Quiet Secrets

by J. L. Drake

  “So, you and Piero knew one another?”

  “Francesco is his consigliere, Sienna, so needless to say, we didn’t have much alone time.”

  “But Piero seemed so confused on who you were, and Andrea too.”

  She shrugged and handed me another photo of Piero, Andrea, Francesco, and Elenora, along with three other people, and I recognized, a young-looking Elio. The air from my lungs emptied, and I found it hard to breathe.

  “He was sixteen at the time, old enough to remember this day.” She raised an eyebrow at me. “I know this is confusing, Sienna,” she sounded a million miles away, “but his family sank their claws into you many years ago and have you so tangled up that you can’t see the truth.”

  “But why?” I felt like crying and yelling all at the same time. “Why lie about knowing you?”

  “Because they killed my brother and know I can prove it. They got their claws into Francesco and now you.” She quickly brushed a tear away. “What better way for them to keep me from coming forward when they have control over the two people I love most in this life?”

  I broke.

  Tears streamed down my face, and my chest heaved in pain. How could this be? How could I have been so used by those I had come to love? By the only man I had ever loved? There had to be some kind of explanation. Then Elio’s words from Vinni’s party came screaming back me.

  “Wait, what do you know?”

  “I know enough that you shouldn’t have seen what you just did, so keep your eyes on Vinni until whatever you saw is finished.”

  No. It couldn’t be. There must be some mistake.

  “Hey,” she rubbed my back as my world tilted around me, “this is why I’m so careful with what I share with you. You’re a strong woman, Sienna, but sometimes life can be even stronger with its hits.”

  “But I love him.” I sobbed uncontrollably. “How could he lie to me?”

  “It’s the world of crime, my sweet daughter.” She kissed my head lovingly. “Trust me, I’ve been living in that pain for years, grieving my brother and grieving for the man who would never leave that life for me.”

  She pulled me to my feet and took me inside to rest on her bed. I thought I had hit the lowest of lows before, but this was something else. My eyes grew tired, and my head needed to rest before it could process any more.

  I wasn’t sure what time it was when I crawled out of her bed to find the room empty. I squinted with sore eyes at the clock and saw it was six at night. Did I really sleep through the afternoon? I looked around and found my purse, wanting to be in my own room to digest everything. I swiped the photos from the desk, tucked them away, and made it to the door where Oscar was standing guard. He gave me a concerned expression but didn’t move out of the way.

  “Can I pass?”

  “Ms. Elenora would prefer you to stay in her room.” I was tired of people telling me what they’d prefer I did.

  “Where is she?”

  “She stepped out.”

  “Without you?” I called bullshit.

  “She downstairs with a visitor.”

  A visitor? Who would that be?

  “Well, I want to pass, so let me go.”

  “I can’t do that.”

  “Oscar,” I huffed, so tired my bones hurt, “I want to go to my room, have a shower, and be left the hell alone. Surely there’s a part of you that understands that?”

  He closed his eyes and thought.

  “Just to your room.”

  Pardon me? Who the hell was this man to tell me what I was allowed to do?

  He stepped back, and I marched out into the hallway and into my room, slamming the door behind me.

  I stripped, hopped in the shower, and let the cool water soothe my aching eyes. After what seemed like forever, I washed and toweled off then brushed my teeth. I slipped into my pajamas and crawled under the foreign hotel sheets, cringing at how they didn’t feel like Elio’s Egyptian cotton ones. I turned my head into the pillow and sobbed, hating that I broke for the second time today.

  My body felt like I’d been hit by a train by the time I made it downstairs to eat the next morning. I texted Elenora when it came time to order, but she told me she had a meeting to attend and couldn’t join me. I had yet to figure out what she did for a living to have the kind of wealth she seemed to have.

  I opened my book and tried like hell to retain what I was reading.

  “I owe Niccola sixty euros,” Vinni snickered as he sat down across from me and took a menu from the waitress who trailed behind him. He gave his order of a glass of water then looked at me with a question, as if I’d asked him to join me for breakfast at my hotel.

  “Um, good morning?” I tried for a smile.

  “Is it? Because I’m out money, and you look hungover.”

  “I wish.” I rubbed my aching head. “What did you bet?”

  “That you were doing just fine.”

  “Far from it, I can assure you.”

  “I can see that now.”

  “I do appreciate you hoping I was fine.” I felt my eyes water and tried like crazy to hold back the levy. “Did he send you?”

  “He didn’t.” He pulled out his phone and set it on the table. “But the family is worried about you, and Elio is spinning dark pretty hard, so I just wanted to make sure you were okay.”

  “Spinning dark?”

  “He’s got a lot going on and, with this last trip, his mind is in a dark place.”

  “We all have a lot going on,” I reminded him.

  “He took care of Jacob Raine.”

  “Took care?” I shifted in my seat, remembering how terrified I was of him.

  “I can safely assure you he won’t ever bother you again.” He made a face, and my stomach rolled. “Look, he loves you, and while we have no idea what is going on in his head right now and why he’s behaving the way he is, it would really do him some good to see you.”

  “I’m not sure I can do that, Vinni.”

  “Why?”

