Vain (The Seven Deadly, #1)(67)

“God, Soph,” he breathed into my smile. “You taste incredible.”

I corded my fingers with his hair and brought his head up. I needed to look in his eyes. “When we leave tomorrow night,” I told him, suddenly afraid, “nothing changes?”

He smiled at me genuinely. “Nothing.”

The song changed again to something with a faster beat and as we sang the lyrics to one another and practically lost our breath dancing, I realized that Ian Aberdeen was the most fun I’d ever had or ever would have.



We didn’t leave until close to three in the morning. I’d removed my shoes by that time and Ian carried them for me, the ankle ribbons draped over one of his broad shoulders and me on his back. We sang the music being pumped into the streets and belly-laughed all the way to his car despite the fact that the only thing we’d had to drink all night was the single shot of whisky, burned off hours before.

“Oh, shit!” I said, remembering myself. “I need your phone,” I told him, when he set me down near his car.

He removed it from the back pocket of his jeans and handed it to me.

“Can I call out of country?” I asked, when he opened the door for me.

“Yeah, I have an International plan for obvious reasons.”

“Cool,” I said, sitting as I slid the unlock button. “Huh.”

“What is it?”

“There’s fifteen missed calls from my sat phone.”

“Seriously?”

“I’m not kidding. Must be Karina. Should we call them back?”

“Yeah, it’s probably no big deal though. Go ahead and ring Pembrook first. Get that out of the way so Simon doesn’t bombard me incessantly tomorrow.”

“You really love your brother, don’t you?”

He nodded seriously. “Like-like a brother.”

“You think you’re funny.”

“I do. To both.”

“That’s sweet,” I said as I dialed Pemmy. I did the math quickly in my head and nearly wiped the sweat from my brow when I realized it was a decent hour in L.A.

“Hello?” Pembrook answered.

“Pemmy!” I squealed.

“Sophie?” he asked.

I cleared my throat, my skin flushing at my unusual outburst. “Sorry, uh, I have a favor to ask you.”

“Where are you? Are you okay?” he interrupted.

“I’m fine. In fact, I’m in Cape Town,” I answered.

“What! Sophie, you were under court orders not to leave Uganda!”

“It’s not a big deal, Pemmy. Karina and Charles approved it. It’s only for two days. I’m going back to Masego tomorrow evening.”

He was breathing deeply on the other end, obviously trying to keep himself under control. “If the courts get a whiff of this, you’re done, girl.”

My stomach dropped a little at his declaration but I insisted to him that everything would be fine.

“And what was your purpose in calling?”

“Oh! Right! I need to let Ian’s family borrow dad’s island in Belize. Can you let me know what dates it’s available.”

I heard papers shuffling in the background. “I’m very busy, Soph. Are you planning on escaping through Cape Town.”

I immediately felt offended but knew Pembrook was only looking out for me. “No, I assure you. It’s all very innocent. Is it doable or not?”

“Yes, it’s fine. The island is completely open this entire month. Feel free to offer it. Just let me know the date and I’ll arrange the staff.”

“Thank you, Pemmy. I appreciate it.” Silence descended over the line and I was afraid I’d lost him. “Pembrook? Are you there? I think I lost him,” I told Ian’s questioning face.

“No-no, I’m here. I’m here. You’ve just never said that to me before.”

“What?” I asked, confused.

“That you appreciate me.”

“Well, that’s a shame,” I told him sincerely, “because I do. I always have. I’m sorry.”

“It’s fine, Sophie. Thank you,” he said but I could tell his heart was the tinsiest bit lighter.

“Okay, I’ll ring you when we figure out a date. Thanks again, Pemmy.”

And with that, we hung up.

“Simon and Imogen have their pick of dates.”

“Thank you for that,” he said, kissing my temple and starting his engine.



Ian dropped me off at the guest suite door with a gentleman's kiss. Okay, maybe not a gentleman's kiss but I did eventually shut the door with him on the other side. It counts!

I hung my dress up and hopped in the shower, desperate to get the smell of smoke and outside off my skin and out of my hair. Humming Drivin’ Me Wild under my breath, I rinsed the conditioner and turned off the water. My hand shot out for the towel rack to grab my towel but it wasn’t there. I felt around the metal for it but figured it must have fallen to the ground.

I rolled the door back a few inches and stuck my head out to find it but was met with a hand holding it instead.

“Agh! Oh my God!” I panted. “Abri, what are you doing in here?”

My hand whipped out for the towel, wrapping it around myself before stepping out of the shower.