Page 78 of Sins

“You lied to me.” His eyes narrowed to slivers and pierced through me.

“Yeah.” I didn’t bother lying. “Only about that, but yes, I did.”

“Why?”

I licked my dry lips. “Respectfully, Brick is a product of my father’s mistakes. I owed him nothing. He was better off without me. Just like he and I were both better off without our father.”

“You didn’t answer my question. I don’t fucking like being lied to. You could have told me the truth.” His growl sent a chill through my spine. It also bothered me I was older than this man questioning me about my past, but I also liked my bones intact, so I swallowed my pride.

“Look, Grim, all I wanted was to be left alone to live a simple life, but for some reason I can’t have that. I never asked to be pulled into any of this. I withheld the truth about who I was because you’re, let’s face it, a member of the Devil’s Reach and Trigger’s best friend. You’re all friends of my brother’s.” I had to make him see how impossible it was to tell him the truth.

“I mean, jeez, think about it. I just wanted to work off the rest of my debt to the Potens and be done. I knew Cameron’s days were numbered, and I thought if I could just get through that, I could leave and finally have the life I wanted.” I flipped open the box on the table and tried not to groan in pain as I handedhim my dream. He held the paper up to the light and studied the listing.

“What’s this?”

“It’s a two-bedroom cabin off the grid in Wyoming. Just me, my books, and my thoughts.” I blushed a little and felt uncomfortable as I spoke about something that was so important to me.

He looked at the paper again then dropped his arm and studied me.

“Something’s been bothering me.” He handed the cabin listing to Jesse. “Why was Allen so interested in you joining the DR?”

“I don’t know.” I rethought my words at his expression. I’d had a lot of time to wonder about it, and I figured I knew why. “I’m smart, great with numbers, and made the mistake of helping my father out one time with finding a smarter way to launder their money. He was impressed, as it worked. After that, he came back again and again for my advice. The more I pushed back, the harder he came at me. But I dug my heels in and never gave up. I refused to be a part of it.”

“Until you killed your father.”

“What?” The word dropped right out of my mouth. I should have known Grim would figure that out. “Does Brick know?”

He picked a piece of lint off his pants and took a moment to answer. “No, I haven’t told him. You gave him something he’s been searching for for years. Closure.” I swallowed hard with relief. “And for that reason, I won’t make my friend suffer any more grief. He’s in a good place now.”

“Thank you.”

“Don’t thank me.” His gaze moved to mine. “None of this was for you.” I nodded. “What you’ll do now is finish what my father asked you to do, then pack your shit up and get the fuck out oftown. If I ever hear you’re in Vegas, California, or Italy, I will make sure you meet the same fate as your father.”

“Understood.” I began to see that just maybe I’d not have the shit beaten out of me again and relaxed a little.

“And how do you feel about the Devil’s Reach now?” He eyed me through those slits again.

I slowly shook my head. “There was a time when I wanted to see the club go down, burn in flames for what Allen and Dad did to me, but years in jail gives you time and a different perspective. I know it was Allen and not the rest of the club who took part of me away. Life’s too short to care about the past, so that ship’s sailed.” Grim gave a tight nod, and Jesse dropped the paper back down in front of me.

I flinched involuntarily as Grim pushed to his feet. He really was a powerful man. “Mr. Gates.” I felt like I needed to say more. He turned to look at me, and his jaw ticked like he was about to snap. “If it’s not too much to ask,” I couldn’t believe I was allowing this part of myself to open up, “could you just let Brick know I’m sorry and give him something?” I hobbled over to my desk and pulled out an envelope and thumbed through some old photos until I found the one I wanted. “I was going to toss it when I moved, but maybe Brick might want it. So…” I handed him the photo of my father standing next to Trigger’s uncle Gus. It was just after he’d joined the DR. He looked happy in his leather vest. “My mother took the photo.”

Grim tucked it away in his pocket and glanced at Jesse. “One more thing.”

“Yes?”

“Stay the fuck away from Kenna.”

Kenna

Ileaned my hot, sweaty forehead against my arm as I emptied my stomach for the third time that morning. I heard a sympathetic whine behind me and, with what little strength I had, patted Leal on the neck.

“I’m okay,” I reassured them both. “Apparently, the baby doesn’t want food today.” I tried to will myself to get up. “Food is overrated, anyway,” I lied and closed the lid. I plunked my body heavily down on the seat. Both boys inched closer. “Can you get me some water?” I pointed to the sink and Zhar hopped up and did a spin. “Close enough.” I leaned down and kissed his head as Leal moved in for some love. “For two scary dogs, you guys are very big babies.”

My phone buzzed on the counter, and I knew my time to let myself feel like crap was up.

Harris: Ready to head over when you are. Having drinks at bar in the casino, no hurry.

Kenna: Sounds great. I’ll make my way down.

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