[Truyện Tiếng Anh] The Next Sin

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I expected no less. I knew Mum would go overboard.

I’m not sure Bleu fully understands what our extravagant wedding celebration represents. “Mum and Dad are pleased about our union. They approve of you and this reception was their way of conveying those feelings to the brotherhood. Because my parents are happy about our marriage, they command our people to be as well. Nothing less will be tolerated.”

“I had no idea. I’ll need to find a way to thank your parents, particularly Isobel, for going *****ch extremes to ensure my acceptance.”

“You can cook for them sometime. That’ll be thanks enough. They’ll love your southern cuisine.”

“I can do that.”

We lie in bed, neither of us saying a word. The minutes tick by and I become increasingly nervous about broaching the subject of the IVF procedure.

I listen to her breathing for a moment to see if it’s slow and steady. It’s not. I whisper her name to gain her attention, but not wake her if she has fallen asleep.

“Mmm-hmm?”

Good. She’s still awake. “Can we talk about the IVF?”

“Sure.” The mattress dips as she moves.

I’ve practiced what I’d say in my head all day. “We must make a decision based on what’s best for us in the present since we don’t know what the future holds. The timing might not be ideal, but if we’re lucky enough for the IVF to work, I will never look at our child and wish we didn’t have him or her. And I don’t believe you will, either. However, if we don’t pursue it, we could spend the rest of our lives with regret. I’d like to do the embryo transfer now.”

“You sound very decided.”

“I am. I want our own child if there’s a possibility to make that happen.”

“I spoke to my sister today. She told me having a baby early was better than never. The word ‘never’ got stuck in my head and I thought about it all day. I was reminded that I’m not the only one in this marriage, so I have to consider what never having our own child means to you as well. I could only come to one conclusion. Early is a much better alternative to never. But that means if it’s successful, I’m going to need your help with my plan. I won’t be able to do it alone.”

“Bonny. Have you yet to figure out that baby or not, you were never going to carry this out alone?” Even if I’d not made the arrangement with her father, I wouldn’t let her go through with her plan. I never want her heart to carry the darkness that accompanies cold-blooded murder.

* * *

It’s Monday—first day back to work following our reception. I’m not certain I’m fully recovered from the hangover. I’m never getting drunk on champagne again. Yesterday was brutal.

I’m leaning over the sink trimming my facial hair when Bleu comes into the bathroom, yawning and sleepy-eyed. The lass is definitely no morning person.

“I’m sorry. Did the buzz of my shaver wake you?”

She shakes her head. “No. I’m up because I’m going to work with you.”

This is news to me. “Why?”

“Isobel wants me to become familiar with Breckenridge Incorporated. She says it’s important for me to understand how it functions.”

Mum is right. Bleu needs to have an understanding of how we run things so she’s prepared when Mum’s role is passed to her.

“Sterling will be here in forty minutes.” Lie. He won’t actually be here for another hour but I know how she is and I don’t want her making me late.

“I’ll be ready when he arrives.”

Oddly, I like the idea of Bleu going to work with me. I miss her during the long hours I’m away so it’ll be nice to have her near.

“I wish I could give you the tour but I have court. I’ll need to use my morning preparing.”

“No problem. I can find one of the Fellowship women to show me around.”

“If not, I’ll find someone for you.”

My father approaches the building housing Breckenridge Incorporated as we near the entrance. He holds the door, surprise on his face. “What brings my beautiful daughter-in-law to the office so early this morning?”

“Isobel suggested I come down and have a look around, maybe become familiar with how things run.”

“Ahh … a very good idea. You could learn a lot from Isobel.”

“I already have and I’m certain there’s much more to come.”

As much as my parents hate one another, even my father has to admit that my mum is his biggest supporter when it comes to leadership within The Fellowship. He may be the head but she is the neck. They were never fine examples to follow when it comes to marriage but leadership is an entirely different story. The two of them together could rule any kingdom.

We part ways with my father at the lift.

“How many floors does Breckenridge Incorporated occupy?” Bleu asks.

“Three through five are ours.”

“The offices on those levels are filled by BI?”

“Aye. We have a lot going on around here.”

“I’m beginning to see that.”

“I would think you’d already be privy to the business here after watching us for so long.”

“We had no idea it was this extensive.”

“Good. That means we’ve kept things on the down-low, which is exactly what we want.”

It’s early so we pass empty desks on the way to my office. “Welcome to the legal department.”

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We go inside and Bleu immediately looks around. She isn’t interested in the cool gray walls, contemporary office furniture, or shelves of law books. Her eyes go straight for the leather sofa. “You have a couch in your office?”

“Aye, and I’ve spent quite a few nights on it.” But not a single one since we’ve been married. There’s been no need. I want to be at home in bed with my wife every night.

She narrows her eyes at me. “You better mean sleeping.”

“It was mostly tossing and turning. Being at the flat without you was miserable but the nights were even worse. I worked myself ragged trying to get you out of my head. I slept here so I didn’t have to go home to our empty bed.”

“That’s sort of sweet.”

