Page 4 of Sinner's Fury

“No,” my brother slurred. “Bitch left for a reason. She will come back when she’s in over her head.”

“Are you really willing to let that happen? ’Cause that’s not the Mercy I know. You love that woman. She is your fucking world. I don’t see you letting Largo fall when you can soften the blow.”

“Don’t matter,” he muttered, downing the liquid in his glass before pouring another. “She didn’t trust me enough. What happens next is on her. Go away, Fury.”

Knowing he wouldn’t say anything more, I got to my feet.

“I’m heading out. Barney brought nothing that interested me. I’ll be at the Tower if you need me.”

Mercy said nothing as he waved me off, downing another shot.

Shaking my head, I left my brother to drink his sorrows away and quickly prayed that someday he found the answer he was looking for.

In the quiet stillness of the pre-dawn hours, the first hints of rose and gold appeared on the horizon as I held her close, feeling the steady beat of her heart against mine, acutely aware of the approaching end. In moments like this, I hated the sunrise; the beautiful colors were a cruel reminder that it was time to say goodbye.

Davina wasn’t a Barney girl.

Far from it.

Davina was the marrying kind.

Too bad for me she was already married.

I guess in some way, I was her Barney man.

I kind of chuckled at that.

So much for not falling into a trap, ’cause all Davina had to do was text me and I would come running.

Davina Duchene was the heir and CEO of Duchene International. As the first-born daughter of Vivienne Duchene, of the sprawling, opulent Duchene International, Davina inherited the company’s considerable wealth and power upon her mother’s sudden death. It was rumored that a descendant of the Duchene family held the position of lady-in-waiting for Queen Victoria. As the story went, the girls were close in age and became good friends, but when Lady Duchene asked to marry someone untitled, Queen Victoria shocked everyone, giving her blessing. She even attended the wedding. It was the only time the Queen ever allowed one of her maids to marry and gifted her friend with a one-of-a-kind jeweled necklace. Over the years, Duchene International created and designed jewels for royalty and the uber rich. Now Duchene International was a seventy-billion-dollar-a-year company.

Holding her close, I asked, “How are the girls?”

“Getting big. Adrianna is almost walking, and Brianna is getting bigger by the day. I still can’t believe they both look like you.”

I smirked. “Well, what can I say? I am a handsome fucker.”

She chuckled.

“Davy, why don’t you divorce that tool and marry me?”

“Because the board would never approve of you.”

“Fuck the board. You say the word, and I will bring it to the club. Montana’s been looking for a way into the jewel market.”

Sighing, Davina sat up and looked at me. “I wish it were that easy. Besides, even if it were possible, that would mean you’d have to give up your wild ways.”

Grabbing her, I pulled her across my chest and smiled. “Baby, for you, I’d give up being a Catholic.”

Davina smirked. “Well, don’t get too drastic on me. I happen to like your religious convictions.”

“I’m serious, Davy. Divorce that fucker and marry me.”

“In another life I would,” she whispered sadly. “But my life is already written. You will find someone, Christian. Someone who isn’t like me. Someone who will give you everything you never thought you wanted and more. Someone who will love you regardless of what the world throws at you. She is out there. I know she is, and when you meet her, she will turn your world upside down.”

February 15th, 2024

Shame

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