Page 48 of Sinful Attraction

Michael

After Arya left to do her research on Maria’s computer guy, I knock around the houseboat for a while, restless and not even really knowing why. I should be relaxed and happy. Arya and I are back together, I just had ground-shakingly awesome sex with her, and I finally have someone close in my life who won’t be swayed against me by stupid family rumors.

We spent the night together. It should have left me feeling great. But something she had said before she left is sticking with me, like a burr in my sock that I can’t seem to get rid of.

I had finally admitted I cared about her, and over breakfast, I told her that I was still having trouble figuring out what I woulddo if it turned out that one of my kin had really betrayed me and the family that way.

She told me I had to figure it out because blind loyalty to someone who hurts you is just inviting yourself to get hurt worse. We have managed to avoid another argument, but now... now, it’s gnawing at me.

I don’t get why this is all so fucking difficult. Am I really as blind in my loyalties as she thinks?

No, no. Loyalty is absolutely important. This is the Mob. Loyalty is the only glue that can really hold a bunch of dangerous, ambitious people together. And even more, this is my own damn family.

She thinks I have a blind spot, but I just don’t see it. My sister acts up, but she wouldn’t betray all of us. If for no other reason than she knows all her special treatment would evaporate, and my father would show her his scary side.

She has to know that’s what will happen. I sure do. There’s no mobster’s son who doesn’t grow up with at least a little fear of his dad’s temper.

Arya doesn’t know us. Her family is rotten and has no honor. She’ll assume all families are the same. Right?

Right?

I have to go home to deal with my family again and face more questions from my father that all amount to the same thing. Yes, I’m still chasing leads on whoever stole the money. No, I don’t have anything worth sharing about it yet.

The tension around my family is killing me. Billy and I retreat to the kitchen for beers and, when that isn’t enough, go out to the gazebo in the backyard.

“This is fucking crazy,” I say. He grunts and nods.

“I don’t know what to tell you, man. I think Maria’s really going around the bend with this sibling rivalry crap. Didn’t we leave this behind in high school?” He looks baffled as he takes a swig of beer.

“We did. She didn’t. And for some reason, she just decided to double down when this whole heist thing happened.” And it is really, really pissing me off.

“She’s seeing an opening to get under your skin, man. That is literally all it is. She is on one of her shit-disturbing binges. You know she’s done this before.” He’s watching me. He seems relieved that I’m keeping my temper. Maybe he expects me not to.

“I do, but this is completely crazy. Is she still going to be doing this at thirty? Forty? We have to put up with Dad’s temper, our uncle’s porn addiction, and a lot of drunken gossip. Her crapis too much.” I rub my face, suddenly craving something a lot stronger than beer.

“Well, for the record, I don’t believe a word of what she’s saying. You’ve never dropped the ball before now, and you’re about the last person in the family who would betray us.”

“That’s good to hear, man.” It is. I’m grateful, but I’m also completely fucking exhausted from all of this. “I think it would bother me a lot less if Mom and Dad didn’t believe every damn word that comes out of her mouth.”

“Just keep working to prove her wrong, then. She’ll crumble in the face of evidence.” He takes another swallow of beer. I wonder how he can keep so calm all the time. I guess he’s just really good at not letting any of our family drama get too far under his skin.

I’d kill for that talent.

“That’s what I plan to do. But it’s hit a snag. The person I’m working with is investigating a couple of possibilities, but... well... one of them is the guy that Maria keeps bringing home.”

“The smelly one who stares at women?” His eyebrows rise. “Oh, this sounds juicy. Do you think he got up to some thievery shenanigans while he was on our property?”

“It makes as much sense as anything. I’m just worried about what else it might... implicate.”

I hesitate as I see curiosity gleam in his eyes. Is it even safe to be talking about this? Someone might overhear, or Billy might spill what I’m saying to someone.

“What do you mean?” His eyebrow is up again, but he’s still drinking. Not too captivated.

“I don’t like the possibility that Maria’s in on it.”

He scoffs. “Maria’s no criminal mastermind, man. She’s got the audacity and the ego but no plan, no brains, and no work ethic.”

“Yeah, I know. Maybe I’m just pissed because she’s stirring people up against me. But...”

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