by Celia Aaron
Sin grimaced, dread shrouding his features.
“Sin.” I took his hand. “Let me. Go with Lucius and get the plan straightened out. I’ll do this part.”
“What part? What plan?” Teddy sat beside me.
Sin squeezed my fingers. “Are you sure?”
“Yes. I think it’ll be better. Go on.”
He rose and kissed me on the forehead before walking out, his steps stiff, worry sitting heavy on his shoulders.
“What is it now? Something bad?” The sleepiness had fled from Teddy’s eyes, and only fearfulness remained.
How could I explain? I had to keep him grounded, give him just enough knowledge to know the score, but not too many details.
I began where it all started, where it would make the most sense. “There are seven rules to the Acquisition.”
He paled. “It must be really bad if you’re going to tell me.”
“I have to.” I took his hand and pressed it between my palms. “I don’t want to, but Cal has demanded your presence at the coronation. So you’re going to find out some things. I’d rather tell you now. Just the two of us. And I-I’m afraid. So I’ll need you to help me. I don’t want it to change you or hurt you.”
“Tell me. I can take it.” He scooted his chair back and pulled mine around so we faced each other. “No matter what, I’ll deal.”
“The first rule, and the only one you truly need to know.” I cleared my throat and gripped his hand tight. “Is that if an Acquirer loses, he has to kill the last-born of his line.”
Teddy knit his brows together for a split-second before his eyes widened and his jaw went slack. “Me?”
I nodded. “If Sin were to lose, he would have to sacrifice you as punishment.” The words were so harsh, so steeped in evil, but they had to be said.
He shook his head, disbelief and shock in the slow back and forth movement. “Oh, god. No wonder. No fucking wonder. And all this time, I’ve been blaming him.”
“And you?” His eyes watered. “How long have you known? What did they do to you? What have you gone through for me?”
I leaned forward and pulled him to me, wrapping him in a hug as the pain washed over him like a pelting spring rain. “I would do it again if it meant keeping you safe.”
A sob rocketed up from his lungs, and he clung to me. “I’m so sorry. God, Stella, I’m so sorry. I don’t even know what to…”
“No. It’s not your fault. You have to know that. You didn’t set any of this up. It isn’t your fault. I swear. I love you, and I never wanted you to know.”
He shook, sob after sob breaking him down until tears wet my cheeks, too.
“It’s okay. Shh.” I stroked his hair and whispered what few words of comfort I could.
We sat for a long time as anguish poured from him. I recognized it all, the feelings he cycled through like gears in a car—anger, sorrow, fear, rage. I knew them by heart. I held him as Sin and Lucius milled outside the doorway, their faces set in grim lines of worry.
When Teddy’s tears subsided, he let me go and cradled my face with his hands. “Thank you.” His voice shook, but his resolve was certain. “Thank you, Stella. I can never repay you. Never.”
“You already have.” I smiled and wiped his tears away. “That was the bad news. I’ve got some good news, too.”
I motioned for Sin and Lucius to come in.
“Good news?” Teddy rose and embraced Lucius and then Sin. The three of them stood together, brothers with a bond that could never break.
“Yeah, little brother. This is my favorite part.” Lucius cracked his knuckles.
“We’re going to kill them all.” Sin spoke of mass murder with a gleam in his eye that would have chilled even the stoutest heart.
All I felt was pride. “We are.”
“Good.” Teddy nodded and stood straighter, the Vinemont steel strengthening his spine just as it did for Sin and Lucius. “I want them to suffer. For Stella. What can I do?”
Sin smirked and clapped him on the back. “I knew it was in there somewhere.”
I stared up at them. I was caught in the web, surrounded by three deadly spiders, and there was nowhere else I’d rather be.
“I think that about does it.” Tony clicked the tattoo gun off and sat back. “I can easily say this is the best work I’ve ever done. Here.” He handed me a mirror.
Sun filtered through the glass panels in the spa room and lit the ink along my skin. I followed the swirls of vines curving gracefully from my collarbone, across my breast, down to my stomach, and ending with a flourish over my heart. “He’s going to love it. Just don’t tell him you saw my nipples or things might get ugly.”
“Oh, I’m well aware. I could tell that night at the party with the masks.”
I peered up at him. “You could?”
He dabbed some ointment along the fresh ink. “Are you kidding? He couldn’t take his eyes off you. I thought he might take me out just for touching you. If that wasn’t love, then…” He shrugged. “I don’t know, maybe it was some sort of unhealthy obsession?”