I move to stand behind her and place my hands on her hips. I use them to drive her toward the couch until the front of her thighs are pressed against the arm. “You should know I have every intention of ****ing you on this sofa. I think we should christen it right now.”

“At seven in the morning when your assistants could come into work at any minute?”

“Linsey is always the first one here but she never arrives before a quarter after—just like clockwork. That gives us fifteen minutes.”

I reach beneath her skirt and kiss the back of her neck as she twists to look at me over her shoulder. “Who is Linsey?”

I slide my hand up the back of her thigh. “My paralegal.”

She grabs my wrist, stopping me from going further. “You’ve never talked about her.”

And I don’t wish to now, either. “I’ve had no reason to. We never discuss my job.”

“How long has she worked for you?”

I’m not surprised my wife wants details. I would if she were working side by side with a man I didn’t know.

“When I was in law school, Linsey came forward and volunteered to be my paralegal when I became defender for the brotherhood. The Fellowship sent her to college where she was properly trained to be my legal assistant.”

“So this has been in the works for years?”

“Yes. Only men must choose a service to The Fellowship when they come of age but some women do as well—the ones who want to work and contribute by means other than being claimed and taken care of by a man.”

“I’m sure it was a painful choice on her part to volunteer to be up your ass every day. Let me guess. She isn’t married?”

“No, but I am. Happily.”

I know where Bleu’s going with this. She’s suggesting Linsey volunteered as a close contact so she could pursue snagging me. And my wife’s absolutely right. Linsey has confirmed that as her intention on more than one occasion.

Complete honesty. It’s the only way to handle this.

“She has tried to **** me but I turned her down.”

Bleu twists in my arms so we’re face to face. “Since we’ve been together?”

“Technically, we weren’t together. She didn’t come to work for me until after I finished my traineeship. It happened after you were back in the US.”

“She had no idea I left you. As far as she was concerned, we were still a couple when she tried to sleep with you. That’s a betrayal against me.”

I was wrong. She’s not jealous. She’s angry.

“You should know now that Linsey and I will be having our own Fellowship meeting later today.”

I look at the clock and see we’ve wasted three of our fifteen minutes having this asinine conversation. “Fine. You’re to become her leader. Handle it the way you think you must. Until then, shut up and kiss me,” I growl before my lips crash against hers.

She doesn’t push away. Instead, she melts into my arms.

Her mouth tastes minty fresh but it’s not what I’m craving. “Turn around.”

I help her twist so she’s facing the sofa again. I put my hand between her shoulder blades and push them down so her bum is bent over the arm—right where I want it. I glide my hand over one cheek before lifting it and bringing my palm down against it playfully, but with enough force to catch her attention.

She squeals. “Oh! What was that for?”

“I want your full attention on us and what we’re about to do. Your wild imagination conjuring things that have not happened has no place here. Understand?”

“Aye,” she says, a giggle escaping.

I laugh at her use of the word I so often say to her. “Good. I’m happy we’re on the same page.”

I lift the bottom of her black skirt so her bum is exposed. She’s wearing pink knickers, the ones barely covering anything. No surprise there. I saw her put them on when she was getting ready this morning. They made me hard then and they’re making me hard now.

I glide my palm over the silky fabric barely covering the cheek I spanked. “I’ve spent a lot of nights on this couch wondering where you were and imagining what I’d do to you if I ever got you like this.”

“And now that you have me where you want me, what are you going to do?”

I glide my middle finger down her cleft, only the fabric of her knickers preventing me from pushing my finger inside. “Things so dirty they should never be done in the light of day.”

She straightens her arms and presses them into the cushion of the sofa, bracing for what’s to come.

I look at the clock and then at the open door. ****! I should have closed it. My mistake. But in my defense, I didn’t know we were going to have a conversation about a sofa that would spark me bending my wife over its arm for an early-morning shag.

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I’m wrestling with the choice of dragging Bleu’s knickers to her knees or helping her upright and offering a rain check for my dirty deeds.

My decision is made for me when I hear the closing of Linsey’s desk drawer, announcing her arrival. No kidding. She’s been working here for months and has arrived at a quarter after on the dot every single day. Until now. She’s nine minutes early. “Un-****ing-believable.”

Bleu looks over her shoulder at me. “What?”

“She’s in early today.”

Bleu drops her head and sighs. “Dammit. I was so looking forward to seeing what you classified as an act so dirty it should never be done in the light of day.”

I kiss the back of her head and pull her skirt down to cover her bum. I pat it lovingly before helping her to stand. “Later. You have my word.”

“That’s a promise I’ll expect you to keep.”

* * *

My wife is pleasant to Linsey when they’re introduced but I don’t mistake their meeting for anything other than what it is—the calm before the storm. Linsey has a special kind of hell waiting for her, and its name is Bleu Breckenridge.

Since I have last-minute preparations for court, I place Bleu in the capable hands of my mum’s oldest and dearest friend, Treva, for a tour of the third floor.

I’m finishing up the final touches of my argument when my father appears at my office door. “Got a minute?”

