Page 75 of Sinful Promise
Thankfully, she shakes her head so her earrings swing, and the knot in my stomach loosens. “Not so far. But money is money, and sex is a lucrative commodity. Don’t fool yourself into thinking he’s immune to greed. If he gives in and takes the payday, I’ll be forced to insert myself and take care of business. So…” She gives a curtsy similar to the one first offered by her sister. “This is me giving you a heads up. Be grateful,” she adds with an angelic smile. “I’ve never been so kind to do that in the past.”
“Sure. Just as I had never before been so kind as to exhume a body, discover the remains belonged to someone else, and…” I lift my brows. “Not take it further. We’re allies, Sophia. Together, we can do good.” I drink the last of my champagne and set it on the tray as a server walks by. “But don’t threaten my family.”
She snickers. Carefree and happy, her entire chest bounces with silent laughter. “I’ll have your alibis emailed over within the next twenty-four hours. The cops could have footage of you inside Fentone’s bedroom, and still, you’ll walk a free woman. That’s my gesture of goodwill. But now you owe me.”
“No.” I place my hand on Archer’s stomach and stop him from charging forward. Because with people like these—people likeus—a favor isn’t a favor. It’s a threat, an axe hovering above one’s neck. “I don’t want your favor.”
“And yet, it’s done. Talk to Felix and make sure he’s toeing the line.” Then, innocently, she peeks up at Archer and smirks. “How’s Micah doing?”
“You know where he is,” he bites out. “So you know how he is.”
She lifts a single, dainty shoulder, and smiles when Jay’s hand comes around to her belly to caress.
The threats have mostly been spoken. So now we’re just… friends at a party.
“I know he’s alive,” she clarifies. “But last time I checked, he was gray in the face and holding on by a thread.” She slides her gaze back to me. “Is he healing?”
“Slowly,” I admit. “He’s sleeping most of the day. I’m changing his dressings often, and slamming him with antibiotics. When he’s awake, he’s mostly lucid.”
“He’s staying put.” She nods thoughtfully. “He thinks the vigilante may be a threat to you.”
When Archer and I startle at her words, she settles back against Jay’s chest with a gentle smile. “Word is circulating in some conversations in New York that the vigilante is coming for you.”
“F-for me?” I point back at my chest. “Comingforme?”
She nods. “Micah is worried the vigilante is Archer—or that they’re coming for Archer. You know how that game Telephone works? Someone says something, then the next guy repeats it, and eventually, it goes through enough filters that the final message is nothing like the original? Well,someonehad an inkling that you and the vigilante are in cahoots, but by the time the message reached the Malones, it sounded a little different.”
“So Archer’s brothers are here to…” I frown as alternative plans flitter through my mind. “What, protect me?”
“It would seem so.” She glances to her sister. “For some people, there is no end to what they would do to protect their family. Maybe you only just met the Malones of New York, but you’re related now, and in our world, loyalty is a way of life, not a suggestion.”
She brings her gaze back to Archer and tips her chin. “I like your family, Malone. Please don’t make me kill them all.” And with that, she turns on her heels and walks away, with the others following close behind.
I watch her go. Sophia’s back is almost entirely bare; her gown covering just her butt and not a hell of a lot more. But Jay Bishop keeps her covered. His body acts as her shield, and his hand, her guiding touch.
So focused on the other couple, I jump when Archer’s fingers come up to stroke the back of my neck. But he presses a kiss to my temple in the next instant so I melt against his chest and close my eyes.
“She’s a fuckin’ psycho,” he whispers in my ear. But I feel the way his lips curl up into a smile. “I wouldn’t be mad if she went to Felix and kicked his ass for fun.”
“Oh god.” I drop my head and snigger. “She’s not bluffing, ya know? If he so much asconsidersselling women, he’s dead.”
“Meh.” Lifting his shoulders in a shrug, Arch wraps his arms across my torso and cinches me in tight. “Felix Malone is a lot of things, Minnnka. Fuck knows he’s stupider than a box of crayons sometimes. But he won’t trade women. I’d bet my life on it.”
“Handy.” Opening my eyes, I twist my torso and glance up at his beautiful green eyes. “Because that’s literally what Sophia just threatened. Now, can we go home? I already gave the mayor the stupid gift.”
“Doctor Mayet?” As if summoned, Mayor Lawrence stops on my right, with a woman latched on to his side.
“Ugh!” I jump in Archer’s arms and clamp my lips shut when he sniggers in my ear. “Mayor. You scared the crap—”
“I would like to introduce you to my wife.” He gestures toward the middle-aged woman, who is a little round in the middle, but her smile is lovely, and her walk…notweird. “The birthday girl.”
“Mrs. Lawrence.” I fake a smile and step in when she angles for the awkward cheek-kissing thing. “Happy birthday. Thank you for inviting us to your party.”
MINKA
Sunday, for most, is the day of rest. It means no work. No responsibilities except for laundry. No cooking, unless you’re so inclined. And no early mornings…
Unless you’re semi-cohabitating with two of your husband’s brothers, one of which is seventeen years old and doesn’t even respect us enough tosneakin and out when he’s banging random women in a city he doesn’t know.
