A Necessary Sin (The Sin Trilogy, #1)(43)
Surely, I didn’t understand her correctly. “You’re doing what with whom?”
“You heard me.”
“How did this come about?”
“I decided I should make an effort to bond with her since I’m going to be living with her son for an indefinite amount of time.”
“That’s a clever way to tell me you’ve decided to stay.”
“I thought so.”
“You hadn’t mentioned it since I asked, so I was expecting you to leave next week.”
“I get this ache in my chest every time I think about leaving. The closer next week comes, the worse the pain gets.”
“You don’t know how happy you’ve made me, Bonny Bleu.” I don’t have the words to tell her. But I can show her.
Chapter Fifteen
Bleu MacAllister
My reason for shopping with Isobel today is twofold. I want to know more about what makes Sin tick, but I’d also like to get close to her. If she’s my friend and confidante, I’ll be invited into her home—the one she shares with Thane. That is where I plan to kill him and make it look as though an adversary is responsible.
I’m not stupid. I know I’m being surveyed and analyzed but it’s because I’m a suspected informant. They have no idea I am the actual adversary. Even after Thane is dead, they still won’t know. That’s why I’ve had no qualms about using my real name. They’re idiots, giving too little credit to women and their capabilities, so I’ll never be suspected as a skilled assassin.
“What about this one?” I run my hand over the soft pewter comforter. “It’s not a feminine color but the detail and embellishments on the throws make up for that. I think it would be beautiful against the wall color.”
“What color ‘tis that?”
“Soft blue.” I see a comforter almost identical to his walls so I point it out. “Very similar to this except a wee more on the steel-blue side.”
“I agree. The platinum set would be lovely.”
“I think so too.” I catch the attention of the sales clerk. “I’ll take this one in a king. I want it just as it’s displayed with all the throws.” I remember the sheets ruined on the first night I spent with Sin. “And add an extra set of linens.”
Isobel and I stroll through the home department while we wait for the sales associate to return with my purchase. “Has Sin told you how I came to be married to Thane?”
Isobel’s accent is much stronger than Sin’s. I’m not sure why. I sometimes have difficulty making out some of her words.
“He said his grandfathers arranged your marriage for a stronger Fellowship.”
“Tis true. I was born into this role. I didn’t have a choice, but you are free to choose any man in the world.”
I’m not sure where she’s going with this. I say nothing.
“My son is cut from the same cloth as his father. Thane took him from me when he was a bairn, so I was unable to have a say in molding him into the man he is today. I wasn’t kiddin’ when I said like father, like son. They’re both monsters.”
She’s right about one of them. “Sin is not a monster.” I’m angry so I begin walking away but stop and turn back to look at her. Without thinking, I point my finger at her. “Never say that to me again.”
She smiles, as though she likes my reaction. Was she testing me? “Ye already have feelings for him. Are ye in love?”
“I think I could find it very easy to be.” It grows easier every day.
“Do ye think he’s in love with ye?”
I’m not sure Sin is capable of such things. “I don’t think so.”
“He will be. But there’s something ye should know about being with a Fellowship leader. Being in love is a double-edged sword for my son. Whoever hears him say ‘I love ye’ is condemned. Loving ye will make him vulnerable and he’ll come to despise ye for that reason.”
Is that what happened between my mother and Thane? He loved her but she became his weakness so he killed her? I don’t believe that’s it. He could’ve walked away so much easier.
I finish my purchase and we’re returning to Isobel’s car. “I like ye, Bleu. That’s why I feel prompted tae warn ye. I wasn’t trying tae be cruel or vindictive toward ma son. I love him verra much.” Sin doesn’t know that.
“I think you’d be surprised to learn how much he’s told me.”
“Fallin’ in love with Sin ‘tis a mistake because ye don’t understand about oor world. Once ye come tae know oor ways, it’ll be too late tae get oot.” She hesitates before getting into the car. “I’d really like us tae be friends—but I dinnae think we can be if I bring this up again—so I won’t. I’ll keep ma gob shut. Does that sound fair?”
“Yes, thank you. I’d appreciate that.”
* * *
I enjoyed my day with Isobel. She turned out to be a fun lady when she wasn’t trying to convince me I shouldn’t be with Sin. Her heart was in the right place, so I have to give her props for looking out for my best interests. And I think the impasse means she won’t lecture me anymore.