Chapter 6 - The Woman Nico Valente Couldn’t Order Around
Three weeks later, Vesper reopened.
Victor Caruso had been charged using evidence from Daniel Brooks’s files, Thomas Reed’s testimony, and records gathered during the investigation.
Tessa had demanded a raise.
She received one.
Marco demanded hazard pay.
Nico told him no.
Sienna demanded free cheesecake.
Nico also told her no.
She took it anyway.
On reopening night, Sienna carried two plates toward table seven when Nico appeared beside her.
“You’re working?”
She stared at him.
“I’m a waitress.”
“You don’t need to work.”
“That sentence makes me want to throw this pasta at you.”
Nico sighed.
“I meant financially.”
“I know what you meant.”
Daniel’s records had revealed something unexpected.
Antonio Valente had quietly placed money into a trust for Sienna after Daniel’s death.
Enough money that she never needed another double shift.
She had kept her job anyway.
Nico leaned against the bar.
“Why?”
“Because I like working.”
“You complain constantly.”
“I also enjoy complaining.”
“That part I believe.”
She started walking.
Nico followed.
“Dinner.”
“I’m serving dinner.”
“With me.”
She stopped.
“Are you asking me on a date?”
“Yes.”
“You sound like you’re negotiating a hostage release.”
Nico frowned.
“I don’t date.”
“Clearly.”
“Sienna.”
“Nico.”
“Have dinner with me.”
She smiled.
“Say please.”
He stared at her.
Nearby, Marco suddenly became interested in polishing a glass.
Tessa leaned through the kitchen window.
“Say it!”
Nico looked toward her.
Tessa disappeared.
Sienna waited.
Finally:
“Please.”
Her smile widened.
“Okay.”
Nico blinked.
“That’s it?”
“That’s it.”
“I expected more resistance.”
“I wanted to hear you say please.”
“You’re dangerous.”
“You run Chicago.”
“You’re still dangerous.”
Their first dinner lasted four hours.
Their second ended with Sienna beating Nico at pool.
Their third ended with Nico standing outside her apartment at midnight because she had fallen asleep against him in the car.
“You can wake me up,” she murmured.
“You’re awake.”
“Barely.”
“You weigh nothing.”
Sienna’s eyes opened.
“That is objectively false.”
Nico smiled.
“Come here.”
He lifted her.
Sienna wrapped her arms around his neck.
“We really need to stop making this a habit.”
“You keep falling asleep.”
“You keep being comfortable.”
Nico carried her upstairs.
At her door, Sienna became quiet.
“Nico?”
“Yes?”
“Why me?”
He stopped.
“What?”
“You could date anyone.”
“So could you.”
“I’m serious.”
“So am I.”
She looked at him.
Nico’s expression softened.
“Everyone around me is careful.”
“That seems sensible.”
“Everyone watches what they say.”
“I’ve noticed.”
“Everyone wants something.”
“And I don’t?”
“You wanted cheesecake.”
“That was excellent cheesecake.”
Nico laughed.
Then his forehead touched hers.
“You’re the first person in years who looked at Nico instead of Valente.”
Sienna swallowed.
“You scared me when I learned who you were.”
“I know.”
“But then you carried me through a restaurant while insulting me.”
“You were yelling.”
“I was terrified.”
“I know that too.”
She touched the open collar of his shirt.
This time she didn’t poke him.
“You made me feel safe.”
Nico’s eyes held hers.
“That’s what your father did for mine.”
“I’m not my father.”
“No.”
He smiled faintly.
“You’re louder.”
Sienna laughed.
Then kissed him.
Slowly.
No audience.
No gunshots.
No overturned chairs.
Just them.
When they separated, Sienna whispered, “You’re still bossy.”
“You’re still impossible.”
“Good.”
May you like
“Good.”
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