Page 23 of Perfect Sin

“I’m more than capable of seeing to their safety,” Damien says dismissively.

“I know you have considerable resources, but Whitmore is the governor of this state. It’ll be better if they are outside of his jurisdiction,” Holbrook argues.

Damien adjusts quickly. “It would have been nice to have my family on the campaign trail, but I agree, their safety is paramount.”

“I’m glad you agree. They’ll have agents with them where we set them up. I’ll be back and forth building a case against Sin’s father. Whitmore needs to learn that being the governor doesn’t make him above the law.”

“You should take them back to California. They’ve got friends there. My daughter indicated a desire to go to college. Would they be able to do that?”

Damien’s questions confuse me. It’s almost as if he cares what happens to the three of us, which I know isn’t the case.

“It’ll make hiding them harder, but there’s been no threats against their lives. If they have agents watching after them we should be able to manage it,” Holbrook agrees.

“I’d like to check in on Ted and Jen,” Lucien pipes up.

Damien tips his head. “I wanted you to stay and learn the business, but perhaps it would be best if you went to college as well. I think a business degree wouldn’t be a bad idea.”

“Thank you,” Lucien says. It’s clear he’s as shocked as I am over the way his father is acting.

“It’s settled then. I’ll have the staff pack your clothes and deliver them to the airport. The plane will take you back to Playa Pacifica tomorrow.” Damien leaves us all baffled as he strolls out the door.

Holbrook and another agent sweep the house for bugs. Only after they confirm none are present do we sit down in the living room to talk.

“That was weird, right?” Raven breaks the silence.

“Definitely unexpected,” Holbrook agrees.

“What’s his angle?” Lucien asks.

I shrug. “You’ve got me. None of this makes any sense.”

Lucien stands. “This is a problem we can figure out tomorrow. It’s been a hellish two days. I’m going to get some sleep. Sin, tomorrow we need to talk.”

“Go on,” Holbrook tips his head toward the hallway. “Agent Marks and I are going to take turns keeping watch until we’re out of Illinois. Congratulations on your marriage by the way. In all the craziness I didn’t get a chance to say that.”

“Thank you. Not just for busting me out of there tonight, but for getting me the documents that made this,” I lift Raven’s hand with her ring on it, “possible.”

“I watched the interview, the one Lucien loaded that wasn’t edited. You are legally married. As soon as I heard you were reconnected with your parents I directed my government contact to invalidate your original social security card. If you want to change your name to Whitmore, you’ll have to file papers with the court. We didn’t even need to change your birthday. By some stroke of luck, we guessed right.”

Tomorrow I’d let the events of the past few days sink in. The mystery of who I am, even when I was born has been answered. The more answers I learn, the more questions I have, but even those will wait. For now, I’ve got Raven in my arms, and that’s everything.

* * *

It’s only beendays since I’ve really held her, slept next to her, but my body is starved for the feel of her skin against mine.

Despite the exhaustion weighing down my body, I want to take my time.

“We will never be apart again,” I promise.

Raven puts her hands around my neck and kisses me. The usual fever that takes over when we touch doesn’t consume me, but this kiss is no less intense. Her lips against mine feel like coming home.

“Can you be quiet?” I ask her.

“Now you have a problem with being caught?” she teases.

“There’ve been too many people coming between us. I don’t want to share you. Not in public, and certainly not in bed.” I pull back the covers and press her down on the bed before following her down.

I swallow the gasp she makes as I push inside of her. My need for control, the insecurities I’ve felt about not being good enough for her, and my fear of losing her all disappear with her in my arms. Marriage won’t magically fix every fight, or every dark thought I might have, but it soothes the beast inside of me that demands I claim my woman.

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