Nico immediately turned toward Sienna.

“Private corridor. Now.”

She didn’t argue.

That frightened him more than if she had.

Vesper was cleared calmly. Employees moved through the kitchen while security secured the building.

Tessa grabbed Sienna.

“You okay?”

“Yes.”

“You poked Nico Valente.”

Sienna stared at her.

“That’s what you’re worried about?”

“I’m processing events chronologically.”

Despite everything, Sienna laughed.

Nico approached.

“Tessa leaves with Marco.”

“And me?”

“With me.”

Tessa whispered, “Obviously.”

Sienna glared at her.

“Go.”

Tessa hugged her and left.

Nico guided Sienna toward the garage.

They reached the same corridor where days earlier he had carried her.

Sienna looked at the repaired paneling.

“You know, I liked this restaurant better before people started ruining the woodwork.”

Nico looked at her.

“You joke when you’re frightened.”

“You become bossier.”

“I’m always bossy.”

“Fair.”

They entered the garage.

A security officer approached.

“Rusk’s people backed off. Police have Hale’s statements and Crane’s evidence. Rusk knows the operation is exposed.”

Nico’s shoulders relaxed slightly.

“So it’s over?” Sienna asked.

“Almost.”

Hours later, Damian Rusk was detained after investigators tied him to the financial conspiracy and the attack at Vesper. Elliot’s records, the black key card, and Hale’s communications connected the entire operation.

By sunrise, the immediate threat was finished.

Sienna stood on Nico’s penthouse balcony holding coffee.

Nico joined her.

“No alcohol?” he asked.

“I’ve learned drinking around you leads to terrible decisions.”

“Like poking me?”

“That remains defensible.”

He leaned against the railing.

Sienna looked at him.

“What happens now?”

“Hale loses everything connected to my companies. Rusk answers for what he did. Crane goes into protection until the case is settled.”

“And Vesper?”

“Reopens Friday.”

She nodded.

“And me?”

Nico looked surprised.

“What about you?”

“Am I fired?”

“For what?”

“Insulting the owner. Poking the owner. Disobeying the owner. Participating in a trap inside the owner’s restaurant.”

“You also identified the man betraying the owner.”

“So?”

“You’re getting a raise.”

Sienna blinked.

“That’s deeply irresponsible management.”

“I own the company.”

“Unfortunately.”

He smiled.

This time he didn’t hide it.

Sienna’s voice softened.

“There.”

“Yes.”

“You smiled.”

“Yes.”

She studied him.

“Why now?”

Nico stepped closer.

“Because for the first time in a very long time, I’m not wondering who in the room is lying to me.”

Sienna’s sarcasm faded.

“I’m terrible at lying.”

“I noticed.”

“And subtlety.”

“I noticed.”

“And following orders.”

“I definitely noticed.”

She smiled.

Nico looked at her for several seconds.

Then he asked, “May I take you to dinner?”

Sienna blinked.

“You own twelve restaurants.”

“Fourteen.”

“That somehow makes this worse.”

“Dinner somewhere I don’t own.”

She pretended to consider it.

“Are you asking me on a date?”

“Yes.”

“The terrifying Nico Valente?”

“I dislike that adjective.”

“The allegedly terrifying Nico Valente?”

“Better.”

She stepped closer.

“One condition.”

“What?”

“No carrying me over your shoulder.”

“Unless necessary.”

“Nico.”

“Fine.”

Sienna extended her hand.

“Deal.”

He took it.

Then she added, “And I choose the restaurant.”

His eyes narrowed.

“Why?”

“Because I know who tips properly.”

Nico laughed.

And Sienna decided she liked that sound far too much.

---