Page 21 of And Twice as Twisted (Agostino Crime Family #4)

SIENNA AGOSTINO

W hat a fucking nightmare.

My family had officially turned on me. At first, I was beyond devastated and now I’m downright pissed.

I know I have—at times—made decisions without consulting them.

It made them angry. Then they saved my ass or vice versa and we moved on.

But to stick up for him and hand me off to another man, that wasn’t okay.

Far-fucking-from it.

“Miss Agostino, what a pleasure.”

I set my cup on the saucer, swiping a drop of my coffee from my lips with my tongue, while Romano greedily traced the movement with his eyes.

“Mr. Bianchi, I do believe you’re in the wrong city,” I mused as he pulled out a seat before I could offer.

“And, of all the quaint little coffee shops, you just so happen to visit this one.”

“There’s a lot you still don’t know about me, Sienna.” The silence stretched for a moment as a million questions bubbled to the forefront of my brain. “Perhaps I’m just an avid caffeine enthusiast.” He looked around the meager décor and outdated furniture.

“Perhaps.” I sat back and crossed my legs, tapping my thumb on my thigh as I eyed him curiously.

“Or perhaps I was in the city on business and happened to stop by your office.” I knew where this was going. “Farrah is quite pleasant.”

“Farrah is a sucker for a good romance story, and a chance meeting is right up her alley.” She’d have happily told him where I was.

He nodded. “My presence seemed to piss off your bestie. Farrah all but threw your schedule at me to get me out of there.”

“Alvin?” I questioned but already knew the answer. “He’s a tad protective. Now, after…” I gulped past the pain. “Af-after Octavia, he’s borderline territorial.”

“If you were mine—” Tucking a stray curl behind my ear, Romano stroked my cheek. “I’d be downright murderous.” The conversation dropped to just above a whisper, his stare never wavering.

“Wh-what?” I coughed past the dryness in my throat, squirming a bit in my seat. “Why’re you here?”

His knowing grin seemed to mock me. “You know why. Mario told me you’re aware of his plans for us .” His tongue traced along the curve of his lips. “I’m just waiting on a few minor details...”

“Lucky is increasing profits, strengthening his hold as he prepares to step in. An alliance makes sense.”

His eyes assessed me as he sat back in his seat.

“You want something else before you agree.” It wasn’t a question.

“I’m a businessman, Sienna. Your brother may’ve been the face of those deals, but who was really at the helm of those negotiations.”

I didn’t need to answer. We both knew it was me.

At one time, I wanted nothing more than for my family to be in the spotlight. I didn’t need the credit, just the overall profitability of our name. However, as of late, I wanted my accolades. They were long overdue.

And Romano was giving them to me.

“You’ve intrigued me, Mr. Bianchi. And I don’t mean by sweet talking my assistant, in order to gain yourself a boring black coffee.”

He tossed back the rest of the cup without flinching.

“Just about every legal deal this family has conducted since I was sixteen was my doing. So, I’m curious… what deal are you willing to broker for my alliance.”

Romeo walked in with a playful smile, quickly dropping it to look at his boss and whisper something in his ear. The agitated growl that left Romano forced my thighs together.

Goddamn, this man was hot. Why couldn’t he be enough for me?

“I apologize but we need to continue this at another date.” Romano stood up from the table, placing a gentle kiss on my hand. “Next time, Farrah can schedule dinner for us.”

“I look forward to connecting with her,” Romeo muttered, garnering our attention. “To schedule that dinner, of course.” He did little to hide his smirk as my hackles rose with the comment.

I crossed my arms over my chest, nodding as they both dipped their heads in respect and left. “Fuck,” I hissed once they were out of earshot.

“Fuck.” The sentiment was echoed back at me.

I looked at the barista who stared longingly at the door, fanning herself with napkins.

“Girl, that shit was swoon-worthy!”

I shook my head and sat back in my seat, unable to pay attention to my tablet. Another latte was dropped in front of me, but I couldn’t focus on anything other than Romano’s sudden appearance. My father had made it clear that he was using me to form a continued alliance with our neighboring city.

But something felt… off.

I took a sip of my latte, the caramel melting on my tongue as my mind raced. Too many variables lurked in my life and I just added Romano to that list. I dropped my tablet on the table with an agitated sigh. My afternoon was screwed. There was no way I was going to be able to concentrate now.

