Page 49 of Ruined By Blood (Feretti Syndicate #2)

I stare at myself in the mirror, smoothing down a navy blue dress. Two days have passed since we left my mother at the mansion. Two days of peace, of waking up beside Enzo, of learning what normal feels like.

But there's a question hanging between us, unasked.

I haven't mentioned Henry once. Haven't asked what happened after they took him to that warehouse. The image of Enzo's face when he knocked Henry unconscious flashes through my mind – that cold, controlled rage that promised suffering.

"You look beautiful." Enzo appears in the doorway, already dressed in dark slacks and a crisp button-down. His eyes soften when they meet mine in the mirror.

"Thank you." I turn to face him. "I heard someone's picking up my mother?"

He nods, crossing the room to stand behind me. "Alessio left twenty minutes ago. She'll be here soon."

My stomach twists with nerves. Not about seeing my mother – that still feels like a miracle – but about tonight. About the elephant in the room.

"You haven't asked," Enzo says quietly, reading my thoughts as he so often does. His hands rest gently on my shoulders.

"About Henry?" My voice comes out smaller than I intended.

Enzo's reflection watches me carefully. "Yes."

I swallow hard. "I don't know if I want to know."

"You don't have to ask if you're not ready."

But something in his expression tells me he needs me to ask. Needs me to acknowledge what he's done – what I asked him to do when I said I wanted Henry to suffer.

"Did you kill him?" The words hang between us.

Enzo's hands tighten slightly on my shoulders. "Yes. When you're ready to know more, I'll tell you everything." He presses a kiss to the top of my head. "But tonight is about family. About moving forward."

I turn in his arms, pressing my face against his chest. "Thank you."

"For what, tesoro?"

"For giving me the choice. Henry never did."

Enzo lifts my chin, eyes serious. "You will always have choices with me, Sienna. Always."

The doorbell rings downstairs, breaking our moment.

"That'll be your mother," he says softly.

I take a deep breath, push thoughts of Henry away, and prepare to face the future instead of the past .

I rush down the stairs, my heart racing as I spot my mother standing in the foyer. She looks different than she did at the mansion – more alive somehow. She's wearing a simple blue dress that brings out her eyes, and her hair falls in soft waves around her face.

"Mom!" I call out, unable to contain my excitement.

She turns, her face lighting up as she opens her arms. I crash into her embrace, breathing in her familiar scent. For a moment, we just hold each other, neither of us speaking. I feel her trembling slightly against me.

"You look wonderful," she whispers, pulling back to study my face. "There's color in your cheeks."

"So do you," I say, noticing how the haunted look in her eyes has diminished. "How are things at the house?"

"Nearly finished. The realtor thinks we'll have offers by next week." She squeezes my hands. "But let's not talk about that tonight."

Enzo appears beside us. "Mrs. Sterling, welcome to our home."

"Please, call me Charlotte," my mother says with a small smile. "I'm reclaiming my maiden name. Sterling was never truly mine."

Enzo nods respectfully. "Charlotte. Dinner is ready whenever you are."

He leads us through to the dining room, where Lucrezia, Zoe, and Damiano are already seated. The table is beautifully set with candles and fresh flowers, and delicious aromas fill the air.

"Charlotte, this is my brother Damiano and his wife Zoe," Enzo introduces. "And you've already met my sister Lucrezia."

My mother smiles warmly. "Thank you all for having me. "

"We're thrilled you could join us," Lucrezia says, gesturing to the seat beside her. "Come sit by me. I've been dying to talk to you about your art collection. Sienna mentioned you used to paint?"

My mother's eyes widen in surprise as she takes her seat. "Yes, many years ago. How did you know?"

"Sienna has your eye for color," Lucrezia says. "You should see what she created in my studio."

As they launch into conversation about painting techniques, Ettore emerges from the kitchen carrying a large platter.

"Ladies and gentlemen, tonight we have osso buco with saffron risotto," he announces proudly, setting the dish in the center of the table. "And for the antipasti, burrata with heirloom tomatoes and basil."

"It smells incredible, Ettore," I say, my mouth already watering.

As Ettore serves, Zoe leans across the table toward my mother. "Charlotte, Sienna tells me you're a classical music lover. Any favorite composers?"

"Chopin," my mother answers without hesitation. "His nocturnes saved my sanity during... difficult times."

"We have a piano in the music room," Zoe says. "Perhaps you'd play for us sometime?"

I watch my mother's face light up at Zoe's invitation to play piano. For a moment, I see the woman she was before Henry – cultured, passionate, alive.

"I'd love that," she says softly. "Though I'm terribly out of practice."

"The piano won't mind," Damiano says with unexpected gentleness. His eyes meet mine across the table. "This house needs more music."

Ettore fills our wine glasses – except Zoe's, who gets sparkling water for the baby – and returns to the kitchen.

The conversation flows easily as we eat, jumping from music to books to travel.

With each passing minute, I feel something unfamiliar expanding in my chest. It takes me a while to recognize it as hope.

"Sienna mentioned she has never been to the beach," Enzo says, his hand finding mine under the table. "We should remedy that soon."

"I've been making a list," I admit, feeling my cheeks warm. "Of things I want to do now that I can."

"What's on this list?" Lucrezia asks, leaning forward with interest.

I hesitate, suddenly shy. "It's silly things, really. Learning to drive. Going to a movie theater. Eating ice cream in the park."

