Page 66 of Arranged with Twins
“Should I let her security detail know she’s not staying?”
“Yes, for now.” I return to my desk, forcing myself to focus on the documents.
“She’s going to confront Vincent.” He sounds worried.
“I know.” I close the folder containing the evidence. “Maybe that’s what she needs to see the truth.”
“Or maybe Vincent will convince her you’re the real threat.” My old friend is clearly worried about me and the woman I love. “Desperate men make dangerous choices.”
“Vincent’s already made his choice.” I move to the window overlooking the grounds, where armed guards patrol in careful patterns. “He chose Adrian over his daughter’s safety.”
“What if Sienna chooses her father over you?”
The question makes me flinch. I’ve spent weeks planning for Adrian’s attack, Vincent’s betrayal, and every possible threat to Sienna’s safety, but I hadn’t planned for the possibility that she might walk away voluntarily. “She’s carrying my children.” The words sound hollow even to me. Will that be a good enough reason for her to come back?
Ilya almost reads my thoughts. “That might not be enough if she thinks you’re lying about her father.”
“I know.” I turn away from the window, unable to voice my deepest fear that Sienna will choose the familiar lies of her family over the harsh truths I’m offering, and I’ll lose the only person who matters more than survival itself.
“Keep the surveillance on Vincent.” I return to my desk. “When Adrian makes his move, I want to be ready.”
“What about Sienna?”
“She already has a small army protecting her.” I pick up another folder, though the words blur together. “She’ll be safe long enough for me to prove Vincent’s betrayal.”
Ilya nods and heads for the door. “What if proving it takes too long?”
“Then I’ll neutralize Adrian before he can use her against me.” The admission comes out colder than I intended. After Ilya leaves, I remain at my desk, staring at evidence that should convince any rational person. Yet Sienna saw only manipulation, which is the same pattern she’s fought her entire life. Her parents have instilled distrust in her even if she doesn’t recognize it. She thinks I’m like them, and that hurts almost as much as watching her walk out.
My phone buzzes:Subject leaving estate grounds. Maintaining surveillance.
I picture her driving back to Manhattan, convinced I’ve betrayed her trust. She’s probably planning what to say to Vincent, believing in family loyalty even when it’s misplaced. I call my head of security. “Add more men to the detail following Ms. Cooper. Eyes on her every moment.”
“Any specific threats?”
I think about Adrian’s patience, Vincent’s desperation, and Sienna’s vulnerability. “Everyone. Watch everyone and report even the slightest incidents that make you uneasy.”
“Yes, sir.”
I hang up and think about the nursery and how I imagined the day going. I thought we might finish adding the final touches,maybe go out for lunch, and spend the afternoon making love. I didn’t expect my whole world to implode in a matter of minutes, and not being confident I can get her to listen further unsettles me. I was sure she’d forgive me, but it never occurred to me that she’d think I was lying to control her.
23
Sienna
The café on Fifth Avenue buzzes with the usual afternoon crowd, but I barely notice the conversations swirling around me. I stir my decaf latte absently while waiting for Nadia, replaying the confrontation with Leo over and over until my head pounds.
“You look like hell.” Nadia slides into the chair across from me, her designer handbag landing on the table with a soft thud.
“Thanks. That’s exactly what I needed to hear.” I take a sip of my coffee, though it tastes like cardboard.
“Sorry.” She signals the waitress for her usual cappuccino. “What happened? Your text just said you needed to talk.”
“Leo thinks my father is a traitor.” The words come out flat and matter-of-fact, though they feel like swallowing glass.
Her eyebrows shoot up. “What kind of traitor?”
“The kind who sells information to Leo’s enemies and helps plan his murder.” I set down my cup with more force than necessary. “According to Leo, Father owes fifteen million dollars to some guy named Adrian, and he’s been paying it back by feeding him intelligence about Leo’s operations.”
