Page 21 of Heartless (Scathing Hearts #1)

Jake

When Zook had called me to tell me the police and Morrison had been on their way to my house, I’d texted Sile and jumped in my truck. Minutes later, Sile had arrived. Ten minutes after that, I’d opened the gate to a police car and a limousine.

After the detective had asked to speak with Sienna, Cam had gone to get her.

I hadn’t known what to expect, but it hadn’t been Sienna, in a sexy-as-fuck getup with her mass of curls piled on top of her head, gliding toward me to greet me home with a sweet smile and a kiss that’d left me hard and wanting.

“Sienna, are you being forced or coerced into staying here?” Novak asked.

Morrison made himself heard. “Don’t ask her while he’s standing here. Don’t they teach you anything at the police academy?”

For the second time, the detective pivoted toward him. “They teach us to uphold and enforce the law. And the only crime being committed so far is taking valuable police time and resources to check on a woman who was sunbathing.”

That did it. Morrison, looking fit to be tied, piped down. When Novak turned back to us and repeated her question, Sienna chuckled, and the sound slithered down my throat like the smoothest bourbon.

“Not at all. Jake surprised me with a birthday weekend. But I love it here, so I think he’s going to have to kick me out when he wants me to leave.”

I tightened my hold, and when she smiled at me, I pecked her stretched lips. “Never, baby.”

Her eyes warmed into a melted gold. My gut tightened. How the fuck did I ever see the motherfucker in this beauty?

The detective cleared her throat, and we shifted back. Then, Sienna started.

“Detective Novak, there’s been a misunderstanding I would like to clear up if I may.”

“Go ahead, Sienna.”

“Nigel has only been my father for a few months.”

When the detective’s head twitched, Sienna explained. “We met on the day of my mother’s funeral. So, I guess the mental state he’s referring to is my grief over her death.” Her gaze set on the fucker. “Is this what you meant, Nigel?”

In response, Morrison had the decency to stay fucking quiet.

“Sienna,” Novak nudged.

“When Jake and I started dating, I told Nigel about us, and he mistakenly assumed I was seeking his approval. I believe his words were ‘I forbid it’.” Her steady gaze planted into her genitor’s.

“And I made it very clear to him that being my biological father didn’t give him the right to interfere with my life.

Not in any way. So, I’m not sure why he’s in my boyfriend’s house vociferating those embarrassing accusations. ”

A huffed sound shot out of Morrison’s throat at the word ‘boyfriend,’ and I had to look at my boots to refrain from laughing. Cam didn’t.

Sienna wasn’t done. This time, she addressed the blonde asshole. “As for Gabby here, I was with her the night we met Jake and Silas.” When she squeezed my side, I dropped my eyes onto her smiling gaze. Christ. There was a world of strength in there.

She turned back to the female detective.

“Our attraction was instantaneous, but Gabby saw it as Jake choosing me over her. A couple of days before we came here, I was having dinner with Nigel, and Gabby showed up uninvited at Jake’s place, so he texted me because he was worried about her state of mind. ”

Nice. Fucking. Spin.

While Sile scoffed, Sienna continued, “When I arrived, Gabby, my best friend, had undressed in front of Jake, and said something along the lines of ‘Look at me, are you really going to say no to this?”

That was fucking verbatim. Another squeeze on my side. “That’s what she said, wasn’t it?”

“Yeah,” I replied.

The kitten with sharp claws glanced at Sile. “Silas, you were there, is that how you remember it?”

Sile’s chin jerked. “Word for word, sweetie. Escorted her out myself.”

The Ashford bitch, recognizing Sienna for the force she was, pivoted on her heels and straight out of my house.

The detective spoke next. “Mr. Morrison says you haven’t returned his numerous messages and calls.”

At that, Sienna frowned. “My relationship with Nigel is new, and since I’ve been here, I haven’t looked at my phone.” She whipped her frown to Cam. “Camila, have you seen it?”

Cam shook her head. “Maybe it’s in the kitchen?”

That was her scene, and I enjoyed playing it with her. “I think it’s in my office, baby.”

“Ah,” she breathed out before turning to Novak. “I tend to forget the outside world when I write.”

Morrison jerked forward. “Sienna, this is ridiculous. Rhodes is using you. You’ve just lost your mother, and Caitlin would have wanted you to be with family.”

At the mention of her mother, Sienna’s shoulders tightened, and my jaw clenched. When she edged closer to touch his arm, his chest puffed out. Fucking peacock.

Sienna’s tone remained quiet. “You didn’t know my mother, Nigel.

Because if you did, you’d know Mom would want Jake for me.

