Page 1 of Sinful Like Us

Prologue

Nearly 1 Year Ago

JANE COBALT

Late in thequiet night of the lake house, I’m curled up on a leather sofa. Eyes raw from crying, pastel purple stationery paper lies on my lap, and I lift my ballpoint pen off inked words, my stomach sunk low.

I stare faraway at my messy scrawl. “This isn’t the end,” I whisper, grabbing at any leftover optimism.

I’m all alone and talking to myself. It’s certain then: happy or sad, I can’t shut up.

My cousins, brothers, and bodyguards are in their bedrooms for the night—while I’m in the living room, staying warm in flannel pajamas beside a lit fireplace.

I don’t love the solitary quiet, but the crackle of flames fills the silence a little. Light flickers against the dark walls, and I blow out a breath. “Come on, Jane.”

My heart has been broken. Just recently.

Torn to bleeding shreds, and I’m trying not to sit with these painful feelings. “You can withstand anything,” I murmur. “You’re a Cobalt.” A lump lodges in my throat, and I bite the inside of my mouth to quell emotion—emotionthat pierces all the armor I’ve ever built.

I’m not sure I want to be a Cobalt these days, and even the thought feels sacrilege. My family is my everything.

But I never prepared to be hurt by the people I love. By twoCobalts.By my parents.

Aren’t they supposed to believe me and trust me? When I’ve done nothing devious in my life to elicit their doubt. Yet, they’re the ones who believed I could be in a forbidden relationship with my best friend.

Oh, and that best friend—he happens to be mycousin.

It’s unthinkable. Never in mylifehave I ever even imagined…

My face starts to twist in a cringe and then morphs into a grimace as I remember how my parents will be at the lake house tomorrow. I’ll have to confront them face-to-face then.

I can’t say that I’m ready. Not when I’m wallowing. More pitifully than I like.

I sigh at myself. Where is the fierce roar of a lion? “Where are the claws?” I mutter and tuck a piece of wavy hair behind my ear.

God, I feel kicked down and meek. As the firstborn Cobalt, I’m supposed to be the fiercest, the most vicious and courageous of them all.

Not a puddle that people can splash in.

My voice falls to a softer whisper. “Buck up.” Soon, I’ll be on a tour bus and on the path to rebuilding my tarnished friendship with Moffy.

I nod.We’ll be okay.

It’s the bright side of an awful December. I take another breath and focus more on the stationery paper.

My fingers brush along my handwriting, a few words scribbled at the top:

For Thatcher Moretti.

I continue writing out a list.

-I prefer that you ride in my car with me. You don’t need to follow in a security vehicle.

- Fans can approach, but if you feel they’re possible threats, please don’t let them near me.

- I talk a lot. (If I bother you, please let me know.)

I spend a few more minutes making notes for my brand-new bodyguard, and I end with just three words.