Page 88 of Unlock My Heart

But no trace of her.

Tossing Ringer’s umbrella, I return inside the lounge. Seated at “his” booth, the fed tips his glass of whiskey in my direction. A glass that my dime pays to keep bottomless.

When I’m boss, my first order of business will be marrying Sienna, and second, getting rid of this little weasel.

I return to my seat next to my ‘fiancée,’ and it’s not lost on me that this is mine and Sienna’s table.

Damn, I’ve got some groveling to do.

My mama gives me a reproachful look, one I ignore as I scroll through my messages. I pull up the message thread from Nic, my heart rate spiking.

Still haven’t found her yet.

“I’ve got business I need to handle. We’ll have to call this a night.” I rise from the table and hustle out, with three women shooting daggers at me.

Take a number, ladies.

I sprint to my car and slide behind the wheel, tearing up the streets of NOLA.

School. Closed.

Sewing shop. Closed.

The snowball shop. No sign of her.

The sandwich shop. No Sienna.

Ms. Gail. Hasn’t heard from her.

Our apartment. Empty.

In a panic, I pull up the security feed at our place and rewind the footage. I watch as Sienna and Nic enter the apartment, and I press play.

Fucking chicken wings and a six-pack, I’ll serve that at my cousin’s wake.

My phone buzzes, and I eagerly fish it out of my pocket, hoping it’s her.

There is no business more important than this marriage alliance. Get to the house now, or I will assume you’re getting your knees ready for your brother.

Years of conditioning, of being beaten down, both mentally and physically, have me replying to Vitto like the little bitch that I really am.

I’m on my way.

Self-loathing seeps into my bloodstream as I come to heel.

Chapter Twenty-Five

Fabien

The Present

“Congrats on the self-realization⁠—”

“I wasn’t finished,” I warn her.

Sienna arches an eyebrow. “Should I get the client back here to help you with that?”

“The ‘get-to-know-you’ weekend was coming to an end,” I continue, ignoring her snark. And I’ll take Sienna’s snark over her pain any day. “The contract ready to be signed.”