Page 38 of Blind Sin

I shake my head. “She’s not going out and risking her life for a bit of shopping. I didn’t really think about how much danger I’ve put her in by just bringing her out of Waldgrave house. I didn’t think about things like sun exposure and germs, but after what happened last week with her getting sunstroke after only being outside for fifteen minutes, it got me thinking about all the other things that can hurt her.”

“That’s exactly my point,” Alexander insists. “She needs medical attention. She’s never been vaccinated, and we’re not equipped to handle this. My parents have some masks left over from the Covid days. We could all wear masks, sail to the mainland, get her the vaccinations and medical advice she needs, maybe even some vitamins or whatever else.”

I hesitate, torn. “I don’t know. You’ve made it quite clear that you’d prefer us not to rock the boat. We’ve been here a week and my father hasn’t found us yet, but it’s only a matter of time. I’m sorry that I’ve not helped in figuring a way to get us out of this.” I shrug. “I just don’t know how to. I was naive when I thought getting Lauren out of that house would be enough. I never considered all this other stuff.”

Alexander puts his hands on mine and it’s surprising that I don’t flinch away from him. Usually when a man touches my hand without asking, it’s a perverse way to lead into something sexual, but I don’t get that feeling with Josh. He cares about Lauren and that in itself makes this conversation feel safe. Because for the first time in my entire life, I’m talking with a man who isn’t trying to figure a way to get into my pants. Its weird how freeing that feels. I need to remind myself that he’s only not trying to get into my pants because he’s trying to get into my sisters. The thought sobers me up instantly.

“You did a fucking excellent job,” Alexander continues. “If it wasn’t for you, Lauren would have lived and died in that room without experiencing any life at all. That’s why I think we should take her to the mainland. We don’t have much money left, but we’ve enough to get her in to see a doctor. I have the address of the one my parents use where they come here.”

I shake my head in disbelief, my heart pounding with fear. “I don't know. It all feels so dangerous,” I admit, “When I went with Nolan a few days ago, I swear I saw my father in every man I saw. Of course, it wasn't him, but I was glad when we got back on the boat.”

Alexander sighs, his expression troubled. He runs a hand through his hair, clearly wrestling with something. “There's something else I should have mentioned days ago,” he confesses. “I wasn't sure how to broach the subject, and I don't want to get anyone's hopes up.”

Shit. Here it comes. He’s been so nice, I’ve been waiting for the other shoe to drop. I hold my breath. “What is it?”

He raises his hands in a soothing motion, trying to temper my reaction. “Lauren saw something,” he says cautiously. “Just a flicker of light. It's probably nothing, but...”

“Jesus Christ, Alexander. Why has no one told me? She didn't mention anything to me.”

He looks away briefly, uncomfortable.”Don't get excited.”

Don’t get excited. My blind sister saw something and it seems everyone knows about it but me. How the fuck am I not supposed to be excited about that? Because I feel shit that I’m the last to know something so monumental. “How? When?”

“I guess she didn't want you getting too excited about something that was probably nothing,” he explains. “It happened back in the apartment too, which makes me think it's something we should explore.”

Suspicion creeps into my mind as I press for more details. “What was she doing when she saw the light?”

Alexander coughs uncomfortably, avoiding my gaze for a moment. “Nothing really,” he finally says. “I guess it's just her eyes' reaction to natural sunlight.”

The way he avoids eye contact tells me there's more to the story, but before I can pry further, the French doors swing open, and Lauren heads out to the patio with Nolan. Tears stream down her face, and she rushes toward me. “I'm sorry for shouting at you, Lucy. I just thought being free would feel more… free.”

I let out a breath and pull her into a tight embrace. “I think we should go to the mainland,” I concede. “Alexander thinks you should see a doctor, and he's right. I should have thought of it myself. We've all gotten used to late nights and waking up late.” I glance up to the overhead sun. “We'll have to go later when the sun isn't so high.”

Lauren’s eyes brighten immediately and it makes me wonder if she was ever going to tell me about being able to see.

“Come on,” I say, gently taking her hand. “I have a fruit salad to finish. You can help me, and after that you can tell me all about these flashes of light Alexander tells me you’ve been seeing.”

26

MERCIER

Every sense is attuned to her. Even when she isn’t in my line of sight, I feel her. For someone that makes it a point to be as invisible as possible, she fills each room. Her scent lingers longer after she ventures outside. But things are changing with our little Sinful. The spark is coming back. Watching her stand up for herself against her sister was a sight to behold and when her body melted into mine, it felt fucking amazing. I’ve bided my time with her which has been difficult give Dacre’s revelation a few days ago, but I want her to decide herself to come to me. I want to see desperation for my cock in her eyes before I give it to her, so I’ve been playing the long game, teasing her at every swimming lesson, morning and dusk. She’s like putty in my hands, practically at the point of begging.

“It stinks like a fucking smoothie bar in here,” Nix grumbles as he enters the living room. He looks like shit and hasn’t shaved since we got here. With his long hair, he looks like a modern day Robinson Crusoe.

“If you mean the delicious scent of strawberries, that’s Lucinda’s shampoo, and if it’s the tantalizing scent of coconut, that’s Lauren’s.”

Nix gives me a withering look.

“Of course. If it’s the decadent and downright sexy air of masculinity, it might just be me that’s got you turned on.”

“You wish,” he sniffs, before settling on the love seat.

“We’re on a desert island with the two hottest women on the planet begging for your cock and you still have the audacity to look like someone has slapped you round the face by a wet fish.”

Predictably, Nix’s face deepens into a frown. “One can’t see me and the other doesn’t want to. We are fucking trapped here and the second we think about leaving, we’ll have Waldgrave on us like flies on shit.”

I don’t know why he’d want to leave. We have everything we want here. Fresh food, sunshine, and Lucinda and Lauren. If I was a religious man, I’d think I was in heaven.

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