Page 24 of Magic of Sins

“A good merlot, I’d say. Or would you prefer a Pinot Noir?”

Is he serious? I didn’t come here to drink wine.

I pull the photo of my mom and me out of my purse and place it on the table in front of Caden.

“That’s her. So? Who can we ask about my mother?”

“Put that away!” Caden grinds out between clenched teeth.

He doesn’t even glance at the picture. All he seems to care about is that stupid drink menu. As if he’s studying the constitution of the Empire, not the names of alcoholic beverages.

“But it’s the only reason we’re here,” I protest, taking the photo and waving it in front of his face.

“Sure, that’s the only reason,” he replies without looking up.

Naive. I was naive enough to think Caden would honor our agreement. Why would he? I am on his turf now. I’m at his mercy.

“I’ll get us two glasses of wine,” he says.

I’m furious as I watch him get up and walk to the bar. Every step he takes radiates pure arrogance. He doesn’t look back at me, doesn’t even ask if I want wine. It probably doesn’t occur to him either that I might get up and leave while he’s there leaning against the bar with his back to me, talking and laughing with the bartender.

But that’s exactly what I’m doing.

I stand up, the picture of my mother in my hand, and walk toward the exit. Salvatore is engrossed in a conversation with an older man as I walk up the stairs and past him. He briefly looks at me as he takes a drag on his cigar. For a second I’m sure he’s going to stop me, but then I push open the door and step outside.

A mild wind caresses my bare legs. Somewhere, a glass bottle shatters on the pavement. Booming music emanates from a dark building entrance. I would reach for the kitchen knife in my handbag, but I don’t want to attract unwanted attention.

As I put one foot in front of the other, the incomprehensibility of what I’m doing hits me.

I’m in the middle of East Virtue.

And I’m all alone.

Chapter Seven

I gotta get out of here.

The thought keeps repeating in my head as I scurry past bars, casinos, and brothels with my eyes fixed forward. The flashing neon lights blind me, and I have to concentrate so as not to lose my bearings. I want to walk faster, but my shoes won’t allow it. I briefly consider taking them off, but there’s broken glass and cigarette butts everywhere. Once, I even see a puddle of vomit. The sour smell makes me feel sick to my stomach.

I pass a group of young men. They’re standing in a circle, passing around a bottle of clear liquid, definitely not water.

“You want a sip?” one of them calls out when he notices me.

He waves the bottle in my direction, his body swaying and his gold-painted lips twist into a sleazy grin.

“No, thanks,” I say quietly enough that he probably can’t hear and cross my arms protectively in front of my chest.

I’m breaking out in a sweat. Why did I just leave like that? What was I thinking, coming out here without Caden? It was stupid of me. So stupid. Those guys aren’t going to leave me alone just because I ask nicely. This is the East End, after all.

“Hey, wait up!”

My steps quicken as the man breaks away from the group and walks toward me. My pulse races. I frantically look around for an escape route. I could go into the bar on my left. But if he follows me inside and no one in there comes to my aid, I’ll be trapped. It’s already too late to return to the Dirty Halo; by the time I get there, this guy will have caught up and done God knows what to me. I can only hope that Caden has noticed my absence by nowand is looking for me.

I turn in the direction Caden and I came from. Could I make it to the place where the limo dropped us off? Is it even still waiting for us?

“Not so fast, honey. I just want to have a little bit of fun,” slurs the guy behind me.

He’s close. I can feel it. All he has to do is reach out to me.

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