year and parents continued to donate money to the school without even being asked. At Klineback Academy, her students had the best of technology and books. Anything she asked to have in her class she’d gotten without having to fill out any forms.
At Sunny High school, she had to buy her own supplies for the classroom, and her salary was half of what she’d made at the other school. Fortunately, Siena still had tons of money in the bank from her modeling career. She was always careful about how much she spent, knowing she couldn’t model for the rest of her life. Her career was cut short when she got pregnant, but she wouldn’t change what had happened for the world.
“Thank you for helping,” Siena said.
“Now, tell me about the douchebag, Kyle.” Angel huffed. “For the record, on day one, I told you he was a fuckwad and you could do better.”
“I agree he’s a fuckwad, and that’s putting it nicely. On my way out of the school, he cornered me at my car. I’m not sure how he got out of jail. What bothers me even more is that the arresting officer never called to tell me he was out of jail. And the FBI agent who made me wear the wire never gave me a heads-up about him being out.”
Worry sliced through Siena like a million little blades. Angel’s house was close to her own place. Maybe she needed to stay at a hotel. If I retract my statement, will he leave me alone?
Mia came running out of the room with her penguin and climbed up on her lap, and Siena held her close. All Siena wanted was to be a good mom. But every time her life was going the way she wanted, something happened to derail her plans. Now she was back at square one, and this time, her ex wanted something from her.
“You should’ve been called.” Angel ran her hands through her long black hair and pulled it up into a ponytail.
“Do you think the officers will help me?”
“I have contacts I’ve made over the years at the local police department. Let me make some calls in the morning to see what’s going on. I know one guy we can trust. I’m not sure if I trust the arresting officer since he didn’t call to let you know what was going on.”
The only experience Siena had with the police was what she saw on TV. “You sound a little paranoid. Were you binge-watching Criminal Minds again?”
Her friend looked out the window. “I guess maybe I do watch too many crime shows. Still, let me call my contact tomorrow.”
“Okay, I’m going to go tuck Mia in.”
Angel nodded, grabbed her glass, and went to the kitchen. Siena watched as her friend typed into her phone and sent off a text. There was something about Angel she couldn’t put her finger on. She moved the way Hudson did. Siena never saw her coming until she was next to her. I’m losing it, not trusting one of my only friends.
Angel’s phone beeped as Siena walked into her room and closed the door. Seconds later, her phone rang, but Siena couldn’t hear who she was talking to.
“Mommy, I’m tired.”
“Okay, sweetheart, let’s get you to bed.”
“Can you tell me another story about Daddy tonight?”
Siena closed her eyes, trying to calm the storm building inside her. She hoped Hudson would want to meet his daughter because her little girl wanted to meet her daddy. She climbed in bed next to Mia and talked about how Hudson had saved her from getting run over, a story that she told her every so often. Siena had been in DC. She wasn’t paying attention when she went to cross the road, and her knight had rescued her from a speeding car.
Mia was sleeping by the time she finished the story. Siena closed her eyes. When she was close to falling asleep, her phone beeped next to her.
Hudson: We need to talk.
Siena: Saturday.
She needed time to give herself a pep talk.
Hudson: No. You might be in danger. I need to get you out of your house.
Siena: I’m not home.
Hudson: Where are you?
Her phone started to ring, and she quickly answered.
“Where are you, Siena?” Hudson’s voice was demanding and growly.
“At a friend's house. I already know I’m in danger. I’m going to talk to a cop tomorrow.”
“So, you know there’s a reward out for you?”
A chill went down her spine. “No, but I will take care of