Page 13 of A Taste like Sin

obvious. Given his track record, I wouldn’t put another instance of espionage past him.

Luckily for Damien, I’m not in the mood to resist him this time. Mateo’s little warning made it clear

that navigating this uncertain landscape alone may not be in my best interest—especially where my

father is concerned.

So I climb into the car without complaint, and minutes later, Julio deposits me in front of the private

residential entrance of the Lariat, safe from any prying paparazzi. It’s a short, unnerving trip up to my

apartment.

But Heyworth is nowhere to be found.

Julio stands guard in the hallway while I wait, passing the time by alternating staring out the window

and checking my phone. A quick scan of the top news stories doesn’t reveal any unusual traffic jams

—but a flashing headline chills me to the core.

The Borgetta Murder Case: five people connected dead within a month of overturned

conviction.

Perhaps my father’s security detail took extra precautions this morning, thus delaying him over thirty

minutes?

After nearly an hour, I finally breakdown and call.

“Thorne residence,” the same man from last night announces.

“Where is he?” I demand.

“Mr. Thorne is…indisposed at the moment. I’m afraid he’ll have to reschedule.”

“Reschedule?”

The line goes dead without further explanation and my heart twists inside my chest. Could something

be wrong?

Or perhaps something more important has come up. More important than mending fences with me. A

coveted interview? A donor meeting? The possibilities mount and each one feels increasingly

plausible.

Heyworth pushed me aside for yet another political calculation.

It’s nothing new, but this time…

Tears spill down my cheeks like liquid fire as I tear into the hallway, heedless of who may be spying

from the shadows.

“Ms. Thorne?” Julio calls after me as I surge into an opening elevator. “I suggest we take the private