Page 123 of Unlock My Heart

“Zero odds,” I correct him.

Fabien flashes his teeth. “Perfect odds.”

With a frustrated sigh, I grab my bobbins, ignoring the sticky wetness between my thighs, and the hope that’s bubbling in my chest.

What does this hope expect to accomplish, anyway? To allow myself to be destroyed by the same man twice? I scoff, because that’s exactly what would happen if I let Fabien back in.

“Something on your mind?” Fabien wonders, his voice laced with amusement.

“Not a thing.”

“Liar.”

I cut him a look. “You calling me a liar? That’s rich.”

“The only time I ever lied to you is when I called you a nobody. I should’ve spoken the truth when I was asked who you were: my everything,” he says softly.

“Whatever you say, current husband.” I proceed to ignore Fabien’s half naked body and his pretty words all the way back to New Orleans.

Lacey’s there to greet me at the door. “I’m so glad you aren’t teacup-sized or covered in feathers,” I tell her, giving her a scratch behind the ear. “I’m going to bed,” I call loudly for all to hear.

After a shower in which I barricaded the door with my laundry basket, I crawl into bed. Tucking my hands behind my head, I wait for what feels like hours before the house stills. Tiptoeing out and downstairs to my work studio, I flip on the lamp and examine the large box addressed to me. Taking it with me to the bathroom, my heart is in my throat as I lock the door and rip into the package. It appears to be a shipment of zippers, but beneath the metal lies hidden rolls of banded hundred-dollar bills.

Not trusting anyone, especially Kirksey, I unfold them on the bathroom floor and count my loot. One million in cold, hard cash.

Retrieving the phone from the tissue box, I give Kirksey a call.

“Mrs. Calvani. Worried you were having second thoughts.”

“There’s a million reasons why I’m not having second thoughts,” I say, and he finds that amusing. Fabien may have just been on his knees, but that doesn’t mean I’ll be brought to mine. “Here’s what you paid for: There’s a family meeting tomorrow. Three o’clock at the Calvani’s Garden District house.” I give him the address. “And I expect the other million to be dropped before then.”

“Not so fast,” he warns. “I have to verify what you’re telling me is accurate.”

“It’s accurate. What you do with this information is up to you.”

“Understand why they had you in charge of the call girls.” He chuckles. “You’re sharp.”

“And you’re attempting to flatter me again, Kirksey,” I say in a bored tone.

“That’s because I want you as madam when I take over NOLA.” I can practically hear his chest puffing over the line.

“I’ll consider it,” I lie, ending the call.

Do I think Kirksey can take out the Calvani stronghold? No. But this little nobody is still going to bilk him out of that other million, and then leave the Calvani family to deal with the fallout.

Who has the leverage now?

Chapter Thirty-Seven

Fabien

The present

Like an addict needing my fix, I slip inside Sienna’s room and climb into bed next to her. She’s asleep, and my hand runs through her hair as I lean over, inhaling deeply.

“Stop being so weird.” Her morning voice is sultry perfection that goes straight to my cock.

“Can’t,” I inform her.