Page 48 of Next in Line

“Just promise that you’ll come visit us more often,” Tessa said, and Jensen promised he’d do his best.

With another supporter in their corner, it was time to say goodbye. Sienna gave them space to say goodbye to Jensen. Riley followed her and sat next to her on the porch.

“Thanks for telling me the truth,” Sienna told him.

“Thank you for caring about him.”

Sienna snorted. “It was hard at first. He can be a bit of an asshole.”

“Yeah, he can,” Riley said with a chuckle and shook his head. “Take care of yourself, Sienna. I hope to see you again.”

His brown eyes turned heavy-lidded as they locked onto Sienna’s. The smile faded from his face, replaced by startling intensity as his head dipped down. She closed her eyes, preparing herself for a kiss that never came. His lips brushed her cheek instead, and he pulled away with a sad smile.

“In another life…” he said, then trailed off, leaving the unsaid words hanging in the air.

Sienna nodded, understanding what he meant. Riley loved Jensen like a brother and respected him enough not to go after what he must’ve thought was his girl. She was too touched to break the illusion.

“Bye, Riley,” she said with a wave before climbing into the car.

With the axe being buried, the atmosphere in the car was lighter and more companionable. They didn’t talk much, but there could be noted occasional humming along to the music and even a few exchanged smiles.

Sienna’s phone buzzed with a message, making her jump. Jensen looked at her from the side, and she gave him an embarrassed smile.

Not many people had her phone number, mostly the Carrington heirs, and they weren’t in the habit of using it. They preferred an in-person interaction, but it made sense that she got a message now after being away from home for so long. When she opened it, it wasn’t just the sender that surprised her, but also the content.

Adrianna:We need to talk. Find me as soon as you get home. Stay away from your brother. He’s dangerous!

Sienna’s breath got stuck in her throat and her heart clenched in her chest. Her body went rigid as the color drained from her face. Adrianna wouldn’t send her such an ominous message without a reason. Maybe in the end, she wouldn’t have a family after all.

Jensen and Brian didn’t notice her discomfort and quietness throughout the ride. It was easy to hide her thoughts because they didn’t talk much anyway. As soon as they came home, Sienna made an excuse about being tired and wanting to freshen up after a long ride and went to her room, hoping that Adrianna would be there.

“Ade! What happened?” Sienna asked her friend the moment she entered the room.

Adrianna stopped whatever she was doing and bolted to the door, pulling Sienna into a strong hug. “I’m so glad you’re okay.”

The hair on Sienna’s arms rose at her friend’s frightened tone and darting eyes. Her behavior was contagious, the paranoia already rubbing on her when Adrianna went to lock the door, but not before checking that there wasn’t anyone in the hallway.

“What’s going on?” Sienna asked again, wanting answers.

Adrianna took her hand and led her to the chair, urging her to sit down, then sat down herself, which was so unlike her.

“I talked to your brother,” Adrianna started, keeping her voice low. “Do you remember when I told you that he flirted with me?”

Sienna nodded. “Yeah, you found it cute but never thought much of it because of the age difference.”

“Let me just say that Angel doesn’t live up to his name,” Adrianna snorted, forgetting herself.

If Sienna wasn’t so anxious to hear what happened, she would laugh at Adrianna’s joke, but instead, all she could get from it was that her sweet friend called her brother a devil.

“I don’t think he’ll do anything right now, but if a chance presents itself, your life might be in danger,” Adrianna warned her, then continued to explain before Sienna could ask, “He’s not too happy about not being the Lockwood heir anymore. He’s very bitter and isn’t afraid to be vocal about it.”

“What did my father and mother say?” Sienna asked, still feeling weird at referring to the Lockwoods that way.

“I don’t know. My social standing is too low to be around them,” she admitted. “I’ve only heard Angel talking to his friends and some people from their household that I didn’t know. I’ve made it my mission to be around him as much as possible to find out anything that could keep you safe.”

“Thank you, Ade. You’re a great friend,” Sienna told her and squeezed her hand.

“What will you do?”