Page 95 of Unlock My Heart

I march out to find Lacey standing guard. “Come on. Let’s go back to school.”

She accompanies me to the kitchen, where I’m mentally preparing myself to find another corpse. I don’t, but what I do find hits me differently.

A bobbin is on the counter next to the fox and my wedding ring set, along with a note.

Opening the letter, my brow furrows. The paper’s spattered with what looks like dried blood.

Sienna,

Yes, it’s true that I lost my virginity to Chantelle. And I paid for it, but not in the way that you think. She offered to fuck me for free because she was a plant by my old man. He was paranoid as hell, and thought I might be getting too powerful. Videoed me in secret as a power play. I didn’t tell you because I was ashamed. Of my fucked up family. Of an embarrassing excuse for a first time. Of being such a huge pussy when it came to my old man.

I’ve had plenty of time to go over each and every mistake I’ve made in this life, but my biggest was “Family above all else.” Above you. On my life, I won’t make that mistake again.

Nothing above you, that I vow in blood.

Forever your loving husband,

Fabien

Tossing the letter on the counter, I grab the bobbin and turn it over in my hand. The turquoise-painted peonies on the antique cherry wood have begun to fade, capped at the tail with nine matching-colored beads. It’s the favorite of my old collection, and feelings I’d rather not deal with are bubbling to the surface.

Fabien’s latest explanation about Chantelle: revisionist history or fact?

Lacey whines, and I switch out the bobbin for the letter. “Come.”

We enter the training room, and she watches closely as I smear the letter—and Fabien’s dried blood—on the bite-training dummy.

Two graves

I’ve had years to mull over that Confucius quote, but what the philosopher didn’t understand is that my grave was already dug in that dumpster.

Stepping back, I call firmly, “Attack.”

With a growl, Lacey launches herself at the dummy, biting the arm and mauling her head back and forth.

“Glad to see you’re working with Lacey on the commands.” Her trainer appears in the doorway.

Haven’t decided if I’m digging a second grave, but I’ll be prepared, either way.

Allowing Lacey’s handler to take over training, I go in search of coffee.

Saint is seated at the kitchen table, huddled over some documents. “Don’t tell me a corpse in my kitchen is going to be a regular occurrence.”

He startles. “Sorry, Mrs. Calvani, I didn’t see you there. I have the hotel appraisal ready for your review, and the contract ready for your signature.”

“Are you always all business?” I wonder.

“Yes,” he admits, straightening the stack of documents.

I walk to the counter, pouring myself an espresso as I consider the man. “Did my husband earn your loyalty, or did he take it by force?”

A shadow of something passes before Saint schools his features. “Loyalty by definition isn’t coerced.”

That’s not an answer to my question, but I let him off the hook. “Let’s see this appraisal.” Sitting across from him, I accept the documents and read through them.

“And the contract,” he says, sliding it over. “As you can see, based on the appraisal, Mr. Calvani’s offer is fair.”

I read through it before tapping my nails on the table. “Tell your boss I’ll agree to his offer, but I want an additional half a million, off the books.”