I force a smile. “You’re right, of course.”
“I'm sorry. I wish it were true. I really do.”
“Wait. How did you know I was there?”
Zane’s gaze travels to my neck and his fingers lift the locket, brushing against my skin. “Like I said, I wanted you to have something that connects you to me.”
I stare at him, surprised. “You mean this locket is a tracker?”
He ducks his head and gives me a sheepish grin. “What can I say? I worry about you.” His shoulders straighten. “And apparently, rightly so.”
“But how did you get in? Did you break in?”
“After I tracked your location, I called a friend of mine who works in the facility. He found you logged in the system and confirmed what I already knew. He told me to come by boat and left the back door open for me.”
The door to the bedroom swings open and in walks a gorgeous girl with hair the color of mahogany. She gives me a broad smile when she sees me. In one swift movement, Zane is on his feet. He kisses the girl on the cheek, and something black and ugly licks my insides. Who is this girl?
I hear them talking in hushed whispers as the girl keeps glancing in my direction. Her voice is louder, so I’m able to clearly hear what she’s saying.
“How is she?” she asks.
“Better,” Zane answers, his eyes sliding to mine.
“I still think she should go to the hospital—”
“No,” Zane says firmly. “No hospitals. She’ll be fine.”
They’re talking about me as if I’m not here. And I don’t like how the girl is resting her long, slender fingers on Zane’s chest.
“Hi,” I say, giving her a little wave. “I’m Sienna.”
The girl looks at Zane before turning to me and smiling. “Hi, Sienna, I’m Arian. Zane’s fiancée.”
My mouth drops open. I look at Zane. “Your fiancée? You never told me you have a fiancée.”
Zane’s gaze travels from me, and then back to Arian, before finally resting on me. “You don’t remember Arian?” He walks slowly toward me before sinking into the armchair beside the bed.
I look at Arian and study her delicate face—heart-shaped lips, perfectly arched eyebrows, slender figure, long, silky hair. I’m certain I’ve never seen her before. I shake my head, fear filling the back of my throat. What else don’t I remember? Who else have I forgotten?
Thankfully, this Arian girl takes it as her cue to leave. “I’ll be right out here if you need me,” she says to Zane. The door closes softly behind her.
The first words out of my mouth are, “You’re engaged?”
Zane nods, his eyes pained.
“Why? Why are you marrying her?”
“It’s complicated,” he says, his mouth tight.
“But—but what about us?” I ask hesitantly.
The sigh that escapes Zane’s lips is barely audible. “You don’t want an us.”
“That can’t be true—” I start to say, but Zane interrupts.
“Sienna, why are you here in the Capital?” He’s studying me, his eyes searching every inch of my face like there’s a detailed map there and he’s trying to find the key to unlocking its secrets.
Hmm, that’s a good question. I came to the Capital to… to…
I vaguely remember getting on the bullet train, but for the life of me, I can’t remember why. I shake my head in frustration. “I can’t remember.”
Zane leans closer until his face is only inches from mine. He has the teeniest, tiniest scar on his eyebrow that I never noticed before. It’s kind of cute.
“Does the name Trey Winchester ring a bell?”
Trey Winchester. Trey Winchester. I toss the name around my head a few times, but there’s nothing.
“No. Should it?”
As I watch Zane’s face for an indication of what I’m missing, I see the internal struggle he’s having. Finally, he sighs and says, “We’ll figure this out. Don’t worry.”
But when he stands and leans down to kiss my cheek, his lips lingering next to my ear, his breath warm on my skin, all I want to do is turn my head a few inches. Turn my head until my lips connect with his.
And as he walks out of the room, I suddenly have the feeling I’ve forgotten something. Something very important. But what?
17
SIENNA
“Have you remembered anything more?” Zane asks me as we walk along the boardwalk closest to the ocean with drippy ice cream cones in our hands. The sun is bright and beats down on my back.
I lick my cookies-and-cream scoop before it can run down my hand. “Not really.”