I smiled. “A little bit of both.”
“Sounds about right. He’s a strange guy.” He met my eyes and hastily continued, “I mean, I dig him. No offense meant.”
“None taken. He’s definitely strange.” I sat up and pulled my t-shirt back on.
He leaned back and twisted one of the piercings in his eyebrow. “You sure you’re okay? I know you said you got into a car accident, but the scars I covered—perfectly, I might add—look sort of, I don’t know, intentional?”
“Don’t worry. No one’s hurting me. I promise.” I smiled to reassure him. “It was a car accident.”
He twisted the loop a few more times before dropping his hand. “Yeah, you seem like the sort of woman who gives as good as she gets.” He packed up his tattoo gun. “Anyone else and I’d keep pressing, but I get the feeling you might put a hurting on me if I pry.”
“Your instincts are spot on.” I kissed him on the cheek. “Send Sin the bill. He’ll pay up.”
“He always does.”
“And I’m glad you’ll be far away from here when he sees our little secrets.” I’d added in a couple of piercings especially for Sin, ones that he might strangle poor Tony over.
“Me, too.” He shuddered, the tattoos along his arms dancing as he cleaned up his work space in the spa room.
I stood and stretched, ignoring the stings along my skin.
“Make sure you follow up with my aftercare instructions,” Tony said as I retreated back into the main hallway.
“I’m all over it. Don’t worry. And if I’m not, Sin will be.”
The boys were in town finalizing preparations. I’d bowed out at the last minute, claiming I needed some “me” time. Sin didn’t want to go without me. After a lot of convincing, I eventually shooed him out the door along with Lucius and Teddy. I hated for him to worry, but I was safe at home and wanted the new ink to be a surprise.
Laura bustled around the kitchen as I entered. She’d made a platter for sandwiches, so I fixed a ham and cheese and grabbed some chips from the pantry.
“How’s Teddy been the past few days?” I tried to keep my tone nonchalant.
“A little distracted. Otherwise, fine.” She hit some buttons on the dishwasher and turned to give me a smile. “You’re looking happy today.”
“I am. I got Sin a surprise.”
“Oh, do tell.” She walked over and leaned on the island.
I grinned and put my sandwich down. “Brace yourself.”
She smiled and clasped her hands together. “Consider me braced.”
I lifted my shirt, and her eyes went wide.
“Did those hurt?”
“Hell, yes, they did.” I smoothed my shirt back down and ate some more of my sandwich as Laura stole a few of my chips.
“Do you think Teddy would like it if I did that?”
I laughed. “I’m beginning to think I’m a bad influence on you, and I
like it.”
A loud thunk sounded in the hallway.
“What was that?” Laura cocked her head to the side.
“I don’t know. Stay here.” I grabbed a knife from the butcher block and walked into the dining room. I crept to the hall door, holding the knife at the ready. Peeking out, I saw Farns lying in the foyer.
“Oh shit, Laura!” I dropped the knife and ran to Farns. He lay on his side, blood running from a wound on his forehead.
He tried to sit up, but I pushed him down. “Don’t move. Let us look at you.”
“No.” He pointed up the stairs, and his eyes swam. “Rebecca. Help her.”
“Help her?”
Laura knelt and pressed a dishtowel to his forehead.
“Take care of him. I’m going to see about Rebecca.” I darted up the stairs and dashed down the third floor hall.
Renee’s sobs sounded clearly from Rebecca’s room. I rushed through the door and stopped. The matriarch of the family lay still in her bed, her face turned toward the sun and her eyes closed. Renee sat next to her, gripping Rebecca’s hand between hers.
“Renee.” I walked over and rested my palm on her back. “I’m so sorry.”
“Sh-she spoke to me this morning. It was her. The real her. She told me she loved me and the boys and to watch over you. And then she said she wanted a-a nap.” Renee pulled Rebecca’s hand to her lips and kissed it. “I thought she was sleeping. I didn’t even notice.” She stroked Rebecca’s hair. “Please don’t. Please come back.” Her tear-filled pleas tore at my heart, but all I could do was be there for her as she cried.
I pulled a chair up next to the bed and sat as Renee smoothed Rebecca’s hair and talked to her. Some of the most beautiful things I’d ever heard passed Renee’s lips. The love between them was stronger than even I realized, and the well of grief inside Renee seemed to have no bottom.
After a while, Laura crept through the door. When she realized Rebecca was gone, she put a hand to her mouth. I stood and went to her.
