Page 21 of Claimed By the Possessive Mafia Prince
“He’s right, Siena,” my mother says. “You’re my savior. Siena the Savior. That’s your new name.”
“We should head back,” my father mutters. “Son, will you help Siena?”
“I’m fine.” Siena stands, wincing.
“Don’t be so proud,” I tell her, offering my arm. It’s the same thing I told her when she refused a hand to get back into the rowboat. She appears to have difficulty accepting help.
She squeezes my arm, then leans heavily against me. “I think it’s shock more than anything.”
“That’s understandable. But whatever happened, it would’ve been much, much worse if you weren’t there. My mother’s right; you’re a savior.”
“I’m just glad she’s okay.”
“She is. Because of you.”
We reach the bottom of the ridge a minute after my parents, since Siena is walking slowly. Evidently, my mother has already told everyone about what happened. The group is already making its way back through the palm trees toward the beach as they discuss what happened.
Eddy has lingered behind as if waiting for us, but it’s not to make sure we are okay. He marches up to us, glaring at Siena. “What the hell happened?”
“Whoa, Eddy. Back off.”
He ignores me, pointing a finger at Siena. “I want answers. Now. How did Marcela almost fall? Weren’t you paying attention? I know you’re a rookie, but?—”
“Back off or I’ll break your fucking jaw,” I snarl.
Eddy takes a step back, looking at me like he’s ready for a fight. I know I should calm down, but there’s this fire in me sometimes. It comes with the mafia life, with the things I have to do. Violence. Howling at the moon like a goddamn wolf.
“Get ahold of yourself, nephew.”
He’s right. I know he is. Siena’s watching me, I can feel it. I can’t let her see the darkness inside, or let her know who I really am.
“Siena has been through a lot today, Eddy. She doesn’t need you making it worse. If she wasn’t there, who knows what would’ve happened to Mother and Father? You should be thanking her.”
“Dario, it’s fine,” Siena says.
It’s not, but I can hear the nervousness in her voice.
I stare at Eddy, waiting for him to back down…
Or not. For a while now, I’ve suspected him of regretting his decision to back away from the consigliere spot. Sometimes, I wonder if the only reason he didn’t want to be second-in-command is because he preferred the idea of being Don.
Of replacing my father.
He storms off.
Siena looks up at me, concern in her honey eyes. “That was intense.”
“I didn’t like the way he was speaking to you.”
“I can’t afford to fall out with my client’s brother, Dario,” she says. “You should’ve let me handle it.”
“Regular customer-service stuff wouldn’t work on Uncle Eddy. He needed a firm hand, and that’s what I gave him.”
“Now, he’s going to have it out for me.”
“Don’t worry. I’ll protect you.”
She pushes away from me, her touch burning into my side. “I don’t need you to protect me.”
