And Dante Scarano. The Devil.
I hesitate at the threshold, waiting for my father to acknowledge me. He finishes what he’s doing and shuts down the laptop, finally turning to me.
“Well, cop on. Come in,” he says, unsmiling. There’s a hard glint to his eyes, and I can see the vein at his temple twitching. It only does that when he’s irritated by something.
Slowly, I walk forward, still wary. Sienna gives me a small smile as if that would make me feel better. Dante just studies me with a scrutiny that feels almost familiar. But I know I’ve never met him before.
“This here is Sienna Rosania and her husband, Dante Scarano,” my father introduces.
“I know who they are,” I say quickly before remembering my manners. “It’s nice to meet you.”
“It’s nice to meet you as well,” Sienna replies kindly. But I don’t believe it for a second. Sienna had been her father’s best hitwoman. An assassin. Now, she was the first female Don of the Rosania and the Scaranos.
“They came to meet with us,” my father explains, noting my confused look. “About a maragoo. A truce.”
Suspicion sparks in my chest. There had to be a good reason if both Dons had decided to meet with my father here, on land that was so clearly not neutral. I understand why they would want to meet with my father. But what didn’t make sense was why I was here.
My father motions for me to come to his side. I settle in beside him, standing just behind his chair. Sienna and Dante are still watching me carefully. I try ignoring it. My father turns to them, his fingers tapping along the top of his desk.
“The deal you’ve brought is interesting, and I can’t deny that what you’ve offered is… indeed grand. But I need to know what else we might be given in return.” My father leans back, stretching his arms behind his head. He’s the perfect image of nonchalance, and I envy him. All I feel right now is anxiety. “I’m not to be taken for a langer.”
Sienna and Dante exchange looks. “You mean besides the extra land and financial backing for your businesses?” Dante asks, barely able to hold back the contempt in his voice. Sienna shoots him a dark look.
“What we’ve offered already is more than fair,” Sienna adds. “Considering the circumstances.”
I glance at my father. I have no idea what those circumstances are, but my father sure as hell does. His smirk disappears instantly, replaced with the warning look I know so well. “If I’m to give my daughter away, it won’t be for scraps.”
Ice slides down my spine, and at first, I think I must have heard him wrong. But when no one corrects him, I realize…he was telling the truth.
“I understand,” Sienna says gently. “I probably understand better than anyone.” Her eyes flick to me, but I’m frozen in place. My palms are slick with sweat. “I’m sure we can come to an agreement. The Russians are growing more powerful each day. They’re a threat to both of us. A common enemy.”
My father’s eyes narrow. “The Russians have mostly left us alone this past year.”
“Something tells me that isn’t exactly true.”
I wince. My father slides forward, eyes eager. “Are you calling me a liar, Mrs. Rosania? Because, if you’re taking the piss….”
Sienna doesn’t seem phased. “No, I’m merely telling the truth. I’m sure you can appreciate that. I know the Russians have been attempting to steal your territories as much as they have ours. They’ve slowly been circling the both of us. An alliance can put an end to all that and prevent future wars.”
My father relaxed a bit, settling. “I’ll have to think about it,” he says finally. My stomach sinks, a jolt of fear slicing through my chest. “And they should meet properly to make sure the lad’s no tool. If we can come to an agreement, and my daughter also agrees, then we will see.”
If I agree? That’s a hard pass. I don’t even know who they’re planning on marrying me off to. The only person I can think of with a direct relation to Sienna and Dante is…
Oh, hell no.
I bite my tongue until I taste metal. If I spoke up now and ruined whatever plan my father had, I’d be in serious trouble. Even more trouble than if I was actually married off. So I kept quiet, biding my time. Sienna and Dante glanced at each other before nodding. They rose, saying their goodbyes, before heading out the door. I watched them go, my heart in my throat until the latch of the door clicked shut.
“This is a terrible idea.”
My father is still watching the door. “Well, it might be. Or, it might be exactly what we need.”
I glance at him sharply. “What are you talking about? We don’t need the Italians. It’ll only bring more of a mess down on our own heads. We don’t need to deal with their enemies as well as ours.”
He snorts. “You act like you know everything about our business, child.” Dark eyes catch mine. “But you do not. If I say this might be what we need, then it’s the truth. And you’d do well to ensure this deal doesn’t go arseways on us.”
My mouth snaps shut.
“We need their protection, lass. Mrs. Rosania was correct about the Russians,” my father explains, sighing. “They’ve been encroaching on our territory for a while now. We need extra protection now more than ever.”