Sienna I knew when Dante left that night that things had changed. The man who once terrified me with his presence now stood as a broken, defeated shell, covered in the blood of his betrayer. Everything made sense now; his debasing of me, his underhanded bouquet message: disdain, death and revenge. I was nothing but an instrument of vengeance against my father, who he assumed murdered Lenore. I truly meant nothing to Dante, and the thought hurt me more than I care to let on. But then I am taken back to that night. He called me ‘Sunflower’ as an endearment and when I had to call his brothers, I saw that his phone screensaver was a picture of me taken unaware. Why would he do that if he did not care for my existence if I were nothing more than a pawn in his revenge game? I put my coffee cup in the sink and walked out of the door to my garden. It was two weeks later, and I barely saw Dante anymore. Nico said to leave him be for now, and Dario advised to give him time. All I wanted to

Dante I opened the door to our bedroom and knew that Sienna was fast asleep already. Sighing, I had hoped that the meeting with Nico wouldn’t drag on as long as it did, because I needed to speak with her again. Lately, I seem to crave Sienna’s warmth and closeness, and I’m not sure why I allowed myself to reject her presence in my life. She was pure sunlight in my world of darkness. After a shower, I eased myself into bed next to her and was careful not to wake her up. Since Luciano, Sienna doesn’t know I realise this, but she has had bad night terrors. She would shiver and awake screaming during the night and not remember anything the next day. This has made me regret making her stay for my uncle’s execution - she was not made for death. She stirred as I moved closer to her and turned around, placing her head on my chest as if it was the most normal thing to do. I smile at her night comfort with me and hold her closer, inhaling her pure scent and feeling a tightness in my chest. W

Dante I watch Stefan DiMarco as he enters the restaurant we have agreed to meet in; he is dressed in a white button-down t-shirt and grey slacks. His long blonde hair was tied up and when he saw me, his lip twisted into a grin. It made sense for him to come instead of the Padrino himself, seeing as the ‘Ndrangheta are secretive and don’t trust anyone outside of their own family. Understandable, as I feel the same way. “Dante Dragonetti, a pleasure to finally meet The Dragon himself,” he says and I can’t readily tell if he means that or if it was sarcasm. I get up and shake his outstretched hand and offer him a nod. “Same to you, as you are the future Padrino,” I say, deciding to go for flattery for a change. This sect of the Italian Mafia was impossible to read and extremely volatile when provoked, so I opted to tread carefully. “Ah, you flatter me. Come, let us sit and discuss this possible union.” He says with a voice laced thick in an Italian accent. The ‘Ndrangheta moved a part

Dante Sangue per il Sangue. Blood for blood. I will slaughter them for what they did to you. I will decimate their entire clan - this is my blood oath to you, Sienna. I take her hand in mine and kiss the back of it before holding it to my forehead. She was lying on her side, looking so small and vulnerable. You wouldn’t say that this was the same woman who only 24 hours ago, stood proudly pumping bullets into our enemies while she was nursing life-threatening wounds. A real soldier. A real ride or die - My Sienna. The guilt is still fresh in my heart. I killed her call when she needed help because I was too much of a pussy to face my feelings while Sienna took a bullet for me without a second thought. Dario informed me of how she commanded my men before the Bratva boss shot down my panic room. Another burst of pride in my chest. I definitely did not marry a princess. I think back to her pushing me out of the way and jerking against my body; I thought that was just shock. Little di

Sienna It has been two months since the invasion, and everyone has been acting strange lately. I had a feeling it had to do with their revenge plot, but I knew better than to ask what it entailed. Dante was extra snappy, Nico was extra jumpy, and Dario… Well, Dario is still pleasant. He usually joins me when I go for my walks around the gardens, along with two other men. Dante has been more protective of me since we admitted our feelings to one another, and I have to admit that it is quite annoying. I understand his need to protect me, but three bodyguards? Overkill. “What’s going to happen to your fighting now?” I ask Dario as we take a late afternoon stroll through the garden. It was mid-July, so the weather was warm and lovely. I know it has frustrated him at having to cancel his last match, but Dante forbade him to fight until he’s healed. The fight with the Russian took a lot out of him. He shrugs, “I don’t know. I’ll have to wait until I’m at 100% before I touch another pun