Abramo made a show of holding up his fist behind Sienna, and Mama cleared her throat.
“Sienna,” the hurt in Mama’s voice nearly broke me, “where have you been?
“I…” She paused and glanced around. “I was out.”
“Show me your hand.” Mama pressed on, but Sienna made a fist, which made the hairs on my neck raise. “Sienna, sweetheart, please show me what’s in your hand.”
I wanted to reach out and demand that everyone leave her alone, that it wasn’t true—it couldn’t be. She was mine. We’d known each other a lifetime, and despite the doubt that was planted in me, I knew who Sienna was, and she wasn’t a Coppola.
“Sienna,” Papa said softly, “please do as she says.”
Slowly, with terror in her eyes, she uncurled her fingers, and resting on the palm of her small hand was a Coppola family ring.
“Oh,” Mama cried, and I felt like the world just dropped a bag of bricks on my chest.
A loud ring hurt my ears, and my muscles cramped as I ripped my gaze away from her and sank into the chair behind me.
“This is why you shouldn’t question me,” Nonna hissed behind me.
“Elio?” Sienna’s desperate voice begged me to say something, but I was stuck on pause. I barely felt Nonna’s hand land on my shoulder when she addressed Sienna.
“Proof is proof.”
I heard a small sob from Sienna as she raced out of the room.
I made a move to get up, but Nonna’s hand pressed hard on my shoulder. I looked up at her, and her face held a stern warning. Before I could react, my phone began to vibrate, and I fished it out of my pocket. I checked the number then answered it.
“What?”
“Elio? It has to mean something, that I came to you.” Wyatt’s voice brought me back to the present, and I cringed as I heard Bria cackle from somewhere nearby.
“Yes, it does mean something, and I appreciate you coming to tell me.” I rubbed my mouth as I tried to think.
My phone buzzed, and I glanced at it. Niccola was warning me that we were about to have company.
I stepped closer to Wyatt and lowered my voice. “Look, Wyatt, a lot’s happening, and I can’t explain right now. We have to be in Fiano Romano two nights from now. Stefano’s been spotted there with two of his capos. We have to make some big moves fast. You need to get out of town now. Your face has been seen, and it’ll be reported, so you can’t return. You aren’t safe, not even here. Don’t talk to anyone.”
He pulled out his keys just as the soldiers approached us. He caught my warning. “Yeah, so, thanks for the talk, Elio.”
Normally, I would have shot one of them in the face for even looking my way, let alone interrupting me while I was talking privately with someone, but I wasn’t ready to start this war just yet. Not until all my chips were in place. So, for now, I’d let Nonna think she was in control.
“Mr. Capri,” the taller soldier looked nervous, as he should be, “I apologize for this. But, sir,” he directed his comment to Wyatt, “we’ve been asked to escort you off the property.”
“It’s a good thing I was just leaving, then.” Wyatt left without looking back. I knew I’d need to do damage control with Nonna over Wyatt’s visit. She knew he was a good friend of Sienna’s.
“If you ever,” in a flash I grabbed the soldier around the neck, squeezing just enough to let him feel my strength, “do that again, I will kill you and everyone you care about.” I glanced at his buddy, who lowered his head and submitted. “Understood?”
“Yes.” The man struggled for air. I held on a moment longer to drive my point home, then I let go and tossed him backward. I knew she’d sent them, and I knew they were confused as to whose orders to follow. They needed to know I was the one they should fear, not her.
I headed back up to the house and signaled for Francesco, as I stomped by him, to follow me straight into my father’s office.
“Get out,” I muttered to Gain, and he left without hesitation.
“What’s going on?” Papa looked up from his laptop. Francesco leaned against the wall and waited for me to begin.
I leaned down toward Papa, pressing against his desk with my fists. I needed to calm this murderous rage. “Papa, it’s time to make our first move.”
He leaned back and removed his glasses to study my face. He seemed to make his decision and nodded slowly.