Page 19 of Heartless

I straightened up.“I am calm.And believe it or not, I’m not living my life to impress you.”

Gabby’s face flushed.“Men like him don’t like it when you make it that easy for them.You had your tongue down his throat after five minutes of meeting him.”

It was my turn to gape.“Now you slut-shaming me?What happened to ‘if I can get him, I can have him’?Or does that only work whenyouget what you want?”

She glared.“Fine.You won him, but trust me, you’re not ready for someone like Jake Rhodes.”

I groaned.“I didn’t win Jake.He’s a person.I like him and he likes me back.”Brushing past her to my bedroom, I turned to face her again.“Gabby, can you just be happy for me?”

She shuffled on her feet before her hand reached for mine.“Sienna, I’m not being a bitch, but being Nigel’s daughter is going to attract a lot of people who want access to him.”

I yanked my hand out.“Is that what you think happened tonight?Jake wants access to Nigel but not to Jerry?How would he even know about Nigel and me?”

My anger had always been cold.The angrier I got, the calmer I sounded.Something Gabby knew, so my tone made her eyes flare.

“That’s not what I meant.Men like Jake Rhodes are only interested in one thing, and—”

“And I can’t wait to give it to him.”

“Fine,” she huffed before stomping to the guest room.

****

The next morning, Iwoke up to a text from Gabby.

Gabrielle:Tequila makes me a bitch.Laughing emoji.Have fun with Sin-Jake.

I dropped the back of my head on the pillow and couldn’t help but grin.I was absolutely ready to have fun.Fun and other things with the incredibly attractive Jake Rhodes.

After I’d gotten ready and driven straight to talk to Mom, I placed the fresh flowers on her grave and sat on my haunches before her headstone.

My breath plumed in the early morning air.“Nigel had another child out of wedlock.Another girl...I don’t know, there’s something...I don’t really know what to do with that information.But it’ll be okay.I’ll be okay.”I slanted closer to the cold marble.“Mom, I’ve met someone.His name is Jake Rhodes.Isn’t that the sexiest name?Our first kiss was...it was so delicious.He’s gorgeous, and a bit older, and a lot more experienced in pretty much everything, but he’s going to be important.I just know he is.”When a light drizzle dampened the air, I tilted my face up to the cloudy sky and smiled.“I love you too.”

As I brushed off the twigs off my pants, an icy shudder seized the back of my neck.I whipped around.The cemetery was empty.Shaking off the creepy sensation, I hurried to my car.

****

My cell rang in themiddle of the night.

“Hello?”

“Is this Sienna?”

The voice was vaguely familiar.Sitting up against the bedhead, I pressed my cell against my ear.“This is she.”

“Sienna, this is Mrs.Traval.Your neighbor.The police and the fire department are here.Honey, your mom’s house is on fire.”

I hopped out of bed.“On...f-fire?”

The old lady who’d often brought us inedible casseroles hesitated.“It’s...really bad.You should come, Sienna.”

“I’ll be there soon.Thank you, Mrs.Traval,” I managed to push out of my constricted throat.

When she disconnected the call, my legs failed mid-stride, and I fell on my knees in the middle of my room.

Clutching my cell against my chest, I dropped my forehead on the rug.I didn’t know how long I stayed like this.When I could breathe again, I sprang on my feet.

Our home was burning.I had to say goodbye.