Page 489 of The Sinner: James

I glance at the time on my phone. That’s a little over half an hour from now.

I jump out of my seat, put out my cigarette, and call Thomas on my way out.

The car is in front of the hotel, waiting for me.

I climb in, and before long, Thomas swerves our ride and pulls up in front of a flashy establishment with a sizable crowd waiting outside to get in.

The doors slide open, and just as many people seem to be crammed inside.

I check my phone again while Thomas turns off the ignition.

Without a word, we walk out and approach the entrance.

Oleg catches sight of us from behind the bouncers and barks a few words to those staring at us.

They step aside as we walk in.

“This way,” Oleg says, turning toward the main room.

The noise subsides as we climb the stairs to the upper level.

The man pushes a door open, and we walk into a dimly lit room furnished with a leather couch, matching armchairs, and a wall–to–wall bar.

A few men are waiting for us, standing. Two have their backs propped casually against the bar.

The other two are stiff, and their expressions are frosted.

Oleg slides his hand to my chest.

“Wait,” he says abruptly. “Do you have any guns?”

“Don’t they have guns?” I ask, tossing his hand away and motioning to the men in front of us.

“Let them in,” one of the men at the bar orders.

I step in with Thomas right behind me.

The man talking a moment ago pushes off the bar and steps into a cone of light.

He’s not what I expected.

Younger than I thought, he has raven hair, dark eyes, and a fair complexion.

His features are masculine and rough looking.

His eyes slice through me.

“Who’re you?”

“The man you want to cut a business deal with,” I say, walking into the shaft of light as well.

Surprise tumbles over his face as he gets a glimpse of my features.

“No fucking way,” he says, swinging his eyes to the other man propped against the bar, an incredulous smile tilting his lips.

The second man straightens and walks closer to me too.

He resembles the first man, and his frame is just as athletic. As he pulls closer, I notice his pale blue eyes.

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