Page 29 of Claimed By the Possessive Mafia Prince
“There’s a big difference between fifty-eight and thirty-seven, hate to break it to you.”
He punches me on the arm. “Now you’re the lucky one. If I hadmygun…”
CHAPTER 11
SIENA
The day goes by in a blur of arranging and rearranging and trying not to scream as the responsibilities stack up on me. Toward the end of the day, I sit in my room with my phone on speaker. Mom sounds proud when I tell her that Veronica has given me sole responsibility for the trip.
“Yeah, but it’s not like she had a choice.”
“Oh, hush,” Mom replies. “She could’ve called in some backup. Or hired another agency to assist. This means she trusts you. She knows you’ve got what it takes.”
“Honestly, Mom, it doesn’t feel like that. But I’m doing my best. It’s just everything seems determined to go wrong.”
“How do you mean?”
“I don’t know. Maybe it’s silly. But the staff seem… a little scared? Like they’re trying to sabotage me, and they’re guilty about it or something.”
Mom pauses, letting me hear how insane my words sound.
“I think you need some time for yourself,” she says.
“I was thinking that. But I don’t want to leave my room for too long in case I’m needed.”
“What time is it there?”
“Almost ten.”
“I’m sure you can sign off for the rest of the evening.”
“I don’t?—”
“If you took some time for yourself, what would you do?”
“Honestly? I was thinking of going for a night swim.”
“Ooh,” Mom says. “That sounds fun. You’ve always loved swimming. Remember your nickname when you were little?”
“The Little Mermaid.” I smile, remembering.
“You should do that. Clear your head for tomorrow. Mommy’s orders.”
“Okay, maybe I will. And Mom… if this job goes well, I’m going to get a bonus. I might negotiate a promotion.”
“That’s fantastic.”
“It means I’ll be able to help youlike I promised,” I practically sing the last part.
“Oh, Siena, don’t worry about me?—”
“But I do worry. I always think about what happened when I was a kid.”
“You were a child, Siena. To me, you’re still a child.”
I roll my eyes. “I’m twenty-three, time to grow up, time to make things right.”
“You don’t have to make anything right. I’m proud of you. Go for your swim.”
