Page 87 of Desperate Crimes

“Junior,” I say, rolling my eyes.

Everyone calls him that but me. I don’t know, I just feel like he’s too big to be contained by the moniker.

Still, four sets of brows shoot up.

“Apparently?”

“Well, I didn’t see him. And I don’t remember getting in his car. But the next thing I know, I’m waking up in this insane bedroom in a house I’ve never seen before.”

“Wait,” Clementine cuts in, her voice a whisper-scream. “He drugged you?”

I blink, the realization slamming into me like a train.

“Oh my God. I think he did.”

Aella’s hand slaps the table. “Leanna!”

“I know—but listen, it wasn’t like—ugh. Just let me finish.”

“Why didn’t you call? Wait, why didn’t Dad’s software go crazy when you were off the grid?” Clementine questions, speaking abut her father, my Uncle Josef, who’s the brilliant mastermind behind the most sought after security service in the world, Sigma International.

“I don’t know,” I murmur, wondering how he got around all the security our families have had in place on all of us since we were embryos. “He must’ve killed the signal somehow once we got to his place,” I mutter, brushing a nervous hand through my hair.

“Like really? Is he that tech-savvy?”

“Um, guys? Junior’s my first cousin, so it may sound biased, but he’s a fucking genius. Went to Princeton and everything,” Aella speaks up.

“Okay, tell us about the house,” Clementine says.

“It’s beautiful. It felt like a dark fairytale carved into reality—like when Hades handcrafted a secret underworld for his Persephone,” I whisper and everyone quiets.

“I mean, it’s huge. Stone, iron, the best of everything. But it’s surprisingly warm inside. Twinkling Christmas trees glowing out of season, a rose maze blooming beneath a summer moon, silk robes soft as sin waiting on golden hooks. Every tile laid with intention, every nail driven in devotion. Pines stood tall like watchful gods, and fairy lights curled through the shadows like starlight caught in a spell. It was madness. Obsession. Love, maybe. And somehow, I think it was all for me.”

“Oh my God. Shut up!” Cora squeals.

Aella stares.

“So you were just what? Off-grid with Nico Fury Jr, a.k.a. the heir to Viper Enterprises? Did you have sex with him?” Jade asks.

“It’s not like that,” I mumble.

“Girl,” Cora says, leaning in, eyes wide. “You disappeared. With a big as fuck, sexy ass, tattooed man. You. Had. Sex. With. Him.”

“Ew. He’s my cousin,” Aella wails.

“That’s what we told you when you went on and on about Sammy’s magic tongue. It still gives me the heebie-jeebies. Anyway, look, she’s not even denying the glow!” Jade adds.

“I see it. You’ve been ruined, Lee-Lee. In the best, filthiest way.” Clementine sighs.

I bury my face in my hands. “Oh my God.”

“Fine. I’ll pretend he’s not my cousin. Tell us everything,” Aella demands. “How was it?”

“I am not going there with you guys!” I groan.

“Okay, that means it was amazing,” Clementine says smugly.

I lift my head and glance around the table.