Page 126 of Sinful
So, I stay in the main area with a few other people—prospects mostly, doing busy work to stay out of the way.
And then the voices start.
Raised. Angry. Coming from behind the closed door of the meeting room.
I can't make out words, but I recognize the tones.
Phantom's voice—hard, unyielding.
Runes responding—equally stubborn.
"—not taking orders from you?—"
"—never said you had to, but if you think?—"
The voices lower, someone mediating, probably Damon.
But the tension bleeds through the walls anyway.
A prospect named Miller catches my eye, shakes his head. "Those two have hated each other for twenty years. Surprised they're in the same room without killing each other."
"What happened between them?"
"No idea. Before my time. But whatever it was, it stuck."
The voices rise again briefly, then fall to something resembling professional discussion.
They'll work it out. They have to.
But I understand now how fragile this alliance really is.
A girl about my age appears in the doorway carrying two coffees.
Blonde, athletic build, wearing jeans and boots and a rodeo championship buckle on her belt.
She's got Phantom's eyes.
"You must be Helle," she says, handing me one of the coffees. "I'm Dakota. Phantom's other daughter. The fun one, according to Grace."
I take the coffee gratefully. "Nice to meet you."
"Dad mentioned Bravos finally grew a pair and claimed someone. Took him long enough—he's been dancing around commitment for years." She drops into the chair beside me. "How long have you known him?"
"Less than two weeks."
Her eyebrows shoot up. "Damn. That's fast."
"Yeah. It is."
"But you're sure? About this?" She's not judging, just curious. "Because claiming someone right before a major run is—well, it's a lot."
"I'm sure." And I am. Terrified, but sure.
Dakota nods slowly. "Good. Because he needs someone. Been alone too long. Made him weird."
Despite everything, I laugh.
"Fair warning though—it doesn't get easier. Watching them prepare, watching them ride out,waiting to see who comes back." Her voice is matter-of-fact, like she's describing the weather. "But they're good at what they do. Bravos especially. He's careful. Smart. He'll come back."
