Sinful Sacrament

by Morgan James

  “Police have shut down the bridge as they investigate the cause of a tragic accident that has claimed the lives of four Chicago residents,” the pretty blonde reporter stated. Beside me, Eva sucked in a breath, her eyes glued to the screen.

  The next shot panned to sky cams over the bridge and a mile-long line of traffic. “At this time, the victims have not been identified. We will continue to update you as we get more information, but now we’ll take you to—”

  I looped an arm around her and pulled her close, holding her tight as we watched for the next ten minutes or so until the reporters began to recap information for the new viewers tuning in. Emotions raged inside me as I lifted the remote and clicked off the TV.

  “Come on, angel.” I kissed her temple. “It’s finally over.”

  Chapter Forty

  Eva

  My father had returned home per Fox’s edict as soon as he got the phone call yesterday afternoon to await the arrival of the authorities. It didn't take long. Only a few hours after the accident, the police had arrived on my father’s doorstep. By the time the police pulled out of my father's driveway, news stations everywhere had been splashing her name all over the headlines.

  There were no questions, no interrogations. As of right now, it just looked like a horrible accident. But the three of us knew better. Fox wouldn’t tell me exactly what had happened, and I wasn’t entirely certain he knew for sure, either. Part of me wanted to know the details, but I knew it was for the best that I didn't. This way, if the police began to suspect any sort of foul play, I could honestly tell them that I knew nothing.

  I was relieved that she was gone. Sad. Angry. Part of me still didn't even believe it was real. Fox and my father agreed not to speak for the time being unless absolutely necessary. I wasn't certain what kind of act my father had put on for the police, but there was little doubt in my mind that his horror and grief at the news would be genuine. He'd worn the same slightly baffled, despondent expression ever since he learned of her treachery.

  My phone rang, and I held back a cringe when I saw my father’s name. “They pulled the car from the river, and they took her...” His voice broke. “Her body is at the morgue. They’ll need me to identify her.”

  “I want to come, too,” I said immediately.

  “Eva, no, I can't let you—”

  I shook my head. “I have to.”

  It wasn't that I had any real desire to see her, but I still didn't fully trust my father. After everything we'd been through, I needed the closure. I needed to know for certain that this was over. “What time?”

  On the other end of the line, my father sighed. “I have an appointment with the medical examiner at eleven.”

  “I'll be there.” I ended the call and turned to meet Fox’s quizzical gaze. “I need to be at the morgue by eleven.”

  His dark eyes filled with a mixture of concern and anger. “Your father should be the one doing this.”

  I wrapped my arms around my waist. “He is. But I need to see for myself.”

  Fox shook his head. “That’s not a good idea.”

  I narrowed my eyes at him. “She had me kidnapped. Drugged. Almost—” My voice cracked on the word raped.

  A thousand emotions raged in his eyes. I knew he wanted to protect me from everything, but before we could move on we needed to put the past behind us. He nodded slowly. “Okay, angel. If that's what you need.”

  I took my time getting ready, and we pulled into the parking lot of the medical examiner’s office at 10:58. Callum slid into a spot next to my father’s white Mercedes, and my heart clenched as I saw him sitting in the driver seat, looking forlorn. As if feeling my gaze on him, his head turned and he flashed a wan smile as his eyes met mine.

  We climbed out of the cars in tandem, then made our way inside. An assistant greeted us in the lobby before showing us to a private room. The doctor came in and introduced herself, then explained how everything would go.

  “Most exams are recorded now to make the identification process easier on the family,” she said, her kind brown eyes locking on mine. I nodded but didn't say a word. “If you’d prefer to see her in person, that can be arranged as well.”

  “The video will be fine,” my father said, a slight tremor in his voice.

  The doctor nodded her assent, then clicked a few buttons on her computer. An exam room came into view on the screen, and I immediately tensed. Fox, who had seated himself next to me, reached over and took my hand. I squeezed his fingers like a lifeline as the camera on screen panned over the body on the table. I viewed it almost impassively at first.

  She looked unnaturally pale, and a handful of cuts marred her forehead and cheeks. Even with her eyes closed in repose, there was no mistaking her features. In my peripheral vision, I watched my father nod.

  “That's her.”

  I heard them talking about releasing my mother’s personal effects and arranging a service, but I couldn't tear my eyes from the screen. I felt trapped in the past. Was it really just last week that I’d seen her in the living room of our family home, looking poised and unflappable? God, that felt so long ago. Now she was gone.

  I stood abruptly, the legs of the chair screeching across the linoleum floor as I pushed it back. “Excuse me.”

  Without another word I left the room, walking past Fox and out to the car. I slid into the backseat and he cautiously followed. I could feel his gaze on me, but he quietly commanded Callum to take us home then fell silent. I stared out the window the whole way, lost in thought.

  I had no idea how we got home; suddenly, I blinked and we were sitting in the driveway. Fox opened the door for me and I made my way into the house, then down the hall to the den, still not really seeing anything. I moved to the couch in the middle of the room and rested my hands along the back, staring sightlessly into the fireplace. The sound of the door closing, followed by the gentle clink of glass, met my ears, and a minute later Fox pressed a tumbler into my hand.