Nothing was ever simple in the mafia. My goddamn brother said he wanted me gone, but there was a reason outside of his concern for my well-being. Lucky for me, I knew when to call their bluff, and no one’s poker face could outdo mine.

“What’re you doing here?” Alexei asked as I stepped off the elevator to my office.

“Ballroom dancing, idiot.”

Rocco chuckled at my back, his disdain for Alexei as evident as my own.

“Lucky said you were headed to Philly?” His innocent question shattered the wall holding back my stifling rage.

My feet pounded their way into my office, the thin heels of my red-soles threatening to crumble from the impact. My hands shook so badly I was unable to grab my door and slam it in his face. I threw my pale-blue Hermes Birkin handbag onto the chair at my desk, gripping the edges to keep me upright.

“So, about Philly…”

Twirling on my heel, I felt it give way as I started yelling. “Bastard thinks he controls this city, but he doesn’t control me!” I shouted, not giving a damn that the entire lobby was watching my meltdown.

“Sienna.” Alexei raised his hands, palms up in surrender.

“And I’m out.” Rocco practically jumped from his chair and darted into the lobby. I shoved Alexei out after him and slammed the door in his face.

I stumbled for a moment, before kicking off my broken heel, and wandered to my view of the city. What was once my solace now laughed at me. It was cruel and mocking.

No one knocked, leaving me to work in peace. I found myself lost to a little perusal of confidential police files: Released due to insufficient evidence. Lead witness incapacitated and unable to be interviewed to support claims.

I scoured through the details of the case, the declarations from other partners and the information he turned over. Gio was good at covering his tracks… but I was better. The police needed new evidence or a confession. And I had plans to get them both.

Farrah alerted me of the time and I grabbed my bag before heading to the elevator.

Alexei and Rocco rode down to the lobby with me in silence.

We jumped into the SUV Al was driving and headed straight towards the college.

The air was sizzling with excitement as we ushered our group inside the auditorium.

“I bet you’re the proudest father in the world right now.” I smiled at Evelyn’s dad, shaking his hand as we approached our reserved seats. “Alvin, Alexei, and Rocco.” I motioned towards my entourage, and he nodded.

Al quickly stepped forward, shaking the man’s hand and offering his congratulations before kissing Evelyn’s mother on the cheek.

I stopped for a moment, staring at my best friend curiously.

He was in a suit, not out of the ordinary, but today he wore a three-piece—gray with a matching vest. His shoes were new and shined, but even more peculiar was the fact he held a bouquet of flowers in his hand.

Rocco caught my attention; his expression matched my own as we watched the men make quick small talk. They conversed as if this wasn’t their first-time meeting.

Interesting.

“Miss Agostino, we can’t express our—”

I cut him off with a wave of my hand. “We’ve been through this. Your daughter did the work, not me.” I gestured to the large auditorium presently hosting the graduation. “Evelyn’s hard work and perseverance, her strength to not be a victim is what brought her here.”

My little protégé had graduated NYU with honors, far exceeding my expectations. I saw a lot of myself in her and smiled. A small girl, who rose from disaster and became a fierce woman.

“I didn’t think we’d see this moment.” The crowd erupted as another name was called. “I really thought… it… that… was the end for my daughter. I’d pictured her waitressing at the local diner and not getting a chance to live her life.” Her father wiped away a stray tear.

“Here she comes.” Al pushed to his feet, his large frame blocking the view of several attendees, none brave enough to say anything.

“Evelyn!” Her father, mother, and I all shouted in unison as her name was called.

Rocco put his hand in his mouth to whistle, but it was Al’s deep hollers that had several people turning around.

Evelyn faltered in her steps, holding her diploma and staring at us in shock.

She looked each person in the face, her awe and happiness filling her eyes with tears.

Not only did her parents and I have front row seats with Rocco and Al, but I may or may not have reserved the entire section for every employee of Energia Holdings .

The room had been throttled by the rising fanfare, the young Evelyn having touched each one of her coworkers with her charm, grace, and intelligence.

She deserved nothing but absolute happiness.

Once she’d exited the stage, the faculty halted the ceremony as our entire section left without remorse for the interruption.

We’d come to see her, not the rest of the graduates.

We made our way outside and the chorus of cheers erupted as Evelyn approached.

She was practically glowing as her gown swallowed her small form.

She greeted her parents first, then introduced them to each of her coworkers. The buzz in the air was exuberant.