Page 71 of Vows of Blood

Appreciating my candor, he nods as I dip my head in respect.

"For what it's worth…" He glances at Sienna, then back to me with a knowing smile. "I think you're right. In all things. At some point, a man must make a stand."

Coming from Conti, who’s buried two wives and a son, it means a lot. He knows this world. How harsh it is. That you need to grab the opportunity for happiness while you can.

"Thank you." I grip his hand and give it a firm shake.

I guide Sienna toward the exit, staring straight ahead, unwilling to be waylaid by anyone else.

“Luca, what about the meal?” Sienna whispers, but I shake my head.

Fuck the meal. I’ve done what I came here to do, show everyone that Sienna belongs to me, and that my plans to take over are continuing, full steam ahead.

“Luca, cous–” My cousin, Orlando, attempts to stop me for a chat, his beady eyes taking in Sienna on my arm. “You must be the lovely…”

When a devious smile crawls across his face, he attempts to reach out and touch her arm.

I grab the front of his shirt, lifting him onto his toes as I twist it in my fist. “Lay a finger on her, and I’ll fucking kill you.”

He glances at Sienna and laughs nervously, brushing himself down when I release him with a hard shove. “Now, now, Luca. I know you might not want to share your new… friend, but we’re family.”

I step into Orlando’s space and tower over him, casting a quick glance toward his friend slash bodyguard loitering nearby. “The fuck we are.”

From the buzz I hear at the entrance, I can tell my father has just arrived. I press forward, and the crowd parts before us, conversations stalling as we pass, every gaze tracking our progress.

By tomorrow, every family in the region will know that Luca Calvano has chosen a new bride.

Now it’s time to let my father in on the secret.

“Luca.” His warm greeting grates on me like nails on chalkboard, but I force myself to accept his thumping embrace without glaring. “And Sienna. Well, well, well. I never thought we’d see you again.”

Sienna remains silent, her two hands clutching mine like a deer in headlights as Alfonso glares at her.

“We were just leaving.”

Alfonso pretends to be disappointed. “And I was so looking forward to catching up.” Once more, he focuses entirely on Sienna, who shrinks into me. “Reminiscing about old times. I think the last time we saw each other was… hmmm… was it at the lake house?”

He laughs cruelly, knowing full fucking well it was. The night he told both of us that the other never showed.

“Sir, your car’s outside.” Tony mercifully provides the opportunity to escape Alfonso’s toxic presence.

With a stiff nod, I escort Sienna past, refusing to look at the pathetic yes man that is Orlando Calvano, and head straight for the car idling by the curb.

I wait until we're outside, Tony holding the door open for Sienna, then shut it firmly before I round on him. Shoving him against the metal door, I get in his face.

"Someone attempted to strike Sienna tonight and somehow kept all their fingers?"

He has the good sense to look guilty. "Fuck, I know. I’m sorry, Luca. But she’s Bianchi’s niece and…"

Pressing my forearm to his throat, I cut him off. "Anyone could be a threat, Tony. Anyone. Especially women who have reason to hold a grudge against me."

Tony curses.

Sophia has the exact kind of personal grudge that might be motive for shooting either my new fiancé or me.

"It won't happen again."

Judging by the firm set of his jaw, I believe him.