Page 96 of Sin

London palmed his face and mumbled into the phone. “Yes, ma’am. Sorry for bothering you.”

The call ended and London groaned, looking around for the waiter. He waved her over when he spotted her.

“Did you need something?” she asked, and he nodded.

He held up his empty margarita. “Another please.”

“Sure thing. I’ll have another one made for you.”

“What happened to just one drink?” Blade asked with an amused grin as she left.

“That was before I knew I’d be howling at my boss over the phone.” London pushed the bowls toward me. “Your turn.”

I wiggled my hand around in the bowls before selecting my dare and consequence papers. “I dare you to sing a love song to a stranger,” I read, shaking my head, and the table laughed as I unfolded my consequence paper. “Shave your hair and eyebrows.” I glared over at Jinx. “Really?”

“Hey, how do you know it was me who wrote it?”

“Because it’s nearly illegible, and I’ve seen your notes for the case,” I said, setting my papers down. “Now who to sing to?”

Mare jerked her chin toward a group of guys chilling and drinking beers inside the restaurant. “Maybe one of them?”

I made a noncommittal sound as I stood from my seat because an idea just came to me. I turned toward London. “I need my cuffs off.”

He looked startled and frowned. “What? Why?”

“Just trust me.”

“Just do it, London. We all know he’s not going anywhere or going to do anything.” Lewis slurped the dregs of his soda. “Besides, I’m curious what he’s planning to do.”

London eyed me for a moment, debating if this was something he should do, but I saw the moment he gave in. Showing that he did actually trust me. If only a little.

He disabled my cuffs with the app on his phone, and I straightened instantly as my power surged up and through me. Almost instantly, I noticed a change in myself, like having my powers gave me some of my confidence back.

I winked at him before turning around and making my way inside. I maneuvered my way around tables and booths until I reached the band who were conversing just off the stage, taking what seemed like a small water break. There was a sign off to the side of the stage, announcing them as Escape the Faith. As I approached, the lead singer eyed me with interest, and I smiled politely at her.

“You guys are great,” I said in greeting, sticking my hands in my pockets and smiling around at them.

“Thanks, man,” a guy, the drummer, I believed, said with a wide smile.

“Is there something we can do for you?” the singer asked, looking me up and down still with intrigue.

Too bad for her, I held no interest.

Leaning forward, I whispered conspiratorially, “I was actually wondering if I could borrow your guitar?”

The singer looked at me like I’d lost my damn mind. Which, I didn’t blame her. I would have had the same reaction if someone asked me something like that.

“Why?”

“I want to sing a song.”

She frowned. “Yeah, I don’t know, man. I don’t know you.”

The other band members nodded their agreements.

I figured she’d say no. Which was why I’d asked London to turn off the cuffs.

“Let me borrow your guitar. I’ll give it back when I’m done. You don’t need to worry.”

---