Page 60 of Arranged with Twins
The difference between Adrian’s leadership style and mine represents everything that drove us apart five years ago. I believe power should be earned through competence and maintained through trust, though I have used brute force when required. It’s never my first option, whereas Adrian sees power as something to be seized through violence and held through intimidation. “Is there any indication of when he might move?”
“Phone intercepts suggest he’s growing impatient with Vincent’s stalling. It could be days, or maybe weeks, but I doubt we have that long.” Ilya closes the intelligence folders and stacks them neatly. “Something will trigger action soon.”
“I agree, which is why I want her to have a small army.”
“I’m also increasing your detail, Leo.”
I nod in agreement.
“There’s something else we need to discuss.” Ilya’s tone grows heavier. “Vincent’s not the only Cooper who’s been in contact with Adrian’s people.”
I’m sure it’s not Sienna, so that leaves just one option. “Katherine.”
“Yeah. Phone records show calls between her personal line and a number registered to one of Adrian’s shell companies. They’re brief conversations and always initiated from her end.” Ilya slides another document across the table. “They could be innocent. She might not know who she’s actually talking to.”
“Or she’s more involved than we thought.” The possibility that both of Sienna’s parents are actively working with Adrian makes my stomach clench with fury. “What’s your assessment?”
“Katherine strikes me as someone who would sell her own daughter if the price was right and the optics were favorable.” Ilya’s blunt observation echoes my own suspicions about Katherine’s priorities. “Vincent might have some residual loyalty to you, but Katherine only cares about maintaining their social position.”
“Which makes her more dangerous than Vincent in some ways.” I lean forward, elbows on the table. “Vincent might draw lines he won’t cross. Katherine will cross any line if she thinks it serves her purposes.”
“Should we put surveillance on her too? Vincent is already being watched.”
“Yes, but carefully. If they detect monitoring, it could force them deeper into Adrian’s camp.” I consider the delicate balance between gathering intelligence and maintaining operational security. “Use resources they won’t recognize, including new faces, different vehicles, and passive surveillance only.”
“Understood.” Ilya closes his portfolio and prepares to leave. “What do you want me to tell Sienna’s security team about threat levels?”
“We’re at maximum alert, and they don’t need an explanation. If they ask questions, refer them to me directly.” I stand as well. “If Adrian makes any move toward her, I want him eliminated immediately. No capture and no negotiation. I’d prefer to kill him myself, but whatever keeps her safe.”
“Understood.” He pauses at the door. “What about collateral damage? If Vincent or Katherine get caught in the crossfire?”
The question forces me to confront something I’ve been avoiding. Sienna loves her parents despite their manipulation and betrayal. Killing them would devastate her, potentially destroying our relationship permanently, but if protecting them means risking her life or our children’s safety, the choice becomes clear. “Sienna and the babies come first. Everything else is secondary.”
21
Sienna
Leo arrives at my penthouse Wednesday afternoon with an energy I haven’t seen from him before. He’s restless, almost impatient, as he surveys my apartment. “Get ready,” he says without preamble. “We’re going shopping.”
I look up from the book I’m reading on the couch. “Shopping for what?”
“Whatever you want.” He moves to the window, then back to where I’m sitting. “Clothes, accessories, or anything that catches your eye.”
“I don’t really need anything right now.” I close the book and study his face. “Besides, Nadia’s working on the dress for Friday’s gala.”
“This isn’t about Friday.” Leo sits on the edge of the coffee table, facing me. “Aside from a couple of notable exceptions with Nadia, when’s the last time you bought something just because you wanted it?”
The question catches me off guard. “I buy things I want all the time.”
“Things your mother approves of?” His voice carries gentle challenge. “Things that fit the image she’s created for you?”
I start to protest, then stop. He’s right. Even my rebellion with the orange engagement ring was partly motivated by Mother’s disapproval rather than pure personal preference.
“Get dressed,” he says, standing again. “We’re changing that today.”
Twenty minutes later, we’re in the back of his car heading toward Madison Avenue. I stare out the window while organizing my thoughts.
“My mother always chose everything,” I say. “Clothes, handbags, and even the style of my hair when I was younger. Everything was curated to project the right image.”
