Page 6 of Heartless

He’d asked numerous times.And I had thought about it long and hard, but as happy as I was to have found people I belonged with, it just hadn’t felt right.But I was hoping that someday, it would.

“Nigel, we barely know each other.”

His eyes narrowed briefly before the pressure of his arm around my shoulders lessened, and his jaw relaxed.

“Come meet your brother.”

After discreetly wiping my damp palms on my jumpsuit, I followed him farther into the room, and toward the other man.

Slightly taller than Nigel, he had a neatly trimmed beard and a kind smile.He proffered his hand.“Hi, Sienna.I’m Joel.Pleased to meet you.”

“Hi, Joel.Very pleased to meet you, too.”

He kept my hand in his and leaned closer as the corner of his mouth kicked up.“Welcome to the family.”

My eyes filled with tears in a surprising rush of emotions.Blinking fast, I quickly dropped my gaze to my feet.Once my tears were under control, I rolled my shoulders back and looked at him.

“I’m sorry.I just—”

“No, I apologize, Sienna.”Joel’s tone warmed while his other hand covered mine.“That was indelicate of me.Dad said your mother was your only family.”

I cleared my throat.“Thank you for welcoming me.”

Slanting closer, he asked, “Will it make it worse if I say that’s what family is for?”

This time my smile was genuine.“No.No, it won’t.”

Releasing my hand, he smiled back.“Crisis averted then.”

As he readied to speak further, the clickety of high heels echoed in the room.

“Oh, she’s here,” Kimberly said from behind me.

“Here comes Mommy Dearest,” Joel muttered.

The quip was so unexpected from this straight-laced man that a giggle spurted out of my throat.I tried to hide it behind a cough, but I ended up snorting, which made Joel grin wider.

I pivoted toward the door just as Kimberly strutted in.Her hips were encased in a tight mini gold skirt paired with an unbuttoned man’s white shirt and skyscraper black heels.The shirt collar was up, standing out against her long red hair.She rocked the daring outfit.

Kimberly touched her husband’s upper arm.“Isn’t your daughter just the cutest?”

After my conversation with Rowena, I really wanted to be more understanding of Nigel’s wife’s feelings, but her condescending tone wasn’t making it easy.When Nigel French kissed her, I focused on the swirly patterns of the beautiful rug.

Joel touched my shoulder.“Sienna, would you like something to drink?”

I rarely drank, but meeting my reassuringly normal half-brother made me adventurous.Peeking at his glass, I smiled.“What are you drinking?”

“Gin and Tonic with BEG gin.Would you like one?”

“Yes, please.And thank you.”

Joel winked.“Coming up.”

****

After dinner, we’dmoved to a living room, decorated entirely in whites, creams, and beiges.

The meal had been delicious and more decadent than what I was used to.Mom had been a stickler for a healthy diet, which fortunately had given me a taste for clean and simple food.