Page 3 of Perfect Sin

Carina sobs at my words. Despite what I’ve been told I find it unlikely these two are my parents. They’re so weak.

“Show your mother some respect,” he snaps.

“Arthur,” she says in a small voice, “give him his phone.”

He stares at her for a minute, then tips his head toward the guard with the broken nose, who retrieves my phone from his jacket pocket. There’s enough charge left to make a few calls.

My first call is to Raven. It rings a few times, before I hear her answer the phone. “Sin, oh thank god! Are you okay?”

“Me? I’m fine, how are you?”

“We’re back in Devil’s Crossing, but I’m not locked in my room like before. Actually, Lucien says it seems Damien is pleased with me. Not that I care, but I guess it’s better than the alternative.”

“Much better,” I agree.

“I need to speak to your brother, but don’t go far. I want to talk to you. Actually, I want to see you, but this is the best we’re going to get tonight.”

“Okay.” The line goes quiet for a moment.

“Hey, Sin. Raven is safe. I promise. I’m not sure what our next move is,” he says before I have a chance to grill him.

“Why don’t you let me answer that,” I hear Damien say in the background.

“Shit,” Lucien says as the phone is taken from him.

My jaw clenches, but right now he holds my entire world in his control. I understand Damien Blackthorne in a way I never will the people who gave me life. Challenging him won’t go well, because he crushes his obstacles.

Damien comes on the line. “Sin, good to hear from you. How’s the reunion going with the parents?” He chuckles to himself.

“You don’t really care. Why don’t you just tell me what you want from me so we can get on with it.”

“It's simple. I want you to settle in with your parents. Be seen with them in public, and wait for me to get in touch.”

“Why would I do that for you?”

“Because I’m waiting for an opportune moment to announce your marriage to my daughter, and the party I’m going to throw in your honor.”

“You aren’t going to try and split us up?” I don’t mean to reveal my desires so blatantly, but I know better than to go head-to-head with one of the most dangerous men in the country. As long as his plans align with mine, I can play along. “I want her back.”

“And you will have her. I just need you to do this one little thing for me. Surely this is the easiest thing I’ve ever asked you to do. Oh, and Sin, remember right now you are useful to me as a connection to the governor. Cross me, try to thwart me, and I’ll expose you to the world. I’ll create the largest scandal the state has ever seen, and I’ll make sure you never see my daughter again.”

He drops the phone, causing a muffled thud sound when it impacts.

Lucien picks it up. “Sin, you there?”

“Yeah,” I reply.

“Look, I’m not sure what we are supposed to do here. I’m looking after my sister. For what it’s worth, I think he wants you married to Raven right now.”

“He’s planning something.”

“Of course he is. As long as the three of us aren’t impacted I say we leave him to it. We can’t save the world.”

“Yeah, I’ll do my best. Have you heard from Ford?”

“I tried calling before we got on the plane. I haven’t had a chance to check back since we landed.”

“Let me talk to Raven again, and I’ll give it a shot.”

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