Her inconsiderate, selfish proposal is unfathomable. It has me saying, “Before any plans are discussed, we need your DNA chart, Sienna.”
“That won’t be necessary,” Balthazar dismisses.
“I disagree,” I tell him, standing. I need to manage this fiercely hot, protective instinct I’m feeling right now, and I’m hoping pacing it out will help. And even if I’m no blood relation here, I’m fighting with everything I have for my trio. Tamping down my ire, I aim for calm professionalism. “Firstly, any good business decision is made on all the available information, which we’re missing here. I think we would all agree that vital details need to be ascertained. Secondly, have you never noticed how she looks nothing like you?” I mention softly, hoping not to offend this man who I have so much respect for. “Look at your sons, Balthazar. Strikingly tall, caring to a fault, smart as shit, collaborative.”
“Stick to warming their beds and stay out of our family business.”
“Sienna,” Balthazar warns. “Show some respect.”
She blanches. It has me wondering if that’s the first time he’s ever reprimanded her. “What for?” she levels at her father. “Maybe she wants another brother. Aren’t the French meant to be skillful lovers?”
Brecken seethes, “Shut up, Sienna.”
“I’d have thought you’d want to prove your position within the family,” I insist, giving Sienna a steely-eyed look. “Once we know for certain, then this conversation can take place.”
“I agree,” Luca says, standing and nodding at me. “Until then, fuck off.”
“Dad!” Sienna shrieks. “Are you going to let Winter dismiss me like this? To talk to your daughter like I’m nothing?! I deserve to—”
“That’s enough,” Balthazar says decisively. “I respect Winter and her interrogative mind greatly. So, on Monday, when you return—and I’m sorry to interrupt your weekend,” he says sincerely, “—you all deserved this time together, I’ll arrange for Dr. Sachs to do the necessary blood tests.”
Silently, Sienna fumes.
Brecken levels a cool gaze at Laurent. “What do you want the money for?”
“I want to open a philosophy retreat near Tours. It has been my dream for some time.”
“Ambitious,” Reuben praises. It’s a small insight into Laurent’s mind, but it already demonstrates a similarity to the other Wolfford sons. “You don’t fancy working for the family business? We have hotels in several major French cities.”
A polite shake of his head.
“How much do you need?”
Laurent seems to count in his head. “Two million gives me a cushion. I don’t want much.”
“Laurent,” Sienna hisses. “You can get a lot more.”
“I don’t need more,” he insists, regarding her with a cool look.
Her attention turns to me. “You should know, Winter, that Dad wants you to marry one of your fuck-buddies.”
I try not to react. It brings me back to when I first met the poison pixie.All she wants to do is destroy and shock.Not for one minute do I think she’s being truthful.“I thought that was your suggestion.”
“No. I don’t like you. Why would I want you as my sister-in-law?”
Like poison ivy she clings to her ruse, one that’s probably lasted years. Her tenacity is almost admirable, but the lies and deceit will see her ripped out from the roots.
Balthazar sucks in a tentative breath. “We’ll discuss this another time,” he suggests, eyeing Roo, Luca, Brecken, and me in turn.
Oh god, I think he’s serious.
Flummoxed, I look to Laurent, a curious brow raised. “I am sorry too. I didn’t realize I was getting involved in such difficult conversations.” He looks at Sienna, mistrust evident. “You told me selling had been agreed.”
“Almost,” she sing songs.
“What happened to you?” Brecken asks in a deathly quiet voice. “This isn’t misogyny when I ask: do you need help, Sienna?”
Her face folds in half, her voice trembling. “Brecken,” she sniffs. “You’ve always been there for me, and I need you now more than ever.”