Page 189 of Heartless

“Mr.Storley—”

Adam-something, rounded the table, wearing a creepily neutral expression.“Ms.Winslow, Mr.Morrison is in hospital.All he asked for was for you to hear his proposition.Please.”

“Is that even ethical to ambush me in my place of work?”

When Jason Storley stayed silent, the woman spoke.“Sienna, I’m sure you have questions.We’re here to answer all of them.And no one will force you to do anything you don’t want to.”

I did have questions for Nigel.Just one.I turned to Nigel’s friend.“I’ll talk to them.”

He notched his chin down.“I’ll make sure you’re not disturbed.”

As he strolled out of the room, I turned to Nigel’s people.“Doesn’t it bother you to work for someone so wretched?”

The man flinched, but the woman had no reaction.“Never mind.That was rhetorical.”

Sitting down, I clasped my hands on the table and breathed out the anger churning in the pit of my stomach.

****

Jake

I checked my wrist.My Sienna would be sending me a text before her lunch break soon.

Tam had mentioned a new taco truck not too far from her office.I was going to surprise my girl and enjoy watching her beautiful eyes light up when I took her there.I was two steps away from the door when Tam knocked.

“Come in.”

Instead of my assistant, Edo, Zook, and Sergio walked in, and my senses went on alert.

Tam was right behind them.“Jake—”

“Take the rest of the day off, Tam.”

While the men walked farther into my office, her gaze swung between the visitors and me before she tipped her head down.“I’ll see you next week.”

Edo and Zook sat in the two seats at the front of my desk while Sergio posted himself in front of the door.

After I’d settled behind my desk, Edo said, “I’m doing this in person because she’s your marker, and you’re family.”

Tension locked the back of my neck and my shoulders.“What happened?”

The head of The Family jerked his chin at Zook, who reached for the inside pocket of his jacket to retrieve his cell.

While Zook swiped the screen, Edo continued.“Morrison sent two of his lawyers to your girl’s office.The owner is one of his friends, and he arranged the meeting.One of the lawyers is working for us, and they sent the audio recording of the meeting.”

Zook tapped the ‘play’ triangle and set the device on my desk.

Sienna’s voice filtered through my office.“Is this the...proposition?”

A woman replied.“Your father asked us to draw it last week.”

The sound of paper fluttered in the silence before Sienna gasped.“This amount there...what does it mean?”

A man spoke out.“This is the amount you’ll receive.”

The breath she took was so sharp, it could be heard loud and clear.“There’re more amounts here.I don’t understand.”

The same female voice chuckled.“The first amount is a signing bonus.The following amounts are for each organ.The next pages are agreements for detailed medical insurance for the rest of your life.”