Page 179 of Sinful Pleasure

“Why are you doing this?” she croaked, her eyes narrowing as if trying to find some hidden agenda in my actions.

I pressed my lips together, not wanting to utter the truth. Saying it out loud would make it real, and the last thing I wanted was to confront my feelings head-on. It was easier to pretend, to convince myself that I was doing this out of some misplaced sense of duty.

“He was always taking care of my safety,” I muttered, shrugging as if that explanation should be enough. “I owe him.”

Lydia scoffed, shaking her head.

“Bullshit.”

Lydia wasn’t stupid. The truth was clear, even if neither of us wanted to say it out loud.

“Your brother’s life is running out with every second you act like a bitch,” I muttered, frustration rising in my chest. “Take it or leave it. It’s your choice.”

Her gaze softened ever so slightly, her cold demeanor cracking just a little. I wasn’t sure if I was imagining it, but for a brief moment, I thought I saw something close to… gratitude?

Before I turned to leave, I glanced back once more.

“This is the last time I do anything for your family,”

I promised, my voice firm.

“We’re even now.”

That was the first conversation I’d had with Lydia in months, and even though it had been a week since then, the memory still haunted me.

I knew she would take advantage of the opportunity I gave her. I knew she’d do whatever it took to save Maddox. That’s why I wrote the letter to her.She was loyal to a fault, to her family, to her blood. She would risk everything for them.

That night, I stood by my window, watching the car drive off at full speed. The distant sound of the engine fading, leaving behind nothing but death and defeat.

But as I watched the taillights disappear into the night, something inside me felt like it was slipping away too.

I would never forget the rush of emotions when I saw Maddox without chains and handcuffs. He was free, just as he should have been all along.

The next morning, my father’s fury was like nothing I’d ever witnessed. He was livid, enraged beyond reason. I could see the rage in his eyes when he found out that Maddox had escaped.

The worst part was that if he ever learns the truth—that his own daughter was behind Maddox’s escape—he might never forgive me.

I’d crossed a line from which there was no return.

I betrayed him, I betrayed my family in the worst possible way. And yet, I felt no remorse. Not a single ounce.

It was a strange kind of peace I found in this betrayal—one that had been missing for so long.

One thing was certain — nothing would stop me from getting my revenge on Martin King. I had to.

Not just for me, but for Lara too.

I had discovered the truth.

Martin King was behind the Seattle bloodbath—the very one that had claimed Lara’s life. I won’t rest until I make him pay for everything he had done, for every innocent life lost because of him.

When we captured one of his people months ago, he confessed in a desperate attempt to save his own life.

Why had he done it? A mystery.

No one knows, but I’ll have my answers soon.

I was a little relieved when I found out we were going to attend a masquerade ball hosted by The Stone family. Something to make me forget even for a little while.

---