Page 3 of And Twice as Twisted (Agostino Crime Family #4)

SIENNA AGOSTINO

T here was something almost calming about the chaos of a packed dance floor.

People lost to their vices as they swayed and moved to the beat of the music.

I threw my hands in the air above my head, bringing them down slowly as they traced over each curve of my body.

I could feel their eyes on me. The dirty thoughts as they wished my hands were their own.

They wanted me.

Those who knew my name kept their distance.

We didn’t exactly advertise that Danza was mob owned, but people weren’t stupid.

Thanks to me, my brother wasn’t just king of the criminal underground; he was also a productive member of society.

A business owner. And he thrived in the spotlight I gave him.

Whatever. No one gave a shit about what I’d done. Not for Lucky. Not for my family. It didn’t matter. I didn’t matter.

The beat was a constant thumping sound as the dancers twirled on the lifted platforms above the dance floor. Their glittering costumes and feather head pieces matched the fantasy the room was creating. A fantasy where my pain didn’t exist.

“It’s hot as fuck in here.” Rocco positioned himself between me and a group of rowdy college girls.

“That’s the point! It adds to the fun.” I spun in a circle, my hips moving sensuously until I lost my footing, and I slammed my back into his chest.

I was a teensy bit drunk. Okay, I was hammered . But I was allowed to indulge in a little self-induced pity party after everything I’d been through. My makeup covered my physical trauma and my dress forced your attention to anything but my bruises. Much to Al’s dismay.

“What the fuck is that?” He gestured to my outfit.

“A dress.” I motioned a hand down the expensive garment. “Roberto Cavalli to be exact!”

“Like fuck that’s a dress.” His face was pinched in obvious displeasure. “Trying to show everyone what gender you are?”

“Well, of course.” I did a little spin, my pregame shots making me woozy. “Let them know what they’re missing.”

Al grumbled his agitation over stupidly selecting a white shirt when protecting me always led to bloodshed.

He was going to kill someone.

As the lights pulsed above us, I leaned backwards. And Rocco grabbed my shoulders, pushing me away from his body. “Sienna. Gross.”

“I can practically see your… your…” Al appeared at my side, looking at me with disgust as he waved a hand in my direction.

“Pussy?” I chuckled, placing my hands on his chest to brace myself. Rocco was still at my back, holding me at arm’s length.

“Sienna!” Al gagged as Rocco shouted, “Ew!”

I opened my mouth to repeat the offending word when Rocco covered it, shoving me forward and following Al through the crowd. I struggled to get up the stairs and Rocco had to practically carry me. My red-soles were doing me dirty tonight.

“Fuck. Shit. Goddamn it,” Rocco moaned out and practically tossed me into Lucky’s VIP room.

“Oh! Rocco! I’m sorry.” I threw a hand to my mouth at the sight of blood soaking through his white shirt.

I tugged the material free of his pants, dropping to my knees to inspect the wound over his kidney.

It was only a slight tear; the stitches were holding together well but it didn’t diminish my guilt.

We’d gone through hell together, neither of us coming out unscathed.

“Where’s the line start? I want my turn!” A slurred voice came at my back, Rocco’s attention snapping in that direction. “Yeah, baby!” The guy chuckled as Rocco helped me to my feet to tuck me behind him.

“What did you just say?” A chill filled the air as a new menacing side of Rocco rose to the surface.

Since the accident, my brother’s enforcer seemed to be slipping away in front of our eyes.

My lighthearted friend and guard had been replaced by someone tainted, crueler.

With Apollo gone, Lucky and Al didn’t have much time to keep an eye on him.

And Rocco refused my help, clamming up anytime I tried to comfort him. “Say. It. Again.”

Goose bumps lined my arms, his biceps flexing as I tried to hold him back.

The guy appeared to finally realize the threat and moved backwards, bumping into Al, before his eyes flicked between the two men.

He quickly dribbled a slew of fake apologies with his palms up in a defensive posture.

My brother’s men were playing with the bastard now, preparing him for a fate worse than death at their hands.

“Enough.” I stepped between Rocco and his would-be prey. “You’re bleeding, and he isn’t worth it with all the witnesses,” I hissed, my gaze scanning the crowd.

“Yeah, listen to the bitch!” The jackass stared at me with a mixture of lust and loathing.

