Envy (The Deadly Sins #3)

1. Sian

CHAPTER ONE

SIAN

I scan the crowd, looking for Rowan. I can’t see her over the hundreds of bodies in the club. It’s packed in here tonight, more so than any other Saturday we’ve been here. I wonder if there's an event we didn’t know about. Although it would explain why the entrance fee was doubled this weekend.

I’ve had enough. My head is pounding from the loud music and the endless shots we’ve drunk on top of the vodka and orange juice I’ve been drinking, and my feet hurt from the ridiculous heels Rowan insisted I wear. Apparently, it finishes my look off brilliantly. My feet beg to differ.

I eventually find her on the dance floor near the VIP booth, getting personal with one of the bouncers. He’s dressed differently from the others. He’s wearing a tailored suit, and it looks like it cost more than I earn in a year.

I struggle to get through the masses of people who are too busy busting a move or making out to see I’m trying to get through. It takes a few ass gropes and some pushing and shoving before I get close enough to hear Rowan and this guy going at it, even over the beat of the music.

“Who do you think you are?” she shouts, jabbing the guy in his chest. He glances down to the spot her finger probed him, then looks at her from under his lashes.

“Touch me again and you’ll find out exactly who I am.” His jaw tenses, and I can see he’s trying to control his temper.

That’s my cue to step in. I’ve witnessed firsthand what guys like him are like when they’re pushed too far.

“Rowan,” I roar over the noise.

She spins around. “Sian, you’re just in time to see me kick this dickhead in the balls.” She pulls her leg back, getting ready to strike. I don’t miss the guy stepping back slightly and covering his privates.

I try to suppress my laugh. “I leave you alone for five minutes, and somehow, you can still get yourself into trouble.” I put myself between her and the stranger. “Whatever she’s done, I apologize, and it won’t happen again,” I tell him, something I’m used to doing for Rowan because she’s never in the wrong. Her words, not mine.

“You’re right, it won’t. She’s lucky I’m in a good mood, otherwise, her night would end differently.” He cocks his head so he can look over my shoulder, which isn’t hard for him. He’s a giant compared to me and Rowan. I’m only five feet five, and she’s smaller than me.

“Was that a threat, tiny man?” Rowan’s up against my back, trying to get past me.

“Tiny man? Really?” He chuckles.

“Oh, I’m sorry. Did that offend you because your dick is so tiny?”

“Rowan,” I scold.

“There’s nothing small about me, darlin’. But you’ll never find out because I don’t fuck loud bitches like you.” I swear his eyes turned black for a moment, but it could have just been the lighting.

“Who are you calling a bitch?” Rowan somehow gets around me, jumps on the guy, and slaps him clean across the face. From his expression, he wasn't expecting it.

Damn, she's fast.

“Rowan, what the fuck?” The man deep-throat growls at her. He looks scary as hell when he’s pissed off.

“Would someone like to tell me what all the commotion is about?”

Everyone stands still, me included.

“Sorry, boss. Just a feisty slut. Nothing I can’t handle,” the guy Rowan just slapped says.

“Clearly. And getting slapped is your way of handling it?” When the other man comes into view, all the breath in my lungs leaves me. I’ve never seen a man as gorgeous and intriguing, yet he has an edge of danger about him. It sets my alarm bells ringing.

“Who are you calling a slut? You don’t even know me.” Rowan is full of rage, and rightly so. That was uncalled for.

“And I’m grateful I don't.”

“Enough.” The authority in the newcomer’s voice cuts them off before they start bickering again. “Rick, I need you out back.”

The guy Rowan was attacking, who I now know is Rick, nods and storms off.

“Run along, tiny dick.” Rowan waves sarcastically. Rick flips her the bird over his shoulder. I roll my eyes at them both.

The new guy assesses us both, looking us up and down as if he’s better than us.

“I don’t like trouble in my clubs, and clearly, you two like causing it. Since this is your first time on my radar, consider it a warning.”

“A warning?” I finally find the ability to speak. “For what?”

“As I said, you’re causing trouble. If you continue to cause a disruption, I’ll have you removed. Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that.”

