Page 75 of Captured Obsession

When they arrived this evening as our escorts, I was irritated. But even worse, they brought an extra.

“I’ve never actually been in here,” Lily Taylor says. When she received news that her beloved friend, who had been kidnapped and used as a bargaining tool, had returned to Manhattan, she wason a flight from Italy immediately, leaving behind her fiancé, Lorenzo Moretti. At least he’s been forced to remain there while he deals with Luca’s affairs. That’s another problem I don’t want to add to my plate.

I’m certain it’s a trap I’m walking into, and so be it. If something happens to me, I’ve charged Andrei with getting Agata out safely. And at the very least, Sienna will be safely taken in by her friends. But I’m curious as to how long I can continue running this game.

Sienna absently touches the diamond snake necklace. I like marking her throat, a staple piece to not-so-subtly tell everyone that she’s mine.

It became the focus of her friends’ attention when they arrived to pick us up. Sienna simply looped her arms with Romi and Lily, stating she was “simply excited to leave the apartment.” Most likely because Sienna suspects the explosive is a bluff. My reputation says otherwise, which is why her friends are more cautious.

“Maybe we should go a few rounds in the ring to liven up the party?” Dante suggests to me.

I smirk at the little shit. I feel as if we might’ve gotten along in another life. And as much as I want to go a few rounds with him to put him in his place, I suspect he can hold his own. I don’t take his reputation lightly.

“Only if we’re permitted to use blades; increase the bets a little, shall we?” I reply dryly.

Dante’s smile splits from ear to ear. “I thought you’d never ask.”

“Enough,” Romi bites. “This situation is so fucked up. If you two keep flirting like this, you might end up as fucking friends. Hostage, remember.” Romi points at Sienna and then me. “Using her to get what he wants.”

“I’ll have it noted that it’s my boss who wants direct dealings with the Armanis.”

“You’re just here for the ride, huh?” Romi narrows her gaze on me.

“I’m here onpersonalmatters.”

“Well, if you could please release our friend and go about your business without her, it would be much appreciated,” Lily adds with dry sarcasm, and I’m surprised by the sweet, innocent-looking one having some backbone. It would appear all the women Sienna is close with know how to not only deal with unhinged men but shut them down as well.

I can’t help but continue to be mildly impressed by these people.

Dante suggests the women enter first, but I grab Sienna’s hand. She doesn’t seem bothered by it, and though the others take note of it, they say nothing. At this point, I don’t care who sees.

I hide behind the pretense that I want her to look like my captive little doll. But the reality is, I don’t trust this situation. No one should. I’m walking into Diablo’s den.

The bouncers size me up, as expected, but at theinstruction of Dante, they let us through without issue. It’s late in the evening, and people are lined up, disgruntled at our preferential treatment.

Naked men and women dance inside cages, enticing members between winning—or more likely losing—fortunes at the gambling tables.

Sienna leans in and whispers, “I feel like I’m in Amsterdam all over again.”

I hide my smirk. Yes, the red-light district might’ve opened her eyes to some things, but selling sex isn’t something uncommon in the underworld. However, I always find myself charmed when she takes in the world through a very different lens.

I keep her close, noticing how others’ gazes roam over her, and I hook my arm around her waist and pull her closer to me. There is a price for looking at my woman so openly. Though, I’ll refrain from doing anything in front of her or her friends for the time being.

Businessmen sit at the gambling tables on the left, smoking their cigars with minimal conversation. On my right, the long wooden bar is occupied by many who are part of Manhattan’s elite. A few look at Sienna, Lily, and Romi with recognition.

“She was our girl first,” Romi says to me as she hooks her arm around Sienna’s elbow and pulls her from my hold.

“It’s okay,” Sienna says when I find myself reaching out for her. I curl my fingers into my hands, regrettingbringing her here. But if I hadn’t, I’d be a dead man. The Armanis want to see her, to make sure she’s alive and well.

Selfishly, I want to keep her all to myself. But I’ve struggled to make Sienna look as lighthearted as she does while the three women whisper amongst themselves.

Dante comes to my side, and I keep part of my focus on his hands, as he’s known to be quick to pull out his scalpels. “Of all the kidnappings to transpire, this, I think, is the strangest,” he says as we urge the women toward the back of the bar.

“You’re telling me,” I reply, not at all enjoying the fact that we’re agreeing on anything.

I scan the room, noting the security guards, knowing that at any moment, they could swarm me. A part of me fucking dares them to try. It’s been a while since I’ve had some fresh blood on my hands. I’ve been playing house for so long now, I’m beginning to enjoy it, and that could cost me a blade to my throat.

But when my gaze dips back to Sienna, and I see her smiling and laughing, I can’t help but think it’s all worth it.