Chapter 22
Maloney’s gaze turned frosty, a quiet anger simmering beneath the surface. “Who did you do it for p>
“Someone I care about, naturally p>
Jarred’s voice dropped, carrying a seductive magnetism that only made Maloney’s frown deepen.
Thinking back to the words Sienna and Luna had exchanged on the plane, he reached up to pinch the bridge of his nose. “Do you even know who you took that doctor from p>
Before Jarred could respond, Maloney clearly heard a sweet, feminine voice bleeding through the receiver. “Jarred, are we still drinking p>
Jarred hummed an acknowledgment, bringing the phone back to his ear with a dismissive laugh. “I don’t care p>
With that, he abruptly ended the call.
Maloney stared at the darkened screen, his grip on the device tightening.
Thinking of the woman’s voice on the line, a deep crease formed between his brows.
Half an hour later, Sienna arrived at the restaurant.
The table on the terrace was already laden with an exquisite spread of food.
She was genuinely hungry, and the rich aroma of the roasted lamb chops instantly awakened her appetite.
“Thank you, Maloney. I really wouldn’t have known what to do without you,” Sienna said earnestly, setting down her fork.
“Don’t be a stranger. Owen is my family, too p>
Maloney refilled her glass with warm water, his smile as gentle as ever. “Now that the paperwork is sorted, what’s your next move p>
It was the exact question that had been weighing heavily on Sienna’s mind.
“I spoke with the doctor. The recovery timeline post-surgery is going to be extensive—at least a year. Since there’s no set date for the operation yet, I can’t realistically stay out here the entire time p>
She paused. “But leaving Owen here all alone means I’d have to hire a private nurse. Knowing he wouldn’t have anyone familiar by his side… I just wouldn’t have any peace of mind p>
“You don’t need to worry about that,” Maloney offered smoothly. “My assistant based in Germany has a pretty light schedule right now. I can have him drop by regularly to check in. If you need anything specific, you can just coordinate directly with him p>
“Wouldn’t that interfere with your business Sienna instinctively tried to decline.
“Not at all,” Maloney smiled. “My expat assistant is on a fixed salary. Even if he doesn’t check on Owen, I’m still paying him to sit around. I might as well give him something useful to do p>
His rationale completely dismantled Sienna’s reservations.
A comforting warmth spread through her chest, and her tightly wound nerves finally began to loosen. “Maloney, I really… I don’t know how to thank you p>
“We’re family. There’s no need for thanks.” Maloney raised his glass.
Just then, a jarringly familiar burst of laughter cut through the ambient noise.
“With all the hotels in the city, you had to drag us all the way out here? You’re unbelievable The man’s voice was laced with its usual hypnotic cadence.
“What do you know!” the woman teased playfully, lightly punching his arm in an intimately flirtatious gesture.
“This hotel is famous around here for being the ultimate romantic getaway. I heard p>
She dragged out the syllables, pitching her voice perfectly so it carried straight to Sienna’s table. “If you bring the person you love most here, all your dreams will come true p>
Almost the second the words left her mouth, four pairs of eyes collided in the space between them.
The hand Sienna had wrapped around her water glass turned completely ice-cold.
Because the man speaking was Jarred, and the woman beside him was Celeste!
Celeste had nearly her entire upper body pressed flush against Jarred, her arm looped securely through his.
Watching them flirt so blatantly sent a violent wave of nausea crashing through Sienna’s stomach.
Jarred’s dark, fathomless gaze locked onto her.
Those mesmerizing eyes that usually looked at the world with utter indifference were now brimming with mockery, sharp and toxic like a poisoned blade!