Page 88 of Sinners Retreat

I can promise her that her friendship will mend itself, but the relationship I share with Kindra bears no such guarantee.

This entire situation feels like I’m standing at the gallows. I know my fate, yet I’m forced to march toward it. I’m forced to pretend the last few hours with Kindra won’t be the last. I would almost prefer an actual death sentence at this point.

Kindra shifts her weight and rests her forehead against my chest. “She said that Bennett thinks you’re no good for me.”

I’m not. And she’s too good for me. But I say nothing. I won’t add to the lies I’ve told thus far.

“Then again, she was on a lot of drugs. Maybe she just misheard him,” she says. She releases a deep sigh and leans back to look at me. “I should probably apologize to her for biting her head off, huh?”

“I think that would be a good idea. I don’t know her as well as you do, but I doubt she had any harmful intent. The poor girl doesn’t seem capable of malice.”

Kindra groans. “You’re right. I’ll apologize after dinner.”

A figure pops around the corner, and a hand waves at me. It’s Jim. He’s always been the type to greet his guests, which sucks at this moment. I really wanted to get more details on what exactly Bennett said to Cat, but I guess it will have to wait.

Jim has chosen a tux with tails this evening, and he looks absolutely ridiculous. The black-and-white Oxfords adorning his long feet look more akin to clown shoes. If he had a walking cane and monocle, he’d pass as the Planters Mr. Peanut mascot.

“How are we this evening, Ezra?” Jim asks as he claps a hand on my shoulder. His fingers move against the fabric, pinching and rubbing. “What is this? Brioni? Sartorio Napoli?”

“I’m afraid I don’t make enough to afford one of those,” I say with a laugh. “I just choose what hangs well on my frame, regardless of label.”

Jim eyes me up and down, then licks his lips. “Yes, well, it certainly fits well, doesn’t it?”

Kindra covers her mouth to stifle a grin. We’ve long suspected Jim prefers to play for the other team, but he’s from a different time. He doesn’t realize it’s safe to come out of the closet, so we let him stay there, pretending we don’t know that he prefers a fat sausage over a fish taco.

The lusty look fades from his eyes. “Well, you’d best be seated. Dinner is about to begin!” He claps his hands together with a gleeful smile, then turns for the dining room.

Kindra and I follow him through the thick mahogany double doors. I have to do a double take once we’re inside. The room has been transformed from a traditional—though luxurious—dining room into a themed dining experience.

Strands of glistening crystals swoop from the ceiling in delicate arcs that connect to each of the three chandeliers over the table. They create a dazzling curtain of light. More crystals lie along the table. Chrome charger plates with intricate filigree in the outer rim adorn each place setting, and the table runner appears to be made of woven silver. Jim’s pockets are deep, so it wouldn’t surprise me.

The guests surrounding the table are just as fabulous. Ice Pick has squeezed himself into a black suit with a red rhinestone tie. Grim and Maudlin Rose sport matching suits, both fabrics the color of the sea on a clear day. Flashy suits and sequined gowns appear everywhere I look.

Then my eyes fall on Kindra again. It’s as if everyone is playing at being glamorous, but she truly is. A woman has never captured my attention so fully.

I grip a chair, and its legs squeak against the floor as I ease it out for her. Once she’s seated, I take my place beside her. The two seats across from us—where Cat and Bennett should be—remain vacant.

I lean near Kindra’s ear and whisper, “I wonder where Cat and my brother have got off to...”

Could they be hanging out? Plotting against me, maybe? Who the hell knows.

“Cat seemed like she planned to come,” she says. “I hope our fight didn’t change her mind. I probably should have gone to her villa and apologized before dinner. I’m new to this friend stuff.”

The defeated look in her eyes breaks my heart.

I place a hand on her thigh and give it a comforting squeeze. “She’ll forgive you and all will be right with the world, don’t you worry.”

She smiles up at me. “I hope you’re right.”

Metal clinks against metal as servers enter the dining room with gleaming silver carts. Appetizers are placed before each guest. It appears to be some type of sushi roll. Judging by the color of the meat, it’s some sort of fish.

“It’s safe,” I whisper to Kindra.

She heaves a relieved sigh and tucks in.

Glasses clink as wine is served, and hushed conversations vibrate the air. The chairs across from us remain empty, however. I look around, hoping Cat and Bennett may have arrived without my notice, but they aren’t here.

The servers enter the room again, this time pushing much larger carts. The scent of seared meat reaches my nose, and I close my eyes and pray that it’s beef. I’m famished.

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