Page 104 of The Sinner: James

Slowly, I run the flame over the tip and take a long drag.

I let it out fast.

“I’m not going to worry about it now.”

His stare stays glued to me.

“Don’t even think about it,” I say, tipping my chin down and running both hands through my hair, my cigarette dangling from my lips.

He stays silent while I straighten and lean back into my seat.

I pull my cigarette out.

“Okay, then… I guess we’ll know by the end of the week or maybe before the party,” he says, not entirely on board with me.

A few moments pass.

“What if…” he starts and stops just as fast.

I shoot my eyes at him.

“There is no if. I will not do it. We’re talking about Rain’s family here. No matter how much of a jerk he is, I won't do that to her.”

The blood draws from his face, disappointment glinting in his eyes.

“It’s business, James, and you can’t put everything at risk for a woman.”

“I didn’t say I would,” I retort. “I wouldn’t risk it for anyone… All I’m saying is... I won’t destroy her family when I can take care of it some other way. There are enough people on that list, and Daryl Morgan is not one of them.”

Our eyes clash.

There’s a steel-like determination in him as he questions my decision.

“I can do it if you want me to,” he says, stubborn as always.

“It’s the same thing. It has my name on it.”

I know him.

He’s not going to back away. Not when it comes to money.

So he talks again.

“If they don’t change the zoning, we won’t be able to build anything on that piece of land. And it may take another year to get where we are right now. A lot of shit could happen in twelve months. People die, retire, or lose their jobs. Other people get elected. We could lose the financing. It’s a five hundred million project, with a quarter billion projected annual revenue, if not more. Every year we’re not there on that fucking hill, we lose a big chunk of money.”

“I fucking know all this,” I growl through locked teeth.

His eyes throw flames at me.

“It’s only pussy, James.”

My teeth grind so hard I could spit my jaw out.

I could also leap over the table and charge at him, but I know he’s right. I’d say the same thing if I was him, so I try to get a grip on myself.

“Listen to me...” I say as calmly as I can.

“No. You listen to me,” he snaps right back, his eyes slicing through me. “I’m your friend, and I know you. I also know women. Fuck her all you want. I know she’s fresh, the sex is hot, and she’s made for your dick. She’s a new toy, but she’ll grow up, and you’ll get bored with her. Give her enough time, and she’ll become someone different, like every other woman you've put your cock in. Do you see yourself married to her? Having Daryl Morgan as your father-in-law? Do you even see yourself with her five years from now? What the fuck are we talking about?”

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