A small part of me wants to challenge him, which weirds me out slightly, as I’m not argumentative usually, but something snaps in me. Maybe it’s the alcohol running through my veins, making me feel brave.

He turns to leave, acting like that’s the end of it, but I'm not done. I should walk away too, but my drunken mouth has other ideas.

“What is it with men like you? Throwing wild threats around like entitled kings.”

I didn’t like the way he spoke to us. I’ve put up with stuff like this in the past from men, and I’ve had enough of biting my tongue.

“Oh, shit. You’ve woken her crazy side now,” Rowan says, laughing.

It’s taken me a long time to stand up for myself. After living with an abusive partner for four years, I’m slowly learning to be myself again and have the confidence I once had. I still hold a lot of anger from that time in my life. I vowed never to let a man belittle me or threaten me again, and I’m not about to start now.

“You think just because you wear designer suits...” I grab the seam of this jacket, and the silk underlay slips seamlessly through my fingers as I flip it open, “...and you own a club, it makes you better than us.” Honestly, I don’t know what’s come over me. This is out of character for me. “You don’t even know us. What gives you the right to judge us?”

I spot a waiter with a tray of drinks. Perfect timing. I make a beeline for a glass of champagne and take a quick sip, letting the bubbles fizz in my mouth. “Damn, that’s good.” It seems a shame to waste it, but I have other ideas, and it isn’t to finish drinking it. I flick my wrist, the contents of the flute hitting Boss man in the face.

I think the alcohol has finally reached my system, and the next thing I know, there are several guards surrounding us, but my eyes don't waver from his. I stand my ground and don’t cower.

“Fuck, this is some mafia shit,” Rowan whispers in my ear.

“I’d already apologized, but that wasn’t good enough for your bouncer.”

His nostrils flare, and he gives me a look filled with so much hatred and anger that I almost recoil. I’ve seen that look plenty of times before. I know where it leads, and it’s never anywhere good.

Someone appears with a towel. He grabs it and starts rubbing the champagne from his face, not once taking his beady gaze from mine.

Why is everyone treating him like he’s a goddamn king?

He takes a step towards me, his face inches from mine. I can smell the whiskey on his breath as he speaks.

“You’re brave, I’ll give you that, but in the last few minutes, you’ve broken one too many of my rules. That’s going to cost you.”

His deep, husky voice penetrates through me.

“What rules would these be?” I ask, mocking him.

“First, you come into my club and disrespect the people in it. Second, you put your hands on me, and I don’t like being touched unless I say it’s okay. Third, you ruined a perfectly good suit, and finally, I don’t take it well when strangers talk shit to me. It doesn’t end well for them.” He gets closer still, his mouth now at my ear, and he whispers, “I just haven’t quite worked out what your punishment will be.”

He smirks. Not in a sinister way; it’s more seductive.

My knees weaken. I should be insulted, but I’m not.

Holy shit. Who is he, and why am I so damn turned on by his words?

I’ve never had a man look at me this way. I’ve just assaulted him and ruined his suit, yet his voice is full of seduction. What is going on with me?

This man is clearly into some dark shit, and he’s most definitely dangerous. In what way, I don’t know, which is why I’m finding it hard to work out why I’m so turned by him. I’m blaming it on the amount of alcohol I’ve drunk tonight. That's got to be the only reason.

He’s got a voice that commands the room and gives me goosebumps. He can pull off a suit better than most men ever could. He smells like sandalwood, musk, and whiskey, and it’s driving my senses crazy. He’s cocky, which pisses me off and turns me on at the same time. He’s tall, dark, and extremely handsome. His features are sharp. His cheekbones stand out when his jaw tightens. His eyes are filled with a darkness I can’t understand, and there’s a small scar over one of his brows, which just adds to his sex appeal even more. Even though he’s wearing a shirt and jacket, I know I’d appreciate what’s underneath it.

I’ve been inside my head for so long I didn’t realize he’d moved from my personal space, and I shock myself when a small pathetic noise leaves my lips. I’m disappointed in myself for letting him affect me. I don’t miss the small lift of his lips.

God, did he hear it?

“I’ll be in touch.” I know it’s aimed at me, and I don’t know if I should be nervous or exuberant.