Page 34 of Heartless (Scathing Hearts #1)

Sienna

On my way through the popular vegan restaurant, I waved at Joel who was sitting at the table.

Jake had insisted on dropping me off after making me check my cell battery twice.

I usually loved being in new places and could easily lose myself in memorizing every detail of foreign environments.

But right now, I was busy trying to deep-breathe through my pummeling heartbeat and focus on not tripping over my high heels.

When I arrived at the table, Joel stood up. After a peck on my cheek, he pulled my chair out. “Thank you for coming, Sienna.”

Once I was settled, I crossed my legs and watched my half-brother. In his navy-blue dress shirt open at the collar and dark-wash jeans, he carried himself well but without the offensive entitlement Nigel did.

I cleared my throat. “How are you?”

A brief closed mouth smile slit his neatly trimmed beard. “I’ve taken the liberty to order for us.”

Right. He was, after all, his father’s son. I sat up and rolled my shoulders back.

While the server poured water in our glasses, I fished my cell out of my purse and set it under my knee. A basket of warm rolls, and a long platter of colorful finger food were placed on the table. As soon as the server retreated, Joel took the breadbasket and offered me a roll.

After I’d helped myself, he waited until I spread the piece of roll with cashew butter before he started.

“Sienna, can I be forthright with you?”

Placing the warm bread and the knife on my side plate, I nodded. “Please.”

His tone was low. “Our dad is sick. Really sick.”

I hoped I was able to hide my wince at ‘our dad’. “What’s wrong with him?”

The doctor in him clasped his hands over the table. “He has AAT deficiency. It’s a genetic disorder that causes lung and liver disease and can lay dormant for decades. Two years ago, he started developing symptoms...”

The more he talked, the faster my heartbeat kicked.

Joel frowned and touched my fist clenched tight around the napkin. “Sienna, I’m sorry. I know this is very upsetting.” His smile didn’t reach his eyes. “I should have let you have lunch, first.”

He leaned back, releasing his heavy grip from my hand, and I straightened the askew butter knife beside my plate. “It’s all right. I’m really sorry Joel.”

And I was for the child in him about to lose a parent. He jerked his chin and continued. “I know you’ve found each other very recently, but he’s going to die if we don’t help him.”

I was about to speak, but I didn’t get a word out because Joel’s eyes had become glassy.

His Adam’s apple bobbed, and he cleared his throat.

“He needs a new lung and a new liver, and I’m not a match.

” His expression darkened as he slanted close again and pitched his voice lower.

“You’re family, so you might as well know.

When he was diagnosed, we found out he’s not my biological father. ”

My body sprung straight. A mini explosion popped into my mind, and I gaped at him. The only son Nigel had claimed as his child... wasn’t his?

I blinked and slumped back. “Joel, I don’t know what to say, I—”

“But he’s the only father I know.” As if he hadn’t just thrown a grenade over our untouched plates, he continued.

“I looked at the bloodwork you provided during the DNA test, and you have the same rare blood type. You’re genetically affiliated, which makes you the perfect candidate.

There’re also less risks of rejection if the organs come from the same donor.

” After a short pause, his voice choked.

“I’m here to ask... to beg you to help me save our father. ”

I knew he’d ask, but hearing it was... I could only stare at him.

Joel exhaled slowly, and his tone softened. “Sienna, I know how big this is, but you’ve lost your mother from a terrible disease, so I know you understand. Dad doesn’t have much time, and—”

My voice finally unstuck. “Where’s Nigel?”

“At home. He’s fit for a man his age, but the surgery will take a toll, so he’s resting.”

I pushed my back into the cushioned chair. “Joel, I can’t help—”

His hands moved fast to trap mine again. “Sienna, you’re young, healthy, and you have your whole life in front of you. You’ll be giving Dad the rest of his life.”

My cell dug into the back of my fidgety leg, and I gently pulled my hand from his grasp. “Joel, there are things you don’t know. I—”

“Dad had you investigated, and from your yearly visits to a cardiologist, I deduced some form of CHD?” When I nodded, he continued.

“It’s not the deterrent it used to be. Huge progress has been made in the field, and we’ll provide you with the best specialists. You’ll be well taken care of, Sienna.”

His desperation clung at my heart, so I made my voice as soft as I could. “Joel, did you know Nigel came to visit me at my boyfriend’s place with the police?”

“He was worried after your friend told him you were at risk.”

Joel was either more conniving than his father, or Nigel had lied to him. Or maybe a bit of both. Either way, I had to ignore the pinch in my heart.

I caught my cell and shifted my chair back. “Will you excuse me?”

