Page 120 of Heartless

His desperation clung at my heart, so I made my voice as soft as I could.“Joel, did you know Nigel came to visit me at my boyfriend’s place with the police?”

“He was worried after your friend told him you were at risk.”

Joel was either more conniving than his father, or Nigel had lied to him.Or maybe a bit of both.Either way, I had to ignore the pinch in my heart.

I caught my cell and shifted my chair back.“Will you excuse me?”

He nodded.“Of course.”As I was about to stand up, he peeked over my head, and his expression lost a little of its intensity.“There she is.”

I glanced over my shoulder to see Kimberly strutting toward us, and my breath constricted.I scooted to the edge of my chair as calmly as I could manage.

“Kimmy wanted to be here, but I wanted a chance to talk to you first.”

Kimmy?Where was the sarcastic Joel who’d called her ‘Mommy Dearest’?My fingers squeezed around my cell.Once she was at our table, she smiled in my direction, and I was surprised at the genuine sadness of her expression.

Joel had gotten to his feet to hug her, and his tone was gentle.“How are you holding up, Kimmy?”

There was a tremble in her voice as she whispered she was fine.He tightened their half hug while she placed her cheek on his shoulder.

Nigel’s health issues had obviously triggered some major changes, at least between those two.After she’d sat beside him, Kimberly turned to me.

“Are you going to help us?Please, help us save him.”

How about asking me how I’d been?Or, I don’t know, something like, ‘hi, Sienna, sorry

for being a hostile butthole’ would work too, instead of jumping straight into requesting that I volunteer for being butchered.

I opened my mouth, and once more, Joel Morrison talked over my attempt at a response.“Sienna, I don’t mean to be crass, but Kimmy and I talked about it, and you will be well compensated.”

Nausea curdled in the bottom of my stomach.It was beyond crass.

“Joel, I told you she wouldn’t do it for money.She’s not that kind of person,” Kimberly uttered in a soft voice.

Joel curled his hand around her perfectly manicured fingers laid on the tablecloth.“You were right.”

Okay.Those people were lunatics, and I was officially freaked out.

While Kimberly leaned into his gesture, I cleared my throat.“Joel.I’m very sad for you both, and trust me I understand your pain, but I won’t be Nigel’s donor.”

Nigel’s wife’s face crumbled.“Sienna, you have to do it.Please.He’s your father, and he’s going to die.You’ve just lost your mother.Do you really want to lose both parents?”

After unhooking my purse, I scanned the restaurant for the bathroom.“Excuse me.I need to make a call.”

****

Jake

Last night had been sweet.We’d eaten popcorn while watching a horror movie.Her sassy comments and wisecrack wit had made up for the nonsensical show, and I couldn’t remember the last time I’d laughed so hard.

After dropping her off at the restaurant, I’d gone to my office to be close and called Munch.Morrison hadn’t been seen in public for days, and an army of live-in nurses had been hired.But the motherfucker was still throwing his weight around and had fired the medical staff as soon as his son had hired them.

My cell rang.Sienna was calling.

“Baby, are you—?”

Her tone was rushed.“Can you please come pick me up?Nigel’s wife just arrived.”

On my way to my car, I kept my tone calm.“Where are you right now?Are you safe?”