Page 181 of The Sinner: James

The game is on.

And if I know anything about her, she won’t back away.

She’ll stand her ground and remain steadfast in her convictions.

She’ll do it out of spite if nothing else.

That’s who she is. That’s who she’s always been.

“Absolutely, no problem,” she says.

There you go.

“Good. After you, sweetheart.”

We flank her, furtively trading looks behind her as we all enter the ballroom.

Although the festivities are already underway, some people swivel their heads to get a glimpse of her.

Minutes pass as we go through the motions and play our roles. We’re here to talk business, and she’s here to keep us company.

Some of these people are business partners, some are acquaintances, and others are strangers we get introduced to for the first time.

A natural, she exchanges pleasantries with them, her wit, erudition, and sense of humor shining through, complemented by her ravishing smile.

Men and women alike stare at her, mesmerized.

At one point, she excuses herself and tears away from us.

Our eyes follow her as she sashays across the room and vanishes inside the corridor leading to the ladies’ room.

“I can cancel this whole thing,” Lex mutters, his eyes trained on the door she walked through.

“Not a chance in fucking hell,” I say, having a hard time speaking. “We’ll get what we paid for. She’s no longer the girl we once knew,” I say, cold as winter.

He flicks his gaze to me, searching my eyes.

“Are you sure?”

“I’m damn sure.”

The door opens before she strides back to us, and more anger spearheads through my chest.

Even as nervous as she is, she’s still stunning. And she seems undeterred. Fine by me.

But this thing won’t get any easier. Not one fucking bit. If anything, it will get harder.

She might suspect I’m setting her up, trying to break her.

And it’s possible that she doesn’t give a shit.

“Is anyone in the mood for a dance?” she asks in a strained voice, her eyes darting back and forth between the two of us.

“Not me,” I say, grabbing a drink from a server’s tray.

Lex looks at me.

I softly lift my chin, pointing to the dance floor.

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