Page 12 of When Sinners Dare

Damn, it’s good to be free.

CHAPTER FIVE

MARIANA

I’m sorry. Forgive me x

I think we should have started with my family.

I agree. Better yet, how about just us next time?

Saturday night? That’s if your brothers haven’t locked you up.

Don’t joke. Pick me up at six, we can go for drinks first.

Whatever you want. See you Saturday.

I read over the text conversation again, making sure I’ve not missed anything.

It’s six thirty, and Antony isn’t answering his phone or any of the messages I’ve sent to him. He’s dodged a couple of my calls during the week, too.

I storm out of the sitting room and back upstairs. I might not be going on a date, but I won’t let him ignore me like this. “Urgh.” A quick change into something a little less dressy, and I’m back downstairs.

I reach the door with my hand on the handle.

“Where are you going?” Her voice cuts through the hallway, stopping me in my tracks.

“Out.”

“Where?”

I drop my head back and look up at the ceiling. “None of your business.”

I’ve been able to avoid Mother for the last few days – I’ve avoided all of my family for that matter. After the dinner disaster, I’d thought Abel would come to see me at least, but nothing. And with Antony out of the house, Mother at least has slipped back into her façade. That’s my understanding, at least. She’s promised to behave and treat Lexi respectfully and pulled the wool over Abel’s eyes. However, her true nature – her vile and obsessive grip of control over this family – won’t have vanished into thin air. Her outburst directed at me proved as much. It’s a shame everyone else around the table missed it.

“Don’t be late.” Her voice is back to that fake calm, almost sweet tone, and I don’t buy any of it.

As I rush down the steps to my car, the door slams behind me. I try Antony one last time, but it goes through to voicemail, so I head for a wine bar in town I like to visit.

It’s quiet, probably due to how early it is, so I sit at the bar, perching on one of the plush-fabric stools. An older barkeep is quick to approach.

“Anything dry and crisp. Not the house.” I place my order before he can even ask and look around the place. Deep-toned velvet fabric, lamps in all possible places casting muted lighting and a wall of glass windows opposite the bar all help set the ambience, like a bright speakeasy club.

The large glass of wine is slid across the marble top, and I waste no time in taking a large sip before pulling out my phone.

Still nothing.

What did you say to him?

I’ve avoided speaking to any of my brothers since the dinner, but Dante was the last to see him, and no doubt he had some words for him.

Why?

I roll my eyes.

Because I’m on the date we’re meant to be having without him.

Tells you something about him.

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