Page 67 of Scorching Sienna

While torturing Sienna is fun, the message that pings on my phone reminds me that I have work to do. Jordan has pulled a small manufacturer's marking off one of the camera's internal components used to film Sienna at Lady Chatman's. He traced it back to another company, Wesfy Incorporated, the only one in the country that manufactured and sold cameras using that part. While the ones we were looking for were not on their site, they appeared to be dealing in illegal surveillance, with these micro surveillance cameras probably used on that side of the business. They agreed to meet with me atSinin an hour. I wanted their black-market customer directory. Whoever recorded Sienna was on that list.

“We need to leave.” Sienna visibly relaxes, grateful for the change in conversation.

“I need to go to the ladies before we go. I’ll be right back.”

Trixy’s laughter follows Sienna as she escapes this awkward situation.

After Trixy covers the tattoo, I pull my shirt back on, not botheringto check it out in the mirror before I do.

Trixy is one of the best, and I know how it looks. I meticulously designed it early this morning when I couldn’t sleep, along with Sienna’s one—elements between the two overlapping. Her name was now splashed in the colors of the rainbow, with moonflowers surrounding it—the only tattoo in color on my body. The intention for the overlapping theme and the coloring was purposeful. Because I am a fucking psycho who is in love with her. Would she see it for what it was?

“You’re done. Can I see it?” Sienna asks when she returns a few minutes later, looking less flustered.

“Later. We need to get back. I have some business atSinI need to attend to.” Sienna nods and then smiles at Trixy, giving her a warm hug while Trixy reaffirms her attendance at her wedding. She even exchanges numbers to send her the details—as if there was a scenario where we wouldn’t go together. No. I had already arranged a dress for her. She was always going to be my plus one.

The car ride home is filled with silence. I suspect it is because Sienna is trying to work out her feelings, and today was a bombshell in that department.

“I want to go with you toSin.”

Her words are not surprising. She wants things to go back to normal. While I was worried about her safety,Sinhad been swept for cameras, and security had been increased. Jordan and Kai had upgraded the systems, which now included facial recognition for all patrons, even those just attending the club.

The safest place for her to be was there and with me.

“Fine. But as soon as you don’t feel up to it, just tell me. I can get someone else to fill in for you.”

“You don’t have to do that, Damon. Treat me differently. You’vealready done so much.”

She is looking at me expectantly, a question between those words that she is too afraid to ask.

Why I am doing all this for her.

I won’t make it easy for her. If she wants to know, she must be brave enough to ask.

We arrive at my building with those words lingering in the air.

When I open her door for her and hold out my hand, she hesitates before taking it.

The walk inside is filled with tension and more silence.

“Do you own this building?” she asks me as we stand, waiting for the elevator.

“Yes.”

“And you stay across from me?”

“Yes.”

The elevator pings its arrival, and we step in, Sienna moving to stand in the furthest corner.

“What?” I ask when her eyes start boring a hole into my back.

“Nothing.” She sounds defeated.

I slam my fist down on the emergency stop button, causing Sienna to jump in fright as the elevator comes to a halt. The lights dim, and then, seconds later, a red emergency light comes on.

“Ask me what you want to ask.”

She looks at me like a trapped deer. Her cheeks are flushed, and she bites her bottom lip as she eyes me, trying to decide if she is brave enough. She worries about the answer to her question when she shouldn’t.

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