Page 143 of Unlock My Heart

My funeral suit?

A sardonic breath escapes me, because I can’t be certain that isn’t what she’s making.

Willing to risk it, I stick my head in the studio. “Take a break for a little bit. There’s something I’d like to show you.”

“No thanks,” she says coolly. “I’ve already missed two back-to-back classes, and I’m falling behind on my project. I’d rather not get expelled.”

“You’re auditing the class; there’s no grade, so you can’t get kicked out. And even if you did, I’d poach the instructor as your private tutor.”

Sienna’s eyes narrow as she holds up the sheers like a weapon. Oh yeah, risking life and limb. “You act like money fixes everything.”

If only it were that easy: I’d go broke ten times over if it meant fixing Sienna and my relationship. “Come with me. Please?” I’m not above begging.

“Whatever.” Sienna gives the sheers a toss. Not at me, which is a good sign.

I escort her out and to the waiting SUV, being as the car gesture backfired in epic proportion.

“Where’s Saint?” Sienna asks when she notices a guard behind the wheel.

“Busy doing his saintly duties.” A sweep of the property came up empty. Now Saint is pouring over hours of security footage to determine how the phone got into the bathroom in the first place.

“There are no saints,” she tells me.

“Only sinners,” I agree, spreading out and bumping her knee with mine. “We’re more fun, anyway.”

Sienna narrows her eyes. “Does it look like anyone’s having fun around here?”

“We used to have fun together. I know you think it’s impossible, but I believe we can get back to that place.”

She remains silent.

“Do you know what I felt for the first time in years when I learned that you married Michele to spite me?”

Sienna pats her cheek with her finger, faux considering. “A gripping sense of defeat?”

“Hope.”

“Hope is for fools,” she says dismissively.

“Be a fool with me, then.” I tuck a strand of hair that’s escaped from her bun.

With the defiant shake of her head, she tells me, “Sorry, current husband. You’re on your own.”

Before she can plaster herself against the window, I lean over, my words tickling her ear. “I may have been able to pry these sexy legs open—long enough to give myself the world’s worst case of blue balls.”

Despite what I’m sure are against her best efforts, she chuckles softly.

“But getting inside this locked heart of yours.” My palm splays over her sternum. “Damn. We’re talking prison riot lockdown.”

“And this somehow shocks you?” Her tiny hand collars my wrist, yanking my hand away. “That I grew a thick skin? To survive your world, I had no choice,” she says bitterly.

“But you have a choice now. A soft life is yours, if you’ll stop being so damn stubborn and accept it.”

She makes a disgruntled sound, and I continue, “There will be no family business involving you going forward. And no family business involving me that would make you unhappy. The call girl ring will remain shut down,” I promise her. “Permanently.”

“But then how will you embarrass me publicly without your bevy of call girls to choose from?” Sienna asks sweetly.

“Dammit, I’ve explained Chantelle⁠—”