“I’m worried that the people I’ve been running from might be the same people who blew up your car.”
“What?” I was completely thrown that she might have a connection to all this. “I need to tell Elio.”
“Sienna!” She grabbed my arm, and I cried out at the sudden stab from my ribs. “I’m so sorry!” Her eyes went big, but she didn’t let go. “I think,” she rushed her words when Elio suddenly stepped out of the house, “these are the same people who killed your father.”
“My father is dead?” I whirled and found Francesco had also appeared next to Elio. The worry on his face mirrored my mother’s.
“Enough!” I ordered once I saw Sienna’s white face. “She’s been through enough, and whatever the hell is happening here needs to stop!”
“Who are you to get in the middle of me and my daughter?” She lifted her chin at me.
“I’m the man who has loved your daughter my entire life.” I moved inches from her face, and her mouth dropped open as she looked from me to Sienna.
“Elio.” Sienna’s face was shocked that I would boldly share such a fact in front of the others.
“I’ve tried to be patient with this entire situation, but I’m done,” I said to both of them, then I addressed her mother one on one. “The secrets you keep are damaging, and you picked the worst time to show up here. You have horrible timing.”
“Youcan’tlove my daughter.”
“You don’t have a say in the matter.”
Sienna had whirled around with a hand over her mouth and tears streaming down her face. “Please, stop,” she pleaded with her mother.
“What did you say to her?” I yelled at Elenora. I was wound so tightly I could snap her neck right here in front of everyone.
“I didn’t want her to find out this way,” she pleaded. “Sienna. If you just come with me, we can talk more about this.”
“No,” Sienna took a step back, “I need a moment.”
“You’ve overstayed your welcome, Elenora.” I nodded at Francesco, giving him a warning that if he didn’t deal with her I would.
“Sienna?” Mama called after her as she ran inside. I wanted to follow, but I also wanted our guests to leave.
“How could you?” Elenora marched up to Francesco and stuck a finger in his face. “You knew letting her near the Capris was the one thing I could never handle. The one thing you promised me you wouldn’t do.”
“What choice did I have?” he snapped. “You might’ve been able to walk away from her, but I couldn’t.”
Hang on, what?
“That’s unfair.” She drew back as though his words had hit deep. “You were the only one I trusted. The only one who truly knew what was happening.”
“And I was the only one who kept her safe.”
“Safe?” She looked around at all of us with a dark chuckle. “Yeah, I can see that.” She motioned for her two men to follow as she left by the side gate.
“Son?” Papa grabbed my attention, “Sienna just left.”
I quickly headed for the door and found Vinni coming inside. His expression showed concern.
“She’s walking, toward your place. She didn’t take my offer to drive her. She looks…”
“I know.” I hurried out the door.
I slowly drove behind her but kept well back to give her the time she needed. When I pulled into the driveway, she leaned against the house.
“I just need,” she sniffed as I came up to her, “a quiet place to think.”
I didn’t say anything, just opened the door and let her go inside. The motion lights that lined the floor clicked on as she went and provided her a soft warm glow as she drew further into the house.