I chuckled, mainly to relieve some stress.
“Drive,” Elio barked at Vinni as he joined me in the back. He wrapped an arm behind my seat and stared at me hard. “What the fuck was that?”
“The deal was dirty.”
“Dirty?”
“Yes, I heard some of his men talking in the next booth saying they wondered if you suspected anything, and another one said if you were anything like your old man you would sign it. Maybe something was added to it at the last minute. Don’t be angry with me, Elio. I may have just saved you from something bad.”
He held my gaze for a few more intense minutes, then he pulled out his phone and started to dig through his email.
“Wait,” I shouted, “what about Niccola?”
“Damage control,” Vinni answered. “He’ll be fine.”
“Where are we going?” Wyatt asked after some time had passed.
“A hotel,” Vinni said as he checked the side mirror.
“What? No. I need to get back to my sister’s.”
“Not tonight, sorry.” Vinni’s eyes caught mine in the mirror.
Wyatt’s gaze flew to me, and I shook my head for him not to protest. Right now, we just needed to clear the air so we could all be on the same page.
I leaned back and watched the city lights as my eyes grew tired. It had been an eventful night, and I wasn’t sure what in the world was going through Elio’s mind as his fingers flew over his keypad.
“The Equinox?” Wyatt pulled me from my sleepy daze, and I ducked down to read the sign as the valet approached Vinni’s door. “Damn, when you said hotel, I sure wasn’t expecting this.”
“I don’t have anything to change into.” I looked down at my outfit.
“It’s been taken care of,” Elio finally said as he moved to exit the car.
“Why?” I followed him out.
“You two are spending the night here.”
I folded my arms, growing more and more angry at having my night decided for me. “How nice of you to ask me.”
Elio whirled around, and I could tell he was about ready to lose his cool. “You show up out of nowhere years later, you know my best friend, and then you show up at The Flatiron wearing that,” his eyes burned through me, “and you have inside knowledge about a huge deal I was about to sign off on. Yes, damn it, you are staying here. So we can figure this mess out!”
I studied his face, and watched it slip for a millisecond. It was his tell, and if I had even blinked, I would have missed it, but it had shown itself a half a beat later than I’d expected. When he showed his true vulnerability, I felt it. I listened. I understood it.
“I know you well enough by now, Elio,” I whispered, “to know this isn’t like you. You’re never rude with me, and the few times you have been, it was for a pretty good reason. You also know I wouldn’t do something like that back there without a good reason. So,” I started to walk past him, “either I’m in some kind of danger, or you just really missed me.” I tried to curb my sass.
“Sienna, you—” Vinni went to speak, but Elio shook his head to stop him.
“Please.” Elio closed his eyes for a brief moment before staring at the ground. “Go inside so we can speak in private, because I’m pretty sure I’m a moment away from showing you a side I have never wanted you to see.” He nearly vibrated with anger as he waited for me to get moving.
“Okay.” I sincerely meant it. I just needed him to see me the way he used to, not blurred with all the distance and lies.