A Necessary Sin (The Sin Trilogy, #1)(30)

“I’m feeling very discriminated against right now.”

“It’s a rule put in place to prohibit us from going outside the conglomerate to find romantic relationships. It’s necessary to enforce, but I know your intentions. The Fellowship need not fear you.”

“I suppose I’m not very threatening.” She laughs.

“Not so much.”

“You said you’d protect me? Is there a reason I need protection?”

“I recall you having an issue with grabby hands and I resolved that for you.”

“We solved that problem together.”

“Okay, I’ll give you that one.”

“Financially. I might have a problem with that one. I don’t like feeling like I’m not making my own way.”

“Then you can do some freelance photography if you like.”

“You mentioned taking care of me sexually. It’s part of claiming?”

“I enjoy having you in my bed. I’d like you to be in it every night.”

“That sounds like you’re asking me to move in.”

She catches on quickly. “I am.”

“We’ve spent one night together.”

“I don’t care. I want you there.”

She’s silent.

“Say yes.”

“I don’t know. What if I snore or do things that irritate you?”

“You won’t.” I kiss the side of her face. “Say. Yes. Bonny Bleu.”

“I love hearing you call me that.”

“If you move in, I’ll call you bonny every night.”

“I may only be here a few more weeks if things are wrapped up with Aunt Edy’s estate.”

“Then spend those remaining days with me.”

She bites her lip and squeezes her eyes. “You’re being very persuasive.” She begins nodding. “I guess we can give it a try. Maybe we won’t kill one another.”

“Perfect. Pack what you need for tonight and I’ll send Sterling for the rest of your things tomorrow.”

“You never told me what we were doing today.”

“We’re meeting Leith and Jamie at the gym.”

She puts her hands on her hips. “You want to take me to work out?”

Bleu has an incredibly fit body. “Definitely not. The three of us box, been doing it since we were lads. I thought you might enjoy watching.”

“Nice. I wouldn’t mind seeing a little friendly battle of swinging fists. I might even join in.”

I hope she’s kidding. “No way I’m letting you in the ring with those dickheads.”

She’s grinning. “You think I’ll get hurt?”

I think Jamie and Leith would be too damn scared to touch a hair on her head. “No, it’s not fitting to put a woman in the ring with a man.”

She looks offended. “Really?”

“There’s no match. You’re at least sixty pounds lighter than any one of us.”

“I can throw a pretty fast punch. My opponent never sees it coming.” She sounds as though it’s something she does on a regular basis.

“Today, you observe.” I say it as though I might let her get into the ring at some point in the future, but that’ll never happen while she’s with me.

She grins as she folds a blouse and stuffs it into her bag. “We’ll see.”



* * *



Jamie and Leith are already in the ring when we arrive. They stop midfight to ogle us. This should be fun.

Jamie and Leith know there are things going on between Bleu and me, but I expect both to be completely shocked when I tell them I’ve claimed her.

“Hello, boys,” Bleu calls out as we walk past. She grins up at me and whispers, “You haven’t told them we’ve been spending time together, have you?”

“No.”

“Then this shouldn’t be at all awkward.” She looks at Leith and then back to me. “Are you planning to tell Leith about us while you’re in the ring together?”

Ah. I think she at least suspects he’s into her. “Aye, and I’m telling him I’ve claimed you as well.”

“Why would you do it like this?”

“Leith has a thing for you. If I tell him while we’re wearing the gloves, he can get pissed off and vent so we can get back to good. It’s how we work.”

“You’re going to let him punch you because you won me?”

“Hell, no. He’ll have to earn a hit on his own, but by getting in the ring together, I’m giving him the opportunity. He wouldn’t come by it otherwise.”

She nods. “I get it.”

“You’d be the first woman.”

She smiles. “Have you yet to understand that I’m not like other females?”

“I figured that out the day we met.”

Bleu sits on the bench as I approach the ring. “You didn’t mention you were bringing anyone,” Jamie says.

I climb into the enclosure. No need to discuss who my opponent will be—Leith steps into the role without a word. He slams his gloves on top of mine. “Let’s do this.”

Jamie moves to the corner. “Something going on that I don’t know about?” He’s confused. That means Leith hasn’t confided in Jamie about Bleu.