Page 49 of Ruined By Blood
I raise an eyebrow. "Why the sudden interest in male bonding?"
She shrugs, her fingers fidgeting with her sleeve. "Just trying to understand your world."
I savor the moment as I flip the omelet with a practiced flick of my wrist. Her curiosity about my world feels like a small victory. Like she's stopped seeing me as just another threat.
"Well, Alessio is practically family," I say, sliding the first omelet onto a plate. "I've known him since we were kids. He basically grew up with us. Damiano and I consider him a brother more than an employee."
Sienna nods, absorbing this information as I start on the second omelet.
"He's the one with the... intense stare?" she asks, gesturing vaguely around her eyes.
I chuckle. "That's him. Looks like he's planning murder even when he's just thinking about lunch." I sprinkle cheese into the pan. "But he's loyal to the bone. Would die for any of us without hesitation."
The cheese sizzles as it melts. I focus on folding the omelet perfectly, aware of her watching my movements.
"Then there's Matteo," I continue, setting the second plate on the counter. "Works security mostly. Professional, competent, keeps things running. We're not close, but I trust him to do his job well."
I slide her plate across the island before grabbing forks from a drawer.
Sienna takes a tentative bite of her omelet, then a more enthusiastic second one. I smile slightly at her enjoyment before digging into my own.
"What about the tall one?" she asks between bites. "The one who stands behind your brother like a statue?"
"Daniel Hayes," I reply, my tone shifting subtly. "Former military. Doesn't say much, but when he does, you listen. He's different from the others—keeps his distance emotionally, but his loyalty is absolute." I take a sip of my coffee. "He's Lucrezia's personal security now."
Something darkens in Sienna's eyes at the mention of my sister needing protection.
"Because of what happened to her?" she asks quietly.
I set my fork down, weighing how much to share. "Partly. Daniel was already working for us before that, but afterward he took it personally. As the chief in our security team."
Sienna is silent for a moment. "You all seem to take care of each other."
"We do," I say simply. "In our world, the people you surround yourself with are everything. One weak link can bring everything down."
"And everyone has their role," she observes.
I nod. "Damiano leads. I enforce. Noah executes. Alessio advises. Daniel protects. Matteo makes the deals." I shrug. "It works."
"What about the women?" Sienna asks, surprising me again. "Like Zoe? Do they have roles too?"
I study her, sensing more behind the question. Is she trying to figure out where she fits? Or maybe what might be expected of her?
"Zoe is Damiano's partner in every sense," I explained carefully. "She's not in the business, but she understands it. Supports him. Makes him better." I finish my coffee. "But she chose that role. No one assigned it to her."
Sienna considers this, her fork idly pushing the last bits of egg around her plate. I can practically see her mind working, processing what I've told her against whatever she's experiencedbefore.
The question burns inside me before I can stop myself. "Has your family ever worked with my father?"
Enzo's fork pauses halfway to his mouth. His eyes lock with mine, calculating as always. He sets the fork down slowly.
"I don't know how much you know about what your father does," he says carefully. "His business."
Something cold slides down my spine. The familiar weight of dread settles in my stomach, heavy as stone. Of course this would come up eventually.
"I know he imports luxury goods from Europe and Asia," I begin, reciting what I've been told to say since childhood. "Artwork, antiques, jewelry. He has shipping contracts with several fashion houses."
Enzo's face remains impassive, but I see the subtle tightening around his eyes.