I look at the clock. “I have exactly fourteen to spare.”

“Good. What I have to say can be said in thirteen.”

“That’ll be all, Linsey.”

“Yes, sir.”

My father waits until the door is shut. It’s his way. He never talks shop in front of anyone but those who sit at the leadership table. Doesn’t matter how trivial. “You must be proud to see your wife showing an interest in BI.”

“Of course. Mum was right *****ggest Bleu make a visit.”

“I agree. It’s very important for Bleu to understand the business part of The Fellowship but as your wife, she has another very important job as well. Is she aware of the expectations placed upon her?”

I’m a little surprised my father is already bringing this up. “She knows and it’s in the works.”

My father grins. “Bleu’s already pregnant?”

“Not yet, but she’s agreed to work on it. We saw a doctor last week and he gave us the go-ahead.” I’m not telling my father about Bleu’s reproductive issues. It’ll only cause unnecessary concern.

“My grandchildren will be Amanda’s grandchildren. They’ll each carry a small piece of her and me in them. You can’t imagine how incredibly special that will make them to me.”

I hadn’t thought of that.

“Your mum will be so pleased to have a baby in the family. She adores children.”

“I suspect as much.” I’m certain my mum is itching to get her hands on a grandchild since all of her children were taken from her so young.

I understand my father did what he thought was right for The Fellowship but he was wrong. And I don’t plan on repeating his mistakes. He needs to know this early on. “If we have a son, I won’t take him from her.”

“You don’t have a choice. Your son must be raised in The Fellowship way.”

“And he will be—raised by both of his parents.”

“The brotherhood will not agree.”

“Their approval is not a requirement.”

“Your son will be a weak leader if he’s not raised among strong councilmen.”

My father is wrong. “I’m stronger with Bleu by my side. The same will be true for our children. End of story.”

Chapter Fifteen

Bleu Breckenridge

Treva has shown me far more than I ever wanted to see on the third floor housing BI. The average person walking through would only see a nice business front. What they wouldn’t pick up on is the slew of illegal activities happening behind the scenes.

They steal from thieves, terrorists, rival criminal organizations, and so on. I find myself justifying the acts they commit. The longer I’m one of them, the easier it is to turn a blind eye. The agent I was a year ago would never have done that.

I return to the legal department and to Sin’s office. I sit in his chair and pick up the framed photo of us on his desk. It was taken at my initiation during the vow ceremony. He had just cut my hand, and then his own. Our fingers are laced, a trickle of blood oozing down our arms. It was such a primitive thing for him to do. And hot. I still remember how much I wanted him afterward.

My phone alerts me to a new message.

*Tied up with a client. Don’t know how long I’ll be. See you at home in a little while. Love you.*

Well, no christening the couch tonight. And no dirty deeds that should never see the light of day. Not that they would have anyway. It’s already dark out.

I pull on my coat and situate my scarf so I don’t freeze my ass off when I walk out into the frigid wind. It’s going to take awhile for this southern girl to grow accustomed to the cold.

I leave my husband’s office and find Linsey sitting at her desk. It’s after five o’clock and she’s the only one left—besides me.

“Linsey.” She jerks at the sound of my voice. She’s undeniably surprised to see me.

She clears her voice and does a terrible job of forcing a faux cough as I move toward her. She fidgets, straightening stacks of files on her desk, moving the same pile three times.

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“Did you have a good day touring BI?”

“Very good, thank you.”

I’m not like other women. I don’t feed into female drama. I’ve never played their catty games and I won’t now. But I strongly suspect this woman is hanging around the office to steal a moment with my husband. She needs to understand that’s unacceptable and I won’t tolerate it.

I wheel an empty chair from a neighboring vacant desk into Linsey’s space. I sit so we’re facing one another.

My original plan was to get in her face, threaten her with bodily harm if she ever tried that **** with my husband again. The scene played out in my head most of the morning. But my plan has changed. The strong woman Sin needs by his side wouldn’t deal with this situation in that manner.

Leadership isn’t a position or title. It’s action and example. Everyone is watching to see how I’ll react to the problems thrown my way.

“Say my name, Linsey.”

“Mrs. Breckenridge.” Her eyes are large, her voice unsteady.

“Correct. I’m Mrs. Breckenridge. That means Sin has a wife so there’s only room for one woman in his bed.”

“I … ”

I hold my hand up to silence her. “Distrust is our only defense against betrayal. And I’d like to thank you for making it clear early on that I should never trust you.”

“I don’t know what you mean.” There’s little that annoys me more than a woman playing dumb.

“Sin will be leader of The Fellowship when Thane steps down. I’m his wife. That will make me your leader. You’ve already lost my trust. Do you really want to lose my respect as well?”

She fidgets in her chair. Her legs bounce. She bites her bottom lip.

“I know what you think of me but you’re wrong. I’m not like those women who want to be claimed. I didn’t volunteer for this job so I could be close to Sin and make a place for myself at the top of the hierarchy. I want to work and be independent so I don’t have to count on a man for everything.”

I watch her body language as she speaks. I think she’s telling me the truth but I suspect there’s more to the story.

