Chapter 44
Chapter Forty-Four
Sienna
The present
Circling the bust, I pin my starting-to-take-shape gown in place. I haven’t seen Fabien this morning; he was gone before I got up, which, admittedly, was after eleven in the morning.
Kirksey should be making the final money drop by the end of the day, and then he’ll expect the goods on my husband.
That little voice inside me is starting to get louder in protest of this plan. But if I’m not the victim, and I’m not the villain, then who does that make me?
You could be happy, that little voice offers a third option.
“It’s never worked out before,” I mutter.
Lacey whines, and I tell her, “Relax. You’re not going to have to model anything.”
Several hours pass with me lost in my work, and I find a good stopping point for the day. Having slept for so long after yesterday’s exhausting events, I need to expend a little energy, and I decide to hit the pool.
After changing into my bikini, I venture out into the courtyard with Lacey shadowing me.
We walk to the edge of the property, where the pool’s tucked between pristine landscaping and a huge privacy fence.
I lay out my towel on a lounger and dip my toe into the pool.
Despite the heater running, it’s a bit chilly by NOLA’s standards.
There’s a splash, and I’m soaking wet. “Bad girl!” I shriek.
Lacey pops her head up, doggie-paddling her way to the zero-entry point and trotting out, giving her body a shake.
“Guess I can’t back out, now that I’m already soaked.” Arms extended overhead, I dive into the deep end and freestyle the length of the pool. Despite being shoved in the last time I went for a “swim,” I’ve always enjoyed being in the water.
A lightbulb goes off, and I swim to the ladder and climb out with a little shiver, drying off before I text Jermaine.
He appears momentarily, still eyeing Lacey wearily as he delivers the stationery I requested, as well as an espresso. And seeing that I’m still doing the little shiver dance, he lugs over a propane outdoor heater, turning it on.
“Thanks, Jermaine.”
“I’ll be inside if you need me.” He eagerly slips away from Lacey, and I get to work on a list of my own.
Things this current version of Sienna likes:
1. My old black boots
2. Lacemaking
3. Swimming
4. Espresso
Taking a sip of the coffee that I didn’t ask Jermaine to bring me, I decide my husband is going to give my assistant a raise. Fabien hasn’t once complained about having to foot the bill, or any bill, now that I think about it. Like, ever.
5. Fabien’s generosity
My pen gets tossed. “See, this is why you can’t be the villain living with the sexy, thoughtful victim. It’s Stockholm reversed, or something.”
Lacey doesn’t comment, plopping down beside my lounger.
The sound of footsteps and the deep baritone of Fabien’s voice have me shoving the paper beneath my towel.
“The family’s nervous about the mayoral swearing-in next week, and how things were left between the two of us at the party.
I propose one final meeting with everyone in attendance, letting them know you and I are on the same page. ”
There’s a pause.
“Clear your calendar, Angelo,” my husband says, his voice annoyed.
Pause.
“Then where does the King of England propose we hold this meeting?”
Pause.
“Fine. Everyone meets at my office, Friday at midnight.”
Pause.
“Yes, asshole, I have an office at my ice company’s warehouse. Do you need the address?”
Being that I don’t, I nevertheless listen to Fabien rattle it off. My eyes snap shut when the sounds of footsteps grow closer.
I can feel Fabien’s presence, and I allow my eyes to flutter open, not having to try too hard to fake a yawn.
“In case you were wondering, your torture game is still on point.” Rubbing a hand over his mouth, he takes in my skimpy bikini, and I hate the way my skin prickles and my breasts tighten.
“Is there a reason you’re bothering me?” I ask primly, grabbing a towel in the lounger next to me and covering myself.
“Besides being obsessed with you?” Laughter in his voice, he tells me, “I wanted to drop this off before I leave. I’ll see my beautiful wife later this evening.” He places a folded note on the table beside my lounger, giving me a wink before disappearing inside the house.
My heart’s jackhammering with this new information, and what I plan on doing with it. What’s sure not to help with my decision-making is the letter I can’t seem to stop myself from reading.
Sienna,
Without further ado, let me continue to count the ways.
37. Your cute toes. (I’m sorry if this is triggering. If you need the warehouse restocked, let me know).
38. Your scowl. Even when you’re scowling at me, you’re still the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.
39. The way you rode my ice pick. Now that takes the number one fantasy spot.
Heat creeps up my neck as the wild images of yesterday’s “encounter” flood my senses.
40. The way you handle a gun like a natural.
41. The way you handle my gun like a natural, if you catch my drift.
Despite the eye roll, I still laugh.
42. Your fierce loyalty.
That’s all the time I have for now. Parting is such sweet sorrow.
Forever your loving husband,
Fabien
Number forty-two has my stomach twisted like a kite tail on a windy day. Because that’s what I have to decide: Am I loyal to a Calvani, or to thine own self be true?