Page 28 of Sinful Attraction

I make a real effort to calm down. “I’m sorry. Look, yes, I know what the evidence says, and I know you’re right. I just... can’t fucking believe it was someone in the family.”

“Look, I’m really sorry, too. I don’t like being the bearer of bad news, but even if it was an outsider who got past your physical security, it’s a problem that needs to be addressed.”

“So, either our physical security needs a complete review, or we’ve got a fucking Judas in the family. I’ll sure as hell look into the first one,” I tell her firmly, “because I can’t believe the second.”

“I hate this,” she sighs. “Look, I understand how you feel. Loyalty’s everything, I get it. I’m expected to be totally loyal to my family, too, no matter how they treat me. But the thingabout loyalty is... sometimes, not everyone in your family is loyal back.”

My jaw works. “Not my family. Yeah, we bicker, my little sister’s a spoiled brat; and some of my cousins like spreading stupid rumors like the ones my ex started. They’re not perfect people, but I could never believe any of them would betray me like this.”

“I didn’t think you’d screw me over the way you did,” she points out. “But you did.”

I feel some of my resolve crumble away. “Look, I really like you, and you’re amazing, but you’re not family. I had my orders. I hated carrying them out because it was against you, but I did it because Dad wanted it.”

She licks her lips and looks down. “I get that. But it doesn’t take the sting out.”

“Will getting you the money back do the trick?”

She gives me a skeptical look. “It will be a good start.”

I nod. “Okay. I need to find out if we had any visitors in the house that night. That’s going to force me to ask some awkward questions.”

“You could always just check the security camera logs.” She sees the discomfort on my face and stops short. “Sorry.”

“No, I know it’s a good idea. I’ll just feel really weird doing it. Ninety-five percent of what goes on that night is going to be my family’s private lives.”

“That’s why you should go through them without me,” she urges me gently.

I frown. “I’ll think about it.” But I really don’t want to. If she’s actually right... if someone in my family has betrayed us... it will drop a bomb on the rest of us. The Rossis will be thrown into chaos.

“Michael,” she says softly, laying a hand on the back of mine, “even if it is someone in your family, you need to protect everyone else. Because if this person will do that to you, then they’ll probably do it to others.”

I have to stop and think about it, no matter how uncomfortable it is. I hate that she’s right. But she is right. “I’ll take a look at the security footage,” I say reluctantly.

A second round with Arya ends up having to wait. Facing the possibility of either a security or loyalty problem in my household ends up killing the mood more than I want to admit. I can’t really explain it. It’s like finding a crack in my life’s foundation.

I don’t blame her for pointing it out. I’m still as hot for her as ever. Just... not for a while after that.

When I get home, Billy is where he usually is when he’s home, poking through the fridge in search of snacks. I have no idea how he stays as lean as he does. “Hey,” I say as I come in.

“You spend the weekend at your condo?” He looks at me curiously as I sigh and lean against the counter.

“Yeah. Had to get through a whole lot of security records in a short time.” I reach out, and he hands me a longneck without being asked. I pop the top off and have a swallow.

“Damn. I was hoping you were there with a woman,” he says with a smirk.

“I was. For a while, anyway. All work and no play, and all of that.” I return the smirk, but I can tell it’s a pale imitation. I’m tired—and not just for spending a lot of the night fucking instead of sleeping.

He looks delighted. “Goddamn, it’s about time. Who’s the new girl?”

I freeze up immediately. I can hardly tell him it’s Arya. “Nothing serious, just a friend with benefits.”

He lifts an eyebrow slightly, the corner of his mouth tucking up skeptically. “Okay, man, you don’t have to tell me. But if you get serious with this chick, expect me to get curious again.”

I nod gratefully, glad for the reprieve. I’m suddenly preoccupied with a whole new worry: What will I do if things actually work with Arya?

I suddenly feel like an idiot. I’ve wanted to get with her for years, but even in my wildest fantasies, I’ve never thought beyond our first night together. I’ve never thought about what would happen if we wanted each other for keeps.

And now, I do. I’ve never been that sexually compatible with anyone on a first try, I like her, I’m drawn to her, and she can even keep up with me on the tech front. This is no longer just a matter of finally scratching a years-long itch. I want her.

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