“That sounds all well and good until you factor in the part where you tried to sleep with Sin while I was away. I’m a firm believer that when someone shows you who they are, you’re wise to believe them.”

She looks defeated. “I didn’t want to do it.”

“Elaborate.”

“Abram made me,” she says.

That son of a bitch.

“What were his instructions?” I ask.

“He told me to **** Sinclair until he forgot you.”

That bastard knew Sin loved me and would come for me.

“You realize you’re betraying Abram by confiding in me?”

“I value your trust and respect more than his. I’m hoping you’ll see it as a gesture of good faith. And perhaps come to forget what I did.”

Linsey isn’t stupid. She understands loyalty to Abram won’t serve her well for long since Sin will be replacing him soon.

Abram is cunning. I’m sure he made this woman feel as though her only choice was to carry out his orders.

Harry taught me that honorable people choose to restore dignity in others. “I think it’s possible we can put this behind us. But remember—you can’t ask for trust. It can only be earned.”

“I understand.”

“Good. I think this was a very productive meeting.” I get up and return my chair back to its home. “Would you like to walk out with me?”

“I think I would.”

She gathers her things and we step onto the lift together. “The other Fellowship women, I mean the ones you’ve spent time with this week, like you very much. I see why.”

“I’m happy to hear that.”

We stop in the lobby of the BI building to bundle up before stepping out into the cold. “Want to share a cab?”

“My sister is picking me up. We have a standing date for dinner every Monday night. You should join us.”

Sin has no idea how long he’ll be tied up. I don’t really want to go home to an empty house.

“I’d like that very much.”

* * *

After dinner, I part ways with Linsey and her sister. Sterling is busy with Sin so I’m left with cabbing it home.

The wind is brutal. I immediately want to return to the warmth I’ve just left. I pull on gloves and shiver in the faint drizzle. Though it’s not enough for an umbrella, I lift my hood to cover my head since it’ll eventually accumulate and leave me with a wet head.

I walk to the edge of the street to hail a taxi. Thank God I don’t have to wait long. I’m chilled to the bone.

I call out my address to the driver. His voice comes over the speaker into the back of the cab. “I’m sorry. Can you repeat that?”

It’s the accent. I think Scots ask me to repeat things so they can get another listen and try to peg where I’m from.

I open my mouth to repeat my address and see Abram leaving the same restaurant. He gets into the taxi in front of us.

Sin says I must have proof if I’m going to name Abram a suspect. There’s only one way to find proof. I must investigate him. “I’ve changed my mind. I’d like you to follow that cab in front of us instead.”

We leave the financial district. We take a bazillion side roads, finally landing in a small village on the edge of the city. Abram’s taxi stops in front of a tiny stone cottage. “Drive past slowly.”

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This doesn’t look like the psychopath’s type of hangout. He enjoys the finer things in life so I’m intrigued by what would bring the high-and-mighty Abram to this neck of the woods.

I duck low in the back seat and watch him walk toward the cottage’s front door. “Pull forward and I’ll get out two cottages down.”

I backtrack to the house and note it’s a private residence. He’s visiting someone. Who?

I doubt this will benefit my investigation at all but one important lesson I learned from being an agent: a discovery can seem entirely unrelated and then turn out to be the crucial piece of evidence to blow the lid off.

I’m covered by darkness so I don’t fear gaining the attention of the neighbors as I dart around to the back of the stone cottage. I tiptoe across the damp grass but I don’t have far to go. The backyard is tiny, as most are in Edinburgh.

I listen for a moment and then peek through the window of the back entrance. No sign of Abram or his host.

I turn the knob and discover it’s locked. No problem. I’ve been picking locks like this since I was thirteen.

I take my lock-picking instruments from my purse. I consider them a staple for my handbag, the same as some women carry lip gloss.

I insert the tension wrench into the lower portion of the keyhole. I put the pick into the upper part and rake the pins. In under a minute, music to my ears as the tumbler clicks over. “Boosh.”

That was too easy. No way this place belongs to someone from The Fellowship. Or any other criminal organization. There’s no deadbolt or barrier preventing a home invasion. The person living in this place isn’t concerned with such things.

I slowly crack the door. The creak of hinges is the only sound. No voices. Odd.

I move through the kitchen, coming to a sudden stop when my weight causes the floor beneath my feet to creak. Damn these old buildings.

No one is in the living area. That’s where one would expect a visit to occur. Again, odd. Until I hear the sound from the room at the end of the hallway. Grunts. Moans. Rhythmic squeaking. I can’t mistake it for anything else. ***.

Well, well. The psychopath has a lover. And I’d bet my ass she isn’t Fellowship. No way a woman from within the circle would stay in a dump like this when she knows Abram could put her up in the finest flat in Edinburgh.

I don’t need to see what’s happening. I’ll vomit if I do. I creep out the same way I crept in.

I sit on the bench at the bus stop on the corner and pull my hood tightly over my head. I wrap my scarf around the lower half of my face for warmth. And concealment.

