Page 14 of Perfect Sin

Arthur grabs Sin’s free arm and tries to pull him away. “We will discuss this at home. Right now you are embarrassing me. Say goodbye to Raven and come meet some people.”

Damien catches my eye from across the room. I can’t be sure, but it seems his eyes are glittering with anticipation and humor. He raises a glass and clangs a fork on the side.

Conversation ceases and everyone diverts their attention to him. “I know this is a bit unconventional, but I’m bursting with happiness and want to share it.”

He pauses for dramatic effect. “My beautiful daughter has fallen in love with a man who is near and dear to my family.”

I fight back a groan, because I can never be certain what he’s going to say, but it’s usually not good. “I suppose most of you have prayed alongside the Whitmores over the years as they dealt with the loss of their son, Jackson.”

Murmurs of assent rise from the crowd. “A few years ago I met an eighteen-year-old boy living on the streets. He was beaten and starving. Naturally, I took him in, got him medical treatment, and tried to help him remember who he was.”

The crowd is eating up his every word. I hadn’t considered he’d need a story to explain how he came to be associated with the long lost son of the governor. I have to hand it to him, he’s a masterful liar.

“We weren’t able to learn who he was for a long time. I’m ashamed to say after a while I didn’t push. He’s a remarkable young man, and he took a place with my security team. But, he’s brilliant, and when we couldn’t find out his identity, his friends helped him obtain the legal identification to allow him to function in society in a way we all take for granted.”

He gestures to the two of us, still pressed up against each other. “I’m pleased to say that as his first act, he married my daughter.”

A few gasps sound out. No doubt some people have been fed the lie by Arthur Whitmore that Sin has been brainwashed and forced to marry me.

“Now, I know what many of you are thinking. You saw the reports of my daughter and son going missing. The three of them succumbed to a bit of youthful wanderlust and took a cross country trip. Jackson and Raven were already smitten with each other and assumed I wouldn’t approve.”

He shrugs and chuckles as if to say we’re silly children. “I’m a little sad I missed the ceremony, but they’ve both agreed to allow Raven’s mother and I to throw them a proper reception as soon as can be planned.”

He smiles at Sin, and only the three of us know how false this front is. “While I do think they are a bit young to be married, even an old fool like me can’t deny love when I see it. I also believe that marriage is sacred and would never think of undoing what God has blessed. With all of you as witnesses, I’d like to formally welcome Jackson to my family. I couldn’t have chosen a better husband for my little girl if I’d tried.”

Lucien scoffs and tries to hide the sound by taking a drink of his champagne.

Arthur drops his hand from Sin and backs away. A few flashbulbs go off, and I realize some of the press has found their way into the benefit.

“Dance with me,” Sin croons.

He leads me onto the dance floor, and the band begins to play again. Instead of joining us, people stand around and watch as he begins to lead me in a slow dance.

“I don’t actually know any real dances,” he admits.

“It’s enough being in your arms again.”

“Hmm,” he hums. His cheek brushes against mine as his mouth moves closer to my ear. “Soon you won’t just be in my arms, but underneath me where you belong.”

“Can’t wait.” My breath turns shallow, and the need I always have for him makes my knees weak.

“Do you think this display was public enough? You don’t have to go back with them, do you?” I ask.

The song ends, and he leads me back to Lucien. “That’s a good question. I can’t think us not living together would suit Damien’s purposes. I guess I should find my new father-in-law and see if he’d allow us to live on our own.”

He strides off, and I wait to hear what we’re going to do. Several minutes pass, and my stomach sinks.

“It’s been a bit long, don’t you think?” I ask Lucien.

Luce looks around the room, and I can see he’s tense as well. “Yeah, I don’t like this.”

Several more minutes pass, and I finally spot my father speaking to some men over by the bar. Lucien notices him at the same time. “Luce, I don’t see Sin with him.”

Together we start toward my father when Whitney bursts through the crowd. “I just saw Arthur and one of his guards loading Sin into the backseat of their car,” she gasps for breath.

Lucien and I share a look and move faster toward Damien. When we make it to his side, he excuses himself from the men he was talking to.

My brother leans in close and lowers his voice so he’s not overheard. “Arthur Whitmore just forced Sin into the back of a car. It doesn’t sound like he went willingly.”

---