Chapter 5 - Table Fourteen
Victor Caruso chose Vesper.
The same restaurant where everything had started.
“Absolutely not,” Nico said.
Sienna tied her apron.
“You agreed to the plan.”
“I agreed before seeing the apron.”
“What’s wrong with my apron?”
“It means you intend to walk directly toward him.”
“That is generally how waitressing works.”
Nico caught her hand.
“Sienna.”
She looked up.
For once, there was no joke in his expression.
“If anything changes, you leave.”
“I know.”
“You don’t improvise.”
“I know.”
“You don’t provoke him.”
Sienna hesitated.
Nico narrowed his eyes.
“Sienna.”
“Fine.”
Marco muttered, “She’s definitely provoking him.”
“I heard that.”
Vesper opened at eight.
At 8:17, Victor Caruso entered.
Sixty-three.
Silver-haired.
Elegant.
Two men accompanied him.
He sat at table fourteen.
Sienna approached carrying a tray.
“Good evening.”
Victor smiled.
“Daniel’s daughter.”
“You knew my father.”
“Very well.”
“Then you know he hated bad tippers.”
Victor chuckled.
“You’re exactly as described.”
Sienna set down water.
“Where’s Tessa?”
“Safe.”
“I want proof.”
Victor showed her his phone.
Live video.
Tessa sat inside a parked car with one of Victor’s men.
Unhurt.
Furious.
Sienna exhaled.
“The drive,” Victor said.
She reached into her apron.
Victor smiled.
Then Sienna stopped.
“First, tell me why you killed my father.”
His expression changed.
“I didn’t.”
“You sabotaged the car.”
“That’s a serious accusation.”
“My father recorded everything.”
Victor leaned back.
“You think Nico Valente cares about justice?”
Sienna glanced toward the dark glass separating the dining room from the private lounge.
“I think Nico cares about finishing what his father started.”
Victor smiled.
“Then he’s listening.”
Sienna’s stomach tightened.
That wasn’t part of the plan.
Victor looked directly toward the hidden microphone beneath her collar.
“Hello, Nico.”
The restaurant went silent.
Victor’s men stood.
Then every exit opened.
Marco entered with security.
Nico stepped through the private door.
Victor laughed.
“There he is.”
Nico walked forward.
“You’re done.”
Victor looked around.
“Because of a flash drive?”
“Because you confessed.”
Victor’s smile vanished.
Sienna blinked.
Then understood.
Her question.
His response.
He had never denied sabotaging the car.
Victor looked at her.
“You little—”
Nico stepped between them instantly.
“Careful.”
Victor’s eyes moved to Nico.
“You’ll destroy everything your father built over a waitress?”
Nico’s expression remained calm.
“No.”
He looked at Sienna.
“I’m protecting what Daniel Brooks died trying to save.”
Sirens sounded outside.
Victor stared.
“You called the police?”
Marco smiled.
“Several agencies, actually.”
Sienna whispered to Nico, “Is this the part where dramatically armed federal agents enter?”
“Probably.”
“Should I duck?”
“Yes.”
“Good advice.”
She ducked.
Seconds later, officers entered from both doors.
Victor was taken into custody.
His men surrendered.
Then Sienna remembered.
“Tessa.”
Marco was already moving.
“We have her location.”
Sienna started after him.
Nico caught her waist.
“Absolutely not.”
“My best friend is being held in a car!”
“And Marco has twelve men going.”
“I can help.”
“How?”
Sienna opened her mouth.
Nothing came.
Nico raised an eyebrow.
“Moral support?”
“No.”
“Snacks?”
“No.”
She folded her arms.
“You’re becoming extremely difficult.”
“I was difficult before you met me.”
“That’s true.”
Twenty-three minutes later Marco called.
Tessa was safe.
Sienna’s knees nearly gave out.
Nico caught her.
She pressed her forehead against his chest.
For several seconds neither spoke.
Then Sienna whispered, “Thank you.”
His hand settled gently against her back.
“You’re welcome.”
She looked up.
“We won?”
“Looks that way.”
“Good.”
She poked his chest.
Nico stared at her finger.
Sienna slowly removed it.
“Habit.”
His mouth curved.
“You’re impossible.”
“You carried me through a restaurant.”
“You were in danger.”
“My backside was introduced to the entire kitchen.”
“I saved your life.”
May you like
“Both things can be true.”
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