Page 136 of Sinful King
“The other mistake you made was not realizing if you could infiltrate the Constanzo camp, then so could someone else for the right price. You were right about one thing though, no one liked Augusto.”
He was staring up at me like I’d lost it.
“What?”
“Is this normal? Using your targets as a confessional before killing them?”
I put two in his head and walked away.
He ruined the moment and I already had to make it quick, since I’d snuck out on Blair.
Suspicious dark browns met my gaze when I returned home but turned away almost immediately with the roll of her eyes.
Don’t worry, baby. I’ll give you some act right later.
Brynn came running down the hall with my ma in tow.
“I’m ready! We have to go see my mom, remember?”
She looked up at me with big innocent eyes and I couldn’t help but smile.
I wanted a daughter, then a son, I thought as I nodded.
“Couldn’t forget even if I tried,” I told her. “I heard she’s awake and asking for you, so let’s go.”
I met eyes with Blair as she approached, but she looked away, took Brynn’s hand and walked into the open elevator.
My ma hummed.
“Someone’s in trouble,” she mused softly, following me into the steel box.
And I really fucking enjoyed being in trouble.
THIRTY-SIX
blair
Brynn was a brave girl.
I’d like to believe the people we’d surrounded her with since last night were the reason. She believed they’d keep their promise to protect her and chose bravery instead of fear.
“Do me a favor, Brynn baby and go sit with Sean for a second. I want to talk to your mom.”
I waited until she disappeared and took a seat at Lauren’s bedside. She had a broken leg, ribs and two fingers. Some internal bleeding they were able to stop and a concussion.
“I-I’m sorry, Blair,” she whispered, voice slightly muffled from the busted and swollen lip. “You didn’t deserve what I said to you. Thank you for showing up like promised.”
Lauren reminded me so much of my mother but she got a second chance.
“You can make it up by staying in New York and not keeping Brynn away from me. I need her in my life as much as she needs me. Say you accept and we can move forward.”
She nodded and flinched a little from pain.
“Don’t worry about my father. This won’t ever happen again.”
Another nod.
“Kendra came to me before she was killed,” she revealed, meeting my gaze and holding it. “She told me not to let Brynn near him again. To protect her better, but…” she paused and took a breath, probably tired and in pain from talking. “I just thought she was upset that I’d come around with yet another kid. I know now that wasn’t the case. I think she confronted him; he came to me hours after my encounter with her and made me repeat he was with me all night. Then, I heard about your mom. I was too scared he’d do the same to me to tell you the truth and I’m sorry.”