Zane leads me to a bench on the outskirts of a park that overlooks the water and the silver horseshoe that rises out of the ocean like a sentinel. We have a clear view of the launch that takes employees back and forth to the lab through an underwater tube. As we take a seat, Zane’s leg brushes against mine. I watch as his eyes scan the area in front of us, almost as if he’s looking for someone. I nudge him with my shoulder.
“Everything okay?”
“Of course.” He smiles at me. “I’m just enjoying spending time with you.”
I roll my eyes as I lick the other side of the cone to even it out. “Won’t Arian be jealous or something? I mean, she is, after all, your fiancée.”
Zane shrugs like it’s no big deal, but I see the embarrassed flush that creeps to his cheeks. “She understands.”
I tip my head to the side and stare at him. “Understands what?”
His head shakes slightly. “Can we talk about something else? I’d prefer not to talk about her while I’m with you.”
“Okay,” I say. I scoot a little closer and rest my head on his shoulder. My ice cream cone drips a little on his arm. “Sorry!” I sit up, laughing.
Zane chuckles and pulls a napkin from his pocket, wiping his arm. “It’s okay.”
As I lick all around the cone, I stare out at the ocean. The sun is now obscured by dark clouds that are moving in off the bay, like the beginnings of a foreboding storm. A chill runs up my back as the wind picks up.
“Looks like rain,” Zane murmurs, but his eyes aren’t focused on the clouds. Instead, they are on someone who’s exiting the tube. A dark-haired guy with broad shoulders and a confident stride to his walk.
Zane turns to me. Following my gaze, he asks, “Does he look familiar?”
I shake my head.
Nodding at the man’s retreating figure, Zane says, “His name is Trey Winchester.”
By now, I’ve gotten to the cone part and I take a big bite of the sugary goodness. “Okay.”
“And Trey Winchester…” Zane continues, watching me. “Well, he’s the whole reason we’re here.”
I stop in mid-chew. “Huh?”
“Trey Winchester…” Zane repeats slowly, as if he’s talking to a small child. “He is the reason you and I came to the Capital.”
My hand lowers, ice cream forgotten. “I don’t understand. Are you telling me that I know him?”
Zane nods. “Not only do you know him… you love him.”
I feel as though the breath has been knocked out of me, like I’ve been kicked repeatedly in the stomach. When I lean over, my head touches my knees as I try to grasp what Zane is saying. I love that person? How? I don’t even know him.
“Are you sure?” I whisper. I sit up, my eyes following this Trey guy as he takes a seat on a bench next to a very pretty girl with hair the color of honey butter, and then proceeds to kiss her. “Looks like he’s taken.”
“It’s a long story,” Zane says.
I turn and chuck the rest of my ice cream into one of the open incinerators a few yards away. It lands smoothly in the rounded barrel. Surprised, I look at Zane.
“Nice shot,” he says, smiling.
I grow serious. “Tell me. Tell me everything.”
Zane sighs. With his eyes fixed on the ocean, he replays the last few days—no, actually, he says some of this stuff happened a few weeks
ago. Some of it I remember, like my mom being abducted by Radcliffe and Zane helping me rescue her from the SGF, but when he talks about the Fringe or Trey, I have no recollection. It’s like he’s talking about someone else. Someone who’s not me.
“I was part of the Fringe? That extremist group?”
Zane nods. “You have no idea how much I wish I could lie to you and tell you that none of that ever happened—that you don’t love Trey—that you didn’t join the Fringe, but I can’t. I can’t lie to you. It wouldn’t be right.”
I stare across the park at Trey and the blonde as they eat their lunch together. “Does he not remember either?”
“His memories were altered, just like yours. He thinks he’s engaged to that girl. Her name is Rayne Williams.” He studies me. “You said you knew her?”
“No,” I say, shaking my head. “I don’t think so.”
“You do. You just don’t remember.”
Biting the inside of my cheek, I say, “So, why are we here? In the Capital, I mean?”
