Page 11 of Born Sinner
I should’ve suggested we go to another party, but I didn’t. Even though I knew better. Even though I’ve been cautioned.
“Stay away from Sam Colton, chaparrita. He’s dangerous.”
I rolled my eyes when my brother issued his warning. How could the hottest, most popular boy on campus be the most hazardous to my health? What the hell did he know about him that I didn’t?
Temptation is a baited trap. Last night, I crept closer, knowing the second I touched the forbidden treat, a hair trigger would snap my neck.
But there’s something about him… Something so mesmerizing it’s worth the risk.
Danger is the most addictive drug, and Sam has me hooked.
Chapter Five
Lola
“Not hungry?”My brother raises an eyebrow at me from across the small table.
I glance down at my untouched plate. “I don’t like pizza.”
Ugh, why did he have to pick an Italian restaurant? Thanks to our father, he has more money than all of New Jersey combined, yet here we sit in some godawful strip mall pizzeria.
“Bullshit. That ham and pineapple stuff is your favorite.”
My stomach lurches. “Santi, please.” I place my napkin on my plate, andgracias a Dios, it blocks the layer of grease from sight. “Will you lay off already?”
“No.” He tosses me a lethal smirk.
I scrunch my nose in disgust. If we weren’t in a public place, I’d punch it right off his face. Instead, I glare at him. “I’m sick, all right?” Crossing my arms, I slump into my chair. “I think I have the flu.”
“You smell like last call.” My big brother leans forward, the gold flecks in his eyes glinting with accusation. “The only thing youhaveis a hangover.” I jump as he slams his palm onto the table. “What have I told you about the consequences of drinking around strangers?”
“That I could have fun?”
Santi’s hand clenches, the vein in his temple pulsing with every grind of his teeth.
Christ, he’s the spitting image ofpapá.
“You’re testing me,chaparrita,” he warns darkly.
I cringe at his childhood nickname for me.Shorty.
“You might get hurt,” he continues, pausing on a slow inhale. “Where did you go last night? Felipé is getting his balls chopped off because of you.”
My jaw drops. “What? Why?”
His eyes flash with an unforgiving truth no border walls can contain. “He’s one of your personal guards, Lola.Papá’sdirect link to you besides me. What did you think would happen when you ditched him last night?”
Oh shit.
That’s just it; Ididn’tthink. Our father is merciless enough, but when it comes to me, he’s inhuman. For some reason, I flip a switch in him that evenmamácan’t control.
Felipe is a pain in my ass, but he doesn’t deservepapá’swrath.
“I’ll callpapá.” I reach for my phone, my hands shaking so badly, I nearly knock over my water. “I’ll tell him it was my”—I draw in a sharp breath as the tender flesh beside my hip burns—“my fault,” I finish weakly. Keeping my gaze lowered, I try to pull up my father’s coded contact in my phone.
Why won’t my hand stop shaking?
I’m not afforded another attempt. Santi’s bronzed one darts across the table and clamps on top of mine. “That’s not how it works, and you know it. Actions have consequences. Unfortunately, Felipé will pay for yours.”
