Page 285 of John + Siena: The Complete Duet

“Leave her alone!”

Greta and Giulia’s voices filtered through the ringing in Siena’s ears. That last kick to her head had done a number because her vision was fuzzy, and everything sounded like it was under water.

Siena blinked in just enough time to see one of her half-sisters fly at Coraline. She wasn’t sure which one, but the other girl came right after her, too.

Coraline landed on her back as she was shoved away from Siena’s prone form. It took another few seconds, and more shouting, before Siena finally gained enough of her bearings to try and move. She rolled over to her knees, and coughed painfully as she clutched her head.

“Little whores,” Coraline spat, standing up slowly. “Just like your mother.”

“Say that again, and I’ll cut your fucking tongue out,” Greta hissed.

Siena looked to the side to see Greta wielding a knife. One of the kitchen knives Siena had used earlier for their lunch.

“What are you going to do, little girl?” Coraline taunted. “Do you honestly think you could use that on me?”

“Try me,” Greta urged right back.

This was getting worse by the second.

So bad.

“Ma, leave,” Siena whispered.

Goddamn.

Her head pounded.

It hurt … bad.

“Leave,” Siena said louder. “Now!”

Siena looked at the floor, and the lines of the hardwood seemed to swim. She only heard the slam of the apartment door before her sisters were at her side again.

“It’s all right, it’s fine,” Siena tried to assure them.

Greta touched the side of Siena’s face, and her fingertips came back red. “You’re bleeding.”

“It’s fine.”

“Giulia, get something frozen from the freezer for her head,” Greta barked.

“Okay!”

“I’m fine,” Siena said.

Then, she promptly vomited all over the floor.

Yeah, that wasn’t good.

Greta made Siena look her in the eyes. “She kicked you really hard in the head. A lot. Maybe you should go to the—”

No.

She had to stay.

What if John came?

What if …