Page 7 of Sins

Now I was the one who shivered.

The sound of my father’s laughter made me cringe, and I noticed Grim’s finger had started to tap on the table.

“My son isn’t even laid to rest, and that miserable man is stuffing his face with Chef Dan’s finest food.” She rubbed her tired eyes. “And tomorrow I have to stand there and watch him pretend to mourn for my baby.” Grim reached over and squeezed her hand. “To think we let him in all those years ago.” She held back a sob and closed her eyes to regain control. “We thought he was our friend.”

“People with money like we have don’t have friends, mother,” Grim growled.

I wanted to run away like a child. I didn’t know how to handle this situation. Nothing could prepare you for when your father murders your boss’s son.

I shifted in my seat, unsure what to say next, so I opened my stupid mouth and spoke without a filter. “What’s going to happen to my father?”

“I have a few ideas,” Grim hissed, but Laurel said something to him in Spanish I didn’t catch. Whatever it was, he gave a tight nod and shut up. I wished I had that power over him sometimes.

“As much as I want to tear his eyes out for what he’s done, Kenna, we all have to take a step back. We have to wait.”

“Wait?” I didn’t follow.

She nodded and let her gaze move over my shoulder, and a darkness I’d only ever seen in her son’s eyes flickered across hers. “He suspects Grim knows, and he probably wonders if we know, but a part of me thinks he might not suspect thatyouknow.” Her fingers tapped the table. “I’m sure it’s why he’s making such a scene in the middle of the restaurant. If people are watching, he knows we won’t make a move.”

“For someone who’s fucking stupid, he has his moments,” Grim added.

“And when he’s alone?”

“Then we return the kindness he so lovingly cast on my brother.” Grim’s voice sent another shiver through me. “But until then,” his lips spread into a chilling smile, “we play.”

“Play?” I repeated and leaned forward in my seat as I looked up at him. “As in handcuff him to your bed for several hours?”

His mother’s gaze dropped to my wrist as I rubbed the angry red mark from where I’d tried to free myself. “Grim!”

“Don’t worry, Mother,” he huffed. “She held her own just fine.” He pulled his shirt down at the neck and revealed the cut where I’d slashed him with the knife.

She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. “Please, don’t make me worry about you two.”

“I can assure you anything we might have had is over.” I licked around my dry mouth, and Grim smirked and shook his head. “Mrs. Gates, what can I do to help?” I wanted to be kept close to this.

“Act like you don’t know anything,” she shifted gears, “and keep an eye on Knox for me?”

“Knox?” That confused me.

“Your sister has her claws in him,” Grim grunted, but I wouldn’t look at him. “They keep him with a belly full of liquor and pump him for information whenever they feel like it.”

“Grim,” his mother shook her head, “Knox is still young. Kenna, I think he really loves your sister, but I don’t think it’s returned. I’ve lost one child to your family. I’m not about to lose another.”

Although she had every right to be devastated, her words slashed. It was as if she’d said it had been my doing.

“Of course. I’ll keep a close eye on him.” I didn’t want to hear anything else. My heart hurt for everyone, and there was no making it right. I got up and left the way I came.

I stoodin the back while everyone piled into the church, the Gateses stood in a row and greeted people as they came in. I hadn’t slept at all the previous night, and the more I tried to make sense of things, the more twisted up I became. How did you process something like this? How did you not feel the judgement from others, and how could you not blame them?

Minnie caught my eye from where she sat next to Brick and Tess. She waved me over, but I shook my head, just wanting to be alone. The only thing that almost brought a smile to my lips was the row of reapers that lined the pew from the guy’s motorcycle cuts. A few older ladies clutched their pearls as they walked by. If only they knew.

“Are you not going to join the others?” Elio Capri, the mafia boss of Italy, inquired kindly. I loved that he’d taken the time to be here for the Gates family. It showed how strong his friendship with Grim was. I shook my head. “Why is that?” His accent was thick, but his English was perfect.

“I don’t feel overly welcome, given the…” I paused as someone walked by, “situation.”

“Mm.” He stroked his chin. The huge black ring he wore caught the light, and I saw what looked like a family crest engraved on it. “Do you know my wife’s story?”

“I’ve heard a bit about it.” I’d heard a lot more than a bit, but I didn’t want to admit it. Her past could be a book in itself.

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