“You stupid mother—” I cocked my fist back, the blow to his nose jarring my arm. “Fucker! Ow!” I cradled my wrist to my chest for a moment, feeling the ramifications of my poor form.

I knew better than to throw a punch like that.

“Time to go.” Al put the guy in a headlock and dragged him to the door.

“Stay with Sienna. I’m just gonna throw the trash out.

” He boasted it loudly, too loudly. Which meant the son of a bitch was going to be taken to the basement of the hotel, under our apartments.

As much as I hated my status, being the mafia princess did have its perks.

I escorted Rocco to a chair by the bar and called the bartender over for another glass of champagne. I needed the bubbles.

“Hey.” A random girl gestured towards the row of shots before her. “Want one?”

I nodded, wanting to keep the happy nothingness in place to avoid my real feelings.

Her friends were on their way to my level of drunk, but a few were also coked out of their minds.

I tossed back the shot, watching two of the girls step from the group and approach a small table in the corner.

My eyes focused on them and I knew I had a death wish.

“Come on.” One of the girls motioned me forward, waving her hands above the white lines stretching across the table. “Here, Sienna.”

Had I told them my name?

As I stepped closer, one of them whispered in my ear. “It makes everything better.” Her tone was rushed, hyper. I took a hundred-dollar bill from my bag and rolled it.

Sienna Agostino would never snort coke with a fiver.

I looked back and forth between them. Something didn’t feel right, but I was too committed to my self-destruction to give it a second thought.

One of the dancers had stepped closer, but for the most part, we were secluded in the corner.

I made quick work of snorting a line, allowing the stars to burst behind my eyes.

I was momentarily stunned, unsure what to do except stare at the wall behind the bartender.

He handed me my whiskey neat, eyeing me with confusion until I felt my normal smile slip back in place.

“Another!” a girl called out, though it seemed forced as she tugged me to her. I shouldn’t. But, oh, how I wanted to.

“Bitch!” A dancer slammed one of them against the wall, smashing the woman’s cell phone to the ground.

Her glittery flapper dress shimmered in the light as she moved, the feathers in her hair swaying with the swift motion.

I was momentarily stunned as I watched her flip the table of cocaine and grip the second girl by the throat.

“You know exactly who you’re messing with, don’t you?

” She glanced between the girl she was choking and the other one shaking on the floor.

“Thought you’d get your fifteen minutes of fame with that video? ”

Video? I flicked my eyes from one woman to the other, appalled by my own actions but furious with theirs.

Magazines were always looking for a way to ruin my family.

They’d sell their images and tabloid stories to the highest bidder, assuming their anonymity was protected as they soiled the reputation of the mafia princess.

However, I always found my mark. One way or another, I’d hunt them down. Just ask Sebastian Santoro…

If you can find him.

“How much am I worth?” I bent down into the girl’s face. “Tell me!” I grabbed a chunk of her hair, pulling her closer.

“I-it was just a joke!” she cried.

“A joke! Oh!” The dancer started laughing uncontrollably, shaking the woman in her arms. “Why didn’t you tell us?

” And before I could move, she smashed the girl’s face into the wall.

Twice. I watched on as blood poured from the cunt’s nose.

The dancer smiled at me, as if to say I got this , and pulled the other girl to her feet, bracing her against the wall with an arm to her neck.

“Never come back here. You didn’t see anything. You don’t know anything.”

The woman nodded, her head bouncing up and down like one of those bobble dolls.

“You’re lucky it’s me and not her brother, perra tonta.”

The girl left her friend and scurried out of the room, and all I could do was watch with unattached amusement as the dancer adjusted her costume. She righted her dress, pulled a feather from her breasts, and dabbed at her makeup, before glancing at the clock on the wall and cursing.

“Sorry for getting involved.” She had a slight Spanish accent, her caramel skin flawless against the shimmering gown and her green eyes alluring— they seemed to change color in the dim lighting. “You looked like you needed that first line. That’s the only reason I didn’t step in sooner.”

“Thanks.” I extended a hand and introduced myself. “Sienna.”

“ Lo sé, princesa .” Her smile revealed perfect white teeth.

“Gabriela.” The way her lips wrapped around her own name was near sensual.

And I stared in awe as she sashayed towards the door.

My little brother blocked her way as he walked in, glancing at me before eyeing Gabriela like she was his next meal.

