Page 169 of John + Siena: The Complete Duet

“When was the last severe one?”

She thought she knew the answer.

But she wanted to be sure, too.

“Over three years ago.” Lucian leaned against the doorjamb, adding, “And before that, four years. Sure, he’s gone into a hypomanic stage—the hyperactivity, lots of energy, and highly productive—but recognized what was happening and got it under control before it worsened. I think this was a mixture of a lot of things for John. Too many changes in his life at once, and trying to push through it regardless.

“One part of it, anyway,” Lucian continued. “His family plays a big role. Maybe more than some of us want to admit.”

“How so?”

She felt like these were important things for her to know. Her only goal after this was to be the one thing—the one person—whom John could depend on, no matter what. No one would ever hurt him or do to him again what had been done to him this time.

She would make sure of it.

“He often says we smother him, or make him feel as though he can’t take care of himself,” Lucian said, shrugging his broad shoulders. “We do things that seem as though we’re taking away his control, or managing his life for him. We know he can handle it—he’s been on his own since he was eighteen. Still, we’re always waiting for that next episode, and I think he knows that, too. And so, he pushes away from us, and stays on the outskirts of our lives where we can’t come close enough to touch his. We have things to change, too.”

Siena nodded. “I can understand that.”

“Does that … bother you?”

“That this sort of thing is a possibility?” she asked back.

Lucian shrugged.

“No, it doesn’t bother me.”

John’s father stared at her for a long while before he nodded, and then pushed away from the door. “I have to make some calls, Siena. We’re downstairs if you need us.”

Alone with John again, Siena settled back into the bed. She tucked her body in closer to his, and wished sleep would take her under, too.

Reality kept her wide awake.

What was going to happen now?

How would things change for them now?

Siena didn’t know how long she had been lost to her thoughts before another form darkened the doorway. This time, it was Andino.

“Siena.”

She glanced his way. “What?”

“Someone is here for you.”

She straightened in the bed. “Who?”

“I assume he’s one of your father’s men. Or, was. Either way, he says Kev has sent for you.”

Andino’s dry, flat replies bothered Siena in a way she couldn’t explain. Her heart thudded hard in her throat.

“Understand,” Andino said, “that we don’t have a choice but to hand you back over to them right now.”

Her eyes prickled with tears.

“But why?”

Andino stared hard at the floor. “We’re unprotected at the moment. We thought about John, but didn’t prepare for anything else. We don’t have a choice.”