Twenty-One
Her Destiny
Saint
“No, sweetheart.” Sin leaned in close and hissed in Liv’s ear. “The real question is, do you want to give me the full scoop?”
I felt completely confused and had no clue what either of them was talking about. As if I were the ugly duckling left out of the goddamn loop. Someone had to fill me in on the scoop.
“What?” Liv asked in bewilderment.
“What the hell is he doing here?” Sin roared.
Him? What the fuck? Sin had gone mad.
“You’ll have to be more specific.” Liv pushed Sin back and crossed her arms in front of her chest. “There are a ton of men in attendance from all parties, but I seem to be looking at the asshole of the bunch.”
Oh, shit. Burn. As much as I was enjoying Sin getting his ass handed to him, I needed to know why he was getting our girls’ panties all tied up. I preferred Liv’s underwear drenched and down at her ankles.
“Someone fill me in. Please?” I begged.
“I wish I could help you answer your question, but I’m as perplexed as you are.” Liv tossed her hands up in the air. “All I wanted to know is if everything went okay with my dad and—”
“Everything is fine with him…” Sin interrupted and grabbed Liv by the shoulders. “I want to know why you invited him.”
“Again”—Liv shrugged—“you’re gonna have to help me out here?”
Sin spun Liv around. “See the only guy not following the masquerade dress code?”
I locked eyes with a man in a black tuxedo. Dark hair. Stone-cold eyes. The motherfucker screamed danger.
“Yeah,” Liv replied, raising her eyebrows. “So? You want me to kick out a guest because he didn’t wear a goddamn mask?”
“No,” Sin answered with frustration. “I want to know why you invited him?”
“Because he’s a member of the family.” Liv pushed my best friend’s hands off her shoulders and spun around to face him. “I thought you’d be happy?”
“Happy?” Sin clenched his teeth together and pulled Liv in close. “I’m thrilled you brought chaos straight to us.”
“Okay. Look…” Liv placed her hands on Sin’s chest. “I know you’re upset, but I was only trying to make today all about us and bring our families together.”
The anger left Sin’s eyes, and his pupils softened. His body relaxed, but he remained on guard, as if he were prepared for bullets to fly at any moment. I stood by his side and didn’t question his reason for doubting.
“I know you were…” Sin sighed and bowed his forehead until it touched hers. “I’m sorry.”
Sin pulled Liv close, and he cradled her against his chest. They slow-danced to the music for all of a few breaths until Liv pulled back and peered up at his face. She was determined to find out who this mysterious man was, and truth be told, I wanted to fucking know too.
It was rare for Sin Cruz to be on edge and scared all at the same time. The only other time I had seen him fly off the handle was when Liv went missing. Pure fucking agony.
“Who is he?” Liv asked the million-dollar question.
“He’s my cousin,” Sin replied without a moment’s hesitation.
“Cousins are harmless.” Liv waved a hand as if it were no big deal.
“Not this one.” Sin pulled away from Liv and turned around. “He brings danger wherever he goes. Good people die.”
Liv stepped forward to touch Sin on the shoulder. She wanted him to know she was there for him, but Sin was somewhere else. He had been transported back in time—gone down memory lane where we couldn’t get to him until he returned.
“Don’t,” I mouthed at Liv and took her hand in mine.
Sin stood still for a few moments until he said, “I’ll be right back.”
Sin walked away without a glance at us.
“We should go after him,” Liv pleaded, squeezing my hand. “Make sure he’s alright.”
“He’s a big boy, Liv,” I answered with a brief smile of reassurance. “He’ll be fine.”
“Liv? Liv?” Raven called out to her friend through the crowd.
“Oh, crap, I’ll be back.” Liv turned to me, and both my hands were inside hers. “But promise me you’ll watch over Sin?”
“Like a hawk, darling.” I smiled.
Liv squeezed my hands. “Thank you.” She let me go.
I watched Liv go until she was out of sight, and I stayed cautious. Sin became my main priority because I had made a vow to protect him at all costs. No matter the wrath his long-lost cousin might bring.