Page 29 of Unlock My Heart

“Uh, that would be fine,” the handler says, eyeing Nic and then me, his brow beaded with sweat.

“Wonderful.” I beam. “I’ll make the arrangements, and once we get a green light from our medical team, laissez les bon temps roul.”

“Great.” He hops up out of his chair, but I hold up my hand.

“Shall we use the credit card on file to pay the nonrefundable setup fee, or would you prefer to pay cash?” There isn’t a nonrefundable setup fee, except that this man’s pissed me off, so now there is one.

“Card is fine.” He scurries out of the office.

“Nic, what do I owe the pleasure?” I smile at the current underboss of the family, a position once belonging to his cousin.

The white elephant in the room we both ignore like champs.

Nic rises and walks to the door, closing it, and I sit up a little straighter in my chair. “I was wondering if you’ve had a chance to do that audit we talked about? Kickups have been on the decline. I’m not blaming you.” He holds up his hands as I go to mount my defense. “Things were on the downswing for a while now, before Jade stepped down.”

“I’m sorry, I haven’t been able to catch my breath,” I lie, my stomach twisting uncomfortably at the mention of that woman’s name. “Give me a little more time to get my sea legs beneath me.”

“Here’s the thing, Sienna.” Nic runs his hand through his hair. “You’ve had months already, and the boss has been on my ass about this.”

Angelo Calvani. The estranged brother who popped out of the woodwork to take over the family. I’ve heard Michele on more than one occasion bitch to other capos about Angelo’s leadership. But doesn’t mean much, as Michele loves to run his big mouth. “Nic, please give me a little more time.” I fold my hands together and give him my best puppy dog eyes.

He sighs. “Two more weeks, Sienna. But income from the skin trade has gotta start increasing, you hear me?”

“Loud and clear.” I give a little salute.

He nods and heads toward the door.

“Nic,” I call, and he pauses. A question about what happens when Fabien gets released from prison is on the tip of my tongue, but if that man can pretend I don’t exist for nearly a decade, I can return the favor. Instead, I say, “I have the perfect girl for you. She’s the total package⁠—”

He holds up his hands. “Nope. I don’t mix business with pleasure.”

“You’ve always been the smart one,” I muse.

“Yeah, well, I don’t know about all that.” He rubs the back of his neck, looking like he wants to say more, but like me, he guards his words. “I’ll see you later.”

“Bye, Nic,” I call.

Alone in my office, I schedule the STD testing for our penthouse client before pulling out the old books. Yes, I’ve been in charge of the call girl ring for months now, and from what I can gather, Jade skimmed at least a hundred grand from the operation, if not more.

I let out a long sigh, giving my temples a rub as I mentally go through my shitty options. Michele is the last person I trust with this information; for all I know, he was involved in the embezzlement scheme.

That leaves Nic, but if I tell him what I’ve uncovered, he’d be forced to go to Angelo with the information, and one of three things would happen.

Scenario one: Michele’s offed, and to tie up loose ends, so am I.

Scenario two: Michele pins it on me to save his own skin, and I’m offed.

Scenario three: Michele’s offed, but the boss spares my life.

It’s rumored Angelo killed his own father; he’d have no qualms about making me disappear.

“Ugh.” My forehead bangs the desk.

If that bitch Jade were alive, I’d kill her all over again.

Sienna

A few months ago…