Page 202 of The Sinner's Bargain

“Well,” he rubbed a palm against the back of his neck, “while I was making you the go-bag, I realized I was pretty good at it. I started making them on the side for other people. Word spread and well ... I’m making pretty decent money.”

“I’ve seen the bag you made Naya,” Thoran said. “It’s very impressive.”

Rather than be grateful for the compliment, Malcolm scowled at me. “For nothing. Is there anything in there you actually followed?”

I winced and shifted in Thoran’s lap. A little too hard, perhaps, because he groaned into my ear and squeezed my hip.

“Easy,” he warned.

Oh, the temptation, but I behaved despite my body reminding me it had been a week since I’d tasted him.

“I ... I...” I tore my eyes off Thoran’s delicious lips and focused on my brother. “I didn’t get a chance to.”

I told him about Wiley’s pregnant wife and Taylen.

“He did what?” Malcolm practically leapt to his feet as I finished. “Oh, that motherfucker.” He started rifling through his pockets and returned with his phone. “I’m going to fucking kill him.”

“You’re not going to find him,” Thoran murmured so quietly, I nearly missed it.

Malcolm’s head jerked up. He considered what he was being told and accepted it with a slow nod. “Well, I can’t say I’m not disappointed.” He dropped his phone down on the coffee table and sat back. “I’ll be having a word with Wiley, too. Piece of shit never said a fucking thing to me about this.”

I started to tell him Wiley had been nice compared to his nephew, when something else interrupted my thoughts.

“You’ve seen my bag?”

Thoran visibly winced. “I might have.”

I gaped at his sneakiness. “That’s how you knew I was lying.”

“To be fair, you’re not a very good liar, Nay,” Malcolm defended.

“You’re really not, love,” Thoran agreed almost apologetically.

Unbelievable.

Vance stepping into the room saved me from hitting them both.

He’d visited me once in the hospital. He’d looked worn and drawn out even then. His usually gray hair seemed whiter and there were new lines etched around his mouth. Thoran said it was because he and Oliver had been friends, despite all the arguments, and Vance was shown the room with the barrels before Thoran had the whole place wiped clean and sealed up. As were all the passages. He never wanted anyone to see them again.

“Hi, Vance,” I said, offering him a smile.

He inclined his head. “I don’t mean to interrupt, the paperwork for the bookshop is officially finalized this morning. Elysium Plains is officially yours.”

“What’s this?” Malcolm asked, glancing at me.

“Thoran gave me his mother’s bookstore. It’s the most magical place, Malcolm.”

Malcolm laughed. “Well, you certainly found the way to Naya’s heart.”

Thoran smiled and kissed the side of my neck, sending shivers down my spine. “I hope so.”

“Thank you, Vance,” I said. “Would you like to stay?”

Vance shook his head. “I have other matters I must look into.”

He left quietly.

My gaze met Cyrus’s who stood still and silent by the door. “Please sit down,” I told him. “You can’t possibly be okay standing every second of the day like that.”

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