“Out,” I grunted, not wanting to talk about it.
“Oh, shit,” Niccola eyed Harris, “sounds like things aren’t going well.”
I made myself a sidecar and motioned for them to follow me into the living room, where I had the game table all set up.
“Evening, all.” Papa entered from the back door with Francesco. “Ready to lose some money?”
“Always,” Vinni sighed shuffling the cards.
I couldn’t get my head on straight, and I knew everyone sensed it. Twice I folded, even though I had great hands.
“I’d ask what’s wrong,” Papa cleared his throat, “but I only know of one person who can get you this out of sorts.”
“Just a disagreement, that’s all.” I huffed as Vinni tossed down a nine of hearts and I finally was able to get rid of my ten. “She just needs some time to cool off.”
“Is her mother harping in her ear again?” Niccola asked, which made me look over.
“I didn’t know she was.”
“The night of Vinni’s party, I heard her mother saying Sienna should be looking at us for answers about her past.”
“What?” That was odd. “Why would she say that?”
“Elenora carries some old wounds from the Capri family.” Francesco came to her defense. “However misinformed, she still has the scars. Those issues have since been cleared up, Niccola.”
“Sometimes it’s easier to hate.” Niccola shrugged. “She’s not happy about Sienna being with you, and I’m guessing she will work her way in between the two of you.”
“Sienna knows better.” Papa shook his head. “She’s different.”
“What if she’s not?” slipped out of my mouth, surprising even myself. When Vinni’s face suddenly froze, and Harris closed one eye, I knew someone was behind me.
Sienna came into view with an armful of books. Her face was pale, and her mouth was set in a tight line.
“Excuse the interruption.” She set the books on the bar top and put her hands on her hips. She was still in her sexy black dress and heels, and I noticed Vinni was gawking, so I pinched the back of his knee, and he yelped and glared at me.
“What are those, dear?” Papa smiled warmly.
“I started to journal when I was younger, to help ease the chaos around me. Maybe it will help to clear up any concerns you might have about my past.” She made a point to look directly at me. “These are the most important things I own, next to these.” She grasped the pendants that hung from her neck. Then she rested her hand on the journals for a moment before she turned on her heel and marched from the house without looking back.
“What did you do?” Papa didn’t miss a beat.
“What I had to do.” I snatched my glass off the table and headed to the bar to fix another drink. I didn’t really need it. My head already spun, but the rest of me was twisted in a giant knot.
“What does that mean?” He followed me.
“I’m just doing my job.”
“Hurting Sienna is doing your job?” He let out a long sigh. “Oh, son, doing your job should never hurt the ones you love. I never taught you to do that.”
“I have a duty to the family, to protect us. I mean, do we have any idea where she was for the past ten years?”
“Time to go.” Niccola motioned for the guys to make a hasty exit while Francesco stayed put in his seat.
“How do we know that she didn’t get tangled up into something that can blow back on the family? Think of the parties, the dinners, the lunches we had when we lived in Sicily. Everyone knew she and I were together. What if, after we left, they approached her asked her questions, offered her money to come find us?”
Francesco spoke up. “I knew where she was for most of the time after we left. I know she had ample opportunity to use the Capri name to get help or to exchange information, but she never did. And if she did know anything about who we really were, which I know she didn’t, we’d know it by now. That girl took every hit in life and never once used her connection with your family for anything.”
“And are you her father?” I shot back. I did wonder about that, but right now I was also just looking for a fight to rid myself of some of the anger.