Bound to the calloway's heir

SIENNA.

I was pacing the guest room that felt like a cage, its walls pressing in with every breath I took. The accusing words he had hurled at me were a cruel reminder of the fight that had torn us apart. The accusation had hit like a slap, leaving my chest hollow and my mind spiraling. I had seen the distrust in his eyes, the way they had hardened, and it had broken something in me.

I stared at the closed door, half-expecting to hear his heavy footsteps, to see him barge in and demand more answers I didn't have. But the penthouse was silent, save for the faint hum of the city beyond the windows. Zane had left that morning without a word to me, but there was a low murmur as he spoke to Jason, my security detail, before the front door slammed. He hadn't even looked in on me. I didn't know who I was to him anymore or who I was to myself.

For years, I had been running from the Reyes Cartel, who had taken everything from me and had been hunting me ever since. Yet, I had never once stopped in my tracks to ask why I was that important to them. Facing the truth scared me. Running, starting new lives, and changing names felt easier than confronting the truth that surrounded my family.

Sienna Carter was a lie I crafted to keep the world at bay. I had abandoned my family name because it felt like a target painted on my back. But was it to protect myself, or something else? Something I didn't even understand?

I pressed my palms to my eyes, trying to stop the flood of questions that Zane's accusations had cracked.

Who are you, Sienna?

I hadn't answered because I just couldn't since the truth was a void. I didn't know who I was. Was I a fraud, like he had said? A pawn in some game I didn't understand? The cartel's obsession with me wasn't random; I had always known that deep down. But what did they want? A secret? A debt? Or was I tied to them in a way I couldn't face?

I paused to get my phone from the dressing table and sat down to dial Belinda.

The line rang thrice before I suddenly recalled it was a working day and she was probably working her shift. I tossed the phone onto the bed as frustration bubbled up. I needed her clarity to pull me out of the spiral of questioning I was in. Without her, I was alone with my thoughts, and they were tearing me apart.

I stood, pacing the room, then I stopped at the window, staring at the city below. My reflection stared back. I couldn't stay there, trapped in that room, suffocating under the weight of my own questions. I needed air, and space to think.

I headed to the bathroom, splashing cold water on my face to get the puffiness out. Then I changed quickly, pulling on jeans and a black sweater. I didn't care where I went, as long as it was away from there.

Jason was at the door when I opened it, his broad frame filling the hallway. "I need to get out," I said to him. "Take me somewhere. say a bar. Somewhere Zane doesn't know."

Jason's brow furrowed, just a flicker, but he didn't argue. "Are you sure?" he asked cautiously.

"I'm sure," I said, meeting his gaze. "I need space. Please."

He studied me for a moment, then nodded. "Alright. I know a place. Low-key, off the grid. Stay close."

I followed him out, my heart pounding with relief. I could feel his tension. He was Zane's man, loyal to the core, and I wondered what he thought of me now. Did he believe Zane's accusations? Did he think I was a traitor, too?

֍

Jason pulled into a dimly lit street, parking outside a bar with a faded sign. It was tucked between a laundromat and a pawn shop, the kind of place you would miss if you were not looking. "This is it," he said, cutting the engine. "Quiet. Nobody asks questions."

"Thank you" I nodded, stepping out of the car and into the bar. The smell of beer and cigarette smoke hit me like a wave when I set foot. The interior was filled with mismatched tables and a jukebox playing a jazz beat.

A few patrons glanced up, then looked away, uninterested. Perfect. I slid into a booth in the corner, Jason taking the seat across from me, his eyes scanning the room like a hawk.

"Whiskey," I told the waitress when she approached, "Make it the dirtiest you can."

Jason raised an eyebrow but said nothing. I didn't care. I needed something to dull the edges, to quiet the questions tearing me apart. The whiskey arrived minutes after my order, and I took a sip, letting it burn down my throat.

It didn't help, not really. My mind kept circling back to the cartel, to my parents, to Zane. Why did they kill my family? Why were they still after me? And why did Zane think I was one of them?

I leaned back, closing my eyes. I thought of Belinda. If anyone could help me piece this together, it was her. But she was out of reach, and I was alone, drowning in a past I couldn't grasp.

I took another sip, the burn sharper now, and glanced at Jason. He was looking at, the door, his posture rigid, ready to move at any sign of trouble as he took sips of his soda. "You think I'm a traitor, too?" I asked.

