Page 137 of The Sinner: James

“Not now, Dad.”

Without another word, I push out the door.

* * *

RAIN

There’sno way I can get in Red’s without a trick of sorts.

I’m sure the staff will throw me out without a smidgen of regret the second I step in.

As I roll the car onto the street leading to the club, limousines pull up in front of the building.

It looks like a big party. People and cars are coming and going, and a cop directs traffic.

I find a parking spot on a secondary street and walk to the club. Good thing I wear a black hooded T-shirt and dark jeans, so I can hide my face and go unnoticed.

The place is dimly lit.

All I need is to sneak inside and slide past the bouncers without being spotted by the snake in the red dress, in case she's working tonight.

Standing at the top of the stairs, I scan the crowd, looking for familiar faces and trying to attach myself to someone to get in.

A group of tipsy men makes it to the door.

I hide my hair inside my hood and slip between the two of them, hooking my arms around their elbows and acting as if I had a drink too many.

We split as soon as we get inside.

I slide to the wall, turn right, and keep walking until I reach the farthest booth.

As I get closer, the faces around the table come into focus.

I pull my hood off, my blonde hair spilling over my shoulders just as James raises his eyes.

His smile dies out, his eyes turning into black ice. Lex’s expression freezes, and Ed’s usually warm eyes turn to ashes.

Four women sit with them, all in their twenties. Pretty faces, skintight dresses. Two blondes, one brunette, and one redhead.

Their laughter still rings in the air as their male companions turn to stone.

“What the hell are you doing here?” James growls under his breath, motioning to a couple of bouncers.

The women go quiet, their eyes darting back and forth.

“I need to talk to you.”

“Get the hell out of my club,” he barks, rising to his feet and blocking the view of the people at the table.

His hand curls around my neck.

I look up at him, his gaze flying over me. The bouncers are near us.

“It’s about my dad,” I say, and he raises his hand.

His men halt and pull away.

He drags me to a side exit and takes me to the back rooms, where he unlocks a door and shoves me into his office.

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