I know you two have your business differences, but seriously, what could he possibly use me for?

It’s nice that you care, really, and I’m sorry you were worried, but I’m staying here, and we can set something up when Jake and I are back in the city. ”

He didn’t respond. She pressed on. “If you want us to have any kind of relationship, I’d like you to get to know the man who makes me happy.”

Check-fucking-mate, motherfucker.

Cornered, his only choice was to nod and get the fuck out of my house.

Before the detective left, she said, “Ladies and gents, enjoy the rest of your day, and thank you for your time.”

As soon as I closed the door, Cam wrapped her arm around Sienna’s shoulders. “Shit, Sia. That was one classy take down.”

The corner of Sienna’s mouth twitched, but her face was flushed and her fists tight. “I can’t believe him. And with freaking Gabby. Those two are just... awful.”

“Let’s go back to the pool and relax,” Cam said.

Sienna touched her temple to Cam’s. “I’m okay, Camila, and you have more important things to do. I’m going to read for a little bit.”

Those fuckers had ruined her day.

Cam nodded and gave her a gentle squeeze before shifting back. “I’ll see you tomorrow. We have a birthday party to plan.”

While Cam headed out, Sile tagged Sienna’s hand. “Come here, sweetie.”

On a trembling breath, she wrapped her arms around him and held on. She’d asked for him when she’d been scared. And now, she trusted him to comfort her. Standing close. In a fucking bikini. With their bodies touching.

When he pecked the top of her head, her body curved deeper into his, and a burn ignited in my gut. “Sile.”

The bastard cocked a brow at me before he cupped Sienna’s cheek. “See you on Saturday. You’re sure you good?”

She nodded. “See you on Saturday.”

While she strutted toward her quarters, Sile and I headed to my office.

He shut the door. “Morrison looked thinner to you?”

I slanted back against my desk. “Fuck Morrison.”

His chin jerked. “That’s a fucking first.” He ambled farther in. “What’s up?”

“Are you into her?”

Sile smirked. “What if I am?”

Pushing to my feet, I stepped closer. “It’s a simple question, Sile. Do you want Sienna?”

“Same answer, brother.”

She deserved something good. People who had her back, who cared for her, and made her feel safe. And Sile gave her that.

“Question is, do you want her?”

“Yes.”

The smirk disappeared. “Why?”

“What kind of fucking question is that?”

His tone sobered. “The day of her fucking birthday, you terrorized her into thinking she was going to get murdered. You told her all you had to do was fiddle her clit to make her come. Then you fucking destroyed her by telling her she was too fucking stupid and ugly to make you hard.”

“I didn’t say she was ugly.” I’d done much worse. Fuck.

“What changed?” he clipped.

I swiped my hand over my face. “The fog has fucking lifted.”

And I’d stopped seeing an extension of my hatred for the motherfucker. I saw her. In all her softness and warmth with a core strength that blew my mind.

My brother-in-arms stepped closer. “If she ever lets you in, I’m here for you. If she doesn’t, you leave her the fuck alone in the little peace she’s found. Sooner Morrison dies, sooner she’s free to find some happiness. You hear me?”

“I fucked up.”

“Yep.”

“Thank you for looking out for her.”

“Get your fucking thick skull out of your ass. Did it for her. You hear me?”

“Crystal.”

He lifted his index and middle finger to his temple in a salute and walked out of my office.

I sat behind my desk. On the monitor, Sienna was standing by the window. She had changed into shorts and a white tee, and her hair was down.

I went straight to her quarters. After a short knock, she invited me into the sunny room, but she kept her back to me while I made my way to her.

Her gaze stayed on the window. “I’m twenty-four and I have no control over my life.

My mom’s dead, Nigel is an asshole who’s also dying.

My only friend was my friend until she thought I had what she wanted.

” Her head shook slowly. “I have no one, no house and no career.” She paused and let out a trembling breath. “I can’t even write anymore.”

She had friends. Cam loved her. And Sile, whether she knew it or not, had appointed himself as her protector. “It’s going to be okay, Sienna.”

Still talking to the window, she let out a sad little scoff. “Nothing’s been okay since my mom died.”

One of her silent tears trailed down her cheek, and I wrapped her stiff body in my arms. When she curled her arms around me, I tightened my hold. Her breath hitched, and she pushed her face into my chest. I cupped her slender nape to tilt her face up.

She was beautiful even when she cried. I thumbed her tears. “Don’t cry, baby.”

“Jake,” she whispered. And I felt that in my dick.

Angling her face up, I kissed her. When her arms hooked around my neck, I fed on her mouth. She moaned, and I deepened the kiss.