His eyes flicked to me, unreadable. "Doesn't matter what I think," he said. "My job's to keep you safe."

It wasn't an answer, but it was enough. I leaned forward, my elbows on the table, my head in my hands.

A man approached, his smile lingering too long. He was tall, with a leather jacket and an aura that screamed overconfidence. "Mind if I join you?" he asked, not waiting for an answer as he slid into the booth, his knee brushing mine.

I stiffened, my fingers tightening around the glass. Jason shifted at the bar, his posture tensing, ready to intervene. I caught his eye and shook my head, a silent plea to stay back. I didn't need a savior, not at that moment. I needed a distraction, something to pull me out of the spiral of Zane and the cartel and my own fractured identity. "Sure," I said forcing a small smile. "What's your name?"

"Jake," he said, leaning closer and my nostrils picked up his cologne. "And you're too pretty to be sitting here alone."

I rolled my eyes but let him talk about his job, his car and charming life. I nodded absentmindedly as I sipped my whiskey. I let it wash over me, a temporary shield against the questions since it was better than drowning in my own head. I laughed at one of his jokes, and for a moment, I almost forgot the weight of everything.

Then the air shifted, a sudden hush fell over the lounge, the jukebox stopped playing, and the crowd of patrons began to slip out, as if they had been given a silent signal.

I turned, and there he was... Zane walked in through the side door. His dark eyes locked onto me. My stomach dropped with dread and unwanted heat flooded me. How did he find me? This place was supposed to be a secret, like Jason had promised.

I shot a glare at Jason, who was already standing. His face was still unreadable but tense. Had he told Zane? Or had Zane tracked us somehow? The answer hit me like a slap...the car. Of course.

Zane was a billionaire, a cartel don with resources I couldn't fathom. A tracker on Jason's car would be child's play for him. He would never really let me out of his sight, did he? Even when he had left me with Jason, he had ensured he could find me. The realization made my blood boil with a fresh wave. The man was a control freak. He would never give it out.

Zane's gaze shifted to Jake, who was still talking, oblivious to the storm approaching. Zane's lips curled into a dangerous smirk, and he moved with predatory grace, closing the distance in seconds. "Get up," he said to Jake.

Jake froze, his smile faltering. "Hey, man, we're just..."

"Out," Zane snapped, his tone leaving no room for argument. He grabbed Jake's arm, hauling him from the booth with a strength that was both effortless and terrifying. Jake stumbled, muttering protests, but one look at Zane's face silenced him. Zane didn't even glance at me as he marched Jake to the door, shoving him out. The remaining patrons scattered, not one bothered to rescue Jake, even the bartender was suddenly busy polishing glasses.

Zane turned to Jason. "Everyone out, including you, Jason," he said, his voice a command that echoed in the now-empty lounge.

Jason hesitated, his eyes flicking at me, but he nodded and headed for the door, leaving us alone. I stood, my hands trembling, my heart pounding. Zane's eyes were on me now, dark and intense, and I recognized that look.

Lust.

The same look he'd had weeks ago when he had taken me apart, piece by piece, in a frenzy of need. The memory sent a rush of heat through me, my body betraying me even as my mind screamed at the violation of my freedom.

"How did you find me?" I demanded, "This place was supposed to be a secret."

Zane stepped closer, "You think you can hide from me, Sienna?" he said. "You think I would let you run?"

"You tracked the car, didn't you?" I snapped, my hands clenching into fists. "You don't trust me, so you put a leash on me. That's why you left me with Jason, isn't it? To keep tabs on me."

His jaw tightened, but he didn't deny it. "I'm trying to keep you alive," he said, his voice rough, his eyes burning into mine. "You have no idea what's out there, what they will do to get to you."

"And whose fault is that?" I shot back, stepping toward him, "You don't get to play the hero now."

"You let that guy touch you.," His eyes darkened with jealousy sparked by Jake's flirtation. He closed the distance between us, his body inches from mine, the heat of him making my skin prickle. "You let him sit there, smiling at you, like he had a chance."

I laughed but my body was betraying me, the memory of our night together flooding me with heat. "You don't own me, Zane," I said, but the words felt weak, drowned out by the pull between us. "I needed a distraction from all of this."

"You don't get to distract yourself with someone else," he growled, his hand cupping the back of my neck, his thumb brushing my pulse point. My breath hitched, my body responding despite my anger.

