Page 12 of Beautiful Sinner

“I really just want to go.”

“Just for a moment. Come on.” He grabs my arm and ushers me towards the stairs before I can even react. I want to pull away from him but my conditioning to be polite is ringing through me.

Connor isn’t lying: there are multiple people in his private booth. A roped off area, I notice.

“Come. Sit.” He tries to pull me into his lap but I scoot away.

“I’m good here.” I sit between him and a woman who keeps eyeing me over like I’m gum on the bottom of her shoe.

“All right.” At least Connor doesn’t push the issue. “Everyone, this is… I never got your name.”

“Rachel,” I lie. Telling people who I really am is not a smart idea.

“Rachel.” Connor says my name like a cat eyes its prey. I don’t like it one bit.

“Do you want some?” a guy asks, nodding to a white powder on the table. He has a straw in his hand. I’ve seen enoughmovies to know what this is and there’s no way I’m taking drugs, especially in Dante’s territory.

“I’m good,” I say politely.

“Suit yourself.” He takes a big sniff of the cocaine. Connor joins in on the action.

“Come on, Rachel,” he says. “Try it.”

“I’m good. I’m actually just going to leave now. But thank you for inviting me up here.” I stand up but Connor grabs my arm and forces me to sit back down.

“Do you even know who I am?” he asks.

“No. I’m sorry.”

“I’m Connor Barry.”

I wait for the name to sound familiar but it doesn’t. “I’m sorry. I don’t know who you are.”

He leans in close to my ear and says, “I work for the Irish mob. You would do well to listen to me. I could make your life a lot harder if you don’t. So, why don’t you be a good girl and take a bump.” He practically forces the straw into my hand.

If this man finds out who I really am, I’m in danger. The Irish don’t exactly get along with the Russians.

“I don’t want to do this,” I speak as plainly as I can. “Thank you for the offer but I am leaving.” I try to stand up again but Connor forces me back down. This time, it hurts a little.

“I want you to stay. What do you think?” he asks the group. “Do you want her to stay?”

The group cheers, making it clear they’re on Connor’s side.

“Just let her go,” the girl next to me grumbles. “She wants to leave and if she’s gone, that leaves more time for us.”

Connor levels her with an annoyed look. “She’s not going anywhere.”

“I am,” I say, standing back up and practically running away from the booth before Connor can grab me again. “I’m sorry. I have to go.” I head for the stairs but Connor just follows me.

“Wait, Rachel.” He grabs my arm when I’m on the first step. I glance down, realizing that if Connor were to push me, I’d fall down a flight of stairs. “I want you to stay. Stay for me. Please. I’ll stop pressuring you. Just come back.”

“No thank you.” I try to pull my arm away but he’s not letting go.

“She told you no,” a familiar voice says. When I look down, I see Matteo a few steps below me.

He’s actually here.

Chapter Three