Page 53 of Possessive Mafia Vows

She chews her bottom lip so aggressively I’m worried she’ll put her teeth straight through it. “You’re sure about that?”

“Aye.”

“Did you see anyone else enter or leave the building?” Her voice trembles.

“Neighbor on the first floor went out at twelve-thirty and came back with a carrier bag filled with liquor and smoking a joint. Another neighbor left earlier in the evening to start a night shift at the hospital.”

Sienna sits upright. “How do you know this?”

“She was wearing a nurse’s uniform, and she didn’t look like she was heading to a costume party.”

She puffs up her cheeks and releases a steady breath. “That’s that then.”

“You’ll have to let me into the secret, or I can’t help you.”

“It doesn’t matter.” She strokes the side of her cup with her thumb catching a stray drop of brown liquid.

“It does to me.”

For the first time since I arrived, she looks at me properly. “I heard him come home. I couldn’t sleep, and I thought it was anintruder. But when I questioned him about it this morning, he said he was home by midnight.”

“Maybe he was confused.”

“He was drunk, you mean?”

I spread my hands. “Aye. Or maybe he felt guilty for leaving you alone all night and hoped that you didn’t hear him come in.”

“I guess…” She doesn’t sound convinced.

I feel as if I’m being torn in two. Part of me wants to sit here until I’ve convinced her to take advantage of a suite in the Wraith. While the other half of me, the half that isn’t controlled by my heart, is trusting my mom and Terry’s advice to keep her safe in Queens. For now.

“Sienna, do you feel safe with your father?” I can’t let this question go unasked.

She closes her eyes and inhales deeply. “I shouldn’t feel safe with him after what he did to my mom, but I don’t think he would hurt me. Besides, I have a curtain pole.”

“A curtain pole?”

“Long story.” Her lips quirk into a weary, lopsided smile. “I’ll keep it next to my bed.”

Her gaze holds mine, and it feels as if she has a whole lot more to say but doesn’t know where to begin.

“You know that you can call me any time.”

“I know.”

“I’m not going to pull my men, Sienna. I know you don’t like the idea of them knowing your every move, but until… Well, until I’m certain that you’re not in any danger, they’re staying.”

“You think I’m in danger?”

“I’m simply being careful.” I swallow a mouthful of coffee. “Have you heard from Nick?”

Her hands instinctively curl into fists, and I want so badly to unfurl them, kiss them all over, and ease the tension in her spine.

“Not since he… Not since he came to my apartment with flowers.” Pause. “Why?”

“No one knows where he is.”

She arches an eyebrow. “You meanyoudon’t know where he is.”

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