Page 64 of The Sinner's Touch

“I’m done.” She was hungry too. Given everything that had been going on, she’d barely eaten in the last three days.

She listened to the brothers chat while they stood in the checkout line. It was obvious how close they were. Their easy banter and insults attested to it. Dimitri was the next oldest, so he and Kade were closer in age than the rest of them. They’d probably ganged up on the smaller ones and ruled the roost growing up. She smiled, thinking about it.

Once they’d loaded all the bags into the SUV, they decided to walk across the street. It was easier to leave the car here instead of trying to find new parking. The holiday shoppers were out in force, and it was a nightmare.

Bella Luna was crowded. The hostess assured them they’d be seated within the next twenty minutes or so. Her stomach protested loudly when Kade asked if they should go somewhere else. Dimitri laughed at her obvious embarrassment.

“The bottomless pit speaks,” Kade teased.

“I’m hungry,” she defended. “And it smells so good.”

“It smells divine.” Dimitri’s head swiveled when the waitress passed. She winked at him, but he wasn’t looking at her. He was looking at the plate of mussels she was carrying, and his own stomach growled. “We’re not going anywhere.”

“See, I’m not the only one with a bottomless pit.” She stuck her tongue out at Kade, feeling relaxed and happy for the first time in forever.

Dimitri patted his stomach. “This fucker determines my schedule for the day. I need to be near food. I even keep astocked fridge in the office with a shelf of snacks. Got to feed the muses while I write.”

Angel eyed his nearly perfect abs. If he ate like that, he had to have a metabolism out of this world.

“His two-hour exercise regimen every morning helps,” Kade said dryly when he saw Angel staring pointedly at his brother’s physique.

“True. I exercise just so I can eat what I want. I really should have been a chef.” Dimitri’s nose flared as another waiter passed by with a tray laden with steaming hot food. “Damn, that looks amazing.”

Angel shook her head and stopped one of the waitstaff to inquire about the restrooms. She had to go in a bad way. There was no waiting until they were seated. She’d laughed too much, and her bladder was protesting.

“Just hurry. Our table should be up soon.”

“I’ll go with you. I need the facilities myself.” Dimitri fell into step beside her as they weaved through the dining room and toward the back of the restaurant where the restrooms were down a little side hall.

Angel nodded to an elderly woman coming out of the ladies’ room, and Dimitri promised to wait for her. She ducked into the room and locked the door. It was small but very clean, the white tile shiny. She quickly did her business then washed her hands. She studied her reflection in the mirror. Her cheeks were flushed, her eyes were all shiny, and she looked happy.

Kade. She blamed it on Kade.

It also made her realize a very important truth.

Some of the hurt that plagued her had dissipated, leaving behind a small ounce of hope. Every minute she spent with him, that hope grew. Even when she was pissed with him, he made her happy. Lily was right. Kade fucked up. He caused her more pain than any one person should have to deal with in theirlifetime, but he was also the one person who was slowly healing those wounds.

She loved him. No one else had ever come close to how she felt about him.

The damn smug bastard.

He was going to get what he wanted. She laughed, letting the love she still held like a shield out from behind its wall. She loved the smug bastard. That was worth something. There was still pain there, but the joy she felt around him outweighed it. Now that she knew why he did what he did, wrong as he had been to do it and cause them both a lot of heartache, she understood it.

She was willing to give them a chance. He was still Kade, the man she fell in love with, still the same goofball who could make her laugh, still the same sexy man who made her burn with desire. It wasn’t going to be all hearts and flowers. There would be fighting, anger, shouting. They had a lot to work through. But this feeling of hope inside her was worth fighting for.

She pulled out a few paper towels and dried her hands. She wasn’t going to let him know yet, though. He needed to do some major groveling. Lily was right about that as well.

Smiling, she opened the door and walked out. Dimitri was standing outside the men’s room. At least she thought so at first, but it wasn’t Dimitri. Same color hair, but this guy was shorter, stockier. His hair was shorter too. He was probably a waiter; he had on the waitstaff’s black slacks and white dress shirt.

What was taking Dimitri so long?

Given his appearance, he probably spent more time than she did on his toiletries. God only knew how long he would be. She’d rejoin Kade. Hopefully, they’d get a table soon. Her stomach growled in agreement. Just as she took a step forward, the man turned, and her heart stopped.

He looked different. The cuts on his face were new, and the brown eyes regarding her were wrong, but she knew that face. Itwas etched into her memory. He smiled and raised his arm. He had a gun. Oh, God, he had a gun! Where was Dimitri? Had he done something to him?

She barely registered that thought when something stung her. Her hand went to her neck and pulled out a small dart. She blinked, the world going upside down, her vision blurring.

“I’ve got you, my Angel. Shh, it’s okay.”

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