Page 55 of Heartless

The hairs on the back of my neck rose.

“He’s contacted anyone carrying his DNA.He needs a lung and a liver transplant, and a living donor is his best option.Without it, he won’t see the end of Summer.He has a rare blood type that none of his kids share.The first thing he did after he approached Sienna was to take her for a DNA test.And he hit the fucking jackpot.The kid’s a perfect match.”

“Fucking motherfucking fuck,” Sile grunted.

Zook continued.“They called a priest for Carlo, and Edo’s on the warpath.They’re already making sure Morrison doesn’t find a match or buy a miracle donor.”He slammed the glass on the table.“If Carlo dies, Edo will use the girl as a weapon.Keep her close and get what you need from Morrison but do it fast.”

I jerked my chin to the table between us.“The file?”

“She was born in Hillingdon, England.They moved to the States when she was five.She’s a writer, and one of the youngest to be offered a prestigious writing Fellowship at an ivy league university.She got a job to help take care of her mama instead.”His sigh was heavy.“Reminds me of my Bianca.”

Zook got to his feet, signaling the end of the meeting.Sile and I got up, and I grabbed the file.

While Sile shook Zook’s hand, he said, “She’s sweet, loves horror movies, and talks through them.Funny as all fuck.”

“Good.”

On the drive back to my house, I stopped in the parking lot of an electronic store.

Sile glanced through the windshield.“Retail therapy?”

“She needs a TV in her room.”

He shook his head.“Yep, that’s exactly what she needs.”

I knew it fucking wasn’t, but it would bring her a little joy.

Chapter Fifteen—Under the moonlight

Sienna

I stood under the warm shower longer than usual, but I couldn’t get warm.Last night’s full moon had been dazzlingly beautiful, so I’d taken my book on the balcony and read under the moonlight.

Now, while I shivered under the heavy spray, I was seriously regretting not having dried my hair beforehand.

After slipping on my yoga pants, a tank top, a sweater, my cardigan, and my thickest socks, I curled on my side on the sofa.I should have stayed in bed, but my headache was getting worse, and my bones were cold.Tea.I needed tea with tons of honey.And one of Camila’s magical hugs.I got up on achy legs.God, my whole body hurt.At the door, I paused, as I’d done every morning, but this time it was not to admire the majestic view from the family room but to stop it from spinning.Holding on the smooth wall in case my wobbly legs gave up on me, I started the long trek toward the kitchen.