Page 158 of Unlock My Heart

“Hey now, I’m not a complete ruthless bastard. Gonna wait till her eighteenth birthday next week.”

“Does she know about this plan?” I pray that Alessandra is on lockdown and doesn’t.

“She will, as soon I collect my new bride when she returns from her overnight field trip.”

“Because she’s still in high school. Knew you were a former pimp, but I didn’t realize you were a pedo too,” I inform him coolly.

He crosses the room, digging the barrel of his gun into my temple. “Didn’t expect so much judgment from a whore,” he spits.

The sound of gunfire in the courtyard has me jumping, and Kirksey’s now distracted on his phone. “What’s happening?” he barks.

I take my chance, sprinting out of the work studio, only to run into Jermaine in the hallway. His gun is raised at me as I skitter to a stop. “Sorry, Ms. Sienna,” he says apologetically. “You were the only Calvani to ever show me kindness.”

“And this is how you replay that kindness?” I gulp.

“A Calvani is still a Calvani.” He clicks the saftey off.

Behind him, Lacey rounds the corner with teeth bared, and a smile stretches my face.

“Ain’t the time to gloat, Mrs. Calvani,” he warns me.

Oh but it is. “Attack!”

Lacey charges, and Jermaine turns in time for my dog to knock him to the ground. His gun goes flying across the floor as she begins mauling his face, and I sprint to pick up the weapon.

Kirksey comes charging into the hallway, and I don’t hesitate, pointing the gun and pulling the heavy trigger until I hear the click, and I’m knocked back against the wall.

Time stills, my ears ringing as if I’m underwater.

Kirksey appears completely shocked as crimson seeps through the hole in his chest. “You fucking shot me.”

He aims his gun at me, and there’s another pop, and my left hand falls to my chest. I lift it, expecting blood, but there’s none.

Kirksey’s brain and blood is spattered against the opposite wall, his limp body crumbling to the floor as Fabien appears, his gun smoking.

“Lacey, leave it!” my husband firmly calls, but the dog gives Jermaine’s lifeless body one last shake before releasing her teeth from his neck. She comes to heel, her face and fur covered in blood. “Good girl,” Fabien coos before turning his attention to me. “Sienna,” he says gently, holstering his gun. “Talk to me.”

My brain processes Kirksey’s words from earlier, and I raise the gun in my hand, pointing the barrel at my husband. “You were going to let me think that you’d died?”

Saint appears, his eyes going wide. “The house is secured. I’ve called in a team to help with clean up, and NOPD is aware of a reported fireworks incident in the area. And Mrs. Calvani, I did advise against this plan,” he informs me.

“Stay out of this, Clark,” I snap at him.

“My thoughts exactly,” Fabien grits.

Saint holds up his hands, disappearing.

“Piccola volpe, let me explain.” Fabien dares to take a step closer.

“You were going to let me think that you died? Yes or no.” My hand remains steady.

“Yes, but⁠—”

“Not another step,” I warn him.

“It was the only way to flush Kirksey out. Obviously, I didn’t know Jermaine was a rat.” Fabien spits on my former assistant’s corpse.

“You could’ve let me in on your plan. I would’ve played the role of grieving widow, but you didn’t trust me,” I hurl at him.