All It Takes (Romancing Manhattan 2)

Holy shit, Bruce is going to do the right thing.

“I’m going to drop the case, Quinn. And I think it’s time for Sienna to know what’s going on.”

Thank fuck.

“I’m glad you’ve made this decision. I think it’s the right one. I’ll get the paperwork going.”

“What’s going to happen to Patrick Hendricks?”

“Well, he’s committed fraud, and bribery, so the city could press charges, but that will be up to them. I’ll keep you posted, but in the meantime, do you have anything in writing?”

“Just the note from Patrick that came with the letter. He called today, and I didn’t record it.”

“That’s fine,” I say. “I think the important thing is that you’re dropping the case. I’ll get that in motion right away.”

I end the call and drag my hand down my face. I’m relieved that I don’t have to keep lying to Sienna and worried about how she’s going to take the news.

She doesn’t have her phone on her, but I call it anyway.

When it goes to voice mail, I leave a message. “Hey, it’s me. I need you to call me right away. Right away, Sienna.”

Then I send a text for good measure.

Call me as soon as you get your phone. It’s urgent.

Chapter Eighteen

~Sienna~

I’m looking forward to lunch with my mom. I don’t know for sure that she’s home since I can’t call her, but I hope she is. I was reminded yesterday that I don’t see my family often enough, especially lately.

But with our final court date being a week from today, things should go back to normal soon where my schedule is concerned, and I can look in on my parents more often.

I park in the driveway, surprised to see my uncle Patrick’s car also parked out front. I never knock on my parents’ door. I tried once when I came home from college, and my mom lectured me on how this is still my house, and I don’t ever have to knock when I visit.

So I walk through the door, but before I can peek into the living room, I overhear my name, stopping me in my tracks.

“I don’t think Sienna knows,” Uncle Patrick says. “Bruce mentioned to me that Quinn does, but I guess hopping in bed with her doesn’t necessarily mean that he tells her everything.”

“That’s what we were worried about,” Dad replies and every hair on my body stands on end. “So Quinn is a good lawyer.”

“As is your daughter,” Uncle Patrick responds. “Better than we thought.”

“It doesn’t matter how good she is,” Dad says, “if she doesn’t have the proof of the last payment.”

“What were the odds that I’d find that journal in the boxes I took from Dad’s?” Uncle Patrick says, a huge smile in his voice. I can’t help but peek around the wall, to see them sitting, smiling and chatting as if they’re talking about a great golf game, rather than the fact that they’re trying to screw over our family.

I’m stunned. Am I hearing what I think I’m hearing?

“What did Bruce say when you told him you could make the proof go away?” Dad asks.

“He said he’d have to think about it, but it’s a no-brainer. He pays us the million, I burn the journal and the letter, and he owns the property. It’s worth far more than one million dollars.”

“Which is why I’m pissed that Dad left it to the city,” Dad replies. His voice is hard now. “He gave too much of the money to the girls and the fucking church, and all we get is his house? Along with a paltry amount of cash? It’s absurd.”

I can’t stand it anymore. Every fiber of my being is vibrating with fury. I walk around the wall, plant my hands on my hips, and glare at the surprised men, the men I’ve always trusted my whole life, who I just discovered I don’t even know.

“I can’t believe what I just heard.”

“What did you hear, baby girl?” Dad asks.

“Every fucking thing you said in the past five minutes.”

Both men go pale and I spy the journal on the table, with a letter peeking out of the top. I swipe it up and tuck it under my arm.

“Now, Sienna, you don’t know all the details and reasons that we had to do this,” Dad says as he stands, and I shake my head, backing away from him.

“Do you know how many reasons would be valid? Zero. You didn’t own the property and you’re mad about it? You’re acting like spoiled children who didn’t get your way. Which is exactly what you are.”

“You don’t know anything,” Uncle Patrick begins, but I hold my hand up to stop him.

“I know that you offered to make this proof go away for a million dollars. I know that’s fraud and bribery, which are both illegal. I know that you’re fucking over your own family and community.”