Page 121 of Awakened by Sin

Marcus stopped and turned to her. “It is a big deal. Alice says you’re a big reason these events have become such a success.”

“All I do is talk and donate where I see fit. Alice is the one that spends weeks preparing and making sure they turn out amazing. They’re for good causes, and I love Alice.”

His gaze shifted over her shoulder. “Can I help you?”

She turned and saw Mickey and Frederick standing nearby. “They’re with me.”

“What do you mean?”

“They’re watching over me.”

Marcus tensed. “Why?”

Reality was coming back with alarming speed. She wrinkled her nose as she tried to think of a delicate way to put this that wouldn’t scare him off.

“Why, Carmen?”

“I kind of …”

His brows rose, and she realized there was no nice way to put it. Actually, if threatening to shoot him didn’t make him run for the hills, he could handle anything.

“I killed someone.” No change in his expression. “Gavin and Angel are taking care of it, but I’m laying low at my soon-to-be stepdad’s house. When I go out, I have my guards.”

“Who did you kill?”

No inflection in his voice. He had the best poker face she’d ever seen. Control personified … unless she provoked him with sex.

“The leader of the Black Viper gang.”

He cupped the back of her neck and drew her against him. “You killed Blaine?”

“Blaine?” She was confused by the question and the smell of her cotton candy perfume mixing with classy sin on his suit.

“He was Blaine Carter before he became Maddog.”

Hearing Marcus say Maddog sounded wrong on so many levels. “How do you know that?

“We went to the same school. He dropped out in seventh grade.” His hand tightened on the back of her neck. “You need a place to stay where no one will find you?”

“No one knows my mom is engaged.”

“The Black Vipers could track you after a public outing like this one.”

She rocked her hand from side to side. Possible, but unlikely. The Black Vipers were bound to be more worried about Gavin and Angel than her.

“Why don’t you move back in with Gavin?”

“Gavin and I don’t see eye to eye. Besides, I need my own space. I’m going house hunting next week.”

“If you need a place to stay, I have one.”

“What?”

“I have a house I don’t use since I stay in the suite at the hotel. I didn’t even unpack, and it’s in a gated community.”

“You’re offering to let me stay at your house?” she asked, just to clarify.

“Why not?”

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