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)
“Thank you,” Sienna says, her eyes finally meeting mine. With caffeine now coursing through her veins, she looks more awake.
“They charge you at your own hotel?” Ellie asks.
“That’s how business works,” I say with a shake of my head. “Every item must be accounted for. Otherwise, the numbers won’t add up. I don’t own the hotel, Alexander Enterprises does.”
Ellie nods in understanding.
“So, what’s on the agenda?” Sienna asks.
“I was thinking the pool then the spa,” Ellie answers. “Unless we can’t leave here. Then the pool and a movie in the theater room. Wait, can the masseuses come here?” Her face lights up in excitement, and I laugh as Sienna glares her way.
“It’s best to lay low this weekend,” I tell her. “Let me see what I can do.”
“Don’t you have exams to study for?” Sienna says, sounding like a mom. The thought has me imagining her one day pregnant with my baby. The two of us filling this house with lots of kids, turning it into a home. She would make a damn good mother. She’s kind and loving, selfless and strong, and fiercely protective of her sister.
I should probably be concerned at my train of thought, but it doesn’t shock me in the slightest. Since the moment I laid eyes on Sienna, my feelings on relationships, marriage, and commitment have done a complete one-eighty. My dad always said that meeting Donna was a game changer. That the moment he met her he knew his life would never be the same. He could be cold and ruthless when it came to business, but the second he laid eyes on her, everything in him softened. I didn’t get it, not until I met Sienna.
“Fine,” Ellie says, bringing me back into the moment, “but after I study, I’m hitting the pool. Weekends are meant for relaxing, and since you can’t go to work all weekend, you should join me.”
Sienna’s eyes widen, as if just remembering what day it is. Typically, she would’ve been working tonight and tomorrow night. But due to their current situation, that’s no longer possible. No work equates to zero money coming in.
“Whatever you’re thinking, stop,” I say, reaching over and squeezing her hand. “I got you. Your safety comes first.”
“I know but…” She releases a harsh breath and shakes her head. “Never mind.”
“No, not never mind. Talk to me.”
She stares at me for a long moment, as if she’s warring with herself, trying to decide if she should keep that wall up or lower it enough to let me in. I sit quietly, waiting while she decides.
Then she sighs, her shoulders drop, and her eyes meet mine as she finally starts talking. I take that as a win—she’s actually opening up and letting me in.
“I need to pay for my summer classes. I paid for Ellie’s dance, thinking I would use my earnings from this week and next to pay for them, but now…” She shakes her head. “I can call and see if it’s not too late for me to take out a loan for this semester.”
“How much is it?” I ask.
“What? No, I can’t let you—”
“Baby,” I murmur, gently massaging the top of her hand. “Stop shutting me out. Let me help.”
She lets out a shaky breath. “Okay, but I’ll pay you back. Once we sort this all out and I can go back to work, I promise I’ll pay you back.”
There’s no way in hell I’m letting her give me a cent, but I don’t tell her that. My phone rings, and when I see it’s Ricardo, I answer it.
“Boss,” he says. “I’ve got an update.”
Last night I had him and Bruno watch Sienna’s place to see what would happen. About twenty minutes after we left, two guys showed up and burned the place to the ground. Then they torched her car and took off. When they told me what happened, I had them follow the two guys, hoping they would eventually lead us to the person who was responsible.
“Go on,” I say, keeping it simple so I don’t alert the girls. I need to figure out how to tell them that their home and vehicle, along with everything else they own, is all fucking gone. But before I do that, I need to get to the bottom of the situation. The asshole last night blamed Eleazar, but before I go off making accusations, I need more proof than that.
“They went home last night, but this morning, they went straight to Gutierrez’s residence.”
Fuck. If that’s not proof, I don’t know what is.
“And there’s more,” he adds.
“Go on.”
“I spoke to my contact who confirmed the bounty on Sienna’s head.”
I met Ricardo several years back when he was working the streets. I was in Booker Park dealing with a situation that had gone bad and shit got real, very quickly. Had he not had my back, I’d be buried six feet under.