Page 54 of Wicked Sin

“Canyoutext her and let her know you’re still holding me hostage?”

“No. And not because that wouldn’t be fun.” He gives me a pained look. “Fine. Look. I need to tell you something, but it doesn’t change the fact that you cannot come with me. Your sisters are here. In L.A. They’re stirring up trouble at headquarters, threatening to go public with the fact you’re a missing person.”

No. Oh, no. I told Wilson they couldn’t get involved. But then I realize what Luke had said. “My sisters?”

“Yeah. Being missing is not a crime, though, so they’re not getting far yet. But—”

“Both of them?”

“Yes.”

My heart leaps. Sisters? Plural?

And then it shatters because of course; Hailey is only here if she’s worried I’m dead. She’s a good person. That doesn’t mean she likes me.

“They’ve set up a command center at a hotel. I’m going to swing by and see if I can lower the temperature.”

“You should take proof of life.”

“You’re not a hostage, Taylor.”

“You know what I mean. Any chance you have a Polaroid camera?”

His eyes flash. “You want me to take a photo of you with today’s headline and show it to your sisters in an effort tocalm them down?”

“Okay, that wouldn’t work.” I click my fingers, trying to think of something, anything— “Wait, I’ve got it. Give me some paper and a pen. I’ll write a note for my sisters. They’ll know it’s from me.”

“You’ll need to show it to me first.”

“Absolutely, Detective Control-o.”

He huffs a quiet laugh, then finds me a notepad.

I scribble the words I know only Hailey and Ali will understand, then hand it over. His face is funny as he reads it. He was probably expecting it to be dirty. It’s not.

Rememberwhen I said I would run away and join the circus? Yeah, me neither. So I didn’t do that. I did what I always said I would do if Gomez and Morticia lost their minds.

“Gomez and Morticia?”

“Our parents. Once upon a time, I thought they were very much in love. Maybe they were. They’re not anymore, and I haven’t called them that in twenty years. But my sisters will absolutely know that it’s me, referring to them.”

He frowns as he looks down at the paper again. “When you were a little kid, you had a plan for what might happen if your parents lost their minds?”

“Yeah, well. I didn’t know that it wasn’t normal to have emergency contingency plans at eight. Live and learn.”

His mouth falls open then he closes it again. “Got it.”

I give him a grim look. “I’m sorry in advance if my family gives you a hard time—but the note should help.”

He laughs. “Just a part of the job.”

Right. Where I’m a witness, he’s a cop, and this is all entirely professional.

No masturbating.

No kissing.

The smile on his face falls away, his expression growing serious, and I have no doubt he’s thinking the same thing. That kiss yesterday.

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