Page 8 of And Twice as Twisted
It was almost comical how much he had changed now that his true character was on display. Proudly boasting hisBratvapersona. He was in a full suit, including a tie, something he wouldn’t be caught dead in previously. He evenlookedRussian now—there was no other way to describe it. If you knew, you knew.
“I don’t want to hear it. Any of it.” Enough tears had been spilt for all the lies and betrayals. I had nothing left. “Leave.”
I walked to my desk and sat behind it, staring at my emails but not really paying attention to anything in particular. For the first time in my entire life, things were falling down around me. I used to see it coming, but now it broadsided me, forcing me to sit amidst the damage it created. A phoenix rose from the ashes, while a miserable excuse for a woman like me burrowed inside them.
“Are you listening to me?”
“Not really.” I sat back, rubbing my irritated eyes.
“I thought you’d want my help finding Octavia.” He turned towards the door, stopping when my stapler hit the wall next to his head.
“Don’t you fucking say her name,” I screamed, releasing my pain, anger, frustration at the closest target in sight. “Why would I want your help, huh? You and your fucking Russian assholes probably took her!”
One second, he was across the room. The next, he was looming over me. I was forced back in my seat, staring up at him and daring him to do something. Anything. A sick part of me wanted the pain, wanted him to lash out verbally and physically. But he didn’t rise to my challenge.
I wanted to rip someone apart, but there was no one worthy enough. No one who would satiate my rage until my sister was found.
As much as his presence enraged me, I knew Alexei was working tirelessly to bring Octavia home. She was last seen at Bella’sfuneral, getting into a car with an unknown security detail. And then she vanished. We had nothing on her, not a single sighting since the moment they pulled out of the parking lot. Lucky was apparently exhausting all possibilities, but every lead came up empty. Without Octavia… without Apollo… Sienna was nothing. I was an empty, tarnished shell.
“Your brother is worried about you,” Alexei interrupted my pity party.
“The king has time to worry about little old me? How darling of him.” I walked over to the newest addition to my office, my beautiful cherrywood bar.
“Seriously?” Alexei shoved to his feet and snatched the whiskey from my hand. “You’ve lost clients, you’re drinking in the middle of the day, and passing out in clubs at night!Blyad',Sienna!”That’s it.
“Get your traitorous Russian ass out of my goddamn office! You’ve already been fired!” I tossed back my drink, hating that the sweet burn of the whiskey was already gone.
“Iwillfind her, Sienna.” He stared for a moment longer before turning and leaving.
Once the door closed behind him, I collapsed onto the floor. Crawling over to the window, I leaned my back against the wall and stared at the city as I continued to drink, watching the sun go down over the horizon. I was a total mess, obliterated and depressed. I couldn’t get a handle on anything and allowed the booze to drown out the voices in my head.
“Go away!” I yelled when someone knocked, a bottle of whiskey later.
“Miss Sienna,” a small voice called out around the door. “I… I’m sorry. I just wanted to give you this.”
“Evelyn! Please, I’m sorry,” I muttered or maybe slurred. “Come. In.” I hiccupped out the words. Evelyn Campbell, my little protege, was a quick rising asset in my legal department.
“I’m sorry to bother you. I just…” She stepped closer, looking down at me with nothing but adoration. “Here.”
I took the paper from her hand, and after a few minutes of concentration, I could finally make out the words. It was an invitation. I swallowed back the tears it invoked.
“I’m graduating and would love it if you could come. I know you’re really busy and all, but I wanted to ensure you got the invitation. I wouldn’t be graduating at all if it weren’t for you and everything you’ve done. And I—”
“Evelyn.” I stopped her nervous rambling. “First, I ambeyondbusy with the many, many things an important CEO like me has on her plate.”
“I understand. I just—”
I cut her off. “I wasn’t done. I am very busy…clearly.” I waved at my drunk ass sitting on the floor. Snatching her wrist, I pulled her to the ground beside me. “I will never be too busy to celebrate allyourhard work.”
We smiled at each other as I poured her a glass and we sat back, watching the sunset side by side. Then we cried together, over another glass of whiskey, discussing all the men who had done us wrong.
“I hope I’m not out of place here, but you’re the strongest woman I know and whoever did this to you… well, I know you’ll make them pay.” She gave me a sinister grin, and I couldn’t help the choked snort-laugh combo that left me.
“Sienna!” Al shouted, his heavy footsteps stomping off the elevator.
“I meant to tell you your bodyguard said he was on his way.” She smiled sheepishly. It hadn’t escaped me that Evelyn had developed a little bit of a crush on my big-ass best friend.
“Can you please tell him I am on a call and will be out shortly.”
