Page 93 of Vows of Blood

I don't even look at him. "The heads have voted. The transition has been agreed. What's done is done."

My father's eyes flash. "Agreements can be reconsidered."

"Can they? Maybe. Should they? I'm not so sure."

He fumes silently that I dare to contradict him but he’s known for a long time that I'm no longer the obedient son he used to push around.

"Do not disrespect your father,” Orlando snaps, outraged, and I give him a withering look. Who the fuck does he think he is, telling me how to speak to my family?

“Shut your fucking mouth, Orlando. Or I’ll do it for you.”

"Careful," warns Fausto and it takes all the control I have not to tell him to fuck off too. As soon as my father is gone, his bulldog will be too.

"Orlando has done excellent work," my father continues, and there's a warmth to the way he speaks about him that he has never used to speak of his legitimate sons. "The new clubs are thriving, and with the girl’s additional responsibilities, they're even more profitable. It's the kind of innovative thinking this family needs."

The rage that moves through me is cold rather than hot. I keep it locked behind my teeth.

"Running girls is a liability. Too many clients with too much to lose. One arrest, one witness who gets turned by the police, and our entire operation is exposed. You promised Mom. I want that shut down."

My father drums his fingers on the hard leather seat back while Orlando's lip curls. "Some of us aren't afraid to take risks."

I take a step toward him, and behind me, Nico shifts his weight. "And some of us are smart enough to know that if something's too good to be true, there's a fucking reason. You'll get us all thrown behind bars, and the feds will dismantle everything, piece by piece."

My father stands, his face darkening. "You don't give orders here. Not yet. I'm still the Capo."

He's stalling. More time to maneuver, to position Orlando more favorably, and to find a way to reverse the vote. I've seen it. We've all seen it.

Orlando straightens in his chair, triumphant now. "Surely you can see how inappropriate this is. A waitress. The girl's hot, I'll give you that, but come on." He glances at my father. "Perhaps when the wedding is done, and the alliance is secured, there's room to reconsider a more suitable arrangement."

My father's attention returns to me, measuring. "After the wedding," he says with a dismissive wave, "when you've gotten what you need from her, will you be done with her? Will you find someone more suitable then? Or maybe, I need to see for myself what all the fuss is about first."

The volcanic rage I keep contained every time his mouth opens surges forward. He's testing me. Waiting to see if I'll reveal that Sienna is anything more than a convenient pawn.

Before I can get hold of my temper and find a measured answer, Nico's hand is at my elbow, his voice dropping low enough that only I hear it. "Corso just arrived." His eyes cut briefly to the entrance. "Says you're going to want to see this for yourself."

I look at my father for a long moment, briefly wondering how I could be related to such a lying piece of shit.

"Until after the wedding, then," I say, inclining my head in the barest gesture of respect. "Father."

I don't acknowledge Orlando as I turn and walk away.

27

SIENNA

Roman pulls away, Rebecca twisting in her seat to wave until they round the corner and disappear from view.

Hurrying back up the front steps, I lock the huge door and wander through the rooms, trailing my fingers along marble surfaces and expensive fabrics, still not quite believing this is my life now.

"It is beautiful, yes?" Carmella appears from the kitchen.

"Nicer than anywhere I've ever lived," I agree, embarrassed to have been caught so obviously awestruck by the wealth and luxury of Luca's life.

A swimming pool, guest bedrooms, staff, and cars. It's like nothing I ever imagined. Even when he told me his family came from money, I still couldn't comprehend just how much.

"Enjoy it," she advises. "Luca wants you to be here. What good is all the work he does with nobody to share it with?"

With a small smile, she asks if I need anything before retreating quietly and leaving me alone with my thoughts when I decline.