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Liam raises his eyebrows at me. "You been holding out on us, Vivi?”
I just smirk. "Let's just say, I was right when I thought this gallery job would come in handy.”
"You're talking about Craig Sterling," Tristan says, his eyes widening. "Are you sure that's a good idea?”
"His place is as neutral as we'll find in London," I reply. "Nobody worth their salt would fuck with him, especially not on his own turf.”
"Lucas and Sienna—"
"Rogue operators," I reply. "They may have attacked Callie at his gallery, but his property is a different story. Not even they would be reckless enough to push for a confrontation,especiallyif Lucas has new alliances to tend to. You don't last long in this city fucking with men like Craig.”
"So it's settled, then," Theo says. "We arrange a meeting with my father and brother to discuss a stalemate. Someone will need to get in touch with Sterling.”
"On it," my father says, already pulling out his phone. “Violet, Melissa, if you’d come with me for a minute…” They retreat to make nice with Craig (not a task I envy), leaving me alone with the guys once more.
"That just leaves you, Kid," Theo says, turning to face me, and that's when I realize both Liam and Tristan are watching me, too, their expressions warm with affection and concern.
"If you all think you can tell me to stay away," I reply, crossing my arms, "I'm going to have to tell you that you're out of your fucking minds.”
Liam chuckles. "Nothing of the sort, Vivi," he says, reaching a hand out to place it on my arm.
"We just want to make sure you're safe," Tristan adds.
"I won't be able to protect you if I'm dealing with my brother," explains Theo. "He's unpredictable. We can't guarantee anything.”
"If this thing with Lucas is finally ending," I reply, "then I have a right to see it.”
Theo nods, a hint of his characteristic half-smile returning to his face. "All right," he says, running a hand through his hair, "then we're all agreed. You're as much a part of this as anyone else. You're going to help us put this shit to rest, once and for all.”
"Damn right," I agree, trying not to let my nerves show. "Until then, what's our move?”
"We hit Lucas where it hurts," Tristan replies, the love in his voice giving way to cold determination. "His alliance with Sienna.”
My heart stops. "Are you sure?”
"Yes," he says, his expression darkening. "We're pulling her out from under him. This ends, one way or another.”
ChapterForty-Four
We sit around the kitchen table at the bed and breakfast, all our eyes on Tristan as he takes out his phone and dials Sienna's number. Funny how I'm more nervous for this than I was to talk to my parents.
We'll see if you still feel that way once Dad sets up the meeting, a voice in my head quips, and my stomach drops a little.
"You don't have to do this, you know," Liam reminds Tristan. "We can put her out of commission some other way.”
"She wants to talk to me," Tristan replies, analytical as always. "We can't afford to lose a potential asset, and Sienna's not incapable of reason. If I can just bring her around…"
Theo presses his lips together, arms crossed. "Let's hope you're right," is all he says.
Tristan puts the phone on speaker and lets us listen as it rings, each of us waiting with bated breath for the voice of his psycho ex-girlfriend to come through. It’s getting into the evening by now, and just when I think it's going to go through to voicemail, Sienna’s distinctive Italian accent projects over the line. “Hello?"
"Sienna," begins Tristan, and I can hear the strain in his voice. "It's me.”
There's a beat of silence, then... "Tristan?" I can practically hear the smile in her voice, but it's guarded, like she's scared to get her hopes up. “How… how are you?”
"I've been better," he acknowledges, and I see him glance at me. He seems to be looking for reassurance, so I put a hand on his arm. "But I don't want to get into that right now. I've got something I need to talk to you about.”
There's another moment of silence. "That's it?" she asks, and I catch a hint of disdain. "Shouldn't you be asking me if I've missed you? Because believe me, I have.”
