The Price Of Victory

Sienna sank into the worn seat of the taxi, exhaling deeply as the driver pulled away from the Montenegro estate. The envelope Gracie had handed her rested on her lap, its pristine edges almost mocking her.

"Everything you need to know about the master," Gracie had said with a knowing look before passing it to her.

Sienna had merely smiled, taking it without hesitation.

As if she needed to be told anything about Rocco Montenegro.

She knew him better than anyone.

She knew his likes, his dislikes. She knew his temper, his moods, the subtle shifts in his expression that most people wouldn't dare to analyze. She even knew about his allergies, something most of his staff probably had to read about in some contract.

But still, she had accepted the envelope.

Now, as the city lights flickered past, she turned it over in her hands, tapping her fingers against it.

Her mind, however, was elsewhere.

Rocco.

Their proximity.

The way his voice had dropped into that dangerously soft whisper.

The way he had touched her cheek, the way he had looked at her—as if trying to see something in her that wasn't there.

Or maybe… something that was.

She frowned.

She didn't understand what he had said to her. It had been in Spanish, and though she had picked up a few words here and there over the years, whatever he had whispered had gone completely over her head.

Not that it mattered.

She shook the thought away and pulled out her phone, scrolling through her contacts before pressing Gabriel's name.

He picked up on the second ring.

"Hey, Belle." His voice was warm, teasing. "How'd it go?"

"I won."

A beat of silence. Then—

"Wait—what?"

Sienna grinned. "I got the job, Gabe. I freaking won."

Gabriel let out a loud laugh. "I knew it! I knew you would! I'm coming over—we're celebrating."

She laughed. "You don't have to—"

"Shut up, I'll be there in twenty."

The line went dead before she could protest further.

With a sigh, she leaned back, pressing her forehead against the cool glass of the window.

Despite everything, despite Rocco's coldness, despite whatever the hell he had whispered to her—she had done it.

She was in.

By the time the taxi pulled up outside her apartment building, she had pushed the lingering thoughts of Rocco to the back of her mind. She paid the driver, grabbed her things, and made her way upstairs.

As soon as she stepped inside, she let out a breath, shaking off the day's weight. First things first—freshen up.

She dropped her bag on the couch, kicked off her shoes, and headed straight for the shower.

The warm water did wonders, easing the tension in her muscles. By the time she stepped out, towel-drying her hair, she felt lighter—until her gaze fell on the unopened envelope on the table.

Might as well see what's inside.

She slid her fingers under the flap, pulling out the neatly typed contract.

Skimming through the clauses, nothing seemed out of the ordinary. Confidentiality agreements, conduct expectations, standard working hours…

Until she reached the bottom.

Her stomach dropped.

You will be required to reside at the Montenegro estate for the duration of your employment. Weekends off.

Her heart pounded.

"I have to live there?" she muttered, staring at the words as if they might rearrange themselves into something else.

Oh. My. God.

Before she could fully process it, a knock sounded at her door.

Sienna groaned, setting the contract down. Gabriel, of course.

She pulled the door open to find him grinning, a bottle of champagne in one hand.

"I come bearing gifts," he announced, stepping inside before she could even invite him.

She barely had time to shut the door before Gabriel pulled her into a tight hug.

"I'm so proud of you, Belle," he murmured, squeezing her before pulling back. "Tell me everything."

She exhaled, dropping onto the couch while he made himself comfortable beside her.

After recounting the competition, the final moments, and how Rocco had declared her the winner, she hesitated before bringing up the moment that had been replaying in her head over and over again.

"Actually, there's something I wanted to ask you," she said slowly.

Gabriel arched a brow. "Go on."

She bit her lip before attempting to repeat what Rocco had said.

Gabriel's expression instantly shifted.

"Is that what he said?"

She nodded. "Yeah… I think."

Gabriel ran a hand through his hair. "That's an insult, babe."

Sienna blinked. "What?"

He sighed. "He told you to stay away from him. And he called you a pig."

Her stomach twisted.

"Oh," she said softly.

Gabriel studied her face. "You okay?"

She forced a small smile. "Yeah. I mean… I guess I shouldn't be surprised. Maybe it was because of how I reacted when we first saw each other at the hotel."

"Don't overthink it," Gabriel said. "You got the job. That's what matters."

Before she could respond, her phone buzzed on the table.

Hector.

She hesitated for a split second before answering.

"Hey."

"Sienna, cariño," Hector's voice was smooth, playful. "Felicidades, mi amor. I heard the good news."

She smiled slightly. "Thanks, Hector."

"I knew you'd win," he continued. "Listen, I don't mean to rush you on your big day, but… you remember the money I need, right?"

Sienna sighed, rubbing her temple.

"I remember."

Her gaze flicked to the drawer where she had stashed the $2,000 bill Rocco had given her at the hotel.

"I'll send it to you tonight," she assured him.

Hector's voice was all honey. "That's why I love you, baby."

She forced another smile. "Yeah, yeah."

A few more words, and then the call ended.

As soon as she set the phone down, Gabriel let out a low whistle.

"You know that man's only with you because he's still gaining things from you, right?"

Sienna rolled her eyes. "He loves me, Gabe. We understand each other."

Gabriel scoffed, pouring the champagne. "Whatever you tell yourself, babe."

Sienna shook off the conversation, accepting the glass he handed her.

"Let's just celebrate," she said.

And with that, they clinked their glasses, letting the bubbles drown out everything else.