  “I think we need this after today.”

  I dropped my gaze and looked at the amber liquid before lifting my eyes to the fireplace once more. I felt the smooth glass beneath my fingers, and all at once the emotions I’d been repressing for the past few days came rushing to the surface. A scream split the air, and it took a full second to realize that it was coming from me. A howl welled up and out of my throat, all of the anger and pain I’d been harboring for the past few days bubbling to the surface. I flung the glass against the fireplace with a howl of pure rage.

  “Why?” I shrieked. “Why did she do this? I hate her! I hate her!”

  Fox stood by, watching impassively, and I rounded on him. “Why aren’t you upset? You should be furious!” I screamed, my body vibrating with anger. “Look what she did! To you, to your friends, to—”

  I broke off, unable to give voice to the horrible atrocities my mother had committed. Instead, I focused on the anger coursing through every cell of my body. I launched myself at Fox, battering his chest with my fists. “You should hate her!”

  “I did, angel.” He grabbed my biceps, stilling my movements. “I allowed it to drive me for years. But I don’t need to be mad anymore.”

  I melted against him as he spoke. Gradually, the anger drained from me, replaced by a sharp sadness and the sting of loss. “I thought I needed revenge—I was wrong. I have you. I love you, and that’s enough for me.”

  I burst into tears, and Fox clutched me close, gently rocking me side to side and murmuring softly. “Let it out, angel. Let it go.”

  Emotion poured from me as I cried into Fox’s chest, wrapped in his strong arms. I couldn’t explain the rapid swing from angry to sad as I wound my arms around his neck and held on for dear life. Fox kissed my hair, then my temple. I grabbed at him, pulling him down to my mouth, overwhelmed with the need to feel anything other than sadness and anger and loss. The kiss was hard and brutal, and it helped to ground me in a way I didn’t realize I needed. I ripped the shirt from his waistband, then
yanked the edges apart, the sound of a button pinging softly off the coffee table registering dimly in the back of my mind.

  Fox pulled my shirt over my head, then shucked his pants as I wiggled out of mine. He’d managed to get his buckle undone and had just pushed them down his thighs when I flung myself at him again. He caught and spun me, then lowered us to the couch. I attacked his mouth, all the while running my hands through his hair, over his shoulders, needing to touch every inch of him. With one hand, he palmed his erection and lined it up with my channel, then thrust hard.

  The swift stroke took my breath away with its perfection, and a sense of rightness burst within me. He took me hard and fast, countering the pain I felt inside and driving it out of me with every thrust. He came at the same time I did, and I collapsed backward, out of breath and completely drained. Fox lowered his weight over me, pressing me into the couch, and I wrapped one arm around his neck. “Thank you.”

  It was everything I’d needed, and I loved that he knew me that well. He lifted up to kiss me once on the mouth, tender and sweet. “I love you, angel.”

  THE INVESTIGATION AND autopsy took longer than anticipated, and the funeral wasn’t held until almost two weeks later. Dozens of people stood around the gravesite, all dressed in dark colors, united by the somber looks on their faces as they mourned the woman they thought they knew.

  My gaze flitted from face to face. How many of them truly knew her? Were any of them involved?

  Tears slid down my face, and Fox squeezed my hand. “I’m sorry, angel. I know she was your mother.”

  “I’m not crying for her,” I said as I swept away a tear with the pad of my thumb. I was crying for everyone her actions had hurt. Fox. Rodrigo. My father. Hundreds of women and children.

  I watched as they lowered the polished wood casket into the ground but deep inside, I felt nothing. I had nothing left for her.

  Fox released my hand, then slipped his palm to my lower back. “Are you ready, angel?”

  I looked at the gravesite one last time, then nodded slowly. I was ready—to let it go, to put it all behind me so we could move finally forward in peace. I turned to my husband. “Let’s go home.”

  Epilogue

  Fox

  Five Years Later

  The plane landed half an hour earlier than expected, but the early arrival didn't soothe my impatience. I was eager to get home and see Eva as quickly as possible. Not wanting to bother Hossam, I hired a local driver to take me to the beach house. Almost as soon as I slid into the backseat, I remembered why I typically had Hossam drive. Though I was used to the winding, hilly roads, the native driver took them in record speed, coming close to causing an accident twice.

  By the time I reached the house, I felt like I’d lost ten years off my life and would take a week to recover from motion sickness. The man grinned at me as I passed a tip through the window then sped out of the driveway, headed back to the airport no doubt to pick up his next victim. Though we’d been here for almost five years, I wasn't certain I would ever get used to the way they drove.

  With a little shake of my head, I mounted the stairs, already scanning the foyer and hallway for my wife. The living room and kitchen were empty, and I spotted her through the window standing on the terrace. I couldn't help the smile that spread over my face, and my chest tightened the way it did every time I saw her, even after all these years.

  I slid through the sunroom, closing the door quietly behind me as I stepped outside. She stood with her back to me, hands braced on the railing as she looked out over the beach. I kept my tread soft as I moved up behind her then slid my arms around her waist.

