Page 92 of Sinner's Salvation

“You have no idea what that word means,” Aurora retorts.

The bickering continues and Alessandra says, smiling into her glass, “Cameron hasn’t stopped looking at you.”

My traitorous body feels the need to blush.

“It’s quite funny seeing him like this,” she says, sounding relieved.

“How is he usually?”

“I don’t know.”

My jaw drops.

She shrugs. “He has never brought anyone here. This compound is for family members only. There was an attack a few years ago.”

“Your husband happened,” Aurora says.

“You called him for help,” Alessandra replies.

Both women look at Chiara, who slaps her forehead in mock irony. “Aww, right when I tried to escape. How could I forget that? So, after that, when we all built our homes here, the men increased security. On the ground. In the air. Nothing can come close to this place.”

“But I only see guards,” I say dumbfounded.

Alessandra counts on her fingers. “There are also sensors throughout the woods, numerous layers of guards, drones, and surveillance cameras everywhere.”

“We even have a bunker,” Aurora says, clasping her hands together.

“Where is that?”

“Forget brunch, we’re showing her the bunker,” Chiara adds with a mischievous grin. The men turn to us.

Kieran says, “I’m not sure she’s ready for that.”

“She is family, Kieran.” Cameron’s heated look has my heart leaping. I don’t take it personally because Kieran is only thinking of his family’s safety.

Aurora adds, “Violet’s here, and she’s Cameron’s wife. That makes her family and she’s as ready as she can be.” She looks at me with sympathy. “Sorry, my husband can’t relax, not even for a second if everything is not one hundred percent resolved.”

“And for that man, nothing is one hundred percent safe,” Chiara deadpans.

“Hey, that’s my husband.”

“Then go help him relax a bit more before he gets an aneurysm.”

“I need a break!” Aurora says, grinning. They burst into laughter.

“Uh, I don’t get it,” I say. They look at me, then at each other, both fighting to suppress their amusement.

Chiara leans into me. “Her vagina needs a break.”

I splutter and cough. Aurora, Chiara, and Alessandra collapse on the couch with full-belly laughter. Cameron reaches me in three strides and pats me on the back.

“What the fuck is wrong with you all?” He points at Alessandra. “And you’re the doctor here. Didn’t you see her coughing her lungs out?” I’m glad I’m sitting down because his words warm my stomach like hot cocoa.

“That’s actually sweet. Didn’t think you had it in you.”

“Chiara,” he warns.

“It’s true.”

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