Page 48 of The Sinner’s Desire (The Sinner’s Touch #1)

It’s Saturday night, and everything that could’ve gone wrong on my trip home, did: from delays on a chartered flight, to an air traffic controllers' strike, and finally a part on the plane needing to be replaced.

For the first time, I’m actually considering taking my lawyers’ advice and buying my own plane. I’ve always thought the idea was pretentious, but after hours trying to fly coast to coast, I’m starting to see it as a necessity—not a luxury.

Right now, I’m on my way home and my heart is racing like crazy.

Will she ignore me? Keep her distance?

I’m not going to tell her anything about the conversation with Ethan. I’ll take full responsibility for having been an idiot. I don’t want to be the one to damage their relationship.

My head is resting against the passenger seat, eyes closed, while Blood drives in silence.

That’s one of the things I like most about him. We can spend hours side by side without forcing meaningless conversation.

I used to think I’d never meet anyone more introverted than me, but my longtime partner easily takes the title for antisocial behavior.

He’s always been that way, but it got worse after his daughter disappeared.

We’ve searched the world for her, but five years later, we still don’t know anything more than we did the day she vanished. I can’t imagine a worse nightmare than never knowing what happened to your child.

Tonight, I appreciate his introspection—because I need the silence.

Finally, the car stops in front of my building.

“Check the evidence on Ramon,” I say.

He nods.

On the way to Boston, I got a message from my tech guy saying there’s a new file on Lilly’s stepfather waiting for me. Nothing like the initial report I had—it’s far more solid evidence.

I get out without saying goodbye, knowing Blood couldn’t care less about my bad manners.

He couldn’t care less about anything. We’re a lot alike that way.

I punch in the code, and the darkness in the main room chills me to the bone. I know that means she’s not here.

I don’t give up easily, and before even dropping my bag, I grab my phone to look for her.

She’s probably at that Theo guy’s place, getting ready for the party. I remember her mentioning that her friend wanted her to wear a special dress or something.

After I acted like such an asshole, she probably figured I wouldn’t be back anytime soon and decided to go with him—since, originally, the three of us were supposed to go together.

I decide to call her, even though I was reluctant to do it before—I’d rather talk to her face-to-face.

I don’t even finish dialing before I spot a note on the table.

Even though I know I won’t like what it says, I pick it up.

Thank you for letting me stay these past weeks, but I’ve decided to move out. I don’t know if that’s what you want, but I think we need to talk. I don’t end things in my life the way you seem to. If this is over, you’ll have to tell me to my face.

Lilly.

That’s it?

She says we need to talk, but leaves without a second thought—just a polite goodbye?

She didn’t even tell me where she’s staying!

Half mad, I text her bodyguards, only to find out that Lilly snuck out yesterday, and they only realized she was gone when one of them checked after not seeing her all day.

They said they tried to contact me, but I didn’t get the messages because I’d only found a charger when I got into Blood’s car—I’d left mine back at the hotel.

I reread our last text exchange, just to confirm that I’d been a complete asshole.

I dial her number, but it goes straight to voicemail. Then I start firing off messages one after another while heading to the closet to grab my tux.

There’s no fucking way I’m giving up on her.

That’s not even on the table.

Lilly

I spin in front of the bathroom mirror, where my old room in Nora’s house used to be, for the third time.

God, this isn’t me.

The red dress is way more daring than I expected, and it feels like if I make one wrong move, I’ll be standing there naked.

I shouldn’t have listened to Theo. He’s used to dressing supermodels and movie stars. I feel like a fraud.

My hair is swept to the side in a bun, but a few strands are loose over my shoulders. The red lipstick he insisted I wear looks like blood against my pale skin.

I’m not comfortable. The femme fatale vibe doesn’t suit me. I look like a man-eater.

“You gonna stay in there all night? The party’s downstairs, doll!” Theo teases.

I sigh, because he’s right. I came straight upstairs without even greeting my mother—desperate to hide.

I head out to face the person who got me into this mess, but as I open the door, he grabs both my hands and kisses them.

“Jessica, you look amazing! Don’t be silly.”

And just like that, he makes me laugh.

“Stop it! I think this was a mistake. This isn’t me.”

“No, Lilly, this is a version of you the world just hasn’t seen yet.”

I think about what he just said. “Maybe, but I don’t think I’m ready to be close to this new version yet.”

“I’m not gonna let you hide again. You’re incredibly beautiful, and you won’t be stuck in the background anymore, not if I have anything to say about it.”

“What am I going to do with you?” I ask, knowing I won’t be able to change his mind.

“Keep adoring me? Compliment my amazing physique? Admit this tux will easily make me the hottest guy at the party?”

“Alright. Let’s go, Mr. Modesty. Time to walk into the lion’s den.”

Arriving at my mother’s house with Theo turned out to be a good idea, because even with this gorgeous man by my side, my legs are shaking with nerves.

But he draws attention just by breathing—he’s so handsome and charming—that thankfully, it pulls the focus away from me.

The look Nora gives me the moment she sees me makes it clear she disapproves of my outfit choice. But she’d never criticize me publicly—or her image of the perfect family would go up in smoke.

As for Ramon, the way he looks at me makes my skin crawl. I’m no longer the na?ve little girl I used to be, and I can clearly see that a stepfather should never look at his stepdaughter that way.

There’s no doubt that his behavior tonight is anything but fatherly.

A shiver of disgust runs through me as I move away from my family.

Theo is busy talking to a man I know is a famous theater director, so I decide to wander around to make the time pass faster.

My phone buzzes, and when I see Amos’s name on the screen, my skin prickles.

My first instinct is to ignore it—but I’ve never been a coward, and I’m not going to start now. Trembling, I read the message.

Amos: Is my name still on the guest list?

I wish I could say no, but I’m not that strong. Besides, I’m curious why he came.

Me: Yes.

I reply simply.

Amos: I’m on my way.

That last one I let go unanswered, because I have no idea what he’s doing here, so I choose to wait.

I’m torn. The wounded pride from how he treated me fights with the longing I feel.

I start pacing the ballroom—I can’t just stand still. Grabbing a glass of champagne from a waiter, I down it in one gulp.

I’m so anxious I don’t notice Ramon and Nora approaching. But then, nothing else matters—time seems to freeze.

Even with my back turned, I know he’s here.

Every part of me feels warm, but I force myself to keep a shred of dignity. Pretending indifference, I fight the urge to turn toward where I know he must be.