Page 15 of Claimed By the Possessive Mafia Prince

DARIO

“ I don’t understand why anyone would do this,” she says, sitting on the edge of the bed and staring down at a pile of her clothes. “It’s like someone wants this all to go wrong.”

“How do you mean?”

She looks up at me with an unmistakable note of embarrassment. “Forget I said that.”

“No, Siena. Explain.”

She wrings her hands together. Her eyes look lost and depressed, and it angers me. I hate the idea that anyone thinks they have the right to do this to her.

“First, it started with the boat tour, then there are all the problems I’ve had with vendors canceling and giving me the runaround. Not to mention the rocks–I mean, we scouted that location. The rocks weren’t loose.” She sighs. “I know how this sounds.”

“It sounds like you’re rightfully concerned,” I tell her.

“You’re the first person who hasn’t acted like I’m crazy for thinking any of this.”

Little does she know, there’s every reason to suspect someone’s playing dirty.

Eddy.

“Let’s collect your things and move them to my room.”

She stands. “What? Why?”

“I’m not leaving you here knowing someone’s done this, Siena. I wouldn’t forgive myself if something happened to you. I’ve got a suite. I’ll take the couch.”

She swallows and smooths her hands down her shirt. “I’m not sure if that’s a good idea.”

I wink. “Scared you won’t be able to keep your hands off me?”

She’s not smiling. “Does this seriously seem like the time for jokes?”

“Hey–I’m sorry.” I take her hands gently. “You’re right. I meant what I said. I don’t want to leave you. I wouldn’t forgive myself. Stay with me. I’ll be on my best behavior.”

“Maybe I could… but as friends, that’s all.”

“Sure, friends.”

“Try to say that without sounding sarcastic.”

“I don’t think I can.”

She looks around the room, sighs. I want to pull her into a hug to relieve some of her stress, but then she might not agree to stay with me if she thinks I’m going to try something.

“I need to work today.”

“Exactly.” I squeeze her hand supportively. “Which means you can’t spend time worrying about this. Let me worry about it for you.”

She nods. “Okay.”

“Where’s your bag? As we collect your stuff, we can see if this jackass took anything.”

“Sounds like a plan.”

Whoever did this took nothing, meaning it was a message, not theft. We pack Siena’s suitcase and then carry it to my hut. I moved some cushions and a blanket to the couch.

“I can take the couch,” Siena says.

“Seriously, don’t worry about it.”

She bites down, looks from the couch to the bed a few feet away, and across the glass floor that shows the ocean beneath.

“I think I’m going to put a sheet up.”

I laugh. “A sheet?”

She glares. “We’re not sharing a room. These are two separate rooms. There just isn’t a wall. That’s how I’m thinking of it, and that’s how I want you to think of it too. Don’t laugh at me–don’t make this harder than it has to be.”

I tenderly touch her shoulders. “I’m sorry. If putting a sheet up makes this easier for you, go ahead. I’ll even help.”

We grab a fresh sheet from the closet and tether it to the rafters. It drapes across the room.

“Do I knock on the sheet if I need something?” I joke.

When she laughs, I touch her face softly.

She reaches up, clasps my hand. Savors the moment. Then, pushes me away.

“Okay, work time.”

“Don’t go wandering,” I tell her. “Stay where people can see you.”

“I’ll be surrounded by people all day.” She swallows. “Do you think I’m in danger or something?”

“We don’t know who did this or why. Better safe than sorry. And call me if you need anything.” I reach into my pocket, take out my cell, and hand it to her. “Enter your number and then text me so I have yours.”

She does so, then hands me my phone. “Thanks, Dario.”

“Don’t mention it.”

She leaves my hut with a bag over her shoulder, a notebook, and her cell inside. I watch her go, hoping she’ll take my advice and call me if something’s up. Once she’s gone, I walk down the pier and knock on Uncle Eddy’s door.

No answer.

I head to the restaurant, and he isn’t there either.

Finally, I find him at the base of the ridge where we took the photos, looking up at it.

“Studying your handiwork, uncle?”

He turns, scowling. “What did you just say to me?”

“You heard me,” I growl, walking up to him and staring at him without flinching. “A lot has been going wrong, too much for it to be a coincidence or just dumb luck.”

“I’m not sure I like your tone, nephew.”

“Do you have an alibi for this morning, between nine and ten?”

“A what ?”

“An alibi,” I grunt. “Don’t make me ask you again. Who can vouch for your whereabouts?”

“You’ve got to be kidding me,” he snarls. “This has to be a joke.”

“Why won’t you answer the question?”

“Who the fuck do you think you’re talking to?”

I grab him by the front of his shirt. “I know that you’ve been skimming off the top of my father’s gambling business.

” His eyes become saucers. “That’s right–I’ve known about it for months.

But I figured, well, maybe Uncle Eddy has some debts, and he’s too proud to let my father know.

As long as he doesn’t push it too far, I can let it go.

But it showed me something… you’re not the man you pretend to be. ”

“Let me go. Now.”

I release him, but don’t take a step back. “Alibi–yes or no?”

“I’ve been on myself all morning,” he grunts.

“How convenient.”

“It’s the truth. Why are you even asking?”

“Like you don’t know.” I lean forward. “Whatever this is, you need to stop. If you disturbed those rocks up there?—”

“What?” he almost roars.

“Those rocks weren’t loose, then suddenl?—”

“You’re out of your mind. You’re accusing me of trying to murder my sister-in-law and my brother .”

“Your men aren’t as loyal as you think, Uncle. There have been whispers about you wanting to be the Don, about you regretting your decision to turn down the consigliere position.”

Eddy’s face turns red.

“Go on–tell me it’s a lie.”

He stares at the ground. “It’s not what you think. Sometimes I drink too much. I say things I shouldn’t. But if you think I’d ever betray the Family, you’re dead wrong.”

“And if you even think about playing any more tricks, you’re dead.”

“I held you when you were this big.” He gestures with his hands. “We’re blood, Dario.”

“My loyalty is to my mother, father, and the Family. Have I made myself clear?”

“We’re on the same side.”

“You’ve been stealing and talking openly about taking the Don position.

Now, everything is going wrong. If this trip goes badly, it makes my father look like he can’t handle a simple vow renewal.

A political man could use that to instill doubt, to advance his own position.

I’m seriously warning you here, back off. ”

“You’ve painted me as the perfect villain,” Eddy says. “The perfect scapegoat.”

“Scapegoat?” I snarl. “For who?”

He nods at me.

“That’s weak, thinking I’d ever betray my own father.”

“Not as weak as thinking I’d be to betray my brother.”

“You’ve been warned, Uncle. If things get worse, if it comes to blows, or blood, don’t forget that… you’ve been fucking warned.”

I walk away, my hands clenched into fists.

If he physically hurts Siena, he won’t get a warning.