Page 36 of Heartless

“It’s called marriage, Morrison.After three of them, you should be familiar with the concept.”

“Fuck you, Rhodes.”

When I got up, his chest jerked forward, rattling the small vase on the table, and drawing the attention of the two people sitting at the bar.

“Don’t.”

Standing beside the table, I smiled.“That’s no way to talk to your future son-in-law.”

“Please,” he gritted between his teeth.“Please, sit down.”

When I did, he grunted.“I can give you more money than that piece of land is worth.I’ll double my last offer.”

I rolled the base of the bottle between my fingers.“I’m thinking Vegas.Quick and easy.”

The face I fucking hated turned green around the gills, and I knew I’d gotten to him.

“Your move, Morrison.”I headed out of the country club.While waiting for the valet to bring my car around, I called Sile.

“How did it go?”

“The motherfucker was scared.We need to act fast.The feds are vulturing around The Family, so we’ll have to wait for the file.We’re taking her tomorrow and reassessing when we hear from Zook.”

“What’s the story for Sienna?”

“Birthday surprise trip.I’ll get her out of her house early, so our crew can pack her shit and bring it to the house, and I’ll take the scenic route.Once she’s there, I’ll explain the situation.”

“I’ll be there.”

“To help, or for Cam’s cooking?”

Sile chortled.“I can multitask.See you there.”

The plan was to take Sienna to my house outside Lake Arrowhead.It was big and isolated.

In my absence, Camila Farrell, one of the few people Sile and I trusted, took care of it.She knew about my history with Morrison, and when I told her that Sienna might come to hide from her father, she immediately volunteered to cook for her and be the feminine presence the Morrison girl might need.

I called Morrison’s daughter from my car.

She picked up at the first ring.“Hi, Jake.”

“Hey, sweetheart, I’ve got good news.”

“Tell me, tell me.”

The girl was downright giddy.

“I’ve freed up the next three days to take you on a surprise birthday trip.Somewhere private.Just us.”

“I’d love that,” she replied.

Beautifully predictable.

“I’m up North, and I’ll take on the road tonight.I’ll send a car to your place early in the morning to take you to the penthouse.Mort will let you up, and I’ll pick you up from there.”

“Aren’t you going to be too tired?”

“Not for you, sweetheart.”