Page 97 of Ruined By Blood
"Sienna," I state flatly. "I bring Charlotte, you keep your precious trust fund flowing, and I walk out with Sienna."
"The girl belongs to me. She's my daughter."
"She's not property," I growl, my control slipping for just a moment before I rein it back in. "But I understand the concept of fair exchange. That's all this is."
Sterling's breathing is heavy on the other end of the line. I can almost see him sitting behind his oversized desk, knuckles white around the phone.
"You've gone through all this trouble for a girl you barely know," he finally says. "Why?"
"My reasons are my own."
"She spread her legs for you, didn't she?" His laugh is ugly, cruel. "That's it, isn't it? She's got you thinking with your cock instead of your brain."
My jaw clenches so hard I hear my teeth grind. The urge to tell him exactly what I'll do to him when I get my hands on him burns through me, but I force it down. This isn't about my rage. It's about getting Sienna out.
"We're wasting time," I say instead. "Simple exchange. I bring Charlotte, I leave with Sienna. No weapons, no tricks."
"And I'm supposed to believe the infamous Enzo Feretti is walking into my house unarmed?"
"I didn't say unarmed. I said no tricks." A smile curves my lips despite the tension. "We both know neither of us goes anywhere without protection. But I'll come alone—just me, Charlotte, and my driver. Just a clean, professional exchange."
The line goes quiet as he considers. I can almost hear the gears turning in his head, weighing the loss of Sienna against the security of his financial foundation.
"When?" he finally asks.
"Tomorrow. Eight o'clock."
Another pause. "One more thing, Ferretti." His voice drops lower. "You come alone. No brothers, no men, no backup. If I see anyone else I'll put a bullet in that whore's head myself."
Every cell in my body wants to reach through the phone and tear his throat out. "I'll be alone."
I end the call.
Time to bring some hell to that motherfuckers' house.
CHAPTER 32
Istare at the ceiling from my bed, counting the crown molding's intricate patterns for what must be the hundredth time today. The gilded prison of my bedroom feels smaller than ever, the walls closing in with each passing hour.
A tray of untouched food sits on my nightstand, delivered by a maid who couldn't meet my eyes. No one wants to look at the sacrifice being prepared for slaughter.
The door crashes open, slamming against the wall with such force that the framed landscapes tremble. My father stands in the doorway, his face contorted with rage, veins bulging at his temples.
"You stupid, ungrateful little bitch!" Henry's voice tears through the room. "What have you done?"
I sit up slowly,ice filling my veins.
"Your mother is gone!" He stalks toward me, expensive cologne mixing with whiskey on his breath. "That bastard Feretti took her from Oakwood this morning. He called me himself, demanding I hand you over in exchange."
My heart pounds against my ribs. Enzo found her. He actually found my mother.
"What did you tell him?" Henry grabs my arm, fingers digging into my skin. "What else did you share with that piece of shit while you were spreading your legs for him?"
I pull back, bile rising in my throat. "I didn't?—"
"Don't lie to me!" Spittle flies from his mouth. "I've given you everything—education, a future with Cortez. And this is how you repay me? By revealing family business to those Feretti dogs?"
I remain silent, staring at the wall beyond his shoulder.