  “Because while he was dealing with Jacob Raine, I was dealing with some things that I’m not sure I can deal with just yet.”

  “Meaning?”

  “Meaning Piero, Andrea, and Elio have some explaining to do.” I folded my arms to hold myself together.

  “I won’t pry, but I will give you this.” He reached into his breast pocket and handed me a Sunflower Fields Wine Festival brochure. “It’s being held in town, but we host the event. It gives us and other Italian vineyards a place to showcase their own wine. It’s been a tradition for some time now, and Elio will be there.” I stared at him for a moment and wondered what the catch was. “No catch, Sienna. I just think it would be good for him to see you.”

  “I’ll think about it.”

  “That’s all I ask. Just call Abramo to pick you up and take you there.”

  “No,” I said quickly and shook my head. “I’ll call a cab or ask Ugo to drive me.”

  “But Elio hired Abramo to drive you.”

  “And while I appreciate the offer, I decline.”

  “Why? What happened?”

  “It’s not important.” My voice was firm. “I just won’t be needing his services anymore.”

  He studied my face for a moment, sipped his water, and decided to back off. He stood and removed some money from a clip then dropped it on the table. “If you could at least text me, I can come and get you, but either way, let one of us know if you’re coming.”

  “I will.”

  “Oh, and Sienna?” He pointed at my chest. “Do me a favor and wear something that will keep his focus on you and not on wanting to kill everyone else around him. One day without bloodshed would be nice.” I waved him off and stared at the brochure. Maybe we should clear the air.

  That afternoon, I changed into a red floral ruffle-trimmed mini dress. It tied in the front at the bust. I felt it fulfilled Vinni’s request to make sure I drew Elio’s eye. Nothing like some good cleavage. I hoped that maybe I could get Elio to t
alk to me rather than shut down.

  Ugo handed me my purse and made a face at the crowd. “I feel like I shouldn’t leave you alone here.”

  “Really I’m fine.” I wasn’t anywhere close to fine, but I hated having to have a hovering bodyguard all the time.

  “Maybe you should have brought a sweater.”

  I smirked at his sudden concern and was pleased the two of us were at least getting along some. He wouldn’t answer any of my questions about my past, but he did share his interest in things, and I appreciated that he was trying.

  “I’m fine.” I patted his arm. “Besides, Vinni should be joining me soon.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “Very.”

  “Call me if you need anything.”

  “Thanks.”

  I took a breath after he left and decided to do a little exploring on my own before Vinni knew I was there. One by one, I sampled the wine at each table and made small talk with the owners. Everyone was nice and very welcoming. One table in particular was my favorite. Her twin boys were a riot and spouted off endless knowledge on how the grapes were grown and later made into wine.

  “So, Sienna,” Kep, one of the boys, beamed up at me, “are you married?”

  “No.” I laughed as he batted his eyes at me.

  “Boyfriend?”

  “Yes.”

  “Oh, so close.” He snapped his fingers in disappointment.

  “Sienna Giovanna, correct?” A man in a business suit joined me. He took a glass from the center of the table. His bald head shone in the sunlight as he took a sip of the flavorful wine.

  “Yes.” I tried to place him. “I’m sorry, have we met before?”

  “No,” he flashed me a smile, “I’m a friend of Elio’s.”

  “Oh, how nice.” I let my guard down a little. This place was packed full of Capri friends and associates. Plus, I spotted Tieri across the way watching me continually.

  “Have you seen him? I’ve been waiting to talk to him all day.”

  “I just arrived, so I’m not sure where he is.” I started to look around. “I could call him if you’d like?”

  “No need.” He placed his hand on my purse to stop me. “I think you can help me.”

  I wasn’t in the mood for small talk, but I knew how important this event was to everyone. I also knew that if someone was going to show up, chances were it would be here.

  Mariano came out of one of the tents, rubbing his nose like he just took a hit. He’d been in a mood all morning until one of his friends showed up.

  “What?” he snarled at me, instantly irritated.

  I grabbed him by his suit jacket and yanked him toward my face. I towered over him and made sure he knew just how finished I was.

  “Either get your shit together or get the hell out of here.”

  “Seriously?” He wiggled free and looked around, embarrassed. “What do you think I’m doing here?”

  “Doing a line in the tent.” I tapped my nose. “This is your last warning before I toss you, your tramp of a mother, and your heart attack father out on your asses.”

  “You might be untouchable, Elio,” he squeezed his eyes, trying to seem clear-minded, “but she’s not.”

  “What?” I hated to play dumb, but I did. “Who, Sienna?”

  “They’re everywhere, just waiting.”

  “Who are?”

  “Your kingdom is falling,” he seethed, “and just when you think you have it under control…” He snapped his fingers. I knew the drug was coursing through his system at that point because his eyes were mere slits and his words slowed. “Just wait.” He let out a wild laugh. “You have no idea.”

  Everything inside me went still. I tossed a punch at his face and another to his chest. It happened quickly, and I held back from doing anything more. As he heaved over, I reached out to hold him up as the pain burst through his body. To anyone else, I was coming to his aid, and as I held him up, I chuckled darkly.

