CHAPTER 4: A FINE LINE

The penthouse became strangely quiet as Luca left, and Sienna stood clumsily in the middle of the room. Enzo poured himself a drink carefully and methodically while she watched him. She could feel the strain bearing down on her.

Luca's words left her stunned. A burden? She wanted to ask, but the words became stuck in her throat. That word struck a deep chord within her. For years, her own family had reminded her that she was nothing but a burden they were forced to bear. And now a complete stranger has concluded the same thing.

When he saw that she was staring, Enzo arched an eyebrow. "You're not going to ask?"

Sienna moved apprehensively. "Ask what?"

After observing her and taking a leisurely sip of his drink, Enzo spoke the words, "Whether you're a burden."

She swallowed, and her throat constricted. "Am I?"

Enzo set his drink down and stepped forward, staring into her eyes. "That depends on you.”

She gasped. "I didn't ask to be here."

"But here you are nonetheless." He spoke in a chilly, matter-of-fact tone. "Whether you like it or not, you're in this."

Sienna worked off her anger by clenching her fist. "You think I don’t know that? You know, I didn't choose this.”

"You didn't, but your father did." Enzo's tone sharpened. "Now you're playing a much bigger game. If you want to live, you'll have to play.”

Though her lips parted, Sienna remained silent. How was she supposed to react to that? She had no idea how to live in this environment or deal with people like him, her father, and Luca.

Before she could answer, a tall, burly man came in through the penthouse door. His piercing eyes narrowed in suspicion as they instantly shifted to Sienna. "Marco," Enzo said in a tight voice, without turning around. "You're running late."

Ignoring the greeting, Marco's eyes were fixed on Sienna. "Who is she?"

Enzo arched an eyebrow but didn't respond. Rather, he drank the remainder of his drink before turning to face his second-in-command. "You shouldn't worry about her."

"Not worry about her?" Marco answered in an incredulous tone. "You want me to remain silent when you bring someone like her into our world, Enzo? This is not like you.”

Enzo maintained his composure despite his eyes flaring. "I'm taking care of it."

Marco took a step forward, his expression hardening. "We've been through enough together. You can't decide things like this by yourself.”

When Marco's cold, calculating eyes found her again, Sienna's pulse accelerated. "Who is she?" Marco asked the question again, more firmly.

Sienna opened her lips to respond, but Enzo cut her off. "I own her.”

Marco's jaw tightened as his gaze shifted between them. "Own her? What does that mean? She's a politician's daughter who owes you money? That is a liability rather than an asset.”

As he approached Marco, Enzo's voice fell dangerously low. "You are out of line."

Marco was not going to give up. "Am I? The others are already talking. They know that something is off.”

The way Marco used "the others" made Sienna's stomach turn. He was speaking of the entire organization, the people who lived and breathed this world, not just Enzo's men.

It was clear that Enzo's patience was growing thin. He breathed deeply. "Marco, you've known me long enough to know that everything I do has a purpose."

Marco's eyes narrowed. "She's a loose end, purpose or not."

"I'll decide who's a loose end," Enzo declared coldly. "Not you."

Sienna shifted under the pressure of the conversation. She had evolved from a simple pawn in her father's plan to something much more dangerous. A loose end. A liability.

"She's not what you think." Enzo said, staring into Marco's eyes. "And anyone who so much as touches her will answer to me."

Marco crossed his arms, clearly unconvinced. "What if she turns out to be a problem? if she generates more heat."

"I'll take care of it," Enzo stated in a cold tone.

Marco glanced at Sienna again, his expression unreadable. “Does she know how deep this goes? Does she even understand what’s at stake?”

“I’m right here,” Sienna interjected, her voice shaking despite her best efforts. “I’m not a child. I understand what’s happening.”

Marco’s gaze snapped to her, a flicker of something like surprise crossing his face. “Do you?”

“I didn’t ask to be here,” she said, her voice gaining strength. “But I’m not as clueless as you think.”

Marco raised an eyebrow, clearly unimpressed. “You’re out of your depth.”

"Maybe," she shot back, her nerves fraying “However, I didn't ask for any of this.”

Marco studied her for a moment, then his face hardened again. "Well, this is not the first time an innocent individual has gotten caught up in it. However, you must understand that in this world, innocence will not stop stray bullets.”

"That's enough." Enzo interrupted in a nasty tone.

Marco didn't bat an eye. "You think you can keep her safe? When everyone else finds out she's here, do you think she won't become a target?”

"I don't think." Enzo said as he moved closer to his second-in-command. "I know."

The tension between them was evident even if there was a brief period of silence. The weight of unsaid words hung in the room, and Sienna could feel the air crackling with it.

Marco finally took a little step back and shook his head. "For all of our sake, I hope you're right, Enzo.”

"I always am," Enzo muttered.

Before turning to go, Marco's gaze remained on Sienna for a brief time. "Remember," he whispered behind him, "the others won't be so understanding."

Sienna released a breath she hadn't known she'd been holding as the door shut behind him.

Once again, Enzo's unfathomable gaze darted to her. "You're trembling."

She said, "I'm not—" but her voice trailed off. She was trembling. The weight of what had just transpired slammed down on her like a tidal wave, and every nerve in her body was tense.

With a small softening of his attitude, he stepped nearer her. “It's too much for you, I take it.”

With a dry throat, Sienna swallowed forcefully. "I had no other option."

"There's always an option," Enzo said. "However, there are instances when the options presented are worse than the issue."

Her heart pounding, she glanced up at him. "Now what?"

Enzo's mouth clenched. "Now you keep out of sight. Although Marco is loyal, he is correct. The others are suspicious. They are looking for an excuse to take action.”

With a low voice, Sienna inquired. "How about you? What are you looking for?"

Something inscrutable flickered in Enzo's eyes as he continued to stare at her. "What I've always desired."

Confused, she scowled. "Which is?"

He took one step and was in front of her. His fingers were powerful but gentle across her skin as he cradled her face, bringing her closer till she could feel his breath blending with hers. His head came down, and his lips seized hers in a demanding kiss that stunned Sienna and sent shivers down her spine.

But just as quickly as it started, the kiss ended. “To stay in control,” he said simply. “And you... you’ve complicated that.”

Her heart sank. “So, am I still a burden?”

Enzo didn't respond right away; his silence spoke more than words. "That is up to you."

A shiver went down Sienna's back. "And if I am unable to demonstrate otherwise?"

Enzo's eyes became gloomy. "Then, when the time comes, we'll deal with that."

Before Sienna could react, the entrance to the penthouse burst open again, and Luca stormed back in, his face pallid. "Enzo," he whispered breathlessly and urgently. "We're going to have trouble."

Enzo turned to him, and his entire demeanor changed in an instant. "What's wrong?"

Luca glanced at Sienna and then back at Enzo. "They know. They know she's here.”

Sienna's blood froze. Enzo's expression hardened, and he reached for the revolver by his side out of instinct. "Who knows?"

Luca took a deep breath. "Everyone."