Total pages in book: 89
Estimated words: 84203 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 421(@200wpm)___ 337(@250wpm)___ 281(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 84203 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 421(@200wpm)___ 337(@250wpm)___ 281(@300wpm)
“You don’t remember me, do you?” she asks, smiling like she’s in on a secret I know nothing about.
“I know you’re the bitch who drugged, stole from, and killed my father.” Reminding myself what she did has my temperature rising. I pull my gun out from its holder and aim it at her head, ready to blow her brains out. I considered torturing her, but now I just want her gone.
She shakes her head and grins wider—crazy bitch. “Sixteen years ago at Gloria’s. Your eighteenth birthday.”
It takes a second, but once I wrack my brain, I vaguely recall the night she’s talking about. “What about it?” I ask, removing the safety, ready to end the whore’s life.
“You won’t kill me,” she says smugly.
“And why the fuck not?”
“Because I have something you want…”
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
SIENNA
“I can’t believe she’s dead,” I say, as we stare at the urn that holds Lenora’s ashes.
“It was inevitable,” Ellie murmurs. “Maybe now she can finally be at peace.”
“When did you get so wise?” I ask, wrapping my arm around her. When the police department notified Micah that our mom was found dead—a single gunshot to her heart—they said they didn’t have any suspects, but I didn’t expect they would. Not after Micah confessed he tried to save her by bringing her to rehab, only for her to run once he left.
I don’t know what was going through her head, but whatever it was, it cost Lenora her life. Micah asked if we wanted to hold a service for our mom, but Ellie and I decided against it. We have her ashes in the urn and knowing she’s finally at peace is enough for us. We should probably be sadder than what we are, but it’s been a long time coming, and I think we were both waiting for the day it finally happened. She made her choices, Micah tried to get her help, and her ending was completely her own undoing.
“I’ve learned it from you,” Ellie says, leaning into me.
“At least now with her being declared dead, we should be able to get guardianship of you quicker,” I say, trying to spin what’s happened into a positive.
Ellie glances up at me and nods. “I agree. Once I know no one can take me from you, I’ll feel a lot better.”
“How about some lunch?” Micah asks. “You’ve been holed up in here for a few days now. Let me take you both out to eat.”
“Sounds good,” Ellie and I say at the same time. She took a couple of days off from school and will be going back on Monday. She didn’t feel it was necessary, but I’m concerned that our emotional detachment over Lenora’s death is only temporary, and once the numbness wears off, she might break down and need some time to work through her feelings.
“Sienna Alexander,” a gentleman says when we step outside the building. Because it’s a beautiful day out, Micah suggested we walk to the restaurant to get some fresh air.
“That’s me.”
“You’ve been served.” He thrusts an envelope at me and then adds, “Please sign here.”
I scribble my signature on the line and then he nods and takes off.
I glance at Micah, confused, and then open the envelope. When I pull the papers out, I skim the words over and over again. “No,” I gasp. “This can’t be true.”
“What is it?” Micah asks, as I stumble toward him, needing his comfort. This can’t be happening. It doesn’t make sense.
“Paternity test for Ellie?” Micah says, reading the papers.
“For me?” Ellie asks. “Who?”
“Eleazar Gutierrez,” Micah answers.
“The man who wanted Sienna dead?” Ellie shakes her head. “I don’t understand.”
“According to these papers, he has reason to believe that you’re his daughter. He’s seeking a paternity test and full custody of you.”
“What?” she shrieks. “Can he even do that?”
“He’s claiming to be your only living parent.”
“Oh, God.” I pull Ellie into my arms while still being held by Micah. “We’re not going to let him do this.” I glance up at Micah. “Right? I can’t lose my sister to a fucking crime boss. He’s dangerous. Look what he’s already done. He tried to have me killed, and we both know he’s the one responsible for murdering our mom. Who the hell knows what else he’s capable of?”
“We’ll figure it out,” he says, but the worry in his eyes has me on edge. Micah is rich and powerful, and his name alone holds a lot of weight in this town, but if there’s one man who could give him a run for his money, it’s Eleazar Gutierrez. And then it hits me…
“Eleazar…” I back up and look at Ellie. “Eliza.” Her eyes go wide. “That bitch knew the name of your sperm donor this entire time and never told us.” I asked her so many times over the years and she refused to tell me, swearing he wasn’t worth remembering. She was a damn liar.