  “I know…” I paused as he tried to draw in a breath. I knew every intake of air into his bruised lungs would hurt like a bitch. I spoke slowly because, drug or not, I knew this would get through to him. “Whatever the hell is happening with you and the drugs needs to end, or I will end it for you.” I shoved him down into a seat and ran a frustrated hand through my hair. “Watch him,” I ordered one of my soldiers.

  “Vinni,” I called as he looked at Mariano with a sour expression.

  “Yeah, boss.”

  “Have you spoken to Sienna? Is she still at the hotel?”

  “Ah,” he hesitated, and I felt my sixth sense kick in, “I went to visit her today and invited her to come here, but that was hours ago, and if she was coming, she was supposed to call me, and hasn’t yet.”

  “And why did you do that?” I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. I had not authorized that.

  “Boss,” he waved me away from Mariano, “you’re pushing her away. She literally left you, and you haven’t gone after her.” He made a face, knowing he was crossing over lines by being this blunt. “Your mama, papa, Francesco, we’re all trying to figure out what’s going on, and I don’t want you to lose her. She’s the best thing that’s happened to you in years.”

  He was right.

  I hated that he was right.

  Nonna’s warnings were so deeply rooted in my head they were confusing me. It was easier to try to keep a step back from her than to try to process what I might be doing to our relationship.

  “How was she?”

  His shoulders dropped in relief that I wasn’t going to rip him a new one.

  “Not good.”

  I closed my eyes and wished I could pull myself from this state.

  “I think there’s something more going on with her than just you two.”

  “Why do you think that?”

  “She was different. I really think you should talk to her before it’s too late.”

  “Yeah.”

  “Good, because she’s right over there.”

  I whirled to find Sienna talking to Tieri, who had told me he was going to be out of town. I hadn’t forgiven him for talking to her behind my back with The Finder and Mariano.

  I was jolted into a memory.

  “You look like you need another.” A guy sat down at the table next to me. We both faced the pool tables, and I didn’t turn to look at him. I had found this dive of a bar when I first moved here six months ago. I liked it, as no one paid attention to me, and I got to be left alone with my rum and twisted head.

  “What can I get you?” the waitress asked him, and I looked down as my phone vibrated on the table. It was Mariano. Not right now.

  “Whatever he’s having, and get him another too.”

  “Ahh,” she hesitated, and I felt her indecision as she glanced back at me. “Sure.”

  “Bad day?” he asked.

  “Yeah,” I huffed, letting the glass dangle from my fingers as my elbow rested on the wooden table.

  The waitress returned. “Here you go, sir. And for you, Mr. Capri.” She didn’t wait around for a tip. She knew I had a running tab, and I always made sure the bar was well compensated.

  “That’s why you look so familiar.” He chuckled into his glass. “We met a while ago back in Sicily. My family’s in the export business, too.”

  I nodded, not giving a flying shit. My head was elsewhere.

  “I heard your family moved up north.” I nodded, and he turned to face me. “You look like you’re in a real dark place.” He paused. “Maybe I can help with that.”

  That piqued my interest, and he smirked, leaning back.

  “Are you okay?” Vinni pulled me back to the present, and I shook the memory away.

  “Yeah.” I moved past him and headed in her direction.

  Sienna must have felt me coming because she said goodbye and met me halfway.

  I drank in her outfit then pulled my eyes higher. I couldn’t keep my gaze off her as she came toward me.

  “You look
nice.” God, I loved those deep blue eyes of hers. I didn’t know where to start. “When did you arrive?”

  “Over an hour ago.”

  An hour ago? Be calm.

  “What did Tieri have to say?”

  “He asked if I wanted to go to dinner.”

  Did he, now?

  “And what did you say?”

  “That I had one Santoro brother in my life,” she held up a coaster with a phone number written on it and tossed it on a nearby table, “and I didn’t have room for another.”

  Good answer.

  I could tell she was uncomfortable with me, and I hated it, but now wasn’t the time to try to fix things. She finished off her wine and licked her lips, which made my erection twitch. I could have her under me night after night and never tire of being inside her. Every inch of me wanted to find a quiet room and let loose. Yes, we both used sex as a weapon, but it also helped ease the unspoken tension we had toward each other. I admired her dress, the way it emphasized her breasts, hugged her curves, and stopped entirely too short on her thighs.

  Focus.

  “Where’s Abramo?” I asked as I looked about, unable to spot him in the crowd.

  “No clue.” Her voice had an edge to it.

  Before I could ask what she meant, Vinni came running up with Niccola right behind him.

  “Boss, he’s here.” Niccola had his phone to his ear. “He was just spotted over there.”

  “Who?” Sienna glanced around.

  “Caio.”

  “Oh, is he a tall, wiry, bald guy?”

  “Yeah?” I glanced a question at Niccola, who pulled his phone away from his ear. “How do you know what he looks like?”

  “We just had a drink together. He knew me by name and said he was a friend of yours.”

  “What?”

  “Ah, yeah.” She glanced around at the three of us. “He seemed nice. Why?”

  Vinni filled her in. “Caio is one of Stefano’s capos. He works directly for the Coppola family.”