A Necessary Sin (The Sin Trilogy, #1)(73)

“Are you enjoying the party?” I call it that instead of what it really is. I don’t wish to make her feel bad. She’s my cousin. We grew up together so I love her. I’d never want to hurt her.

“Everything is beautiful. Aunt Isobel went all out.”

“She did. Exceedingly so, I’m afraid.”

“She should have. It isn’t every day the future leader of The Fellowship volunteers himself to be beaten in place of the woman he loves so she can become part of his world.”

“I’m sorry for how this played out.” I’m apologizing again for something I don’t understand. “I had no idea how you felt.”

She looks confused. “How I felt about what?”

“You were planning to be my wife.”

“God, no, Sin. I could never marry you. My father is the one who planned on me being your wife. Not me.” She leans back to get a better look at my face. “Is that why you’ve been avoiding me tonight?”

“The very reason.”

“No. Dad came up with that. I’m not at all interested in climbing the chain of command. That’s all him. I’d probably leave The Fellowship if I had a choice.”

“God, I couldn’t be more relieved.” I adore Westlyn. She grew up tagging along behind me, Jamie, and Leith, so this misunderstanding has been incredibly unsettling for me.

“I’m happy to have that cleared up.”

“Me too,” I agree.

“I’m very much looking forward to becoming friends with Bleu. I’ve never been allowed to socialize with anyone not from within the brotherhood.”

“She’ll be very happy about that. I’m afraid she’s been here for months and has no friends—except Mum. I’m sure she’d like some her own age.”

“I’d love for you to introduce us later.”

“Absolutely.”

“I have a confession,” West says.

“Aye?”

“I don’t plan on marrying a man from The Fellowship.”

Oh, shite. “You must know your father will never allow you to take a husband from outside the brotherhood.”

“I don’t really care what Dad has to say about it.”

Are my actions responsible for her decision? “When did you decide this?”

“Years ago. It has nothing to do with you and Bleu.”

Abram will never see it that way. Not only have I rejected his daughter as my wife, he’ll now blame me for putting this idea into her head. “Do us both a favor and wait a while before you drop this bomb.”

“No worries. I have no prospects at the moment. No need to stir trouble yet.”

Aye. I have enough problems as it is.

Abram isn’t finished with me and Bleu. I’m certain of that. All I can do is lie in wait, bracing for his next move. Because it’s coming.





Chapter Twenty-Five





Bleu MacAllister




It’s official. I’m a Fellowship member, going on two weeks now. I’m completely and utterly in love with its future leader. I want to be with him forever. Undeniably, this isn’t ideal. It’s stupid and reckless but it’s what I’ve chosen because I refuse to live without him.

And Harry can never know. He’d die of a coronary before the cancer had a chance to take him.

I’m undecided about my plans for Thane. I only know one thing: I still plan to kill him. But it won’t be soon. I’m not ready to force Sin into his leadership role.

Clearly, my original plan has gone to shit. But … shit happens.

I have a dying father four thousand miles away and I’ll need to return home to him soon. No exceptions. I spoke to Ellison yesterday and she tells me Harry is declining. It’s expected, but I need to introduce the idea of going back to the US for a little while. And I know exactly how I’ll do it.

Sin is working in his office. I stand in the doorway and take a moment to admire how handsome he is before disturbing him. He’s still wearing his clothes from work, minus the jacket and tie. He’s rolled the sleeves of his shirt to his elbows and is wearing his reading glasses. Mmm … I was right. He’s hotter than a freshly f*cked fox in a forest fire.

His eyes lift from the book lying open on his desk to his computer and he notices me standing there. The lopsided grin I love so much makes an appearance just for me. I covet it, especially when it’s accompanied by a single dimple. “Hey, you.”

“I hate to bother you. Can I have a minute?”

“I always have a minute for you.” He pushes away from his desk and pats the top of his thigh. “Come see me.”

I sit on his lap, sliding my arm around his shoulder for support. He pushes my hair away from my face so he can clearly see my eyes. “Everything okay?”

“Yeah. I just wanted to talk to you for a moment about something that’s been on my mind.”

“Sounds serious.” He rubs his hand over my back in a circular motion.

“I’m afraid I don’t make a very good kept woman. I’m used to working. Daily yoga and meal planning isn’t my thing.”

“Okay. I get it—you’re bored—and I assume you’ve come to me because you have a solution?”