Page 108 of Sienna Rossi: Beyond Shattered Trust

“Exactly,” I say as I scoop out two cups of peanuts and toss them in after the dates. “Like, I’m pretty sure we’d also want to protect them if it came down to it. It’s not a man’s job.”

“Speak for yourself,” Allie says flatly, not even blinking as she looks at us through the screen. “If I were in your situation, I’d let him struggle for a bit and see if he figures his shit out on his own. There’s something very satisfying about watching a man suffer.”

Both Heaven and I just stare at her.

“So, wait…” I say slowly, reaching for the oats and pouring them in, my eyes narrowing slightly as I look back at the screen. “Does this mean Allie – our Allie – is thinking about having a man?”

Heaven laughs lightly. “I was thinking the same thing,” she replies with a small smirk.

Allie’s eyes narrow at both of us. “You’re both annoying.”

I laugh as I measure the final cup of oats. “Nope, we’re just questioning what you said. I think our Allie here is finally realising what having a man around might actually be like. What’s next? Are you planning on kissing, too?”

She gives me one of her deadpan stares. “Really, Si. Don’t make me consider ways to torture your man.”

I smile, not torture me, but Jayce, for my words.

“She’s not wrong, though,” Heaven adds, leaning forward a little. “Is there someone?”

Allie scoffs. “No. And there never will be. Now, can we get back to you and your arrogant alpha, because last I checked, you were in Russia and now you’re here.”

I sigh, reaching for the peanut butter, scooping it out and dropping it into the processor, the sound oddly loud in the quiet kitchen.

“A lot is going on,” I admit, adding a few spoons of maple syrup and vanilla. “And as much as I want to tell you everything, I can’t over a call. I was actually hoping you’d both get permission for leave. I need you both here. But it needs to be kept secret from everyone. No one at the Academy can know.”

“Consider it done,” Heaven says without hesitation.

I smile a little at that.

She will get it done.

I add a bit of salt before closing the lid.

“Have you… been to see your mum?” I ask hesitantly, glancing back at Allie.

She looks down for a second, and it’s small, but I see it – that flicker in her expression.

“I did,” she says after a moment. “Dad still doesn’t know. He should. He needs to come back and be with her. She’s probably falling apart inside but pretending she’s fine. I’m sure she isn’t.”

I nod slowly, pressing the button so the processor kicks to life, the noise filling the space for a second before I stop it again.

“They said they’ll recall him, so hopefully soon.”

“The sooner the better,” Heaven agrees as she runs a brush through her blond locks.

I scrape down the sides, mixing it again, giving us all a moment to ponder the situation. I can’t wait to tell them about the primordial.

“So, you won’t need to go back there, right?” Allie asks. “The barrier didn’t work, did it?”

“It’s complicated,” I say, glancing at the mixture as I scoop it all out into a bowl and then begin working on the next batch of mixture. “I feel like I’m not done there yet. Once we get the answers we need, I’ll go back. Ahren’s here right now and we’ve found out some things, but we’ll talk properly when you’re here, okay?”

Even if the call is secure, I’m not risking it.

“Understood,” Heaven nods. “We’ll be there as soon as possible.”

“So,” Heaven says, her tone shifting slightly, “How are you planning on melting Jayce’s heart?”

“By being myself,” I say. “I’m not going to worry about how he reacts or if I upset him. I’m done walking on eggshells. I’m not playing games either; I’ll just… be me. He loves me, and I love him, and that’s all that matters.”