Abram leaves ten minutes later. Not a cuddler, I suppose. No shock there.

My mind goes into brainstorm mode on the best way to connect with this woman. Sometimes it’s like hiding in plain sight. The most obvious is the most oblivious. I’ll just knock on her door.

A beautiful blond in a silky night robe answers.

“Hello. I’m so sorry to bother you but I’m trying to find the Croft residence.”

“I’m sorry. I don’t know them but I haven’t lived in this neighborhood for long.” She points to the cottage to her left. “Maybe you want to check with the Mrs. Darrow next door. She knows everyone in this area—along with their personal business.”

Sounds as though Mrs. Darrow may be a busybody who likes to gossip? “Thank you. I’ll do that.”

I make a beeline to the neighbor’s home, an exact replica of the nearby cottage. “Hello. I was just next door but it seems your neighbor isn’t home. I’m trying to find out who owns the property.”

“And why would ye be wanting to know that?”

“I’m sorry. I should have explained myself. I was told the house would be going on the market but I don’t see a sign with contact information. I’m hoping to make an offer before anyone else shows interest so I might secure it at a better price.”

“Are ye married?”

“Aye.” I quickly use my thumb to flip my huge diamond around so it’s facing inside. I flash my left hand. “Happily.”

“Children?”

“No.”

“Good. I’d like to get someone quiet in here to take her place. Her name is Cameron Ewart. I have her number if you’d like it.”

“Yes. That would be wonderful.”

She opens her door wider. “Come in, lass.”

“You’d likely do better reaching her at night. The lazy bag of bones stays up all night and sleeps all day. Worthless.”

I follow her into her kitchen. She takes out a notepad from a drawer and scribbles her neighbor’s name. She finds a second notepad and copies over her contact.

“I’m Mrs. Darrow, by the way.”

“I’m Joanna Glenn. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

And that’s how it begins. The unraveling of a detailed story about Cameron Ewart follows. I learn far more than I dared hope about the woman Abram came to visit.

At first glance, none of it appears to help my case but there’s room for deeper investigating.

Sin won’t like it. He’s not yet in a place where he’s able to see Abram for the monster he is. That’ll come. With proof.

I have a plan but I’ll need help. I can’t depend on Sin for that. But Isobel is a different story. She hates Abram as much as I do.

I won’t be finding a taxi for a lift home in this village. I take my phone from my purse. “I need to see you—without Thane. And I could use a ride.”

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* * *

Isobel has made tea. I smell it the minute I step inside her house. Mint—my favorite.

“Come. We’ll take tea in the sitting room.”

The sitting room is an indulgent space, clearly a woman’s territory. Lavish rug. Exquisite furnishings. Delicate, feminine accent pieces. Isobel’s style is understated classy. Unlike Abram and Torri’s ostentatious home.

She places a cup and saucer on the ****tail table. I already know she has prepared it to my liking. She’s thoughtful that way.

“Thank you.” I wrap my cold hands around the warm cup and sip. It feels good on my throat.

She already knows I’m here about Abram. I told her that much over the phone. “I assume ye’ve discovered something good since ye wanted tae see me without Thane?”

I’m not sure what my findings could lead to but my instincts tell me I’m on to something. “I followed him today.”

The corners of her mouth turn up, her expression telling me she approves of my actions—unlike Sin. I’m certain he’d be very angry with me. “And?”

“He went to a house in East Lothian and had *** with a woman. I don’t think she’s Fellowship.”

Isobel sputters tea. “I’m not sure I want tae ask how ye know this.”

“It’s possible I may have picked the lock and entered the house through the back door.” I shrug. “Maybe.”

She no longer approves. I know by the way she’s looking at me. It’s the same expression Harry used to give me. I think it can only be mastered by a parent. “That was a risky thing tae do.”

Isobel is worried for my safety. I love her dearly for that. “I was in and out in a snap.”

“I understand the extent of training ye’ve had in this type of thing, but it doesn’t stop me from being concerned for ye. Especially when Abram is involved. He’s dangerous.”

“I know.” I trust Isobel. I can confide in her. “I’ve added him to my list of suspects.”

“What’s led ye tae that conclusion?”

I explain why Abram has popped onto my radar. “Sin says I can’t accuse Abram without concrete proof but I think I may know how to get it. This woman is having *** with him. She’ll know if he has a scar on his leg.”

“How do ye plan on getting her tae tell ye this?”

“Asking won’t work.” This is where the plan gets a little hairy. “So I’ll do it by force. At gunpoint.”

“Oh, Bleu. I don’t know about that.”

“I’ve had a gun pointed at my head before.” I’ve not yet forgotten the way it felt when Sin held that pistol to my jaw and threatened to blow my brains out. “It greatly improves your motivation to talk.”

“When would ye do this?” she asks.

“I was thinking the best time would be when Sin’s called away in the middle of the night on Fellowship business. It happens at least once a week. He’ll be gone until morning. I could slip out and be back before he comes home.”

“Are ye sure ye want tae do this behind Sin’s back?”

I wish I didn’t have to. “He doesn’t support me where this is concerned.”

