Chapter 8

Sienna’s POV

I stood there, staring at the empty space where Kieran had just been. The air still hummed with the vibration of the door he’d just slammed.

“Miss Blake?”

James’s voice was soft, but it made me jump. I forced my gaze away and turned to face him.

“Are you alright? Do you understand the terms and the schedule we’ve discussed?”

I swallowed the lump in my throat and nodded. “Yes. I understand.”

“Excellent,” James said. “If you will follow me, I would like to show you around the villa. We will start with the room you will be occupying once you move in tonight.”

He led me through the house; it felt as if I were on a private gallery tour. My footsteps were swallowed by the thick rugs.

“This will be your room, Miss Blake. It is fully equipped with everything you might need.”

I stepped inside and my breath hitched. I found myself smiling uncontrollably; the sight was so pleasing I couldn't help it. I loved every inch of what I saw—the plush carpets, the soft lighting, and a dressing room so neat it looked like a boutique.

James gave a small, polite cough, and I quickly pulled myself together, smoothing my expression.

“One more thing,” he said. We stepped back out and he pointed toward the dark wood of the staircase. “Mr. Wolfe’s quarters are entirely upstairs. You are strictly forbidden from climbing those stairs or approaching his room. He requires absolute privacy when he is in his space.”

I stared at the stairs. What is he doing up there? I wondered. I stayed there, my eyes locked on the top step, until the sound of James’s footsteps completely disappeared.

​Clap!

​The sound echoed off the walls. “Miss Blake? Are we still together?”

I felt a rush of heat flood my face. “Yes! Sorry. I was just… admiring the architecture.”

James squinted slightly, then gave a small smile. “Understandable. Please, don’t stay out too long. A partial payment will be deposited into your account shortly; kindly forward your account details to me via text.”

***

An hour later, I reached my apartment building.

As I started up the stairs, a man stepped out from the shadows. He blocked my way, leaning against the rail.

​My heart hammered against my I gripped my bag and pulled it against my chest like a shield.

​It was one of Big Moe's boys.

​"I hope you didn't forget, Sienna," he said. His voice sounded like sandpaper. "You only have one day left."

​"I know," I said. I tried to keep my chin up, but my voice cracked. "I will pay you."

He didn't move. He stood there, rubbing his palms together. Then his eyes traveled slowly down my body.

He licked his lips and gave me a crooked, yellow smile.

​I felt a wave of nausea. I shoved past him, my shoulder hitting his chest, and scrambled up the rest of the stairs.

Liz helped me shove the last of my things into a suitcase. When the notification on my phone chirped, I nearly dropped it.

​Deposit: $250,000.00.

​My shoulders dropped two inches. For the first time in years, the tightness in my chest simply let go. I could breathe.

“What is it?” Liz asked. She snatched the phone from my hand. Her eyes went wide, and she let out a piercing squeal.

​I quickly tapped the screen to send the money to Big Moe. Then, I turned to Liz and shouted, “Surprise!”

​I laughed and threw my arms around her.

​“What now?” she gasped.

​“Check your account,” I said, watching her face.

“What are friends for?” Liz said as she picked up her phone.

Her eyes hit the screen. Her lower lip trembled, and she squeezed my hand so hard her fingers shook.

“You always have my back, Liz. Now I have yours.”

​“Please be safe,” she whispered, her voice thick. “I am really going to miss you.”

***

Kieran's POV

I was finishing a late lunch. The house was so quiet I could hear the clink of my fork against the plate. Then the front door swung open, and Sienna burst back in.

​“Hi,” she panted. Her face was bright red as she yanked a massive suitcase through the doorway.

​“Hi,” I replied. I kept my voice as flat as possible, trying to go back to my meal.

​Snap!

​A metallic crack echoed through the room. The suitcase tipped, hitting the floor with a heavy thud. The lid flew open, and something small and black launched into the air. It sailed across the table and landed right over my eyes.

​My fork stopped halfway to my mouth. I didn't move. I couldn't even breathe.

I reached up, my fingers shaking slightly, and peeled the fabric off my face. I held it between two fingers. It was a black lace bra.

​I tried to speak, but my throat felt tight. A dry, choked sound was all I could manage.

​Sienna gasped, her hands flying to her mouth. “Oh my God—I’m so sorry!”