His lips crashed into mine, hard and claiming, and I melted into him, my hands gripping his shirt, pulling him closer. I should have pushed him away, should have fought the fire igniting under my skin, but I couldn't. I wanted him, needed him.

The lounge faded out of my view as he lifted me onto a table while his lips trailed down my neck, his teeth grazing my skin, and I arched into him, my nails raking down his back, losing myself in the only thing that felt real. The cartel and my past were all waiting, ready to tear us apart. But for now, I was going to let my bond to Zane Calloway take me away.

ZANE

Completely alone in the dingy-decorated lounge, I pulled Sienna with me until we got to the booth at the end of the room. It was a double size, enough to hold us both lying down. The state of the lounge was as awful as the environment. If the car tracker had not been attached to his car, I never would have guessed where she was. I was going to make Jason explain his reason for bringing her downtown. Where everything could go awry in seconds, with us being in the open and under the watchful eyes of the cartel.

I had gotten back to the house to talk with Sienna when I realized she wasn't home. That set off an alarm inside me. I suddenly felt an emptiness within me and all I wanted was to comb Los Angeles until she was found. Now that I had her in my grip, I felt like everything was perfect in my world again.

"What the heck, Zane?" She said, her voice distracting me from my thoughts. I wrapped my arms around her small waist and tugged her onto my lap. She let out a soft grunt and tried to fight her way out of my hold. It didn't work. It never worked. I was too strong for her. She glared at me for a second, momentarily accepting the situation, then settled her knees on either side of my thighs. I tucked my face into the curve of her neck and tightened my arms.

The sweet scent of this perfect woman overwhelmed me as I breathed her in. I couldn't quite put my finger on exactly what it was, but it always calmed me, and seeing her feel very at ease with the weird guy earlier unsettled me. What was that feeling? Jealousy?

I ran my hands down the back of her sweatshirt, then let them rest on her bare legs. My fingers toyed with the edge of her jeans. She tried not to giggle but leaned her neck to the side.

"Stop" she said, as she scooted her ass around in my lap. The movement sent a jolt of electricity to my groin and I sucked in a breath as my hands shot out to stop her. Her eyebrows scrunched together in confusion at my slightly pained face.

"Don't fight this, you can't stop it even when you try," I breathed as I lifted a thumb to smooth out the wrinkles between her brows. A light blush spread across Sienna's nose as she looked down and realized what I meant. I grimaced as I felt myself get harder underneath of her. I moved to take her off my lap but she clamped her hands down on my shoulders to stop me.

"I see," she said. Slowly, she lowered herself further onto my lap as she looked up at me. Her expression was no longer filled with panic, but mischievous. What was she up to?

I locked my jaw tightly as I felt the heat from between her legs through my jeans. My hands moved on their own accord to her sides as my thumbs ran over her delicate hipbones.

"Sienna..." I began but stopped short when she rocked her hips on top of me. "Fuck," I seethed. My reaction seemed to embolden her as she slipped her hands behind my neck and brought our lips together.

My control drained out of me as she sucked on my bottom lip. Fuck I loved it when she did that. Sienna, on top of me wanting control, was so fucking hot so I let her take the lead as her plump lips massaged my own. Finally, I couldn't take it anymore and I deepened the kiss.

My hand went to her curls as I slipped my tongue in her mouth. A shudder ran down my spine as she swirled her hips in my lap. I was rock-hard at the point, there was no way Sienna couldn't feel me pressing against her core. I so badly wanted to unzip my jeans and remove any fabric that separated us. I flexed my pelvis up into her and relished the moan that slipped from the back of her throat.

Our kiss became frantic as the tension in the air thickened. Our lips smashed together, and occasionally our teeth as we fought to keep a pace through the overwhelming need to have each other. Sienna seemed to have let go of any inhibitions as she ground into me. I groaned as my erection pushed against my jeans, dying to take her.

I dragged my lips along her jaw and flicked her earlobe with my tongue. The little sighs and mews of pleasure that poured out of Sienna's sweet mouth only egged me on. She stretched her neck, giving me more access, which I took advantage of. I sucked on the sensitive skin behind her ear as I used my hand to help her hip find a rhythm against my groin. I trailed my kisses down her neck, sucking and nipping on her pale skin.

I slipped my hands under the band of her jeans and played with the back of her panties. My mind went in a million different dirty directions as the soft lace brushed my fingers. I ran my hands over the globes of her ass and squeezed hard as I nipped her shoulder.

