1. Sienna
ONE
SIENNA
Six Months Later
“YOU DID WHAT?”
My father’s voice bounced off the walls of his office.
I jumped.
It was the first time I’d ever seen my father so furious, but also… surprised and terrified. The emotions twisted together until they became something I barely recognized in the man who had been there for my mom, my sisters, and me from the moment he’d met us.
Somewhere in the room, the clock ticked steadily while my confession hung in the air like a noose, ready to hang someone.
To clarify, Kristoff Baldwin was my stepdad, but for all intents and purposes, I considered him my father. He was a great man, wonderful to my mom, and, most importantly, very good to my siblings and me.
Rain tapped softly against the tall windows, blurring the D.C.
skyline beyond the glass. I had come to his office rather than talk to him at home because I didn’t want my mom to get wind of this.
She would worry herself to death, and that was the last thing I wanted.
My biological father had caused enough heartache, stress, and fear for her when I was little.
I didn’t want to put her through something like that again.
Kristoff sat behind his executive desk, staring at me as if I had confessed to murdering someone.
Of course, I hadn’t killed anyone. However, I had managed to put a man who had built an empire on blood behind bars.
Tyran Callahan.
The Irish mobster who made my heart race and my stomach flutter with wild butterflies.
The Irish mobster who I had blamed and detested when I was kidnapped, believing he was at fault.
The Irish mobster who I had set up to get caught by the FBI and locked away.
“I must have misunderstood,” Kristoff demanded.
My mouth went dry. “I set up Tyran Callahan so he’d get locked up. I thought I was doing the right thing, but…”
I trailed off because I didn’t really want to bring up the traumatic experience of getting kidnapped, tortured, and almost raped.
I blamed Tyran Callahan, the handsome playboy, who dared me to hack into a criminal’s bank account.
My hatred slowly grew during those dark days, and the need to get back at Tyran drove me on.
Kristoff saved me by showing up at the auction where I was supposed to be sold off to the highest bidder and I swore right then and there that I would teach Tyran a lesson he would never forget.
I succeeded. Unfortunately, I learned too late that his little dare had nothing to do with the reason I’d been kidnapped.
Oh, hindsight was such a bitch.
“For the love of God, please explain to me why.” Kristoff’s jaw flexed. “How do you even know Tyran Callahan? And where in the hell did you meet him?”
“I—”
Crap, what do I even say?
I snuck into a sex club with a fake ID during my sophomore year of college.
I bumped into him and we somehow ended up kissing like two starved humans.
He stole every last shred of my common sense.
I fell head over heels and pursued him relentlessly—until the man learned my age and decided I was too young.
Who would have ever guessed that mobsters had scruples?
“Sienna, I’m waiting.” Kristoff’s voice pulled me out of my thoughts. His narrowed eyes were on me. “I’m hoping there is a good reason why you would deliberately plant evidence against Tyran Callahan.”
I attempted a feeble smile. “Well, it’s not like the man is innocent.”
“Sienna.”
I pushed my hands into my hair and tugged on the strands. “I know, I know. Should I tell the FBI it was a misunderstanding? Or maybe his family?”
He straightened. “His family doesn’t know you’re behind him getting arrested?”
I pinched the bridge of my nose.
“I don’t think so.”
“Does Tyran?”
These bars won’t keep me here long, little blondie. Once I’m out, be ready. Because I’m coming for you.
It was a message from an unknown number, but there was no mistaking who sent it. There was only one person on this planet who called me little blondie, and it was Tyran Callahan.
I stared at Kristoff, worry etched into every line of his face. For a moment, I was tempted to lie and tell him Tyran didn’t know it was me who had set him up, but the truth was that I was scared shitless.
And I didn’t know who else to ask for help.
“I believe Tyran knows.” I swallowed the lump in my throat.
“And his brothers?”
Tyran had a twin brother named Kyran who was a bit more reasonable and less crazy than Tyran, albeit not by much. He also had an older brother, Aiden Callahan, who was the head of the Callahan mafia family.
“I don’t think so,” I murmured. “For some reason, he didn’t tell his brothers.”
I was certain I’d already be dead if they knew. However, I was still breathing, which meant Tyran had other plans for me… and that scared me even more.
“There’s more,” I started slowly.
Kristoff shot me an exasperated look, but beneath it was a flicker of fear.
“The FBI wants me to testify against him in another case—one that could put him away for life.”
“What case?”
“Drugs. Illegal smuggling. Racketeering.” I swallowed. “Murders.”
“Jesus Christ.” I hated that I was the reason behind Kristoff’s stress and worry.
I wanted to show the man my appreciation for what he’d done for my mom and my sisters, not add to his plate.
“You’re supposed to be worried about midterms and your ridiculous tuition and whether your roommate is stealing your clothes.
You’re not supposed to know the dealings of an Irish crime lord or be the reason for his imprisonment. ”
“I didn’t plan for it to go this far.”
“Then what did you plan?”
“I don’t know,” I muttered.
“What were you thinking, Sienna? He and his family are notorious criminals. They could wipe out our entire family in retaliation.”
I had no answer. Revenge and anger had driven me for months, and I didn’t exactly think through what would happen once my plan came to fruition.
Actually, scratch that. I wanted him to pay, but then I learned he had nothing to do with the people who kidnapped me. It was all related to Kristoff’s cousin and her boyfriend’s crazy ex-wife who wanted to punish her.
“I’m so sorry,” I croaked, my insides trembling with fear. Deep down, I was terrified. My mom was the courageous and strong one of our family, not me. “I could meet with the Callahans and tell them it was just me,” I suggested slowly.
“Absolutely not.” Kristoff straightened in his chair. “Your mother would be heartbroken, and so would I. You’re our child and our responsibility. I have another idea. One that should keep you safe.”
“Will it keep my siblings, Mom, and you safe too?”
He nodded. “It will, but for now, let’s focus on protecting you from the Callahans.”