He nodded. “Of course.” As I was about to stand up, he peeked over my head, and his expression lost a little of its intensity. “There she is.”

I glanced over my shoulder to see Kimberly strutting toward us, and my breath constricted. I scooted to the edge of my chair as calmly as I could manage.

“Kimmy wanted to be here, but I wanted a chance to talk to you first.”

Kimmy? Where was the sarcastic Joel who’d called her ‘Mommy Dearest’? My fingers squeezed around my cell. Once she was at our table, she smiled in my direction, and I was surprised at the genuine sadness of her expression.

Joel had gotten to his feet to hug her, and his tone was gentle. “How are you holding up, Kimmy?”

There was a tremble in her voice as she whispered she was fine. He tightened their half hug while she placed her cheek on his shoulder.

Nigel’s health issues had obviously triggered some major changes, at least between those two. After she’d sat beside him, Kimberly turned to me.

“Are you going to help us? Please, help us save him.”

How about asking me how I’d been? Or, I don’t know, something like, ‘hi, Sienna, sorry

for being a hostile butthole’ would work too, instead of jumping straight into requesting that I volunteer for being butchered.

I opened my mouth, and once more, Joel Morrison talked over my attempt at a response. “Sienna, I don’t mean to be crass, but Kimmy and I talked about it, and you will be well compensated.”

Nausea curdled in the bottom of my stomach. It was beyond crass.

“Joel, I told you she wouldn’t do it for money. She’s not that kind of person,” Kimberly uttered in a soft voice.

Joel curled his hand around her perfectly manicured fingers laid on the tablecloth. “You were right.”

Okay. Those people were lunatics, and I was officially freaked out.

While Kimberly leaned into his gesture, I cleared my throat. “Joel. I’m very sad for you both, and trust me I understand your pain, but I won’t be Nigel’s donor.”

Nigel’s wife’s face crumbled. “Sienna, you have to do it. Please. He’s your father, and he’s going to die. You’ve just lost your mother. Do you really want to lose both parents?”

After unhooking my purse, I scanned the restaurant for the bathroom. “Excuse me. I need to make a call.”

****

Jake

Last night had been sweet. We’d eaten popcorn while watching a horror movie. Her sassy comments and wisecrack wit had made up for the nonsensical show, and I couldn’t remember the last time I’d laughed so hard.

After dropping her off at the restaurant, I’d gone to my office to be close and called Munch.

Morrison hadn’t been seen in public for days, and an army of live-in nurses had been hired.

But the motherfucker was still throwing his weight around and had fired the medical staff as soon as his son had hired them.

My cell rang. Sienna was calling.

“Baby, are you—?”

Her tone was rushed. “Can you please come pick me up? Nigel’s wife just arrived.”

On my way to my car, I kept my tone calm. “Where are you right now? Are you safe?”

“Yes, I’m in the bathroom. Joel ordered the food, so I just had water,” she whispered. “I have to go back to the table. How long will you be?”

“Ten minutes, baby. Stay where people can see you.”

“Sienna, are you all right?” a female voice I recognized asked in the background.

Sienna’s voice came out muffled. “I’m fine, Kimberly. My boyfriend and I have plans, and he’s picking me up.” Her pitch was clear again. “I’ll see you shortly, Jake.”

“Hang in there, baby.”

The motherfuckers had ambushed her. I knew they’d try some fucked up shit. That was the last time I’d leave her to fend off those fuckers alone.

Parking at the front of the restaurant, I tossed my keys at the valet. “Keep it close, I won’t be long.”

I clocked Kimmy’s red hair, but the other side of the table was concealed by a tall plant.

Bypassing the hostess, I headed toward them.

Morrison Junior spotted me first, and there was a flash of recognition in his chin lift.

When Kimmy saw me, she got busy ordering a server around.

Sienna was sitting across from them, cornered.

“Baby.”

Her head twitched, and she smiled. “Jake.”

She unfolded from her seat, and when I wrapped my arms around her shoulders, unaware of our history, she introduced us.

“Jake, this is Joel, Nigel’s son, and Kimberly, Nigel’s wife.” She touched my chest. “Joel, Kimberly, this is Jake Rhodes.”

Joel got to his feet and shook my hand. “We’ve met. Jake. Small world.”

Kimmy’s focus was on Sienna. And her expression made the back of my neck tight. It was time to remind the bitch what she had to lose if her fucking husband learned of her indiscretion. I looked the redhead dead in the eye.

“Small world, indeed.”

Her fake smile died. Her eyes darted to Joel, and when she paled, I knew she got the message.

