Page 126 of The Sinner: James

Lex ambles into my office, his azure shirt and silver tie bringing out his blue eyes.

He slides into a leather armchair across from my desk and tips his gaze at me.

I can tell it’s not good news by the look in his eyes.

“What’s the story, Lex?”

“Nothing’s changed, I’m afraid. The outcome depends on that one last vote. Sheryl Lieberman. We either have someone else, or we risk losing everything.”

“It’s a zoning change proposal.”

“It’s a commercial Casino and Entertainment Resort. For some people, it’s like building an obelisk to honor porn.”

I lean back in my chair, my hands clasped behind my neck.

He speaks again.

“You know better than mixing business with pleasure. You have so much material on the Morgans I’d be surprised if their cat is clean if they have one. I’m sure Daryl Morgan could be nudged a little. Besides, I find it hypocritical that he’s the one voicing a different opinion when he’s also the one who can’t get enough entertainment on the side.”

“I want to date his daughter, for fuck’s sake,” I blurt.

“Do you?”

I pull a cigarette out, slip it between my lips, ball up the empty packet, and throw it into the garbage bin.

I flip the metallic lighter open and light the cigarette.

“You know the story, Lex. It’s fucking for me, but it’s dating for them, now that they know about it,” I say, tossing the lighter onto my desk.

I tilt back in my chair.

“She’s more than fucking to you, James,” he says, studying my eyes.

I blow out the smoke.

“Yes, she is. That’s why it matters to me. I can’t just blackmail him and then invite him out to dinner.”

“Well, there’s not enough time to charm him into it. We need his vote by Wednesday.”

I take another drag and exhale slowly, holding his eyes.

Pondering.

“If this blows up in my face, I’ll lose her,” I say.

“No, you won’t. She might cry and sulk a little, but she’ll come back to you. In time, she’ll see things differently.”

I shake my head.

“You don’t know her. She has a strong heart and believes in this shit. Love, family. She has this idyllic view of life and the world in general. Besides, she’s never been hurt or scarred, so she’s not used to pain or knows how to forgive and forget. I’m perfect for her right now, but if I hurt her, she has enough power in her to pull away from me. And trust me… It’s stronger than her lust for me.”

A shadow darkens his eyes.

“You didn’t make up that shit, James. That’s her father and her sister, and God bless them, her brother-in-law. She’ll understand. If not, maybe she’s not the woman for you, and you’ll lose her one way or another. She needs to know who you are and what you do. And you need to know that she accepts you for who you are. Otherwise, you’ll only have another babe on your arm.”

I blow the smoke out, narrowing my eyes at him as he speaks again.

“Besides, I don’t think he’ll open his mouth. He’s not that stupid… Is she home?” he asks.

---