“The girl will tell Abram it was an American.”

“I’ve been practicing my accent.” It’s not great but it’s better than Ellison’s.

I spout off a few lines in my best impression. Isobel’s expression becomes pained. “Oh dear.”

“That bad?”

“Aye. It’s fairly awful.”

I thought I sounded decent. “I can keep practicing.”

“She’s a Scots. She’ll know a phony.” She sighs. “There’s only one solution. I’ll go with ye and do the talking.”

I can’t bring Isobel into this. If Thane found out, it could cause huge problems for her. “I can’t involve you.”

“The girl will know you’re American. There’s no mistaking that sweet, southern voice. Then Abram will know. That can’t happen.”

****. She’s right. My goose is cooked if Abram figures out I’m on to him. He won’t want to be exposed to Thane as his beloved’s killer. He’ll go to extreme measures to avoid proof of his guilt. That includes silencing me.

“There’s a new battle brewing with The Order. We expect them tae strike at any time. When they do, Thane and Sin will be called out tae deal with the aftermath. That’s when we make our move.”

* * *

I’m face down on our bed. Sin’s body is stretched over mine, pressing my front into the mattress. He’s kissing my neck while caressing my body. Goosebumps erupt on the top of my head and spread downward. My back arches as though it has a mind of its own. The ways he can get my body to respond is amazing.

His mouth moves over my ear and he taps my hip. “Lift.”

He shoves two large pillows beneath my stomach and pushes my legs forward so I’m kneeling with my head down. “This is new.”

“I’m going to **** you like this.”

He’s still not made good on his dirty deed promise. Is this going to be him fulfilling that?

He begins at my shoulders and scatters kisses down my back until he reaches my bottom. The bed dips as he grasps the back of my thighs and pushes them up and apart. For a moment, I almost wonder if he’s going to stand me on … Ohh!

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My thought is interrupted and I go completely stupid when he rubs me where he never has before. Is this what he meant by dirty? Because it is. And I like it.

He licks my clit and drags his tongue through my center. That, and the massage of his finger at the same time, is overwhelming. Torturous, even. It’s simultaneously more than I can stand while I want to beg for more.

Sin’s phone rings and vibrates on the nightstand.

No. No. No. Not right now.

Everything he’s doing to me stops. And I’m left hanging. It’s horrid.

“I have to take this.”

“I know.”

He growls as he leans over me to retrieve his phone. “Aye. Got it. I’ll be there in twenty.”

I roll my hips, rubbing my bottom against his hard ****. “Make it thirty.”

He drops the phone on the bed and reaches over into the top drawer of his nightstand. “This will have to be the expe***ed version since I can only give you ten minutes.”

I hear the buzz of a once very familiar sound. “I found this in your knickers drawer. I think we can put it to good use.”

It’s my bullet.

His long arm reaches around to press it between my legs as he thrusts into me from behind. He’s stroking my G-spot on the inside as the bullet vibrates against my clit. It’s ridiculous how fast I come. Record time. While that’s good, it’s not because it’s over far too soon.

The onset of my orgasm ignites his. It always does.

He burrows into me hard and fast, shoving my head against the headboard. “Sorry.”

He may be apologetic but he doesn’t stop, not until he has completely emptied himself inside me.

His body is stretched over mine, his chest and stomach wet with sweat so his skin sticks to me. “Don’t go.”

He kisses the back of my neck and I know it’s because he’s going to get up. “I have to, Bonny. It’s Fellowship business. And it’s serious—not just a brother being charged by the authorities.”

Isobel predicted this. “What has happened?”

“The Order went into Duncan’s after closing. They tried to take Lorna and Greer but didn’t realize Leith was in the back. He came out when he heard their screams and shot two of them dead. The other one escaped.”

Three Order members thought they were preying upon the weakness of two helpless women. They seem to have a habit of doing that. “Lorna and Greer are okay?”

“Aye. A bit shaken up, though.”

“What would’ve happened if Leith hadn’t been there?” I know for a fact that he isn’t always around when Lorna and the girls close up.

“The women of this brotherhood are vulnerable to attack. Has anyone ever considered it beneficial to teach them basic self-defense?”

“We protect our women.”

I have to call bull**** on this ***ist thinking. “The duty of a good shepherd is to protect his flock but wouldn’t a better shepherd teach his sheep how to become lions when attacked?”

“My wife, the advocate supporting equal arse-kicking skills for all.”

“Are you laughing at me?”

“I wouldn’t dare.”

“I think you do. Often.”

He kisses me quickly. “Not this time, Bonny. I like where you’re going with this. Make it happen. You have my full support.”

We get out of bed at the same time and I stand in the bathroom entrance while he dresses, my heart pounding.

This doesn’t seem a likely retaliation for Sin killing Grieve’s son. I’d expect something much bigger. But I’m not bringing it up. I don’t want Sin distracted when he goes out.

“What are you going to do?”

“Not sure yet. They came onto Leith’s turf. I suppose I’ll let him decide.”