A gasp from Sienna made me worried that I had been too rough. I looked up quickly to apologize, but she arched her spine as her head lolled back. I was stunned for a moment at how unbelievably fucking beautiful she was. Her eyes were closed, so her lashes fanned out across her bright red cheeks. Her lips were swollen and glistening as they relaxed open. Her dark curls were wild as they fell down her back.

"You like that?" My voice was deep and gravelly as I stared intensely at her.

She opened her eyes and I could see the hunger swirling inside of her dilated pupils. "I need more," she whispered. The unusual husk in her voice made my breath come in heavily as I massaged her ass with my hands. Her eyes fluttered closed again as her teeth tugged at her bottom lip.

"Maybe we should stop," I said. Every nerve in my body recoiled at the thought, but I didn't want to move this fast with Sienna. She was still a mystery I needed to crack.

"No Zane, finish what you started," she sighed, grasping her little fists in my shirt. I licked my lips as I tried to think clearly. Sienna cupped my cheek in her small hand and smiled at me, "I trust you."

I flipped us over and dropped my hips between her legs as I reclaimed her lips. Her hands tightened on my shoulders as I pulled back and lifted my body off of her. I chuckled and gave her a quick kiss to let her know I wasn't going far. I settled on my side and slipped my arm under Sienna's head to hold her. She shuffled to turn on her side as well, but I stopped her, keeping her on her back.

I dropped my hand on her stomach and rubbed gentle circles as I moved my hand down and under her sweater. Her soft skin was hot against my palm as she wiggled and tried to sit up to kiss me again.

"Hey," I whispered as I nuzzled my face into her hair. "I let you have control, now it's my turn."

I licked my lips as Sienna dropped her head back against my arm and looked up at me. A breathy whimper escaped Sienna's lips and shot straight at my hard-on. I locked my body stiffly to stay in control. I brushed my hand down the curve of her stomach and slipped my fingers under the waist of her shorts. My breath quickened as I felt the soft skin of her mound under my hand. My eyes were locked on Sienna's face as her eyes fluttered closed and her mouth popped open.

I trailed my fingers down her slit and groaned when I felt how wet she was. Sienna's eyes flew open and she looked up at me with curiosity,. I dropped my face to hers and pressed a hard kiss to her lips. "You are so fucking wet," I mumbled against her mouth. She tried to deepen the kiss but I pulled back. I couldn't lose myself in her again, I had to stay in control.

A little pout pulled at Sienna's mouth, but it disappeared when I slipped my middle finger between her wet lips. The arm that was still under her head tensed as my brain began to fog up. I rubbed gently at Sienna's core with the palm of my hand until I felt her relax against me.

I used my middle finger to run Sienna's wetness up between her slits, leaving a trail of lubrication. I bit my lip hard as I moved slowly back and forth, never quite reaching her clit. Sienna's face was flushed red with heat as she wriggled in my arms. I watched her closely as I finally allowed my finger to brush past her pleasure point. I was rewarded with the sexiest image of her as her chest arched up towards me and her eyes rolled back.

I brushed gentle circles around her clit as I watched her lose herself. I had never been more engrossed in anyone else's pleasure than with Sienna. Hers was intoxicating. Heat flushed my neck as I quickened my pace, dipping my finger back to her wetness occasionally for more lubrication.

I could see Sienna losing control of her body as I continued to rub her core. She flexed her hips upwards, and I knew she was close. Her eyes flew open and stared up at me as her breathing became ragged. Every muscle in her body looked tight and tense as I put more pressure on her clit.

"Let go," I groaned in a low husky voice that I barely recognized.

I could see the moment Sienna's orgasm hit her. Her spine curved up and for a moment, she was still. She didn't even breathe. "I love you," she cried as she shattered. I slowed my pace but continued to rub her as she moaned and convulsed against me. My arm that was wrapped under her tightened as she rode out the pleasure against my chest.

I was mesmerized as I stared down at her body pressed against me.

I chuckled at her outburst. Sienna looked up at me with an embarrassed grimace. She recovered slowly as her breathing went back to normal. She tried to hide her face in her hands as I dropped a kiss on her forehead and continued to laugh.

"Why are you laughing?"

"You love me?"

Repeating the words felt even funnier and I burst into a hysterical laugh. It went on and on, and I couldn't stop it.

Sienna stared at me, waiting, but I couldn't stop even when I tried. She hastily grabbed her jeans and sweater. She was going to get off me when I reached out for her. Missing her arm by a second, but in my bid to quickly hold her, it was her locket my fingers caught. She pulled away and that made my grip on the chain get firm enough to snap and break.

