Page 59 of The Sinner: James

A grin gleams in his eyes, telling me he’s not as pissed as he pretends to be.

He looks at them, content.

“We’ve got a deal,” he says, ignoring me completely.

They whip their eyes at him.

“Are you serious?” Lex asks incredulously.

“I sure am. They’ll discuss the zoning change in the next session. It looks like we have enough votes to make it happen.”

“You’re the fucking man,” Ed says, grinning from ear to ear.

Lex congratulates him.

“Let’s go somewhere to celebrate… I can’t wait to get out of these clothes,” James says, not a glance in my direction.

“What about her?” Ed asks, pointing to me.

“She comes with us,” he throws over his shoulder without looking at me.

10

RAIN

“Get her car to my place,”James orders, handing my car keys to the valet.

“Sir––”

“Don’t bore me with the details,” he cuts the man off.

The valet gives him a curt nod, turns around, and swiftly moves away.

Ed and Lex slide into their car while James signals me to climb into the limousine.

We get in before the doors pull shut with a muffled sound.

Occupying the opposite seats in the back, we share a few moments, not exchanging a word.

His eyes go to his phone as the driver steers the car away.

Frozen in my seat, I observe James.

A few moments pass.

“You didn’t even ask me...” I say, my gaze pinned on his profile.

“Shut up, Rain. I don’t want to hear anything about your sister, home, or family drama. You wanted to get a taste of adult life, then fucking own it and be an adult. It’s your business how you square off with them.”

“How late...?”

He flicks his gaze to me, his eyes blazing at me. My words drop dead in my throat.

I look away.

“I guess you want to prove a point,” I say.

“I don’t need to prove anything.”

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