I’m aware of Sin’s experience in such things but it still makes me uneasy. And I’m nervous for Leith.

“Is Leith prepared for something like this?” I wasn’t aware he had any experience with this side of The Fellowship.

“He can hold his own. And he has me covering him.”

Leith is one of Sin’s best friends. I know he’d take a bullet for him but I don’t plan on being a young widow. “You have a wife now. That means you have to be more careful than ever before.”

He grins up at me as he slides his gun into his harness. “Aye. And I’ll soon have a baby on the way. I want to be around for that as well.”

“I know Lorna would appreciate you looking out for Leith.”

“I’m sure she would.”

“Leith loves Lorna. I don’t know how you’ve not seen what’s clear as day.”

“He may, but I’m not sure he can ever return her affection.”

“Why not? Has something happened?”

“There’s a lot of history there.”

We don’t have time to discuss it now but I plan to revisit this later.

He comes to me and grasps my upper arms. He kisses the top of my head. “I have to go. I love you.”

“I love you too. Happy two-month anniversary.”

“Best two months ever.”

I put my arms around his middle and squeeze. “Come back to me safely.”

“Always.”

I go to the window and watch him pull away before texting Isobel. A moment later, she calls. “I’ll be there in ten minutes.”

* * *

“I’m not used tae doing things like this so we should probably go over the details one last time.”

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Of course, Isobel has never done anything like this. She’s the wife of a leader. They’d never allow her to dirty her hands this way.

I give Isobel one last run-through of everything we’re going to do. “Think you got it?”

“As good as I’m going to, I’m afraid.”

We park the car at the village’s market and walk to her cottage. We creep into Cameron Ewart’s backyard. I pick the lock and spray the door hinges with lubricant before pushing it open. I go first, creeping through the house with Isobel following close behind.

I shine my flashlight on the cracked plaster walls. Some are nearly a half-inch in diameter. I missed those during my first visit. What a dump.

If Abram’s going to take a lover, he needs to provide for her better than this. Cheap bastard.

I recall the creaking boards in the ancient floor—and find new ones. I motion for Isobel to step over them while making our way through the house.

The woman is asleep so I quickly place a strip of tape over her eyes. Yeah. It’s gonna hurt like hell coming off. She’ll probably lose half her eyelashes and brows. I’m sorry for that but it’s the best way to keep her from seeing us.

She lets out a blood-curdling scream and comes up fighting. I restrain her in a chokehold.

I nod at Isobel, her cue to begin the speech she’s memorized. “We’re not going tae hurt ye, Cameron. I only want tae ask ye some questions.”

The fighting ceases. “What do you want?”

“I need some information about Abram,” Isobel says.

“I don’t know who Abram is.” Perfect. He’s convinced her to lie about knowing him. This was expected but this woman needs to understand something. I have ways of making people talk.

“He came here three nights ago. Ye had *** with him.”

She laughs. “I have *** with a lot of men.”

“I’m only interested in knowing about one of them. Abram.”

“I never get their real names.”

Isobel and I look at one another and I shrug. I mouth, “Prostitute?”

Isobel shrugs back. “He was here on Tuesday night just before six o’clock. Fifties. Tall. Muscular. Salt-and-pepper hair. Blue eyes. Always wears an expensive suit.”

“Aye. Nice-looking older guy. He always likes it rough. What do you want to know about him?”

“Describe the scar on his right leg.”

She laughs. “Are you kidding me?”

“That’s what I need tae know about, Miss Ewart.”

“Look. I can tell you his dick is long, thick, and hangs to the left. But I can’t tell you a thing about his leg.”

I may have just vomited in my mouth a little.

“The scar would be very significant. You can’t miss it,” Isobel says.

“He never takes off his trousers. He makes me get on my hands and knees on the bed so he can do me from behind. Every time.”

He isn’t getting naked with her and rolling around in her bed. I’d bet money that’s because she’s a prostitute. He’s only interested in one thing, and it doesn’t involve cuddling afterward.

It’s clear we’re getting nothing from her but that doesn’t mean she can’t help me in the future. We came financially prepared for such a case.

Isobel takes a stack of cash from her coat pocket. “I’m leaving five hundred pounds and a contact number on the nightstand. Confirm the scar and ye’ll get another thousand. Get a photograph and there’s five thousand pounds in it for ye. Think ye can manage that?”

“I can damn sure try for that kind of money.”

I release her and nod to Isobel. It’s time to move.

“Call the number when ye have proof.”

* * *

I’m in deep ****. Sin is sitting in the living room when I come through the front door. That’s not fantastic. What the hell is he doing back so soon? I couldn’t have been gone more than an hour.

“Where the **** have you been, Bonny?” he yells. I jerk because I’m so startled by the authority of his voice. He’s never yelled at me. I don’t care for it.

He won’t approve but I won’t lie to my husband about what I was doing. “I was following a lead.”

“A lead that required you to slip away in the middle of the night after I was called away to deal with a crisis?”

I might as well get it over with. “I knew you wouldn’t approve because it involves Abram.”

He holds up my phone. “You left this here.”

