Page 104 of Wicked Sin

Why?It doesn’t make any sense. And that is terrifying to me.

Men wanting sex, that’s normal. I grew up with that and feel like I can control that situation to some degree.

I can’t control a stalker. He’s not working with a full set of…anything.

As we stop beside Luke’s car, he wraps his arms around me for a tight hug. “We’ll get him,” he promises me. “And you’ll be safe with Cole until we do.”

I shiver inside the circle of his arms. “I know.”

“Still scary.” His voice cracks a little. Just a little, but it’s reassuring. “For me, too. And that’s not something I usually have to admit.”

We goin the service entrance of the Beverly Wilshire. Luke flashes his badge and people get out of our way.

The elevator takes us straight up to the top floor, and when we get out, there’s a big guy wearing an earpiece who stops us. He doesn’t accept the badge, either, not just on good faith. He looks at it, really looks at it, and calls in Luke’s name.

Only after he gets the okay from Cole, inside the suite down the hall, does he let us pass.

“You’ll be safe here,” Luke promises.

I know.

I don’t know if I’ll be treated well, but I’ll be kept alive, and given the circumstances, that seems like something to be grateful for.

The door to the suite opens before he knocks.

Instead of my formidable brother-in-law, it’s his wife standing there.

My sister Hailey, who hasn’t wanted anything to do with me in years.

Her eyes are as big as saucers and her lips are pulled tight together, but she steps aside and swings the door wide for us.

It’s more welcoming than I ever thought I’d get from her.

“Hailey, Luke…”

“We’ve met,” he says from behind me.

“Right.” I stop inside the foyer and give my sister—the middle one, the very good one, the judging one—a small smile. “Hi.”

“Oh, for fuck’s sake, Taylor.” She throws her arms around me as she growls in my ear. “What the fuck is going on?”

“So much,” I whisper.

From somewhere else in the suite I hear a squeal, then quick footsteps.

“Incoming,” Hailey whispers back.

I laugh as Ali plows into us. The little one, the sweet one, the smart one.

And then there’s me.

The fuck-up. The slutty one. The one in danger, now and before and maybe always.

I hear Luke talking to Cole beside us. Excusing himself, because he has to go. Then his hand is on my back, and I twist around, almost hugging him before I remember we’re not alone.

“Thank you,” I say instead. Two simple little words. Easy. Polite. “And good luck.”

He holds my gaze, then nods. “We don’t need luck, princess. But I’ll take it.”

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