His growing smirk told me all I needed to know, and I stepped to the dancer’s side.

“A new girl.” He took her hand and spun her out, before pulling her back into his chest.

“Nope. You can’t have this Spanish princess too, muchacho. ” She shrugged him loose before turning to me. “Let’s dance.” Then Gabriela grabbed my wrist and dragged me down the stairs. I glanced over my shoulder on the way out and took note of how Marco appeared rattled.

Interesting.

As we headed to the dance floor, the crowd shuffled slightly, letting us through.

I closed off my mind, let the rhythm take control of my body, and the heavy beating of the bass erased all thoughts of my evening.

Of my life. I knew what I was doing would cause more harm than good.

But after all those years spent playing the picture-perfect image my family wanted, I was owed this.

To fall apart at the seams until I was ready to put myself back together again.

I just wanted my friend back. The same man who always remembered my birthday and gave me the most thoughtful gifts.

He noticed things, details, and he remembered them.

Then, of course, there was the fact that he could make you orgasm so aggressively you swore you’d never survive.

Apollo Deluca was the type of man who wouldn’t just kill for you; he’d enjoy doing it.

And I missed him.

As I moved around the floor, beads of sweat dripped down my back. My limbs were exhausted and my calves ached from my shoes, but I didn’t stop. The crowd was diminishing but I was far from done for the night.

“Sienna.”

I sensed his presence before I felt the wall of muscle at my back, his rough tone causing the butterflies in my stomach to take flight.

“Enough.”

I couldn’t help but smile as I pressed my spine into his chest, his protective arms coming around me as his warm breath tickled my ear. I knew he’d come back for me. I just had to send the right message and he’d snap out of it.

“This self-destructive behavior is unbecoming. It’s time to go home.”

I nodded, my head tilting backwards and resting in the crux of his neck. “I need you.”

Apollo’s hands gripped my arms, preparing to spin me to face him when Al’s glare appeared in front of me instead.

“Look at me.” Al gripped my chin, staring at me with accusatory eyes. And I was screwed . “Are you fucking kidding me, Sienna?”

I swallowed the lump in my throat. The disgust I saw reflected back at me was so unlike him. His hand shook as he pinched my jaw harder, and his expression all but eviscerated my high, the coke long forgotten as my stomach swirled with threats of vomiting.

“Fix yourself, Sienna. I fucking mean it, or I’m telling Lucky.”

I nodded at Al, unable to speak.

“And burn this fucking thing you call a dress.”

“Al…” It came out choked, tears streaming down my face.

“I don’t want to hear it. You’re better than this! I’ve never seen you so weak .” And in that moment, I felt like he’d slapped me. “Where is the Sienna Agostino? Because this girl , I don’t like her. Rocco, take her home.” Al dismissed me with a wave of his hand.

I was stunned silent. He was right . This path only led to death.

I turned to Apollo, confused when I realized it was Rocco at my back.

My chin wobbled, and I hated this feeling of complete helplessness as much as I couldn’t stop it.

My mind was messing with me, the cocaine obscuring the lines between reality and fantasy.

I wasn’t just seeing things. I was feeling them now too…

I swore it had been him holding me. But just like every other instance, when it came to Apollo, I was dumb as hell.

“Come on, Si. Let’s get you home.” Rocco pulled me to his side and escorted me to the back door.

“N-no. Take me to my office, please.”

He walked me to my car, helped me slide in the back, and paused to stare at me.

“I don’t want anyone else to see me like this tonight.”

Rocco nodded his understanding before closing the door and climbing into the front passenger seat.

Weak . Women were presumed to be weak. That’s why they had no place in the mafia. In one night, I’d given up everything I’d worked so hard to earn—respect at the top of that list.

Men were allowed to make mistakes. The dick swinging between their legs ensured those mistakes were forgiven.

Forgotten. That same sentiment didn’t exist for women.

The moment our emotions seeped through our tough facades, our power was stripped away.

No matter how long we’d fought to earn it.

It was a hard, fast truth that surpassed corporate America.

The world was changing. Women were fighting for equality because we sure as fuck were a lot stronger than men gave us credit for.

And, normally, Sienna Agostino was in the trenches. Until my stupid heart took everything from me. Not anymore. I’d swallow down all the bullshit and move on. From him. From my family’s shadow. And from this city.

Because this mafia princess didn’t take shit from anyone. Including myself.