"Not silly at all," Damiano says firmly. His usual intensity softens as he looks between my mother and me. "Family outings are important. You'll both join us for our trip to the lake house next month."

It's not a question but a statement of fact. My mother looks startled.

"That's very kind, but we wouldn't want to impose—" she begins.

"You're not imposing," Damiano interrupts. "You're family now."

The simple declaration hangs in the air. Family. Not guests or charity cases or people to be pitied. Family.

"He means it," Zoe says, smiling at my mother's surprised expression. "Once a Feretti decides you belong, that's it. Trust me."

Laughter ripples around the table, and I feel Enzo's thumb tracing circles on my palm .

"Thank you," I say, looking directly at Damiano. "For everything."

He gives me a rare smile. "Welcome home, Sienna."

Later, as Ettore brings out tiramisu, I watch my mother laughing at something Lucrezia said. I see Zoe resting a hand on her growing belly while Damiano watches her with undisguised adoration. I feel Enzo beside me, solid and real.

For the first time in my life, I'm not just surviving – I'm living. And I plan to experience every moment I've been denied.

I watch Charlotte leave with a warm feeling in my chest. The dinner exceeded my expectations—seeing Sienna's mother connect with my family feels right, like puzzle pieces falling into place.

Charlotte's quiet elegance reminds me of Sienna, though Charlotte carries the weight of years of abuse in her posture.

When the front door closes behind her, I turn to find Sienna watching me, her crystal blue eyes soft with contentment.

"That went well," I say, moving toward her.

"Better than I imagined." She leans against the doorframe, exhaustion evident in the slight droop of her shoulders. " I think I need to get some rest. It's been... overwhelming."

I reach her, placing my hands on her waist, feeling the delicate curve beneath my fingers. "Rest, huh?"

Her eyebrows rise. "Yes, rest. Some of us are emotionally drained after family dinners."

I lean closer, my lips brushing her ear. "Funny, I was thinking about getting some rest too."

"Really?" Her voice catches slightly.

"Absolutely." My fingers trace small circles at her hip. "Though my idea of resting might be different from yours."

A flush spreads across her cheeks. "Enzo..."

"What?" I pull back with mock innocence. "I just thought we could rest... horizontally... together."

She pushes against my chest, but there's no force behind it. "You're impossible."

"I'm persistent. There's a difference." I capture her hand, pressing a kiss to her palm. "And very interested in helping you relax."

Her lips twitch with a suppressed smile. "Is that what you call it?"

"Among other things." I tug her closer, enjoying the way her body fits against mine. "I've become something of an expert at helping beautiful women named Sienna unwind after stressful days."

She rolls her eyes, but her body melts into mine. "That's a very specialized skill set."

"Extremely specialized. One woman only." I brush my lips against hers. "So what do you say? Want to get some... rest?"

The playfulness in her eyes shifts to something deeper, more intense. She stands on tiptoe, her lips nearly touching mine .

"Take me to bed, Enzo."

I scoop Sienna into my arms, her weight familiar and perfect against my chest. She laughs, wrapping her arms around my neck as I carry her up the stairs.

"You know I can walk," she says, but her head rests against my shoulder.

"Where's the fun in that?"

In our room, I set her down gently, my hands lingering at her waist. Her eyes meet mine, that perfect blue that first caught my attention at the casino. I still can't believe she's here, safe, with me.

I lower my mouth to hers, savoring the soft press of her lips. She sighs against me, her fingers threading through my hair, pulling me closer. The kiss deepens, and I back her toward the bed, my hands sliding beneath her shirt to feel the warmth of her skin.

"Enzo," she whispers against my lips, and fuck if my name has ever sounded better.

I'm about to lay her down when a sharp knock rattles the bedroom door.

"You've got to be fucking kidding me," I growl, pulling away. Sienna's eyes widen, her lips still parted and tempting.

Another knock, more insistent.

"I'll get rid of them," I promise, pressing a quick kiss to her forehead before stalking to the door.

I yank it open, ready to tear into whoever dared interrupt us. "This better be?—"

Alessio stands in the hallway, his usual easy smile nowhere to be seen. His jaw is tight, his eyes hard in a way that immediately sets me on edge.

"What's wrong?" The anger drains from me, replaced by the cold certainty that something serious has happened .

"We need to talk," Alessio says, his voice low. He glances past me to where Sienna sits on the edge of the bed. "Now."

I glance back at Sienna, torn between my responsibilities and the woman I love. Her eyes reflect concern, those blue depths questioning.

"Give me a minute," I tell Alessio, my voice low.

He nods once, stepping back. "I'll wait downstairs."

I close the door and turn to Sienna, who's already standing, arms crossed protectively over her chest.

"What's happening?" she asks, her voice steady despite the worry etched across her face.

I cross the room in three strides, cupping her face in my hands. "I don't know yet. But I need to find out."

"Enzo—"

I silence her with a kiss, deep and thorough, trying to pour every ounce of reassurance into it. When I pull back, her cheeks are flushed, her eyes half-lidded.

"I'll get back to finish what we started," I promise, brushing my thumb across her bottom lip. "Wait for me."

"I'll be waiting," she says.

I press one more quick kiss to her lips before heading for the door. When I glance back, she's standing tall, arms at her sides instead of wrapped around herself as she first did when I brought her here.