Page 61 of Sins

“I know a lot’s happened over the last few weeks.” I wanted to give her a hug.

“To top it all off,” she gave a little laugh, “I’m taking one of Vegas’s biggest bachelors off the market. I’m not ready for the backlash on that either.” She gave another dry chuckle.

“I don’t blame you for that.” I smiled and dropped the box on the floor. I took two water bottles from the fridge and handed her one as I settled into a chair. “What brings you by?”

“I have a few questions.”

“I figured you might.” I took a sip and gave her my full attention.

“I don’t understand, Simon. Why would you work with a man like my father when you knew what he was really like?”

I had known this question would eventually come, so I made sure to choose my words carefully. The life choices I’d made over the years had usually been forced on me by events I had no control over. I knew I was probably warped by a lot of those things.

“Sometimes we have to be a version of ourselves that we don’t always like in order to survive. I don’t really expect you to accept that, but?—”

“I understand that.” She nodded emphatically. “Believe me, I understand what you’re saying. It’s how I got through my teens.” She looked around my office. “Why did you become a PI?”

I sipped my water. “It’s complicated.”

“I can follow complicated.” She held my gaze.

“I was framed for murder once, dead man in my kitchen and all, feds were waiting on me, and before I knew what was happening, I was behind bars.”

“Do you know who framed you?”

I took another swig of water as I nodded then waited a few beats. “Yeah, I do. It was Allen, Trigger’s father.” Her chin pulled in and her brows pinched together. “Punishment for not joining the DR.”

“You knew Trigger’s father?” She swung her legs off the couch and sat up straight.

“Yes, I did. I told you it’s complicated. I was smart, and I think he saw potential in me, probably thought he could control me too, unlike his son.” At her astounded look, I nodded. “I know more about the Devil’s Reach than you realize.”

“Okay, go on.” She settled back a bit.

“The club had a lot of rules, and I knew I could never live by them.” I shrugged. “I wasn’t interested, and Allen punished me for it. Then, once I was behind bars, things changed for me. Kurt was the guy who attacked you in the parking lot. I knew nothing about that. I was as shocked as you were, honestly.” I watched as she drew her arms around herself. “He tried to recruit me, too, but I won’t be forced into any club or organization. I refuse to be a member of anything.”

My shirt was sweaty from all the work I’d done, but I pulled back the sleeves to show her I wasn’t a Poten. “I’m not one of them, Kenna. I just wanted to prove my innocence and be free. I tried to find out what I needed, but everything had been wiped clean. It was too late. Then I heard Allen had disappeared. Word was Trigger killed him. But that’s beside the point.

“I learned I was pretty good at finding out stuff, one thing led to another, and I got out with the help of my cellmate. I ended up with a new deal. Working for your father. I’m not proud that I’m working off a debt to the Potens, but they gave me my freedom, and all I had to do was keep an eye on your father.”

“What did you report back and to whom?” She was all business now.

“I never met who I communicated with. I only had one phone call. After that, I just texted if Cameron couldn’t or wouldn’t do something, but my main job was stepping in when his temper flared and try to keep him out of trouble. They had some kind of hold over him.”

“You should’ve gotten paid a lot for that.” She snickered. “I had no idea. I have a hard time knowing all this. You never let on.”

I removed my glasses and cleaned the lenses. “My past isn’t something I enjoy reliving, but it’s the truth.”

“It’s been quite the eyeopener. You know I’ll share all this with the Gateses.”

“Of course.”

“I appreciate your honesty. It’s a lot to take in.” She checked her phone. “One last thing. The Gateses know there are more Potens out there. Who else is connected to all this?”

That was a loaded question. “Who isn’t? They’re everywhere. This group runs so deep. It could be your driver, Shore, or the girl at the coffee cart, or one of your clients like Yen Hong, for all we know. Their tattoo is basically out of sight. Although most go shirtless here, it’s still basically hidden. You wouldn’t notice it unless you were looking for it.”

“Very true.” She seemed to slip into a thought for a moment. “I should get going.” She stood. “Thanks, Simon. It’s nice to have some answers and to get to know you a little better. In spite of all the surprises.”

“Nice to be able to be open with you.” To my shock, she leaned in and gave me a hug. I took a moment to savor it.

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