Page 41 of His Tesoro

A waiter came and placed focaccia and olive oil on the table, along with two orange cocktails.

“Aperol Spritz,” Sienna said, lifting her glass in a toast. “To Made Women, far superior to Made Men.”

I clinked my glass against hers and took a sip. The drink was fruity and sweet.

“Sienna, can I ask how old you are?” I hoped it wasn’t a rude question, but she seemed so much younger than Matteo.

“I’m twenty-six,” she said with a smile. “Not quite old enough yet to be embarrassed to answer that question.”

I grinned. “That’s a big gap.”

Sienna took another sip of her drink. “My mom struggled to get pregnant, which is why there’s twelve years between us.”

“That’s funny. My brother is twelve years older than me.” At her confused expression, I added, “He’s my half-brother. My father’s first wife passed away. Dimitri lives abroad, so I don’t see him much, but I love whenever I get to. It seems like you and Matteo are close.”

Sienna fidgeted with her napkin and shrugged. “Not as close as we used to be when we were younger. He… he changed after our parents were murdered.”

“I’m sorry they died,” I said softly.

“Thanks,” Sienna responded, smiling sadly. “I miss them a lot, and I miss the brother I had before.”

My heart ached for her, and for what this life stole from all of us.

“What were they like?”

“Oh, they were amazing. They were both so excited to finally have another child that they spoiled me so much. My mamma was my favorite person. She was so bright and vibrant, always doing a project around the house and redecorating. My papà would pretend to be annoyed by it, but he couldn’t refuse her anything. He was so gentle with me. He would sometimes even join me in my room and have tea parties with me. Can you imagine the Don sitting on the floor with a little pink teacup?” She sniffed and wiped her eyes with her napkin. I reached out and took her hand, giving it a squeeze.

“Papà was always softer with me than he was with Matteo. He said Matteo needed to be prepared to be Don. But we all loved each other. Papà loved my mom so much. It almost makes me glad they both died, because I couldn’t imagine them living without the other.” She took a sip of water and cleared her throat. “It made me certain I would never settle for less in marriage. I’m practically a spinster in Mafia years, but I can’t settle. I made Matteo promise he would never force me to marry.”

I wished I’d had the same life, the same certainty that love was waiting for me. “How did he change after they died?”

Sienna looked out the window and I worried that I had overstepped. Before I could apologize, she spoke. “He feels guilty, like he should have been able to save them. After they died, we went into hiding for two years while he planned the overthrow of our uncle. We were together, but it was like he wasn’t there anymore. He thinks the only way to be a good Don is to cut himself off from his feelings.”

I hated the pain they experienced and how lonely they had been in all of it. I couldn’t imagine what it would be like to not have Mila to lean on.

“Anyway, that’s enough depressing conversation.” Sienna smiled brightly. “Tell me about your family.”

“Oh…” I hesitated, not sure what to share. I wasn’t sure anyone in the Bratva had a happy family. “There’s not much to tell. Our family is pretty small—just my parents and Mila and Dimi. I was close to my grandma, my mom’s mom, but she died when I was young.” I took a bite of bread to buy myself some time. I finally settled on saying, “I’m not close to my parents,” cringing internally at the understatement of the century. “But Mila and I are best friends.”

“I love that. How old is she?”

“Nineteen.”

“Aww, so young. She needs to come visit. There’s far too much masculine energy in our building. We need more girls so we can overpower them.”

I laughed at her disgruntled expression. “Overpower them?”

“With our feminine energy,” she said with a wink.

“I would love for her to visit. I miss her a lot.” Now it was time for me to get choked up. I took a long drink of my water.

“Well, that’s one of the perks of owning a private jet. We’ll have to get a visit planned soon.”

I wasn’t sure the Pakhan would let her come visit, but maybe the alliance with Matteo would make him more agreeable. If I could get Matteo to ask him.

The heaviness of our conversation dissipated as Sienna talked about the renovations she was doing in her apartment. She showed me pictures of her design ideas, asking my opinion and telling me I would have to come see it in person.

I tried to focus on the conversation, on this first chance to make a real friend, but my body was on the verge of collapse. I was relieved when lunch was over and Angelo said we had to return.

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