Page 88 of Vows of Blood

While Roman pats her down with professional efficiency, checking her pockets, her waist, and even running his hands down her calves, another guard appears and climbs into her car, pulling through the gates that have now rolled open.

“Hey,” she shouts, outraged as he moves her rust bucket over to one side to let us pass.

We pull out, leaving Rebecca still standing, arms spread, at the gate.

Enzo twists in his seat to watch her through the rear window, and as her pissed off glare connects with his, she slowly extends her middle finger.

"I wouldn't have minded patting her down myself," he says with a grin and a happy sigh as he turns to face forward again.

Nico rolls his eyes. “Yes, because she was clearly taken with you.”

Enzo hits him on the shoulder, and Nico curses, sitting further forward, out of harm's way.

"Focus." I cut off their bickering, my mind already on what's ahead. "We’re going to see Dad."

25

SIENNA

Movement at the end of the driveway catches my eye. Not Luca's car, he’s only been gone a few minutes, but Tony's SUV, and there's someone in the passenger seat with wild curly hair and a face like thunder.

Rebecca.

I'm at the front door before I can think, yanking it open just as Tony guides her up the steps, a look of weary exasperation written all over his face.

"Delivery for you, Ms. Fox," he says dryly, then retreats without another word.

We stare at each other.

"What the hell, Sienna? I thought I was coming to storm the castle while you look like the lady of the mansion." She looks me up and down, jaw hanging open, taking in the elegant, designer clothes and the giant ring on my finger. Satisfied that I’m unhurt, she relaxes a little and turns to take in her surroundings. “Crime really does pay,” she whispers, stepping closer to link my arm with hers. “This place is unreal.” Looking over my shoulder, she gasps. “Is that a freaking swimming pool?”

Pulling back and looking at me accusingly, she shakes her head. “I thought I was going to find you a shadow of a woman, tied to a chair in a dungeon or handcuffed to the wall.”

I pull her into a hug. "I know. I'm sorry. I just got my phone back.”

Her smile vanishes at that.

“Come inside."

In the kitchen, I pour two glasses of wine while Rebecca perches on a stool, taking in the marble countertops, the professional-grade appliances, the fresh flowers on every surface, and Carmella lurking in the pantry, displeased at not being allowed to serve us.

"Start talking," she orders after Carmella reluctantly takes a break and disappears down the hallway.

“I… we’re getting married.”

Rebecca stares at me. “No shit. I got that much from the news. What I would like to know is why you are marrying the dangerous criminal that broke your heart ten years ago and only recently re-entered your life in a hail of bullets.”

I hesitate and fiddle with the stem of my wine glass, scooping up Vito as he winds his way through my ankles. “It does sound bad when you put it like that.”

"I’m not putting it any way. That’s the way it is, Sienna." Rebecca takes a large slug of very expensive sauvignon blanc then sets down her glass. "Is this Stockholm syndrome but with great sex and luxury brands?”

I don’t comment, but when she notices the flush creeping up my neck, she rolls her eyes.

“You’re really marrying him. After a week."

“Not after a week. We were just… on a break, albeit a long one.”

Rebecca gives me a look, telling me she’s not buying what I’m peddling, but sighs and reaches out for my hand, giving me a wry smile as she checks out my ring. “He’s got good taste for a gangster, I’ll give him that.”