Page 15 of Sinful Bargains

“It’s not like that,” I said. But I didn’t fully believe myself, either.

“Look, brother,” Paul said, shaking his head, “I’m saying this because I got your back. You’re already in deep with Renee and Vincent. If Vincent gets wind that you’re poking around some other woman, you’re a dead man walking.”

“Let me worry about Vincent,” I snapped.

“Fine.” He sighed. “Don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

“I’ll handle it, Paul.” My eyes narrowed on him. “I always do.”

“Yeah?” He grinned. “Well, I hope she’s worth the heat you’re about to bring down on yourself.”

Paul downed the rest of his drink, leaning back against the leather sofa while I sat there, trying to figure out what the hell I was going to do. Paul was onto something, and I knew all too well how complicated my life had become lately.

Antonio reminded me too much of myself—young, scared,and carrying more weight on his shoulders than any boy should. I knew that feeling. I had lived it. And maybe helping him, making sure he had something better, was my way of fixing what I couldn’t fix for myself.

And then there was Adriana. I wanted to help her because no one had ever helped my mother. No one had stepped in when we needed it most. I knew what it was like to watch someone you love struggle and to feel powerless to change it. Maybe this was my chance to do what no one ever did for us. To make things right—not just for them, but for the kid I used to be.

The background check I’d ordered on Adriana came back clean. “She’s married,” Ben told me as we sat at the bar, sipping our drinks.

“I figured as much,” I remarked, unsurprised by the news.

“You knew she was married?”

“Not entirely, but I wanted to be sure. I don’t like surprises.” I paused, swirling my drink in thought. “I need you to do something else for me.”

“Yeah?” Ben raised an eyebrow.

“I want you to find her husband. I don’t care how you do it, but track him down. Make sure he’s not trying to look for her. I need to know he’s not about to show up at the wrong time.” Not until I could come up with a plan to take care of him myself, without anyone ever knowing.

Ben nodded, his lips curling into a slight grin. “I can get that done for you. It’ll take a little time, but I’ll keep my eyes open. You sure about this?”

I leaned back, looking him square in the eye. “Yeah, I’m sure. And when you find him, I’ll take care of the rest.”

“You know I’ll get it done, Joey.”

I reached into my jacket pocket, pulled out an envelope thick with cash, and slid it across the bar to him. “Here’s your payment upfront. Consider it a retainer. Get me what I need.”

Ben tucked the envelope into his jacket. “You’ll have your answers soon enough. Don’t worry, Joey. I’ve got this.”

I nodded, finishing my drink in one long gulp. “Good. Keep it quiet, though. No need for unnecessary attention.”

I barely had the front door of the house shut before I heard the sharp click of Renee’s heels against the floor. I exhaled through my nose, bracing myself.

“Where the hell have you been?”

She was already in front of me, arms crossed tight over her chest, nails digging into her arms, red lips pressed into a thin line.

I dropped my keys onto the side table and ran a hand through my hair, loosening it as the pomade gave way. “I was working. What is it this time?”

“Working?” she retorted. “Are you sure you weren’t playing chauffeur?”

I debated on lying. But I knew there was no way out of this. I didn’t want to fight with her. But the thing about Renee was she liked to call the shots, and I had no choice but to bite my tongue and go along with it. “Her car is broken down. And she’s got a kid, Renee. No family. Nobody to help her and the kid get anywhere.”

Silence. Then a short, bitter laugh followed by the identical, sinister grin Vincent loved to plaster. It made my stomach turn. “You want me to believe you’re helping her because she's a single mother without a family? Do you think I’m an idiot? You never help anyone unless it’s a benefit for you!”

I clenched my jaw, and my nostrils flared. I had to hold back the urge to react. To bottle it up inside. “Are you saying I don’t help people? I help people all the damn time, Renee!”

“Oh, really?” She took a step closer, tilting her head. “Is thatsupposed to be directed to me? You haven’t helped me. I’ve helped you. You’ve used me.”

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