Page 200 of John + Siena: The Complete Duet

They also made it clear she was to attend church with her mother.

Well …

Siena was here.

So was her mother.

She couldn’t promise to stay, though. Not when she knew John was just within her reach, and so was the taste of freedom. Even if that bit of freedom wouldn’t last for long.

It didn’t matter.

The opportunity was too good to pass up.

Siena passed another look at her enforcer as she slipped the phone back into her purse. The man’s attention was still firmly stuck on the phone in his hand. It looked like he was playing a game of some sort.

She swore she could hear the clock ticking down in the back of her mind. It was getting louder by the second.

Taunting her, even.

Goddamn.

She forced her attention back to the priest. His sermon on faith and love to one’s family was entirely lost on her. Or perhaps, she just didn’t have the right family at the moment to give those things to.

Soon, the service was over. People stood from the pews, and Siena followed suit. She had been at least able to drive herself to church in her Lexus, which was one less thing for her to figure out at the moment.

She only needed to get away …

“You should come over for dinner,” her mother said behind her.

Siena stiffened. “Not tonight, Ma.”

Turning, she faced Coraline. Her mother reached out to fix a stray curl, but Siena quickly stepped out of Coraline’s reach. She was not interested in entertaining the woman’s false affections. Besides, her mother’s love was dependent on how well-behaved and loyal Siena was to their family.

“I do miss spending time with you,” her mother said.

Siena nodded, and smiled. “I’m sure you do, Ma. Tonight, I have other plans.”

“Like what? I know your brothers are out of town. You must be bored in Kev’s brownstone all by yourself. Surely, you’re not entertaining …” Coraline trailed off, and nodded in the direction of the waiting enforcer. “Neither of your brothers need that kind of trouble, Siena.”

God, no.

She didn’t even hide how disgusting the idea made her feel.

“No, not that, Ma,” Siena muttered. “I just meant I wanted a quiet night. Me, my book, and maybe some wine.”

Those were most definitely not her plans, but as long as it got her mother off her back …

Coraline’s bitterness was back in a blink. “Well, don’t say I didn’t try.”

“I would never, Ma.”

Because she didn’t try.

Neither did Siena.

This was just another game.

Siena allowed her mother to kiss her cheeks, and offered the same in return. She watched her mother step out of the pew and into the aisle before she turned to face the waiting enforcer. The man looked like he was ready to leave.