Page 181 of Sinful Like Us

She smiles.

I hold her hand, and we dip our heads down to the table with Charlie.

“Stop!” Beckett shouts. “Wait, just stop!” He storms over and places a hardback book on top of the cocaine lines. “Don’tever.” He’s speaking to his sister and brother. “Not for me.”

Jane tenses. “Only if—”

“Yes, okay.Yes.I’m going to stop. I won’t use anymore. Not for performances or rehearsals.”

“Or anything,” Charlie says.

“Or anything,” he promises.

“Because if you do, I’ll be your roommate,” Jane reminds him. “Thatcher, Charlie, and I will be using everysingleday—”

“I know. The threat still stands, I heard you,” Beckett nods. “I know, sis.”

We all are on our feet.

“It’s not just a threat,” Charlie says. “It’s an oath.”

Beckett surprisingly nods. “Okay. Let’s spit on it.”

“No.” Jane begins to smile. “This one has to be done with blood.” She turns to me, and I unsheathe my knife, the kind every bodyguard here is armed with, instead of guns.

The four of us make a blood pact in the tower room. Jane glances at me while Charlie cuts his palm, and we share an acknowledgement that Beckett’s promise could be temporary. The only thing stopping him from using isn’t a pact. It’s not Jane. Or me. Or Charlie.

It’s himself.

And the moment he decides this isn’t worth it, he’ll start again. But for now, we all settle with taking his word. Hopefully it means something.

37

THATCHER MORETTI

20 Days Snowed-In

Akara has calledan emergency security meeting, Epsilon bodyguards included—and no one is throwing jabs or backhanded horseshit. We gather around the circular breakfast table in the cold kitchen and carry complete focus and intensity. Committed to the same purpose, the same reason we’re here.

Our clients.

These families comefirst.

We’ve sworn to put them before our feuds, before our personal problems, before our hunger and aches and pains and needs.

Akara unzips his wet jacket, the sat-phone on the table. “Here’s the deal, guys. The village’s inn is a ten-hour hike on foot, and the owner said she has enough provisions to house six people if we can make it there.”

“Scots are dope,” Donnelly says.

Residents here have been more than friendly. Over a few days ago, a Scottish local trekked here to check up on us. Just in time too. He helped us fix another burst pipe. Without the generosity and kindness of the Scottish residents, we couldn’t stay here long in these conditions.

“We have two problems,” Akara announces. “1. We can’t leave until the winds die down—and from what she said, it didn’t sound like anytime soon, and 2. Only six people can go.” The change of scenery, getting out of this house—it’ll be like a life raft for some.

The priority list is unspoken.

Six clients are in Scotland: Jane, Maximoff, Charlie, Beckett, Sullivan, and Luna.They come first.Along with the little sister of twobodyguards. We take care of our own.

Joana Oliveira is high-priority.