Page 115 of Awakened by Sin

“When’s the wedding?” Levi asked without looking away from her.

“We’re not sure yet. Why?” Marv asked suspiciously.

“I want to take her out before she becomes my sister.”

Carmen grinned as Marv made a choking sound.

“Show some respect, son,” Marv admonished.

“I had to try. Is that Aston yours?” Levi asked.

Carmen pulled the keys from her pocket and held it up. “Knock yourself out.”

Levi dropped the flirtatious act. “Are you kidding?”

“Nope.”

“You’re smoking hot and have good taste in cars? Where have you been all my life?”

Marv shoved his son good-naturedly. Levi and Maddie raced toward the car as she headed toward a group of pit bulls that most people were giving a wide berth. They wagged their tails as she approached. She went on her knees and was immediately rushed by eager to please dogs. She fetched a handful of toys and handed them to the dogs. When they began to gnaw on squeaky toys, it drew the attention of a small crowd. Alice gave her a thumbs up.

One dog, a beautiful rust-colored one with bright green eyes, was flat on her belly. As she approached, the dog turned her face away. She was shaking and clearly in distress.

“What happened to her?” she asked a volunteer.

“Don’t know. She was found on the streets. Looks like she’s been in a few scrapes.” The volunteer pointed at some scarring around her neck and rump. “She’s terrified. She won’t even eat.”

Carmen lay on the ground a good two feet away. The dog wouldn’t meet her eyes, although her ears twitched in her direction. Her tail was curled under her body.

“She has to get adopted, or she’ll be put down,” the volunteer said quietly.

Carmen got to her feet. “If no one adopts her, let me know.”

She gave the volunteer her number and looked around the gathering. Everyone was having a good time. Her heart swelled when she saw families or couples walking away with new pets. A familiar figure caught her eye. Marcus was dressed in a light gray suit and white button-up shirt, no tie. He looked suave and cultured, but she knew what lay beneath the clean-cut image. She’d always had a soft spot for a good guy who had a dark streak and fucked like a bad boy.

He spotted her and stopped in his tracks. Memories of their hookups made her palms tingle. She took a step toward him but had to stop when a group of kids ran in front of her. He made no move toward her. After the week she had, the Kody Singer thing seemed inconsequential in comparison. Marcus couldn’t still be mad about that, could he? As the little crowd passed and Marcus continued to watch her, she realized he was definitely still mad. Before she could figure out how she wanted to handle this, a man slid an arm over her shoulders and gave her a squeeze.

“That was amazing,” Levi said as he handed her car keys over. “I think you’re my new favorite sister.”

“I’m standing right here,” Maddie said.

“You smell that new car smell on me?” Levi asked.

He was drunk on the Aston and nearly euphoric. “You smell like grease,” she said, but it wasn’t unpleasant.

He shrugged. “Inevitable when you work at a garage.”

“How many of your clients are women?” she asked.

He winked at her and was about to say something flirtatious when he was interrupted.

“Carmen.”

She turned her head and locked eyes with Marcus who was standing two feet away. He gave her a long look through cool green eyes before he extended his hand to Levi who still had an arm around her.

“I don’t believe we’ve met. I’m Marcus.”

Levi took the outstretched hand. “Levi.”

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