SiennaWe're packed, flight booked and at the airport in record time.All he's said about his father is that he was buried yesterday. After that, he took a call which I assume was a secretary telling him she'd confirmed our flights and told me I had twenty minutes.Twenty minutes to shower and pack and leave for Scotland.And somehow, here I am, wet hair in a clip on top of my head, wearing jeans, a long-sleeved T-shirt and the only sweater I have.Giovanni went into my tote to get my passport earlier, which makes me wonder how he knew it was in there at all, but I don't ask him. He's too distracted. Shocked maybe by the news.He's wearing jeans and a thin, charcoal, V-neck sweater with a sport coat. It's probably the most casual I've seen him."Flight leaves in fifteen minutes. They're holding it for you," Axel says as soon as we pull up along the curb at the airport.Giovanni is out and walking to my side with a leather duffel slung over his shoulder. There's a long line at the coun

GiovanniSienna is taking in every aspect of the house as I lead her through it. Her mouth is practically hanging open, but she doesn't realize she's seeing it at its worst.It's strange to come back to the house in this state. I knew what I was doing over the last several years, but to see it in person is more difficult than I realized it would be. It's run-down and old. Something that was once grand, reduced. Humbled.I guess that's what I was trying to do to them. To my father. My step-mother. Declan.I shove that pang of remorse down deep and lead Sienna up the stone steps to the second floor and to my father's rooms.Two maids are rushing in and out, carrying his things out.I push the heavy wooden door wide and gesture for Sienna to enter. She does, quickly scooting to the side to let another of the maids with an armful of clothing out.I don't recognize the things she's carrying but know they're my fathers from the colors alone. Our colors. Strange the things you never forget.

Giovanni"Nice of you to join us," Declan says.I ignore him.Benjamin is sitting behind my father's antique desk and a man I don't recognize is standing beside him pointing to something on a document. He's introduced as Michael Smith, one of the attorneys of the estate.Declan watches me from his place at the far wall. He's leaning against it and has the bottom of his right foot resting on it. His arms are crossed over his chest and he looks so different to how I remember him. Older than he is.I wonder how he sees me.Last time I saw him he was fifteen years old. Benjamin has sent photographs over they years, but I threw most away.When my father married his mother and he became my brother, I was excited about the idea. I liked Declan, we were close, even.But that was when I'd thought he was my stepbrother, not a half-brother. We were friends before that, too. When my mother was alive.But with my mother's death, everything changed.And being back here, it brings back all those old

SiennaAfter Giovanni left, I took a long, hot shower then decided to lie down and close my eyes for a few minutes. Now, as I open them in the almost pitch-black room, I realize I must have slept for hours.I glance to the other side of the bed, but it's not been slept in. I wonder what time it is but there's no clock in this room. Pushing the covers back, I get up. I'm barefoot and the cold of the stone beneath the old carpet chills me.I walk into the alcove thinking the walls must be three feet deep. I wonder if that's for insulation or protection in times past. I look out the window at the utter darkness outside. The almost complete stillness.The moon is full, the wind a whistle that urges the clouds across the sky, the light an ominous silvery ghost-like thing spilling over the water and the hills.I think if I look hard enough, I'll see ghosts out there.Finding the latch, I push one of the heavy windows open and lean out. It's a cool night and I inhale the clean, fresh air.I

SiennaGiovanni's angry gaze turns to me and when he steps into the room, I see his clothes are wet, muddy even. He's not wearing a coat, and in his hand, he's got a half bottle of whiskey.Declan stands, turns his gaze to me. "Glad to meet you, Sienna," he says. "Let me know if you want me to take you into town tomorrow. It'd be my pleasure."I can tell from the way he says it that it's for Giovanni's benefit. To irritate him. Taunt him.And it works because Giovanni stalks forward, sets the bottle on the table and lunges for his brother.But he's drunk and Declan isn't, and he sidesteps him. I let out a scream, jump to my feet."Not used to our whiskey anymore, brother?" Declan asks."I'm going to kill you."I grab Giovanni's arm when he lunges again but I don't even think he can feel it. Feel me holding him back.Declan's face hardens and he steps toward Giovanni. The two are like giants, nose-to-nose and raging."I'd like to see you try," Declan says."Stop it. Both of you," I yel