"What!" She screamed as the chain broke off her neck, and the locket pendant on it fell to the ground. Our eyes followed the pendant as it rolled off the booth to the floor, shattering into two.

"You bastard," She cursed, jumping off me to the spot where the locket was. She picked up both pieces, and I saw a frown appear on her face.

"Really?" She whispered, turning the broken pieces over while she scrutinized them.

"What are those?"

"Not your fucking business" she said, putting the pieces into her palm, she walked over to the booth, grabbed her jean and sweater. She wore them hurriedly, and without a single glance in my direction, Sienna walked out of the lounge.

I sighed, adjusting my jeans, ready to go too.

SIENNA

I pulled open the lounge door and stepped out; the heavy oak door thudded behind me. The swirling in my head was all about Zane. It was Always Zane. His actions played on in a maddening reel I couldn't pause. One moment, his hands were pulling me close, like I was his entire world. Next, he would turn his eyes at me distantly, like I was nothing more than a fleeting distraction. Once was a mistake. Twice was a pattern. Three times? That was a wound I couldn't keep reopening.

My mind processed every second of our encounter in the lounge. The way his lips had grazed my ear, and then his indifference afterward. That infuriating smirk as he leaned back without care, like I hadn't just bared my soul. Why did I say it? Those three words had slipped out mid-orgasm like some desperate part of me thought it could tether him to me.

His mocking laughter at my outburst still echoed in my ears, making me want to disappear. I was willing to give up anything just to rewind time and retract those words. But they were out, and now they hung between us.

I gripped the door handle of Jason's black SUV when I approached it. My fingers trembled, not from the chill but from the storm raging inside me. I didn't care about riding home with Zane. Not after that. I had driven here with Jason anyway, and now the decision felt like a small act of rebellion, and I loved it.

I yanked the door open and climbed into the passenger seat, my voice cutting through the silence. "Drive me home, Jason. Now."

Jason, leaning against the driver's side door, didn't move. His broad shoulders tensed, and his jaw ticked as he glanced toward the lounge entrance.

"Right now, Jason," I snapped, slamming my palm against the dashboard. The sting radiated up my arm, but it was nothing compared to the ache in my chest. I didn't need his hesitation because of his loyalty to Zane. I needed to get out of here and away from the man who could unravel me with a single look. Jason's dark eyes met mine through the windshield, and for a moment, I thought he would argue. But he just sighed and didn't move.

My gaze flicked to the rearview mirror, catching the lounge door swinging open. Zane stepped out, glancing towards Jason's car. Even from here, his presence made my pulse race despite everything. He approached Jason and they started to talk in low whispers. I wasn't interested in what they discussed anyway. Zane's hand clapped Jason's shoulder, and then he gave a single nod.

Jason slid into the driver's seat. "I'm sorry about the tracker," he said, his voice rough. "I didn't know it was there. And about my hesitation to leave, I can't just take you without Zane's say-so."

I stared at him for a second. "Take me to Belinda's," I said, my voice with defiance. If Zane wants to follow, he can. He's got the damn GPS, doesn't he?"

Jason nodded, starting the engine. The SUV purred to life, and we pulled onto the road. I leaned back against the seat. Even then the memory of his hands on me sent a shiver down my spine. I was still drawn to him, like a moth to a flame that would burn me alive.

My hand drifted to my neck, an absent habit, as I sought the familiar weight of my necklace. But my fingers met my bare skin, and a pang of loss hit me. I sighed, remembering the moment Zane had broken it and the pieces were in my pocket now. I reached for them, pulling out the broken pendant and turning it between my fingers.

For five years, I had worn it without question. But now, as I studied the pendant's cracked surface, I saw something I had never noticed before. I pressed my thumbnail against the seam, and with a soft click, the pendant split open. Inside was a tiny flash drive, no bigger than a dime, nestled in a foam cutout.

All this time, I'd been carrying a secret, and I hadn't even known it. My father's voice grew louder in my memory about it being my lifeline. Was this what he meant? Something on this drive that could fill the gaps in my past, the years I couldn't piece together no matter how hard I tried?

I closed my fist around the drive, my pulse racing. What was on it? Documents? Photos? Something that could explain why my memories of that time were so fragmented? Or was it something darker, something that could put me in danger?

