Page 13 of Sinful King

She chuckled and I could almost see the smile stretching across her face at the mention of her man.

“Ashton will be fine. He’ll just follow me around until it’s over, so thanks. I love when he plays bodyguard.”

I bet she did.

“Alright, I have to go but I’ll be in touch soon.”

“Now that you’re finished,” my mother started the second I set my phone down, entering the kitchen with her hands on her hips. “Go get ready.”

I stepped back from the counter, closed my eyes and counted to ten. After a few deep breaths, I went and did as I was told.

Just get through the day, Blair.

“Is that what you’re wearing?” my ma asked about forty-five minutes later, her gaze perusing my baggy grey sweats, black and white dunks, form fitting black long sleeved body suit and knee length coat. “You could’ve been done in fifteen if that’s the case.”

I put my sunglasses on and then rolled my eyes behind them.

Did I need them in the dead of winter, not really. But, it helped keep the permanent annoyed expression, I got when my mom came around, private.

“I look cute and feel comfortable. Goal accomplished.”

On a normal day, maybe I would’ve put a little more effort into my fit. I enjoyed being the best dressed bitch in every room but that meant layering and I wasn’t in the mood.

“Besides,” I went on, unlocking the hallway closet I’d converted into a gun safe. “With everything going on, I need more room to carry.”

The sigh from behind me made my trigger finger itch.

“Blair…”

“Don’t start, ma. You can choose to be with that man but I refuse to have him in my life.”

She’d been turning a blind eye to my father’s indiscretions all my life, even now. Never actually standing up for me when it mattered most.

As a kid, I thought I needed to take one for the team. But as a grown ass woman, I understand someone should’ve protected me.

I loved my mother with all my heart but I could never rely on her in the way I could rely on Sean and his family. Mad or not he would never let anyone disrespect, let alone hurt me.

He’d set fire to the world on my behalf and that’s why I had to do what I did. It’s why I had to keep moving forward no matter the consequences.

“Where are we going?” I asked, moving the conversation along as I secured the Sig P365 on my hip and another in my bag.

“Manhattan for a dress fitting. There’s a standing appointment at the Designer Loft.”

I nodded, locked the gun safe and set the alarm.

“Let’s get to it.”

As we slid into the elevator, I studied my ma. She was stiff with her jaw clinched, hands balled into a fist like she had something to say.

Mmm.

She wouldn’t though and I wasn’t about to force it out of her either.

We cleared the lobby quickly, but I still took note of the faces working today. Sean had sent his men away and left mine to do their jobs.

Except for the driver waiting for us outside. I was certain he belonged to the O’Sullivan camp.

“Good morning, Ms. Phillips. I’m Liam and I’ll be your driver and personal guard from today on.”

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