Page 45 of Awakened by Sin

“You’re welcome, asshole,” she muttered and texted the address.

She called Blade, who answered halfway through the first ring.

“How badly are you hurt?” he asked.

“I’m dandy. Angel tried to approach Regal in a club. He bolted, of course. I caught a cab with his partner and gave Angel the address. No biggie.”

She gaped at her reflection. Between partying like a rock star and her crying jag, her makeup had melted into a goopy mess that made her look like a nightmare.

“You’re a pain in my ass.”

“I know. I’m going to shower and go to bed. Thanks, Daddy.”

She hung up before he could say anything else and hopped in the shower.

7

“Carmen?”

Someone prodded her shoulder.

“Carmen Marie, it’s your mother.”

She rolled over and stared blearily at Mom. She wasn’t sure why her mom felt it was necessary to reiterate her title. She knew very well who she was. “Hello, Mother.”

“I have a cha-cha class in an hour. Want to come?”

Her temples throbbed, but one look at her mom’s hopeful expression, and she caved. “Sure.”

“Great!”

Her mother bustled out of the room, leaving Carmen to roll out of bed and stand in the shower until she woke up. She found tangerine heels and a matching dress she hadn’t worn in years with sassy fringe on the hem. She put on a chunky turquoise necklace and couldn’t decide between three rings, so she put them all on. She posed for Vinny and gave him a kiss and an, “I love you,” before she met her mom in the kitchen.

“I love your hair,” Mom said.

“Thanks!” She fluffed her hair. “I feel much better now.”

“Where’s your car?”

“I took a cab home. Can you drive me to the hotel after?”

“Sure. Did you have fun last night?”

“Yes. I went out with Shonda and a bunch of other people. I felt a little old dancing with twenty-somethings, but it’s all good.”

She snatched two bananas and a water bottle as she followed her mother out to the car. Her mother handed her the car keys, which she accepted without comment. Putting the old Toyota in gear filled her with nostalgia.

“You doing good, Mama?” Carmen asked as she ate her banana and drove.

“Of course.”

Her mother’s friends bullied her into participating in so many classes and clubs that her mother was barely home. She appeared to be happy, but Carmen wanted to make sure.

“Do you need money?” she asked as she pulled into a Starbucks drive-through.

Mom patted her knee. “No, thanks, honey.”

“Are you sure?”

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