Page 32 of When Sinners Dare

“You’re thinking I’m scared of him, but that’s not the whole story.”

She tilts her head. “Explain then.”

“I don’t need to.”

“Yes, you do. We had something and now you’re running because of my name?”

I push off the wall and head for her, taking her arm to lead her outside. “I’m not running, Mariana,” I say, as we get out on the sidewalk. “I’m saying no. For various reasons that aren’t your problem to hear. It was good, but it's done. So, if that’s all you’re here for then it’s time for you to go.”

She stands there in the sunlight, pretty as fuck features making me question what the hell I’m doing, and scrutinizes me. “How do you know him?”

“That doesn’t matter.”

Her arms cross over each other, head tilting at me hiding something. “Actually, I think it does. He didn’t beat on you at the bar, so there’s some respect there.” I doubt that very much. “What did you do for him?”

“Again, none of your business.”

She smiles and then chuckles. “Well, colour me intrigued.”

“Don’t be, just go. This isn’t right for either of us.”

A minute or so passes by as she considers what’s said. Wish I could say I was as behind my own thought process as I’m trying for, but I’m not. I’m thinking about the way her mouth felt on mine, and the way those Cortez eyes bored into mine like she was owed every second of time we had.

“Well, I think I’ll have a tattoo done then,” she eventually says. “Dante uses this place so …” She shrugs her shoulders. “How about it?”

A weak laugh rumbles through me. “You don’t want a tattoo.”

“Yes. I do.”

“No. You want someone who’s going to help you piss on your brother for whatever reason. I’m not it, Mariana. Go.”

She barges past me and re-enters the shop, going straight for the desk again. “Someone else then.”

“Mariana, I'm not sleeping with you again.”

“Who said anything about sleeping with you? Can you slot me in or not?”

I take a breath and try a different tack, aiming for aggressive. “No. I can’t. Jesus Christ, woman. I’m not fucking interested.”

She turns to look back at me and smirks. “Yes, you are; you’re just being a pussy. It’s a shame, I thought a little more of you than that.”

“I’m not a fucking pussy.”

“Really? Looked like one back there with my brother.”

Richie takes that minute to walk back out into the room. She looks at Mariana and then me, questioning what’s going down.

“I’d like to book in for a tattoo,” Mariana says. “Now.”

Richie looks straight back at me again, and watches as I shake my head. “Sorry we don’t have any availability today, but maybe I can get you in next week?”

“Today.”

“Listen up, miss, we don’t have any room for you today and-”

“You don’t have any room for the sister of Dante Cortez?”

I sigh as Richie’s eyes widen, and then I keep watching her trying her best to get me out of this situation. Voices start rising, and before long, Viper’s entering the room.

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