Page 51 of Possessive Mafia Vows

“Mom, we don’t think that this is about you,” I say.

“How many meetings have you had without me?” Her eyes narrow.

“One.” One too many, I realize now. “We think that he’s using Sienna to get to me.”

She finishes her coffee and grimaces; all my life, she has added too much cream to her coffee because it’s too bitter and then doesn’t drink it because it cools too quickly.

“From his disappearing act,” she continues, “I’d say that he’s already gotten what he needs from Sienna.”

“Did you speak to anyone at the clinic?”

“Uh-huh. They said he’s taking some leave to deal with a family crisis.” She pauses. “That’s professional-speak forhe’s lying low until he’s ready to make his next move.”

“We just need to figure out what that is,” Terry says.

“Well…” Mom stands. “While you’re figuring it out, I’m going to get my daughter as far away from here as possible.”

One glance at Terry tells me that he knew nothing about this decision either. “Where are you going?”

“Ireland.” Mom’s shoulders slump. “I don’t want to split the family up for Christmas, but we made a pact to keep Emily out of the family business, and that’s what I’m going to do.”

“Moira.” Terry steps closer and folds her hands in his. “I can’t protect you both when you’re on another continent.”

“You won’t need to, Tel. Where we’re going, no one will ever find us.”

“But—”

“It’s final,” Mom snaps. “You take care of my boys, and I’ll take care of our daughter.”

My phone vibrates then with a message from Seamus.She’s on the move.

I message him straight back:You know what to do.

“What is it?” Mom asks.

“Sienna has just left her father’s apartment in Queens. I wanted her to stay here, but she’s too stubborn to listen.” I’m already heading for the door.

“Kyle.” Mom’s voice halts me. “Maybe Queens is the best place for her right now. While she’s with her father, she’s removed from whatever is going on with Caelan’s son.”

The only problem with that is I don’t trust her father either.

Sienna doesn’t question why I’m at the gallery. She closes the door behind me, turns the key in the lock, and I follow her into her office.

Nothing has been moved. The gallery is still clean and fresh and bright, but something oppressive is hanging in the space above our heads, casting a whole new light over the vibrant artwork. Twilight has come early, and it isn’t going anywhere.

Not until I make this situation with Nick Morris go away.

When she turns to face me, her eyelids are heavy, her face ghastly pale.

“Talk to me, Sienna.” I try to hide the dismay at her tired appearance from my voice. I’m clambering over precarious rocks here, an obstacle placed between us by a man who has now disappeared off the face of the earth.

“I doubt I can tell you anything you don’t already know.” She fills the coffee machine, and hovers next to it, waiting for the aroma to fill the room.

“You stayed in Queens last night, With your father.”

“Ha! You’re not even going to pretend you’re not having me followed.”

“You left the Wraith in a hurry. I was worried about you.”

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