Page 37 of Perfect Sin

Sin

Jesse’s houseis a couple miles from campus. I know it's going to be a nightmare before we even arrive, given the amount of cars lining the streets. Shane has to drive his SUV around the block in order to find a place to park.

My fears are confirmed when we walk up to the house. There are people in various stages of inebriation everywhere. Loud music cuts through the night, along with excited shouts from the backyard. I have to kick red plastic cups out of the way to get to the house, but I can’t do anything about the puddles of piss-colored beer.

“This is my definition of hell.” I stop before we get to the porch and place my hand on the side of Raven’s face. “Remember, don’t leave my side.”

She nuzzles into my palm. “I’ll stick to you like glue, promise.” I take her hand and lead her into the bowels of my worst nightmare so she can confront hers.

The inside of the house is even worse than the outside. Strobe lights pulse to the beat of the music, or maybe it just seems that way. The combination of the pounding beat and the flashing lights is disorienting.

It’s a disadvantage I could have done without. Already, the size of the crowd limits what I can do. Witnesses are always a problem, and now that we’ve had media exposure there’s an increased chance of someone trying to take video of us. That will do more to prevent me from killing anyone than Holbrook’s edict.

Lucien tips his chin toward a group standing in the back. In the center of the group, looking like he’s holding court, is Jesse. “He’ll spot us any minute now. I’m going to slip upstairs. I’ll come find you when I’m done.”

He squeezes Raven’s free hand. “Be safe.” He hands her a belt with throwing knives sheathed on it.

She loops it around her waist, and he nods in approval. “I’m so glad you wear clothes that actually cover your body. Can’t conceal weapons in midriff tops.”

Lovingly, she strokes the blades before pulling her top down to hide them. “I feel better already.”

“We’re going to go mingle with the team. They’re in the perfect position to watch, and they won’t run and tell the king of the douche bags we’re here,” Ford says.

“We find out what he wants and then get the fuck out of here,” I reconfirm the plan.

“Before or after we deliver a message of our own?” Ford asks. He’s relishing the idea of teaching Jesse a lesson.

“After, of course. He’s not going to blackmail my wife into spending time with him without retribution.”

“Be careful,” Shane says, and the two of them slip through the crowd.

Raven and I move into a less densely packed spot in the room. It doesn’t take long before Jesse spots us and pushes through the bodies to get to us.

“You came.” I doubt he’d be wearing the look of smug satisfaction if he knew me for who I really am instead of assuming I am the spoiled son of a governor.

“You didn’t give me much choice,” Raven snaps.

“Just a little motivation. Let’s get you a drink. Surely Sin can spare you for a minute.”

I step in front of him. “Wrong. My wife isn’t going anywhere alone with you.”

“You really need to learn to relax. It’s a party. Find someone to dance with.”

“The concept of marriage is foreign to you, isn’t it? Raven is the only person I’ll dance with. She doesn’t go anywhere without me. Get used to it.”

“Where did you get that video?” Raven asks, taking the focus off me.

Someone moves up behind him and puts a hand on his shoulder. Raven stiffens next to me. “I gave it to him.”

“Kyle,” she says in a flat voice.

“Been a long time. You stopped taking my texts. It made getting in touch with you more challenging.”

“Well, I’m here. What did you want?”

“Can’t I just have wanted to see you?” he asks.

“It’s never that simple with you.”

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