“I didn’t want a record of my whereabouts in case Abram is tracking it.”

“Do you have any idea what has gone through my head while I’ve been waiting? I have a slew of men out searching for you. I’m relieved you’re back but now I have to call them off. They’re going to know you slipped out of the house to do something while I was away. Do you know how that looks?”

I appear deceitful. And I guess I am. I never considered that because I didn’t count on being caught. “I’m sorry.”

He comes to me and wraps his arms around me tightly. “I decided it was a bad idea to leave you alone so I sent one of my men back to stay with you. I lost it when he called to say you weren’t here. I thought The Order had taken you.”

I cradle his face in my hands. “I’m fine.”

He presses his forehead to mine. “I’ve never been so ****ing scared in all my life. Ever.”

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“I’m really sorry.”

He pulls away and is looking at me like he might want to give me a good shake. “You’re part of The Fellowship now. You can’t do **** like this. I don’t even want to think about what The Order might do if they got their hands on you.”

“I can take care of myself.”

“I’m tired of hearing you say that.”

“I keep saying it because it’s true.” And because he ignores it.

“You’re my wife. I want to be the one to take care of you.”

Why can’t he see that he does? “You do. Every single day.”

He sighs. “Tell me about this lead that was so important.”

I reiterate the details of the night I followed Abram and tonight’s events.

“Good God, Bonny. I can’t believe you involved my mum.”

“I turned to the only person I could.”

He looks hurt. “That’s not true.”

“It is. You don’t want to hear what I have to say when it comes to Abram.”

“I’m asking you to please not do anything like this behind my back again. If you have something you want to investigate, come to me. We’ll do it together. That’s how I want to do everything in our lives. Always.”

I have Debra’s services. I think I’d be wise to utilize her for such things as dealing with Cameron Ewart.

He kisses me hard. “Be in that bed naked and waiting for me when I come back.”

I love when he tells me that.

He grabs my ass and squeezes hard. “Be prepared, Mrs. Breckenridge. You have penance to pay.”

Chapter Sixteen

Sinclair Breckenridge

We saw Dr. Paschall a week ago. He assures us we’ve made the right decision in moving forward with the IVF. I hope so. This is too big to screw up.

It’s day one of Bleu’s fertility injections. She stands in front of the bathroom mirror with the bottom of her T-shirt rolled up and tucked in the top of her bra. She’s holding a syringe in one hand while the other pinches up a patch of skin on her stomach. “You’re going to have to do this for me.”

Oh hell no, I’m not. “You’re the one they taught. I don’t know how to give a shot.”

“I can’t stand the thought of driving this needle into my own skin.”

“I’ll call Jamie.”

“I’m taking these three times a day. Jamie can’t come here every time my injection is due. You’re gonna need to man up and do this for me just as I did for you.”

I don’t have a clue what she’s talking about. “Just as you did what for me?”

“I gave you your morphine injection.”

“When was that?”

“After the endurance.”

I had no idea. “Well, you owed me that much after I was nearly beaten to death for you.”

Oh God. She has the attitude face. It came on as quickly as watching a background change mid performance of a play. “And you owe me this if you want me to have babies for you.”

And she has the drama to accompany it. “Don’t act like having babies is only for me. You want the cute little buggers too.”

She softens. “I know.”

She’s done this before. She should be used to it. “Who gave you the injections when you did your other retrieval?”

“My sister—who is a registered nurse. Ellison popped it in there like it was nothing and went about her way. No big deal.”

“Well, it’s a big deal to me.”

“It’s really not. I thought it would bother me giving you the morphine but I realized it was nothing after it was over.”

“Then do it if there’s nothing to it.”

She groans loudly. “It’s different giving it to yourself.”

“Fine.” I go to her and hold out my hand. “Give me the damn thing.”

I pinch her skin and gather my courage before inserting the needle into her abdomen. “I can’t believe you have to do this three times a day for two weeks.”

“Well, believe it, you big ol’ baby. Fourteen days times three. That’s forty-two injections, not counting the Lupron and HCG. So get prepared, Dr. B. You’re going to be a pro before this is over.”

She’s taking way too much pleasure in this. “I don’t want to be a pro. There’s a reason Jamie’s the doctor and I’m the lawyer. Speaking of which, what are you planning to do about this when I’m working?”

“I can run by the office when it’s due.”

I won’t always be available. “What about when I’m in court?”

“I’m sure Isobel wouldn’t mind helping me.”

“Have you told her?”

“No, but I will if I need to. Have you told anyone?”

“My father brought up the heir topic. I told him we were trying, minus the method in which we would make it happen. There’s no need for them to know that part unless they have to.”

I’m not telling her he asked if she was aware of her other job—producing an heir. That would only piss her off.

I wrap my arms around her from behind. “I need to go so I’m not late for work.”

She twists in my arms for a goodbye kiss. “See you at one for my next injection.”

“Today only. We’ll need to work something else out for the others.”

Yeah, right. Who am I kidding? I’ll give her every single one of those injections if that’s what she wants from me. I owe her that much.