Page 47 of Protected by the Sinner (The Sinner’s Touch #2)

New Orleans

I’m pretty sure Beau must think I’m a little crazy, but here’s the thing—I know my sister better than anyone. If he’d waited too long now that she’s remembered everything, Amber would have shut down.

She’s the most honest person I’ve ever known, and she had to go against everything she believed in to follow the orders of the Italian mafia and help save me, so I know she’s probably feeling awful and full of guilt right now.

I pace back and forth, nervous and hoping everything works out between them.

At first, I asked her to stay with Beau because I had no doubt the man must be dangerous too. But my sister, like me, is a good judge of character, and if she said he was treating her well, that was enough for me to feel safe letting her stay with him.

Every time we spoke on the phone, I made a point of analyzing him. He’s definitely not one of the good guys, but I’ve seen the real scum of humanity. The Italian who kidnapped me was one of them, just like the elders.

My phone buzzes with a message, and I’m surprised to see who it’s from.

Amos Cooper. My brother.

I nearly jumped out of my skin the first time he called me. I thought I’d been so discreet investigating him, but apparently, he found out. I’m good at covering my tracks, but I guess he’s even better at following them.

Honestly, it was probably for the best that he made the first move. I had no idea how I was going to approach him.

“Hi, how are you? I swear I’m not crazy, but I think you’re my long-lost twin.”

Either way, I’m happy he has a good life—unlike ours.

Stability. A family. Everything Amber and I always dreamed of.

I look down at the screen.

Amos : You left Boston without saying a word.

Yeah, he’s got every right to sound pissed. We were supposed to be talking right now.

Me: Can you talk now ?

Seconds later, my phone rings.

“Did something happen?” he barks.

Jesus, not even a good morning!

This is only the third time we’ve spoken on the phone—and none of the previous calls touched on why I’d sought him out. Though I suspect he already knows.

“I’m in Louisiana.”

“What?”

“You know why I had you investigated?” I ask, tired of dancing around it.

“I have a pretty good idea,” he says cautiously.

“Well, if it’s true we’re siblings, then maybe it’s time you knew. We have a younger sister.”

“Amber Martin.”

“What? How do you know that?”

“She wasn’t exactly subtle following my wife around the mall.”

“I was in Italy and asked her to find you. My sister’s a bit clumsy when she plans things alone.”

“What are you doing in Louisiana? I know you were in Boston.”

“Yeah, but I had to come here.”

I quickly explain the situation. Amber’s amnesia, the pregnancy, her fainting, and memory coming back.

“Her boyfriend called, asked me to come. I didn’t mean to leave you hanging, Amos, but Amber will always be my priority.”

“Are those your real names?”

“That’s a strange question.”

“Let’s just skip the back-and-forth and assume I know almost everything about you already, okay?”

“Yes, those are our real first names but not our real last names. If you know so much, you’re aware we changed them more than once.”

“I’m not judging you, Elodie. Everyone does what they have to do to survive. I’m coming to see you both. You said her boyfriend called. Can you give me his name?”

“So you can investigate him? Not exactly the best way to build trust.”

“Diplomacy was never my thing. I need his name.”

“No. I don’t really know him, though I’m hoping I’m right about the guy. But right now, my loyalty is with the father of my nephew. If you want to meet us, you’re welcome. I really want that. But when I reached out to you, I took a leap of faith. Maybe it’s your turn to do the same.”

“I’m coming, Elodie. But this blind leap of faith you’re talking about? That doesn’t exist in my world. You not giving me his name just means I’ll have to dig a little harder—but by the time my plane lands in Louisiana, I’ll know everything I need to.”

“I didn’t look for you so you could start running our lives,” I say, even though, deep down, my heart warms at the thought of having someone who shares our blood being so protective over us. “If you really are my brother, you’re only four minutes older.”

“This has nothing to do with our birth times and everything to do with who I am, Elodie. I control everything around me. And maybe, someday, if we’re really related, you’ll regret ever reaching out to me.”

I doubt that. “Maybe,” I say.

“Send me the hospital’s address. Do you two need anything?”

“No. You said you’re going to dig into Amber’s boyfriend, Amos, but there’s something your research won’t show you: they’re in love.

