“If Sienna is upset, there’s every reason for me to be here.” Ethan held his own with her siblings, and was it wrong for Sienna to find that just a little arousing?

“Ethan, it’s just that…” Her mother’s voice trailed off. “We made a mistake and Sienna is understandably upset.”

Her words made Ethan’s scowl worsen. “She’s not supposed to be stressed.”

“I’m an adult! I can handle the information that affects my life and the people around me, and I’m sick and tired of being babied! I’m not sick with cancer anymore!” she yelled, then stormed out of the room without looking back.

Her heart pounded rapidly in her chest and her pulse was racing as she headed out to the car. It was obvious to her that her family still considered her a child and incapable of handling important news until there was no choice but to pull her in. And that stung.

Tears spilled out of her eyes, which annoyed her, too. She was too emotional but Ethan was right. She wasn’t supposed to get upset.

Waiting for him, she lowered herself to the curb and focused on calming herself down. For the baby’s sake. As far as her family was concerned, she was furious and she needed space.

* * *

Ethan stared at the three people closest to Sienna in disbelief. “Two of you know firsthand the doctor said no stress.” His gaze went from Alex to Sienna’s mother. He glanced at Jason. “You don’t know but I’m guessing the message was relayed. So what gives?”

Jason, the man Ethan had never seen before, glared at him, but Alex looked contrite.

“Shit,” the man muttered. “I have a wife. I know better than to keep secrets.”

Jason rolled his eyes. “We agreed she didn’t need to be upset.”

“Well, maybe you need to agree on the fact that she’s a grown woman you need to treat with respect.” Ethan glanced at Sienna’s mother.

“He’s right, boys. We made a calculated error. We meant well, but she should have been told from the beginning that your father is, once again, a no-good, cheating, lying bastard.”

Ethan winced. Well, that gave him the information he needed. This mess had something to do with Robert Dare, and from the sound of it, he was back to his old ways.

“Are you three okay? Can I go after Sienna? And you’ll call her later and make peace? I don’t want her worked up.”

The three of them nodded.

It was Alex who stepped up. “I’m not happy that you knocked up my baby sister but you seem to care about her.”

“I do. I’m going to protect her and do right by her. And if that means she needs a break from her family, that’s what she’s going to get,” Ethan warned them and he had an idea about how to do just that.

“I’m going to hold you to those words,” Jason said. “I may be in New York but my reach is long.”