“Right after the SGF bombing, when you and Trey were recovering in my house, I found out that Trey is my brother. Same mother, different father.” Zane swallows. “We’re here to help him. Help him remember. And bring him home.”
“I don’t think I’ll be much use now,” I say sadly.
“This was your idea,” Zane says, his voice growing urgent. “You had a fire in you before. A desire for justice. Please tell me you didn’t lose that too.”
I concentrate for a moment on how I’m feeling. Mostly confused, a little irritated that I can’t remember anything, but no fire, no passion.
I sigh in frustration. “I’m sorry,” I whisper.
Zane’s arms are immediately around me, pulling me to his chest. “Hey, it’s okay. We’ll figure it out.” His voice is soothing, and when I look up into his eyes, into the yellow flecks embedded in the warm golden brown, I feel less confused. His gaze travels down to my mouth and then back up to my eyes, like he’s searching for something. Inches, mere inches, separate our lips, and if I strain my neck just a little—
Thunder sounds overhead, and I feel the first raindrops hit my face. Drawing back, Zane grabs my hand and pulls me to my feet. “Let’s find someplace to wait it out.”
The rain pounds down in sheets as we duck our heads and run for the nearest building, which is a block away from the park. As we run, Zane pulls me along, my short legs trying to keep up with his long ones.
When we reach the building, it’s locked. My chest heaves, trying to catch my breath.
“Business building,” Zane says over the roar of the rain. I think he means a keycard or digital scan for entry is needed. So instead, Zane pulls me around the side of the building until we’re protected by an overhang. The rain runs like a waterfall off the roofline, but the overhang protects us from getting wetter than we already are.
Zane’s breathing is smooth and controlled, but mine is erratic, my chest rising and falling twice as fast as his.
“Great job keeping up with me,” Zane teases, the water droplets from his hair running down his neck and into his shirt.
“Hey, I tried,” I protest, glancing down at my dripping legs. “With short legs like these, running has never been my forte.”
A loud clap of thunder makes me jump, bringing me closer to Zane.
He grins, staring down at me. The air between is charged with electricity just like the stormy air all around us. His eyes fixate on my mouth, and I can feel the blood pulsing through my body. But to my disappointment, he looks away and sighs.
“What?” I ask.
He motions to the two of us. “This. Us.”
“What about us?”
Zane’s mouth moves into a firm, straight line. “You chose Trey. Every time. And now—now it’s like everything’s…”
“Different?” I finish for him.
“Yes, different.” He looks away, past the wall of water. “I don’t know how to feel about it.”
“Does it matter how I felt before?” I say. “Does it matter who I chose before?” I touch the side of his face, using my fingers to guide his gaze back to mine.
“I want to say no; I really do. But I can’t. It does matter. It always will.”
“But I’m different now.” I focus on his lips, his smooth, full lips that turn down when he’s concerned. I wish I could kiss his concern away.
“I know,” he says softly. “And that’s what scares me, yet, thrills me at the same time.”
“We’ll figure it out,” I say, using the same phrase he keeps trying to reassure me with.
His eyes focus on my mouth again, and his hands grip the front of my wet T-shirt in his fists, dragging me closer. “I’m sorry,” he whispers before his lips touch mine.
I’m not sure why he’s apologizing. It certainly can’t be for the kiss because it is beyond amazing. One hand moves to my neck, sweeping aside the wet hair that clings to it, while the other fits perfectly around my waist. My arms encircle his neck, my fingers pulling through his rain-slicked hair and skimming his hairline. Zane shivers and kisses me deeper, his touch and kisses hitting me in the deepest part of my belly.
The rain is letting up around us, the thunder now a distant boom, but I focus on the feel of his lips on mine, the warmth of his hands through my damp shirt, and the smell of his skin. Sandalwood and spice. When we pull apart, my heart is hammering against my ribs like a bass drum, and my breathing is rapid.
