and steepled his fingers. “So yeah, Dante and your father came to me asking about the Calabrese, and whatever else. I thought if I tried to explain that Siena was really just a random encounter you had then they would leave it alone.”

Anger simmered in John’s gut.

Hot, heavy, and poisoned.

Somehow, he hid it.

“You didn’t think to give me a fucking heads up that they were trailing me like that?” John asked. “And why the fuck can’t they just trust me?”

Andino shook his head. “I get the intentions were good, or that’s how Dante meant for it to be, but I warned him then that he was crossing a line with you. That kind of shit messes with your head.”

John looked away.

Fuck yeah, it messed with him.

“I should have let you know, John,” Andino said. “I’m sorry that I didn’t.”