Neither of them is perfect, but they’re in love and about to start a family.

Whatever your research turns up, don’t even think about interfering in Amber’s life.

I want you with us, but not at the cost of her happiness. ”

Beau walks into the hallway minutes later, and from the slightly more relaxed look on his face, I think things went well between them.

“Amber wants to see you.”

I nod and head toward the door, but then I pause and look back. “Thank you.”

“You don’t have to thank me for anything.”

“I do. For loving and respecting my sister. I don’t know if you’ve told her yet, but I know you love her.

Neither of us grew up knowing how to trust, Beau, and changing that is hard.

But I’m giving you the chance to get it right.

Don’t waste it. I’ll never judge you, and I don’t care what you do for a living, as long as you treat my sister and nephew well. ”

“I don’t owe you anything. My promises were made to your sister. I intend to keep every one of them, but not because of what you said or for you.”

I realize I’ve pushed too far. I don’t want to start off on the wrong foot.

I walk back toward him. “I’m sorry. Protecting her is in my blood.”

“Then it’s a good time to tell you that Amber is my whole world now. I won’t tolerate threats.”

“Fair enough. Again, I’m sorry.” I start walking again but stop at the door. “Beau?” When I glance back, I notice he still hasn’t moved. “Amber and I think we might have a brother. My twin, actually. Long story. We didn’t know he existed until Giancarlo looked into our past and—”

“Giancarlo?”

I grimace. “The man I was with in Italy.”

“Go on.”

“Long story short, Amos is coming here.”

“This supposed brother?”

“Yes.”

“I need his entire name.”

I roll my eyes. “No. If you’re that desperate to know, find out yourself. He’s already looking into you, by the way—even though I never told him your name. But know this: no matter what you find, you’re not allowed to do anything to my brother.”

“You don’t even know if he really is your brother.”

“I’m not certain, but my heart says he is. And anyway, remember: Amos is potentially your girlfriend’s brother and your kid’s uncle. You really don’t want to piss off Amber.”

Beau just stares at me with that arrogant alpha male face. I turn and walk away before I throw something at him.

Men!

With my hand on the doorknob, I hesitate for only a few seconds before stepping inside. The moment I do, I run straight into the arms of the most important person in my life.

“I can’t believe you came!” She stands before I can stop her and hugs me. Then she keeps touching my face and hair, laughing and crying at the same time. “I missed you so much, Elodie. I’ll never live long enough to thank God for keeping you safe.”

“Beau told me there’s no more risk staying in the U.S.”

“Yeah. He, uh . . . handled the Italian mafia situation.”

“Did you ever find out what that bastard wanted from him when he sent you to the nightclub?”

“Yeah, we just talked about it. Beau proposed—and I said yes,” she says, showing me a massive diamond and wearing a smile that’s just as bright.

“We decided to get all the secrets out so we can start fresh. The man who kidnapped you had Beau’s parents killed when he was just a kid.

Apparently, he was stealing from his own uncle and needed a scapegoat.

I think he figured out Beau was hunting him and tried to strike first.”

I shake my head, marveling at how strange life is. We went in circles only for my sister to end up pregnant and in love with the man she was sent to seduce.

“Are you happy?” I ask.

“Yes. Very. Especially now that you’re back.”

“Good. Because we need to talk. Remember Amos? He’s coming here.”

I’ve just finished telling her everything about Amos and conclude, “I hope he really is our brother.”

“I hope so too. But I’m also a little nervous. What kind of person is he?”

“From what I can tell? Bossy. But we’ll find out soon enough.”

She smiles, her face calm but still a little pale.

“When will they let you go home?” I ask.

“I think today. Come stay with us.”

“I wasn’t planning on going far anyway.”

She looks at me, and I can tell there’s something she wants to ask but doesn’t know how.

“Say it, Amber.”

“What happened with your Italian?”

“We didn’t work out.”

“Didn’t look like that to me. I could’ve sworn you were in love with him.”

“Can we change the subject, please?”

“Did he hurt you?”

“We wanted different things, and I don’t want to talk about it. Now tell me—did you buy anything for the baby yet?”