Page 76 of The Sins That Bleed
“Yes, but this smells delicious and my body agrees. After our workout I could eat a horse.”
He beams at me. “Well, in that case, everyone take a seat at the table and I’ll bring your plates over, including you, mon rayon de soleil.” Nico points at Sunny, who closes her mouth after she was about to offer her help.
We eat dinner, and I ask if Sunny and Valeska like eating since they only need blood to be sustained. They share that they can, but it does nothing for their bodies, although they enjoy the nostalgia of when they could enjoy food. Plus, it helps them look human when they’re out in the world.
Nico and I tell them about some of the stupid things we’ve done in our lives, and the conversation flows easily. The whole thing feels awfully domestic andnormal—it’s making me nervous as I wait for the other shoe to drop.
After clearing up, we all settle on the sofa to watch a movie. Nico has gone all out with snacks, drinks, and blankets to make the place cosy. He even managed to find some fairy lights to decorate with.
We watch an action movie first, and then a horror since the girls love them. Nico spends the whole time practically weeping on Sunny’s shoulder to avoid seeing anything that will give him nightmares.
Part of me thinks Sunny suggested it on purpose as an excuse to spend time with him. I only think that because I should have done the same. It’s pathetic the lengths I will go to if it will make Valeska spend time with me.
We’re discussing which film to put on next when Valeska’s phone rings, I hadn’t even noticed she’d bought it. She answers with a curt hello and listens to the person on the other end of the phone. Her eyes cut to me and she ends the call without a goodbye.
“Alaric Vonbarro placed a hit on your boss. My team went to his lake house, but they were too late. Your boss and his wife are dead, and you and Nico are next on his list.”
CHAPTER 34
Love is a Losing Game
VALESKA
Six weeks of stress and worry will take its toll on a person. It may not show up on me physically, but it does in all the other ways it can.
I flooded my building with my security team, and had Rai and Nico’s workload shipped over so they could work from their suites. Nobody so much as sneezes in my establishment without me knowing. I will not risk their safety for any amount of money.
They hate it, and probably hate me, but Sunny is on my side once again and it’s so nice to have my best friend back. We knew this day would come, Alaric Vonbarro is getting nervous, and he should be since his goons aren’t so good at withholding information when they’re scared shitless.
I love making men sweat.
Since Rai and Nico’s boss was murdered, they’ve been working double-time to bring in everyone up the chain of command. Their new boss has thrown every resource on this case, and they’ve been checking in via video calls.
I contemplated worming my way in with their new lead—I’d do anything to keep them safe—but I decided it’s not worth the rift it would cause between me and Rai if he found out. That’s notto say I haven’t done any research on the guy; so far I’ve found absolutely nothing on him.
Zero, nada, zilch, nothing.
He donates and volunteers for charity, helps his elderly neighbours, and is respected by his staff. It’s rare to find someone as good as Rai and Nico, especially in a position of power, but I’m relieved.
Their teams have intercepted six more raids, one every week, whilst bringing in more of Alaric’s circle. I’ve extended all my resources to the guys, including myself, to help get things moving. Although I’ve been more cautious this time to not have a repeat moment of being impaled.
The longer Alaric remains free, the more people are at risk, including the man that is an extension of me. I’d been keeping tabs on Alaric’s movement through Zyon, but Alaric’s gone underground—nobody has seen him for over a week and I don’t like it one bit. Alaric’s not a rat that scuttles away at the sign of danger, too proud and arrogant that he can’t be touched.
No, he’s plotting something.
“Hey, V, this came in for you.” Sunny drops a cream-coloured envelope on my desk.
“Thanks.”
I see my name scrawled on the back but no address, hand delivered by the looks of it, the ink forming my name is neat but not cursive. Butterflies erupt in my stomach. Rai must have sent me something and whilst we’ve not slept together since that night, we’ve had plenty of stolen touches.
It’s impossible for me to stay away.
I tear open the envelope and pull out the letter. The paper is crisp and thick under my fingers. Expensive and screaming wealth, it’s been a long time since I’ve received a handwritten letter. It’s only been me writing them to my dead husband and locking them away in an unused room in my apartment.
“I’m going down to Screamers, they had an issue with the bar restock so I’m going to see what we can do to bring a shipment in before tonight,” Sunny throws over her shoulder on her way out.
“Okay, let me know if you need anything, and be careful.” I don’t take my eyes off the letter.
