Page 87 of Vows of Blood

"Tony," I call out as we head for the door. "You're in charge. Sienna stays inside. Guard her like she’s your own."

Tony materializes from somewhere behind me, never far away when I need him, and nods sharply. "Understood, boss."

The three of us climb into my car and speed down the long drive. Nico is in the passenger seat, completely focused, and waiting for me to fill them in on what the hell is going on when a security alert sounds on Enzo’s phone. As we round the corner, the exit comes into view, as does a small red hatchback parked at an angle, blocking the gates from the outside.

I think we’ve found the security issue.

A woman with wild curly hair is jabbing her finger in Roman's face while he stands there awkwardly, trying to reason with her, looking like he'd rather be anywhere else on earth.

"What the hell?" Enzo mutters.

“For fuck’s sake,” I mutter, really not needing this now.

I roll down the window as we pull alongside, and the woman whips around to face us, hands on her hips.

"You." Rebecca stalks toward the gate, curls bouncing with every furious step as she points her finger at me through the bars. "Where is she? What have you done with her?"

"Miss, you need to move..." I begin, but she cuts me off, gesturing furiously, and shrugging out of Roman’s grasp as he tries to encourage her to step back from the car.

"Don't you “Miss” me. I know Sienna’s in there. And if you think I'm going to stand by while you kidnap my best friend, you've got another thing coming."

Roman, who’s been banished to the guard house for some mundane work where he can stay off his feet and far away from my wife, is struggling to control her.

“Ma’am, you need to move your car, or I’ll have it towed. You can’t block the entrance.”

She glares at him. “Call the police then. And I’ll tell them that you have my friend locked up in that ridiculous mansion of yours, probably tied up in the fucking basement.” She rounds on me again. “If you’ve hurt her, if you’re mistreating her, I swear to God…”

Enzo snorts from the back, pushing forward to speak to the spitfire currently barricading my driveway.

"Hurt her? She's probably lounging by the pool, drinking cocktails. If that's mistreatment, maybe you'd like to spend a little time tied up with a Calvano yourself." He leans further out, giving her a dangerous smile that curls one corner of his lips, while practically hanging out the window to get a better look.

Rebecca's face goes red with indignation. "Excuse me? What did you just say to me?" When she takes another angry step forward, Roman catches her by the elbow and stops her before she climbs in the car to get at Enzo.

Nico groans and hides his face with his hands. Our brother has always had a knack for de-escalating a situation.

"Enough. I don't have time for this,” I growl. Sienna is alone and worried, and I need to speak with Alfonso right now. "Let her in." Then at Rebecca. “Go and see for yourself.”

Roman looks uncertain. "Boss?"

Rebecca stops wriggling in his arms. “Is this a trap?”

Jesus fucking Christ.

"No.” To Roman. “Let her in. Have someone escort her up to the house. But Sienna does not leave." I nod at him while looking Rebecca up and down.

Her delicate features twist into an angry glare as he turns to Rebecca, gesturing for her to spread her arms.

"What?" She takes a step back, slapping his outstretched hand away. "What are you doing?"

I’d almost feel sorry for him if I wasn’t still bitter about this morning.

"Arms out," Roman says flatly. "Standard security procedure. Everyone gets searched. Or you’re not getting in."

"This is ridiculous," she huffs.

"Arms. Out."

Rebecca sputters with outrage but complies, glaring daggers at all of us as I let the window slide shut, conversation over.