Zane rests his forehead against mine and stares into my eyes. “I hope you don’t hate me for doing that,” he says.
Why would I hate him? It was the best kiss I’ve ever had. At least, I think it was…
“I don’t hate you.” I smile up at him. “All I’m thinking about is when we can do that again.”
Zane chuckles, but I can see the worry in his eyes. “Not soon enough.” He kisses me on the nose before releasing me. The rain has stopped completely now, and the sun is beginning to peek behind the clouds. The dark gray sky has moved past, and now only blue remains. Glancing up at the sky, Zane says, “Let’s go home.”
As we walk along the boardwalk, headed for the condo, I can’t help but wonder why Zane looks so serious.
18
ZANE
The condo is quiet when we get back; Arian must be out shopping, which I’ve come to realize she does quite a bit. I’m actually glad she isn’t here to see Sienna and I enter the condo together, both drenched from the rain. I think the guilt would be written on my face, and she would quickly guess that there’s more to Sienna than family relations. I’m almost surprised she hasn’t already caught on. It’s getting harder and harder to hide my feelings for Sienna.
When we enter, Sienna and I both go still. The place is trashed. It looks like someone came through and dumped out every drawer and tore apart every cabinet, leaving a wake of destruction. The cushions have been ripped from the couch and flung across the room. Lamps are overturned, the shades crushed, and books are strewn all over the floor.
Instinctively, I push Sienna behind me like I can protect her.
“What happened?” she asks, her voice small.
“Stay here,” I whisper. I go room to room, and each one looks the same. Torn apart, emptied out, destroyed. They were clearly looking for something. Or someone.
“We have to get out of here,” I say, hurrying back over to Sienna, who is still standing in the entryway. “How quickly can you change your clothes and pack a bag?”
“Um, pretty quick?” She bites her lower lip, and my eyes are drawn to her mouth.
I shake my head. Focus, Zane. Now is not the time.
“Meet me right here in five minutes,” I say. “Okay?”
She nods, but I can see the fear in her eyes. With this memory loss, she’s so different. She’s a softer version of the Sienna I fell in love with, one I want to protect all the more.
I grab a duffle bag from my closet and fill it with clothes, toiletries, and a few books. After tugging off my
wet clothes, I get dressed in pants and a shirt. When five minutes have passed, I return to the living room where I find Sienna gingerly stepping over a pile of books.
“Who would do this?” she asks, bending down to pick up one of the books. She stares at the cover, reading the title aloud. “Poetry Through the Ages.” Her eyes focus on me. “Are you a fan of poetry?”
I shrug and grab the book from her hands. “We can take this if you want to read it.” I shove it into my duffle bag and take her hand. “All set?”
She nods, scanning the place. “You’re just going to leave it like this?”
“I’ll have someone come in and clean. Once we’re gone.” I begin to pull her toward the door, but she hesitates.
“Where will we go?”
I haven’t thought that far ahead, my only concern getting her to a safe place. “We’ll figure it out.”
Still, her feet remain firmly planted. “What about Arian? We can’t just leave without telling her.”
“I’ll send her a message right now.”
Satisfied with my answers, Sienna moves forward, following me out the door and to the elevator. On the ride to the ground floor, I send Arian a voice message so she won’t come back to the condo and be shocked out of her mind.
“Arian, my father decided to have the floors in the condo redone this week, so we can’t stay there after all. Sienna and I will be at a hotel, but perhaps you’d be more comfortable staying with your friend Wendy for a few days? Once you let me know where you’ll be, I’ll have Geoff bring your bags over. Sorry for the inconvenience.”
When I end the message, Sienna gives me a slight nod of approval.
Geoff, my chauffeur, has the car waiting by the curb when we exit the building. He lifts open the door for Sienna and me to climb into the back. When he asks where we’re headed, I tell him the fanciest hotel that I can think of—the Windsor Hotel. I’m sure he’s surprised I’m taking another girl to such an extravagant hotel, but he doesn’t question me. Sienna, however, does.
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