Chapter 13
Andy
Sienna must be really tired so I give her a pass on her attitude and don’t say a word. She had a husband come back to life and hasn’t slept for properly for days. Not only that, her apartment was trashed with a lot of rage. That destruction wasn’t a search, it was a warning.
Anyone would be freaked.
My phone pings and I check the text as we pull into the drive of the house I grew up in.
Jack: Staying at Jen’s B&B
Me: Just pulling into my mom’s
Jack: Stay in touch
Me: Will do
I put my bag in CJ’s old room while my mother directs Sienna to mine. The woman who made passionate love to me last night won’t even meet my gaze.
Eyes on my mom, she stops at the door and says, “If you don’t mind, I’ll just check my emails. Is there a code for the wifi?”
“A what?” My mom raises her eyebrows.
“There’s no code.” I touch Sienna’s arm and she flinches.
Fuck.
“Thank you.” The woman who stole my heart shuts a door in my face and I’m pretty sure I did something wrong but have no idea what.
“Poor dear.” My mom clucks her tongue like Sienna’s a lost lamb as we two head down the stairs.
Then, sitting in a kitchen which hasn’t been updated since the sixties, I sigh and ready myself for the inquisition.
“Sweet tea?” She gives a saccharine smile.
“Please.”
Wait for it… Here it comes…
A glass is placed on the table in front of me and she settles into a ladderback chair. “So, son, how long you here for?”
“A couple weeks at most.” Okay, so the conversation isn’t what I expected.
“Wonderful!” A big grin breaks out on her face then abruptly, she gets serious again. “Is your, ah,client, in a lot of danger?”
I nod. “She is. Jack is here, too. He’s staying at Jen’s.”
“Oh dear. It’s that bad, is it?” Her mouth turns down and I wonder if I’ve done the right thing by staying at her home. Sometimes, I forget my mom is getting up there in age. I’ll have to buy a place nearby to use as a safe house.
“Don’t worry, Mom. We just need to keep an eye on her for a few days. Then, we’ll head back.”
“Is yourclientgoing into witness protection?” That’s twice she’s emphasized the word.
“Maybe. I started the paperwork.” The thought of Sienna leaving me forever just about rips me in two but I need to put her needs first.
If the Buonanno family wants her dead, the only thing I can do is get her to testify in some way and get her into protective custody. That’s what good lawyers do. They make deals and take care of their clients.
When I look up, Sienna is standing by the kitchen entrance, eyes spitting fire. “Witness protection? Really, Mr. Quinn?”