My mind spun with possibilities, each one more unsettling than the last.

I glanced at Jason, his eyes fixed on the road, his expression unreadable. Could I trust him? He'd apologized for the tracker, but he'd still waited for Zane's approval. Whose side was he really on?

The SUV slowed as we approached our apartment building and I tucked the flash drive back into my pocket, my fingers lingering on the broken pendant. I needed to see what was on that drive. But first, I needed to shake the weight of Zane's indifference, his laughter still ringing in my ears.

Why didn't he care? Why did he pull me close only to push me away? I wanted to scream at him for answers, but the thought of facing him again made my chest tighten. I was terrified of what I would see in his eyes...nothing. Or worse, pity.

"Sienna," Jason said, breaking the silence as he parked. "Are you okay?"

I forced a nod, my throat tight. "Yeah. Thanks for the ride."

He studied me for a moment, his brow furrowed. "If you need to talk..."

"I don't," I cut him off, sharper than I meant to. I softened my tone. "I just need to see Belinda."

He nodded, but his eyes lingered on me, like he knew I was holding something back. I climbed out of the SUV. As I walked toward the building, I felt Jason's gaze on my back, and I wondered if he'd report this to Zane. Probably. The thought made my stomach churn, but I pushed it aside. I have bigger things to worry about now. For the first time in years, I felt as though I was close to something that could explain the gaps in my past. I wasn't going to let Zane or my feelings for him stop me now.

֍

Jason trailed behind me as we reached the door, his footsteps heavy on the hallway. He stopped at the porch, leaning against the frame. "I will wait here," he muttered, his voice low, giving me the privacy I desperately needed but didn't know how to use.

I knocked, rapping my knuckles softly against the wood. The door swung open, and Belinda stood there, her dark curls piled into a messy bun, a glass of red wine in one hand. Her eyes widened, scanning me from head to toe, and her lips parted in a silent question.

"Sienna? Girl, you look like you just survived a hurricane." She stepped aside, waving me in. "Get in here before you collapse."

I managed a weak smile as I stepped into the warmth of our apartment. The scent of lavender candles and leftover takeout hit me, grounding me in the familiarity of our space. Jason stood at the door, his gaze fixed somewhere over my shoulder, like he was trying not to intrude. I didn't care. I just needed to breathe.

Belinda plopped onto the couch, patting the cushion next to her. "Sit. Talk. You want wine? Coffee? A whole-ass therapy session?" she said, her eyes searching mine for the truth.

I sank onto the couch, the soft leather creaking under me. My fingers fidgeted with the sleeve of my sweatshirt. "I'm fine," I lied.

Belinda raised an eyebrow, setting her wineglass on the coffee table with a deliberate clink. "Uh-huh. And I'm the queen of England. Spill it, Sienna. What's got you looking like you just lost a fight with your own heart?"

I tried to laugh, but it came out as a sob and I quickly placed my palm to my face, covering the tears that spilled over before I could stop them. Belinda was at my side for an instant, her arms wrapped around me, while she rested her chin on my shoulder. "Hey, hey, it's okay," she murmured, her voice soft but firm. "Whatever it is, we will figure it out. Just breathe."

I clung to her, my sobs muffled against her shirt. When I finally pulled back, my cheeks were wet. "It's Zane. I'm such an idiot."

Belinda's eyes softened, but she didn't interrupt. She just handed me a tissue from the box on the coffee table and waited, her silence an invitation to let it all out. I wiped my face, crumpling the tissue in my palm. "I told him I loved him," I paused to catch my breath.

"Okay??"

"In the middle of... you know. It just slipped out, Bel. And he laughed. Like it was a joke. Like I was a joke."

Her mouth dropped open, and for a moment, she just stared at me in shock. "He laughed? Oh, hell no. What kind of man laughs at that?" She leaned back, crossing her arms. "Okay, back up. Start from the beginning. What happened?"

I took a shaky breath, my fingers twisting the tissue into knots. "We were in the lounge. Things got... intense. Like they always do with him." My cheeks burned at the memory of his hands on me, the way he had pulled me into the booth, his breath hot against my neck.

"It's like he's two different people. One minute, he's all. He acts all protective and possessive, like I'm the only thing that matters. And then after, he's cold and distant. Like he doesn't even see me." I swallowed hard, the sting of his laughter cutting deeper with every word.

"I didn't mean to say it, Bel. It just came out. And he laughed, like it was the funniest thing he'd ever heard."