  Eva jumped and let out a little squeak of surprise. “Jesus, Fox! You scared the life out of me.” She turned in my arms, and her swollen stomach brushed mine as she looped her arms around my neck. “I wasn't expecting you for another two days.”

  I dipped my head and kissed her. “Johnson has everything under control back home.” I slid one hand around to her belly. “Besides, I didn't want to leave you too long with you being so close.”

  Eva dropped her hand and covered mine. “I still have a couple of weeks left.”

  I shot her a wry look. “That's what you said with Liam.”

  She smiled and glanced over her shoulder to where our son frolicked on the beach below. “I'm sure it'll be fine,” she replied.

  I followed her gaze and lifted a hand in greeting to William, who knelt next to my son. Elle and Hossam were seated in the sand a few feet away, watching their own son, Michael, as he and Liam studiously build a sandcastle.

  Things had gotten increasingly better between William and the girls, and we’d invited him to come down and visit a couple years back, right after Liam was born. Now he spent about half the year here playing with the boys. I wasn’t certain I’d ever forgive him for what he’d done to them, but he truly loved his grandsons and enjoyed being with them. I couldn’t deny him time spent with them.

  The boys laughed as they stacked up the sand, then demolished it, and I couldn't help but grin.

  They’d been born only two months apart, and the women had been absolutely ecstatic when they found out they were pregnant at the same time. It seemed like kismet of some sort, and things had worked out almost perfectly. Now we eagerly awaited the birth of our daughter. The doctor had said it would be another few weeks, but I wasn't so sure.

  “How are you feeling?”

  Eva turned back to me. “My back hurts and my feet are swollen, especially in this heat. I’m ready to get her out already.”

  “My poor angel. Want a back rub?”

  My wife’s laughter filled the air. “I know how your back rubs end.”

  I leaned in and nipped her ear, then tugged her toward the house. “You shouldn’t complain. Besides, I hear it helps the baby come quicker.”

  I wasn’t wrong. By ten o’clock the next morning, I was holding our tiny daughter, Amelie, in my hands. Her face was still pinched and pink from her delivery, but she was the most beautiful thing I’d ever seen. Her tired little eyes blinked open, and I swore she stole my heart the moment she looked up at me. A few feet away, Eva watched on with an exhausted but ecstatic smile. I was still staring at Amelie in amazement when William strode through the door of the hospital room, Liam clinging to his hand.

  I passed the baby to William then picked up my son whose bright green eyes, so much like Eva’s, zeroed in on the baby. “So small, isn’t she?” He nodded. “It’s up to us to protect her. Will you watch over her when I’m gone, teach her to be strong and independent just like you?”

  Expression serious, he nodded and I rubbed his back. “Good man.”

  His small face turned up to mine. “Can I hold her?”

  “Of course.” I settled him on the bed next to Eva then accepted Amelie from William. I laid her over Liam’s lap and guided his arm under her head for support. I watched as he bent and kissed her forehead, already as fiercely protective of her as I was.

  Eva looped an arm around them, holding them both, and kissed the top of Liam’s head. “You’re going to be a wonderful big brother.”

  A few minutes later, the baby began to whimper. Eva shifted the baby to her chest, and I scooped up Liam. “I think it’s time for a nap anyway. Grandpa will take you home, but I’ll be home in a bit, okay?”

  I ruffled my son’s hair, then set him on his feet. He and William left, and I closed the door to give my wife some privacy as she settled Amelie at her breast. The baby began to suckle and I took a seat on the edge of the bed, just watching them. I ran my fingers gently over the baby’s downy curls, then dropped a kiss on her head.

  Eva smiled, her eyes tired but filled with joy. “She looks like you.”

  She did, but I could see traces of Eva in her, too. “She’s absolutely perfect.”

  Lifting my hand, I framed Eva's face and kissed her deeply. “I love you, angel. You've made me the happiest man in the world.”

  My wife. My family. It was nothin
g I’d ever expected my life to be, but everything I needed.

  THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR reading Sinful Sacrament! I hope you love Fox and Eva as much as I do. If you enjoyed this story, don’t forget to check out Eric and Jules’s story in the Deception Duet. (Or keep reading for a sneak peek of Pretty Little Lies!)

  If you are interested in leaving a review on any retail site, I would be so appreciative. I always love to hear what readers say, and reviews are immensely helpful in helping me to become a better writer! If you aren’t comfortable leaving a review but would like to reach out to me, I’m always available on social media or by email!

  Also—typos are the bane of my existence. If you find one, feel free to let me know so I can fix it!

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  Pretty Little Lies

  Chapter 1

  Giuliana

  The first footfall made my heart beat double-time, and I inhaled deeply, trying to slow its rapid pace.

  Thump-thump. Thump-thump.

  Two hours.

  Seven thousand, two hundred beats.

  Once, I’d counted each and every one. But the higher I counted, the more anxious I became. I clenched my eyes closed tighter and drew in a deep, calming breath, trying to bring the sights and sounds of the beach back into focus. I could feel the heat of the sun on my skin, the shifting of the grains of sand as I pulled my knees more tightly to my chest. A slight breeze blew in over the ocean, whipping strands of hair across my face, and waves lapped gently at the shore, bringing with them the salty scent of the ocean.