Page 10 of And Twice as Twisted
“What’re you talking about? Octavia, tell me who took you and where you are?” I sobbed at the end, unable to hold it back as Alexei and Al darted towards me.
“Sissy, please,” she whispered. “I love you. No matter what happens, please remember that. But I need time to heal… from…” Her words died in her throat.
“Octavia, I will help you,” I urged.
“No one can help me but myself. Move on with your life, Sienna. One day I will be fine. One day I will come back. Until then, take care of yourself and be happy. Even if that means leaving the family, the life.”
“Octavia, please.” My voice cracked. I needed my sister, and I hated how she sounded so sure of her choices.
“I’m fine, Sienna. Or… at least I think I will be.” Her tone was empowered until she whispered the last part. “I won’t be weak anymore.”
“Little doll, end it,” a deep voice commanded in the background, almost recognizable but not quite.
“Who the fuck is that? Let me talk to the bastard—”
“Doll! Now!” His command sent me over the edge, while my sister’s matching tone halted my rage.
“Enough, Sienna! I love you, but back off. I’m not as weak as you all think.” And then the line cut out.
We hadn’t heard anything else and I couldn’t trace the signal. Whoever had her was smart, or had the funds to ensure someone intelligent was on his books. If I was going to find her, I was going to need help.
That bitter truth tasted pretty salty on my lips.
“Yes,” Alexei answered on the first ring, but I couldn’t speak. This was harder than I thought. “Sienna. Open the door.” A knock had me dropping the phone and reaching for the knob instead.
“How the hell did you get in here?”
Alexei casually rested his shoulder against the doorframe. “Seeing how you’ve been working out, I won’t lie to you and risk being on the receiving end of your knuckles.” He squeezed my toned arm. “Lucky asked me to find Octavia and this is the best place for me to do that.” He stepped back, obviously concerned over my response.
“Then why isn’t she found?” I turned on my newest red-soled heel and stomped back to my desk. “And my brother doesn’t run my company, by the way.”
“Will you tell me about the call?” He appeared amused by my deepening scowl.
“You motherfucker. You tapped my cell?” I sputtered but stopped when he didn’t say anything, motioning for him to get to work.
We spent the afternoon reviewing everything he had on my sister’s disappearance. It turned out he was able to trace her movements throughout the city for a short time until all circuits were shut down. At once. It was as impressive as it was infuriating. Twenty minutes was all it took for every trace to turn up empty.
“They must have left the city. The blackout included the private sector of JFK.”
I rubbed at my temples. “Maybe. I don’t know.” I sighed, mentally fatigued.
“Let’s stop for the day.” Alexei closed his computer. “We can continue this weekend, wherever you want.”
You could only burn the candle at both ends for so long before nothing was left. Till the fragrant scent was reminiscent of burnt flesh and tears.
I slipped into my jacket as we walked into the lobby. I opted to not discuss my weekend plans with my Russian friend. Alexei had lost the ability to comment on my life the moment I’d learned his true identity.
The elevator doors were just closing when Farrah, my secretary, shouted, “Have fun in Philadelphia.”
I kept my gaze forward, stepping into the elevator. “Sienna.Iisus Khristos.”
“Not your concern,Alexei.” I accentuated his name and closed my eyes.
“Stop calling me that.”
“Isn’t it your legal name?” The doors opened and I didn’t wait for an answer, walking to the front entrance as two of Romano’s men flanked my sides. They took my bags, motioning me towards the SUV idling at the curb. I smiled at the line of armored cars that surrounded the vehicle. Romano was taking my safety seriously after my lastattemptedtrip to his city.
“Sir, back, please.”
