Page 31 of John + Siena: The Complete Duet

FOUR

Siena checked the calendar on her phone again—something she did upwards of twenty times a day. Like all the things she had put in to-do slots would suddenly change or disappear. Everything was still there, including the fact she was supposed to be at Kev’s restaurant over an hour ago to look over some changes he wanted made to his books.

Also, it was the end of August.

How in the hell did two weeks slip by without her noticing?

She was losing it.

That, or she was too busy to have a freaking life.

Siena headed inside Kev’s restaurant, and went to the back offices. She didn’t even stop to say hello to her friend that was waiting tables. She didn’t have the time.

The restaurant was full, though. The scrape of utensils against plates, and the conversations echoed behind her as she slipped into the back hallway.

Funny.

She worked here at least once or twice a month, but she had never actually eaten at the place. No, her whole life just revolved around which business she needed to be at from one day to the next in order to keep her brothers and father happy.

Siena tried to shrug off the irritation as she stepped up to the closed office door. Normally, she would have knocked if a door was closed. Her brothers demanded that she did for privacy. Not today, however.

She was too busy, and lost in her thoughts.

Siena opened the office door, and headed inside. She was still looking down at the calendar on her phone when someone cleared their throat.

Her head popped up.

Kev and Darren were both staring at her.

So was another guy.

She recognized Andino Marcello instantly. Of course, she only knew of the man, and very little else. He usually came to have meetings with one or both of her brothers every couple of months for Cosa Nostra business.

Something about crews, or streets.

Siena didn’t really know.

She wasn’t supposed to.

“Oh,” she said, taking a small step back. “Sorry about that.”

Kev cocked a brow at her. “You don’t know how to knock today, or what?”

“I’m late.”

Darren scowled. “Again.”

“How about you two do even half of the stuff I have to do, and then tell me how well you’re able to manage your fucking time.”

That quieted her brothers.

Siena mentally patted herself on the back.

“I’ll just wait outside until you’re done,” she said.

Kev sighed, and stood from the chair. “No, it’s fine. We were going to continue our discussion over a meal, anyway. Better for you to get to work while you’re actually here. And don’t even think about taking off before the changes are made to the books, Siena.”

She resisted the urge to roll her eyes, or tell her brother off. She only opted not to because Andino was there, and it wouldn’t lead to anything good for her in the end. One of her brothers would tell their father that she had disrespected them in front of a man from another organization, and she would never hear the goddamn end of it.