Page 18 of When Sinners Rise
A few bites of food and the scrape of the heavy cutlery over the fine china only add to the pressure of the room.
“Can we look for Naja?” I blurt it out, unable to contain my question any longer.
Willow’s face is a picture, and she immediately turns to Landon. He doesn’t miss a beat and continues chewing his meat.
“That’s not how this works, Miri. I’m sorry.”
“What do you mean? Of course it is. If you’ve lost something or someone, you look for them.”
“Not if it poses a risk or danger to us or you. Logan Cane might be an acquaintance, but I’m all out of favours. And I hold no sway with the Cortez family. I’m not putting us in the middle of anything that’s happened between them and Reed.”
“But that’s not fair.”
“I didn’t say it was. They both knew the stakes when they left. They still did.”
His words are cold and direct and make me want to bolt from the table and hide, but that’s the old Miri. I’ve had to grow up and deal. And, at least in this situation, I can control that. Visualising the strength I have when I’m against Neil helps.
I shake my head and push my plate away.
Willow looks at me. “I’m sorry, sweetheart. I know how much she means to you, but I wouldn’t want to risk you, especially if there are no guarantees…” she tails off. I know what she was going to say. They don’t even know if she’s still alive.
Anger swells, and guilt clouds my mind. I don’t want the thought of that family near us either, but can I just leave my sister? She turned her back and ran, knowing this was her life, and did it anyway, and now I have to decide what to do next.
“Could you find out what you can? Please, Landon. Not knowing is the worst part of all of this.” I hate the sound of my own voice when I ask for something. He looks at me, that icy look in his eyes, and nods.
~
Mandy is a lifesaver. My wardrobe has nothing I want to wear on a date because I’ve never wanted to go on one before. A few outfits for work, some nicer pieces, and jeans and gym gear. The dress she offers is more than date-worthy but far sexier thanI’d have chosen. She doesn’t leave me with another option, and I take it.
The days seem to drag, with the hours at work taking twice as long to pass as every other day. Training with Neil is a good distraction, and I make sure to go over my delivery. Hard punches, quick reactions. Defend and attack. We work on release moves, too, in case I’m grabbed from behind. Maybe because I’m paranoid, but I’m willing to take that label.
~
Steel London is probably the prettiest restaurant I’ve been in, certainly on my own. Landon likes to go to places that he thinks fit his position. I wonder what he’d think of this place with the coloured umbrellas on the ceiling and the beautiful cherry blossom tree in the centre.
I take in the lighting and the people both waiting at the bar and already seated, giving Shaw a moment to greet me.
“Wow, you look a picture.”
“Thank you.” I accept his compliment and force my smile to stay small rather than splash its presence all over my face. “This place looks great.”
“I’m glad you like it. They do a killer cocktail menu. Although, let's avoid the tequila tonight.” He winks at me, and my stomach does a flip. It’s stupid, but a part of me likes it.
“Agreed.”
A waitress shows us to our table, which is more like a private booth, discreetly shielded from other diners. She takes my coat but doesn’t offer a menu.
I look at Shaw. “No menu?”
“It’s a tasting menu night. We just have what they serve.”
“Right.” I nod, feeling a little out of my comfort zone. Being on a date, the lack of menu and the dress that seems to begetting shorter every second, sends the creep of anxiety through me. I push it away, determined to win over these attacks.
“I hope that’s okay. If I’m honest, I was hoping to impress you, but your face tells a different story.”
“No, this is great. It’s great. And I’m sorry.” I fidget with my hands in my lap. “Maybe a drink would help? You mentioned a cocktail?”
With a practised ease, he smiles again and calls back the waitress. He doesn’t seem nervous, and I wonder if he’s a charmer to all the girls, especially with that accent of his.
