Chapter 12 - THE REAL SIENNA RETURNS
Maeve packed before sunrise.
She expected Elias to stop her.
He did not.
That hurt unexpectedly.
Gabriel arranged a car.
Maeve refused.
“I’ll take a taxi.”
“Mr. Marchetti asked me to drive you.”
“Mr. Marchetti asks for too much.”
Gabriel almost smiled.
“I agree more often than I admit.”
Maeve looked at him.
“Did you know he could walk when I arrived?”
“Yes.”
“And you watched me believe it?”
Gabriel’s expression became serious.
“My job is to protect him.”
“From me?”
“From everyone.”
Maeve nodded.
“That sounds lonely.”
“It is.”
She picked up her suitcase.
Gabriel took it from her before she could protest.
At the hospital, Finn was awake.
Weak.
Pale.
Alive.
Maeve sat beside him and finally allowed herself to breathe.
“You look terrible.”
Finn whispered.
She laughed.
“So do you.”
“Did your rich job fire you?”
“Something like that.”
Finn studied her.
“You’re wearing a wedding ring mark.”
Maeve looked at her bare hand.
The pale circle was obvious.
“It’s complicated.”
“You got married?”
“Technically.”
Finn blinked.
“How do you technically get married?”
Maeve kissed his forehead.
“By making many bad decisions quickly.”
He smiled weakly.
For several hours, life became almost normal.
Then a woman entered the room wearing sunglasses and a cream-colored coat.
Maeve knew her immediately.
Sienna.
Finn looked between them.
“Maeve?”
Sienna removed the glasses.
“We need to talk.”
Maeve stood.
“Outside.”
They stepped into an empty family consultation room.
Maeve closed the door.
Sienna stared at her.
“You told him.”
“Yes.”
“You stupid little—”
“Finish that sentence.”
Maeve stepped forward.
Sienna stopped.
Maeve had spent seven years shrinking around the Ashfords.
She was finished shrinking.
“You were supposed to stay three months.”
“You were supposed to be the woman he married.”
Sienna’s face hardened.
“You think you won something?”
“No.”
Maeve laughed softly.
“I think both of us lost.”
Sienna’s eyes flicked toward Maeve’s bare hand.
“He sent you away.”
“I left.”
“Same thing.”
Maeve studied her.
“Why are you here?”
Sienna folded her arms.
“I want you to tell him you manipulated my mother.”
Maeve stared.
“What?”
“You were desperate for money.”
“That part is true.”
“You created the impersonation plan.”
“No.”
“You threatened us.”
Maeve almost laughed.
“You cannot possibly think he will believe that.”
“He might if you disappear.”
The room became silent.
Maeve’s body went cold.
“Is that a threat?”
Sienna smiled.
“You always were dramatic.”
Maeve moved toward the door.
Sienna grabbed her wrist.
“Listen to me.”
Maeve pulled free.
“No.”
“You stole my life.”
“You handed it to me.”
Sienna slapped her.
The sound cracked through the room.
Maeve slowly turned her face back.
This time she did not threaten to leave.
She slapped Sienna back.
Hard.
Sienna stumbled into a chair.
Her eyes widened.
Maeve’s voice remained calm.
“That one was for every time you treated me like furniture.”
The door opened.
Gabriel stood there.
Behind him were two security officers.
Sienna went pale.
Gabriel looked at Maeve.
“Are you all right?”
Maeve nodded.
Sienna backed away.
“You followed me?”
Gabriel’s expression was almost bored.
“We follow everyone who threatens the Marchetti family.”
“I am the Marchetti family.”
Gabriel looked at her.
“No.”
His gaze shifted to Maeve.
“She was.”
Maeve’s chest tightened.
Sienna’s face twisted.
“This isn’t over.”
Gabriel stepped aside.
“It is for today.”
Security escorted Sienna out.
Maeve remained still.
Gabriel handed her a phone.
“Mr. Marchetti.”
“I don’t want to speak to him.”
“He knows.”
“Of course he does.”
“He said that if you refuse the call, I should tell you one thing.”
Maeve sighed.
“What?”
Gabriel’s expression softened.
“He said Finn’s medical care is paid in full.”
Maeve stared at him.
“All of it?”
“All of it.”
“Why?”
May you like
Gabriel gave her the phone anyway.
“Ask him.”
