Page 49 of Betrayed By Sin

Sin: Wish you would have stayed last night but I’m so glad you came.

“You look like hell.” She says with a grin as I near her.

I slump into the seat across from her, rubbing my temples. “Thanks.”

She waves down a waiter before turning back to me. “No, seriously. What happened to you?”

I hesitate. I don’t even know where to start.

Bria tilts her head. “Is this about Sin?”

A sharp exhale leaves my lips. “Of course it’s about Sin.”

Her eyes flash with something unreadable before she leans forward. “Talk to me.”

I reach into my purse, my fingers curling around my phone.

I pull it out slowly, as if handling something fragile, dangerous. I navigate to the picture and place it on the table between us.

Bria looks down at it, her brow furrowing. Her gaze flicks back to me, confusion mixing with the growing tension in her expression.

“What’s this?” she asks, her voice low.

“It was in Sin’s office.”

She leans back, studying me appreciatively, “So you broke in?”

A laugh escapes me, “I still have a key, so I wouldn’t have broken in anyways, but no, I was… with him last night.”

“Eww.” She shakes the thoughts from her head. “Okay aside from that, what is this?”

“Blueprints, for my family home.”

Bria picks up the phone, her eyes tracing the edges of the blueprint. I nearly pull it back, knowing how much she despises the Rusco name, but things have to be different now because of me, right?

Bria’s voice is low when she finally speaks, her eyes flicking from the phone to my face. “What did he say?”

“I don’t know,” I admit, leaning back in my chair, trying to calm the rising panic in my chest. “I left. He was asleep. And judging by his text this morning he doesn’t know anything. So, I know it’s a lot to ask…”

Bria stares at me for a long moment. Her lips thin as she processes. “I won’t say anything to him. I know he’s my brother, but whatever this is.” She gestures at my phone, “we need to figure it out.”

“I know,” I say, my voice hollow. “I thought I could trust him. But now… now this. Is he going to break in? Kill my family?”

Bria’s eyes narrow. “I don’t think so, he wouldn’t want to hurt you like that. Now before, I would have helped him, but you mean too much to both of us.”

I clench my fists under the table, the tightness in my chest worsening. “I just… I don’t get it. Why does he have this?”

Bria leans forward, her voice softer now but no less urgent. “He’s obviously planning something, and I don’t want him hurt, I’ll figure it out. He freaks out when I discuss Rusco business, so I’ll have to be sly about it.”

“I can’t just sit back and not know.” I finally say, my voice growing stronger.

Bria nods, her eyes hardening with determination. “And I’ll help you, Mags. You don’t have to do this alone. But you need to be careful.”

“With who?”

“Everyone.” She replies, taking a sip of her drink. “have you noticed anything at your house? Any new people?”

“No.” I shake my head, wondering if I should bring up to her what I wanted to Sin. “Cameron and my mother do seem like they’re planning something for me. I don’t know what it is, but some kind of deal. I’m scared they’re sending me away again. To keep me safe.”