Page 48 of Vows of Blood

Ending the call, I stand there, letting the weight of this moment settle. Instead of panicking, a steely determination settles in my bones as a plan forms in the dark recesses of my mind.

It’s a long shot, but right now, it’s the only one I have.

One of my men rounds the corner, and I grab him by the arm before he can pass. "You're on the girl until I get back. She doesn't leave this house. She doesn't make any calls. She doesn't so much as step outside for fresh air. Understood?"

He nods, taking in the pretty house guest currently being served tea by Carmella, who’s more than a little intrigued by the only woman I’ve ever allowed to stay in my house.

Sienna looks up when I re-enter the kitchen, concern etched on her features. “What’s wrong?”

Carmella pauses at the sink, dish towel in hand, and fingers fluttering to rest on her lips as she waits for the bad news she senses is coming.

"I have to go." I keep my response flat and controlled, devoid of any emotion. "I need to tell Kate’s mother that Kate passed away."

Carmella blesses herself and lowers her head.

Sienna gasps, her hand coming up to cover her mouth. "Oh, Luca, I'm so sorry."

Her genuine grief for Kate, and her real sympathy for me, catches me off guard and makes me uncomfortable. She didn't even know Kate, yet she cares deeply.

With violence such a frequent part in my life, I’ve hardened myself against its effects.

Sienna’s kindheartedness highlights the gulf between us now. She goes to stand, intending to hug me, so I cross to her, looming over the table before she gets the chance, with my hand out.

“Phone. Nobody knows yet. I can’t afford any leaks.”

Disgusted that I would dare accuse her of gossiping about such a tragedy, she hands it over, slapping it into my palm with more force than is necessary.

I curl my fingers around it, brushing her hand as she pulls away.

Her beautiful blue eyes lock with mine, the depth of her emotions, both disappointment in me and her sadness over Kate, stir a hint of regret inside me over my callous tone. Squaring my shoulders, I force it down as she rocks back, cheeks pink, and scowls at me.

I turn to leave then pause. "Don't give him any trouble." I point to the guard posted at the door. "If anything happens to her while I'm gone," I say, loud enough that she’ll hear, "you're a dead man."

His face goes pale. Good. I don’t need to turn to know Sienna’s eyes are blazing with anger, but she won’t try anything if someone else will suffer the consequences.

I'm climbing into my car, Enzo at my side and a holster tucked away under the black jacket I’ve donned, when I glance back at the house. Through the kitchen window, I see Sienna standing at the sink with Carmella, one hand resting on the older woman's shoulder as she comforts her.

“You sure this is a good idea?” Enzo asks.

I’m not sure whether he’s talking about Sienna or meeting the O’Sullivan’s, but the answer is the same.

“I have no fucking idea.”

14

SIENNA

The guard hovers in the hallway, muscly arms folded across his impressively broad chest, facing forward.

“I’m not going anywhere. You can sit down.”

His pale grey eyes meet mine before unsmiling, he returns to staring at a spot on the wall. It's unnerving, being supervised like this, but I suppose I should get used to it. Luca clearly doesn’t trust me.

After helping myself to a soda from the obscenely huge fridge, waving away Carmella’s attempts to get it for me, I sit and open the folder again.

Page after page of hard men with cold eyes stare back. All of them look somewhat similar, Eastern European or Russian maybe, with strong jawlines, deep-set eye sockets, and cheekbones most women would die for.

None of them look familiar. Tempering my disappointment, I reason it was never going to be that easy, that Luca would just hand me a few pictures, and I’d immediately recognize the man who bumped into me, but a girl can dream.