I needed to get Sienna away from that shitshow. I tucked her to my side. “Ready to go, baby?”

“Yes,” she replied. Then she flicked her fingers in a wave at the table. “Bye, Joel. Kimberly.”

I started to lead her away when Morrison’s son blocked our path.

He touched Sienna’s arm. “Think about it, Sienna. And call me.”

Sienna’s tone was soft. “I’m sorry, Joel, but I won’t change my mind.”

Joel Morrison flinched. “Just think on it, Sienna. Please.”

****

We’d been on the road for ten minutes, and she hadn’t said a word. When I took her hand, she turned toward me.

“Did you know that Nigel wasn’t Joel’s biological father?”

Fuck. “He told you that?”

She nodded. “They found out when Nigel was diagnosed.” After a little sigh, she said, “It’s so weird that he had all these illegitimate children, and his only legitimate child isn’t actually genetically his.”

Karma was a bitch. And a fucking Goddess.

She sighed again, and there was sadness in her voice. “He asked... he begged me to save his dying father.”

When she looked away, I kissed her knuckles. “Have you eaten, baby?”

“No, I kind of lost my appetite during our conversation. Then, Kimberly showed up.”

“I’ll take care of lunch.”

“Thank you, Jake.”

After I’d parked, we went to her apartment where she headed straight for the living room. While I pulled some chicken and vegetables out of the fridge, she perched cross-legged on a stool and set her PC on the island.

“What are you looking for, baby?”

She kept typing. “Joel said he looked at a file Nigel had on me and noticed my yearly visits to a cardiologist, which led him to presume I had CHD. He also told me that it wasn’t a deterrent for me to be a donor. But there’s no information here. I’m going to call Duncle Hailsham and ask him.”

“Who’s Duncle Hailsham?”

Glancing up, she explained. “Dr. Hailsham is my cardiologist. I made up the word when I was little because he was kind of my uncle and my doctor.”

I set the knife down and forced my fist to relax. “Baby, if Edo finds out you’re going behind his back to help Morrison, he’ll come after you.”

And I’d have to kill a lot of people.

Her back snapped up. I hated the fear in her eyes, but she had to understand. “You wouldn’t research it and call your cardiologist if you didn’t think about having the surgery.”

She bit on her lip. “It’s not that. I like Joel, but if I learnt one thing from this whole situation is that everyone has an agenda. His is pretty clear, and I just want to do some fact-checking.”

Fuck. Turning my back, I pulled out a frying pan and poured olive oil in it. “Fucking broke it.”

“What did you break?”

“You. Before meeting me, you were pure.”

The chuckle she let out was soft. “If you’re talking about sex, it was more like a ripping.”

I was an asshole because that made me hard. “I’m not talking about sex.”

When I shifted toward her, she unfolded from the stool, rounded the counter, and I pulled her close.

“Jake, I wasn’t pure, I was sheltered.” Her hand slid up to my jaw, and the curve of her lips was pure beauty. “But we’re not there anymore, are we?”

“No, baby, we’re not.”

I kissed her beautiful smile.

****

After lunch, while I closed the fridge, Sienna, who was wiping off the dining table, grinned over her shoulder. “Feel free to cook anytime, I’m happy to do the cleanup. And I don’t know if I told you, but I love it here. I’m going to try to find the same type of space for my own castle.”

When I started toward her, she straightened up and the sexy-as-fuck widening of her eyes made me harder.

I tagged the back of her neck and took her mouth.

“Turn around and put your hands flat on the table.”

Biting her lip, she set her palms on the wooden surface.

Her ass was fucking perfect. After pulling her skirt up, I knelt behind her, and taking my time, I slid her panties down her legs.

I was salivating. “Spread for me, kitten.”

She did, and I dove in. Sweetest pussy I’d ever eaten. Drunk on her taste, I fucked her with my tongue until her legs trembled.

“Jake,” she whimpered.

When she pushed into my face, I sucked on her wet flesh. She was close. I was close to bursting. She came into my mouth with a long moan, and I licked her clean.

Feral with need, I stood up and freed my cock. “Hold on, kitten.”

I found her and slammed in. She screamed, and I stopped. “Sienna?”

Her forehead dropped to the table. “God, you feel enormous,” she panted.

Buried deep in her tight, slick pussy, I gritted my teeth. “Too much?”

“No... God, no.”

I clamped her hips and watched her take me for three slow glides. Her tight walls quivered, and I rut into her, fucking her hard. Fast.

“Jake... Jake. Oh, Jake.”

She moaned my name while her pussy sucked me in. “Baby... Fuck.”

I let go, coming deep inside my woman.