Unfinished Business

Sienna’s heart was a drumbeat against her ribs, each thud echoing in the silence that stretched between her and Alessandro. His dark eyes, sharp as a blade’s edge, bore into hers — an unspoken challenge hanging in the air between them.

The moment felt suspended, dangerous — a silent war of wills — until Sienna finally tore her gaze away, the ghost of his touch still burning against her hand from when he had opened the hotel room door.

She cleared her throat, forcing a mask of composure over her swirling emotions. “I’m not here for whatever game you’re playing, Alessandro,” she said, her voice calm but firm. “I have business to handle.”

The corner of his mouth twitched, something like amusement or irritation flickering there, but she didn’t wait for a response. Sienna stepped back into her room and, without another word, closed the door between them.

The click of the lock felt more like a temporary ceasefire than a victory.

Alessandro Moretti was a storm — dark, unpredictable, and utterly consuming. But Sienna wasn’t here for him.

She was here for the conference. For Mildred Volkov.

And business always came first.

—

The mirror reflected a woman who looked composed — elegant yet fierce. Sienna adjusted the neckline of her emerald silk blouse, the fabric hugging her curves in a way that was both professional and just bold enough to command attention. The high-waisted black pencil skirt fell just below her knees, accentuating her figure without crossing the line into inappropriate.

Simple gold earrings, a sleek bun, and a swipe of deep red lipstick completed the look.

Sharp. Sophisticated. Untouchable.

At least, that’s what she told herself.

Her heart still hadn’t fully calmed from the encounter with Alessandro, but there was no time to dwell on him. She had a reputation to uphold — both as a lawyer and as a woman who refused to be anything less than unshakable.

The conference room buzzed with quiet conversation as guests settled into their seats. Powerful men and women, most of them deep in the world of finance and business — though Sienna knew better than to believe every face here was innocent. Berlin’s underworld had its way of mingling with the elite.

She was late — not glaringly so, but enough for the eyes of those who noticed every detail. Enough for the prickling sensation at the back of her neck to remind her that in this world, time was just another form of power.

And then she saw him.

Mildred Volkov.

Tall, silver-haired, and effortlessly commanding, Mildred was a man who thrived on power — a businessman on the surface, but something far more dangerous underneath. His smile was charming, but his eyes… they were calculating.

Sienna approached, schooling her expression into one of cool professionalism. “Mr. Volkov,” she greeted, voice steady.

Mildred’s smile widened. “Ah, Miss Russo. Punctual as always. A lawyer who respects time — rare.”

Sienna blinked.

Was he messing with me?

Her jaw tightened slightly. She’d been at least ten minutes late — not enough to cause a scene, but enough that anyone paying attention would notice. Was this a jab? A subtle way of putting her in her place, or was Mildred so detached from reality that he hadn’t even checked the time?

She opened her mouth — a sarcastic retort already forming — but before she could speak, Mildred turned away from her, his voice carrying a smooth authority.

“Before we begin tonight’s discussions,” he announced to the crowd, “allow me to introduce the brilliant mind behind our legal strategies — Miss Sienna Russo, our organization’s lawyer.”

Silence.

Every head turned. Every eye landed on her.

Sienna’s stomach flipped.

What?

Her smile didn’t falter — not outwardly — but the betrayal was a flash of heat beneath her skin. Mildred hadn’t told her this was coming. He’d thrown her straight into the spotlight.

Focus, Sienna.

She stepped forward, keeping her expression neutral, her voice smooth. “It’s an honor to work alongside Mr. Volkov and his team,” she said, her words steady despite the adrenaline roaring beneath her ribs. “Ensuring every business deal is handled with the highest legal standards.”

A few nods. A polite round of applause.

But Sienna didn’t miss the way some of the more shadowy figures in the room watched her — like she was more than just a lawyer. Like she was a piece on a chessboard.

And then there was Alessandro.

She saw him.

Leaning against a far wall, his dark suit blending into the shadows — but his presence was a storm in the corner of the room. His jaw was tight, his arms crossed, and his eyes…

His eyes burned right through her.

What the hell was he doing here?

The speech ended, the crowd shifted, and Sienna wasted no time. She found Mildred near the back of the room, her polite smile dropping the moment they were out of earshot.

“You didn’t tell me you were putting me on stage,” she said, her voice low but firm.

Mildred’s smile didn’t waver. “You handled it beautifully, printsessa.”

Her eyes narrowed. “Don’t patronize me. I’m your lawyer, not your showpiece.”

Mildred’s chuckle was soft — too soft. “Consider it… a test.”

Sienna opened her mouth to respond, but a new voice cut through the conversation like a blade.

“Am I interrupting?”

Alessandro.

Of course.

Sienna spun around to face him, her pulse spiking — with anger, with frustration… with something else entirely.

“Are you following me, Moretti?” she snapped, crossing her arms. “Or do you just miss me that much?”

The words were sharp, but her heart was a drumbeat in her chest. She saw the flicker of something dark in Alessandro’s gaze — a flash of possessiveness, of something unspoken.

Mildred’s eyes darted between them, a flicker of interest sharpening his features.

“Interesting,” Mildred mused, a small smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. “It seems you two have… history.”

Alessandro’s jaw clenched. Sienna kept her posture strong.

And in that moment, Mildred Volkov saw it — the tension, the heat, the storm swirling between Sienna and Alessandro.

And like any true predator, he smelled an opportunity.

“Perhaps we should continue this conversation in my office,” Mildred said smoothly. “Away from… prying eyes,” as he glanced over at Alessandro

Sienna exhaled, her mind spinning. She needed answers from Mildred — about the conference, about why he was pulling her into his spotlight.

But more than anything…

She needed to figure out why Alessandro Moretti kept crashing into her life like a hurricane.

And why, no matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t seem to escape him.