Belinda's lips twitched, and for a horrifying second, I thought she was going to laugh too. But then she leaned forward, her eyes glinting with mischief. "Girl, he must've been laying it down good for you to be blurting out the L-word mid-orgasm." She wiggled her eyebrows, and a giggle bubbled out of me.

"Bel!" I swatted her arm, my tears forgotten for a moment. "It's not funny!"

"It's a little funny," she said, grinning. Come on, Sienna. You're out here confessing your love in the throes of passion? That's some romance novel shit." She dissolved into laughter, and I couldn't help but join her. For the first time all day, I felt like I could breathe.

"Okay, fine," I said, wiping my eyes. "It's a little ridiculous. But it still hurts. He doesn't trust me, Bel. He doesn't want me. Just... my body.

"What's his deal? Wait a second, did he get you so mushy you forgot your locket?"

"That's part of my gist." I reached into my pocket, pulling out the broken pendant. I held it out to her, "Zane broke it, not intentionally, but I think it was necessary."

"What do you mean?"

"I found this in my necklace. It's a flash drive, Bel. Remember, I said when my dad gave me this necklace five years ago, he said it was my lifeline. I never knew it was hiding this."

Belinda's eyes widened as she took the pendant, turning it over in her fingers. "That's some spy movie nonsense right there." She squinted at the drive, her thumb brushing over the tiny port. "This is an old-school connector. Like old generation desktop. You would need a specific port to read it." She looked up at me, her expression shifting from curiosity to concern. "What do you think is on it?"

"I don't know, but it's got to be important. Why else would he hide it like that? It could explain everything." I leaned forward, my heart pounding. "I need to know, Bel. But I'm scared. What if it's something dangerous that could hurt me?"

Belinda set the pendant on the coffee table, her fingers lingering on it. "Okay, let's think this through. I've got a colleague in IT at work who's a wizard with old tech. I could ask him to take a look, see if he can get it open."

I shook my head, my pulse spiking. "No. I don't know who to trust. What if this flash drive has something they want? Or something they're all trying to keep me from finding?" My voice trembled, and I hated how paranoid I sounded.

Belinda reached for my hand and squeezed it. "Hey, we will figure it out. You don't have to do this alone. However, you're right; we need to be cautious. We need a computer we know is secure."

Before I could respond, the door creaked open, and Jason stepped inside. "Sienna, we have got to go," he said, his voice clipped. His eyes flicked to Belinda, then to the pendant on the table. "What's that?"

I froze, my hand instinctively closing over the pendant. But Belinda, ever the fearless one, held it up. "This," she said, her tone challenging, "is a mystery we're trying to solve. You know anything about old-school flash drives, Jason?"

Jason's brow furrowed as he stepped closer, peering at the flash drive. "That's a Type-A connector. You would need an old desktop to read it." He paused, his gaze shifting to me. "There's one at the penthouse. Zane's got a setup in his office with all kinds of ports. It'd probably work."

My stomach twisted at the mention of Zane's penthouse. The thought of going back there, of being in his space after everything, made my skin crawl. But I needed answers, and if the penthouse was my only shot, I would take it. "Fine," I said, my voice steadier than I felt. "Let's go."

Belinda's eyes lit up, and she was on her feet in an instant, grabbing her jacket. "Oh, I'm coming too. No way I'm missing out on this." She shot me a grin, her excitement infectious, "What? You think I'm going to let you and Jason have all the fun? This is some Nancy Drew shit, and I'm here for it."

I couldn't help but smile, even as my heart raced. "You're ridiculous," I said. Having Belinda with me made the unknown feel a little less daunting.

Jason sighed, clearly not thrilled about the extra passenger, but he didn't argue. "Let's move, then," he said, heading for the door.

We piled into the SUV and Belinda slid into the backseat, her chatter filling the silence as Jason started the engine. "So, Sienna, you think this drive's got, like, government secrets? Or maybe it's your dad's secret recipe for the world's best spaghetti sauce." She laughed, nudging my shoulder from behind.

I rolled my eyes, but my lips twitched. "If it's spaghetti sauce, I'm gonna be pissed," I said, playing along. But my mind was elsewhere, spinning with possibilities. What if the drive held the key to my family's past? Or worse, what if it was something that could put us all in danger? I clutched the pendant tighter, my fingers tracing the jagged edges. Whatever was on that drive, I was about to find out and I wasn't sure I was ready.