“Farns?” I whispered.
“He’s fine. Just came down the stairs too fast and slipped.” She didn’t look away from Rebecca. “I-is she?”
I nodded. “Go take care of Farns. I’ll wait here with Renee.”
She wiped at her eyes. “All right.”
Hours passed before I heard the familiar roar of a motorcycle. Teddy had returned, Sin and Lucius likely with him.
“Renee, honey. I’m going to go tell them. I’ll bring them up in a few minutes, okay?”
She didn’t respond.
I left the room and headed for the foyer. Teddy was the first one through the door. The smile on his face faded as soon as he saw me.
“What? What is it?”
There was no other way to say it. “Your mom. I’m sorry, Teddy. But she’s passed.”
He looked up the stairs. “When?”
“This morning.” I hugged him. “I’m sorry.”
Sin walked in, Lucius right behind him. I went to Sin, his strong arms encircling me.
“Mom’s dead.” Teddy ran a hand through his hair and began to climb the stairs.
“What?” Lucius turned to me.
“She passed in her sleep this morning. Peacefully. Renee is up there with her.”
Sin held me close, his heart beating wildly as if he’d been shot full of adrenaline. Lucius followed Teddy to the third floor.
“In her sleep?”
I swallowed hard. “Yes. She was kind to Renee this morning and then took a nap. She didn’t wake up.”
“Renee? How is she handling it?” He absentmindedly rubbed his hands up and down my back.
“Not great. I haven’t been able to pull her away. Are you okay?”
“I can’t tell. My mother’s dead, but…”
“It’s all right to have mixed emotions.”
“My problem is having emotions at all. You’ve changed me somehow. Before… Before, I don’t think I would have felt this sort of, I don’t know what it is. I can’t put it in words.” He sighed in frustration. “There’s an ache where there used to be nothing.”
I pulled away and met his eyes. “It’s sorrow.”
He stroked the back of his hand down my cheek. “I think so. And I always knew she would die. I assumed it would be in some horrible fashion.” He shook his head. “But in her sleep?”
“It’s a good thing.”
“Yes. I suppose we should go up.”
“I’ll be with you the whole time. I’m here for you.” I got on my tiptoes and kissed him. “Anything you need.”
He squared his shoulders, took my hand, and led me upstairs.
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
STELLA
MY DRESS ARRIVED ON the morning of the coronation. Its emerald silk gleamed in the rays of sun filtering through my window. I walked around it, making sure it was perfect for the night. I would know for certain once Sin saw me in it.
After his mother’s funeral, he’d gone to New Orleans for two days to clean up financial and legal matters concerning her estate. He was set to arrive at lunchtime.
I smiled just thinking about what he’d say about the dress. I drew it myself and sent the specifications to his seamstress. She’d whipped it up in record time. The bodice was a black corset with a neckline that skirted the tops of my breasts in a straight line. My vines would be on full display, and the back was low enough to show my scars. The skirt flowed out in deep green silk, with a slit up one thigh for easy access to my knife.
“Stella?” Sin’s voice had my heart racing. He was home early.
I took off toward the stairs and flew down them. He caught me as I jumped into his arms from two steps up.
He laughed, the sound warming me more than a summer sun. “I missed you, too.” He kissed along my cheek to my lips and ran a hand to my hair. His tongue swept into my mouth, and he backed me into the wall next to the music room. He moved a hand to my breast and I squeaked when he ran his thumb over my nipple.
He broke our kiss and looked down. “What’s this?”
“I…” Color rose in my cheeks, which was odd given that he’d seen and tasted every inch of my body. “I got my nipples pierced.”
“You what?” He set me down and yanked my shirt up.
“Sin!” I tried to pull it back down and glanced around for Farns or Laura. We were, thankfully, alone.
“Jesus.” He bent his head to my left breast and licked along the metal barbell.
My pussy clenched at the mix of pleasure and pain. “Ow. They’re still healing.”
“That’s a you problem, not a me problem.” He licked again and pulled my shirt to my collarbones. “Ink, too? This is beautiful. Here.” He pulled my shirt up to my neck and caged my throat with his palm.
“Tony’s work?” He inspected the vines and licked my other nipple as I made an mmm sound.
“Yes.”
“He touched you?”
“He wore gloves.”
His palm tightened. “He touched you?”
“He had to. But he knows I’m yours. He was a consummate professional the entire time.”
“Mmhmm.” He traced the vines with his index finger. “I love it, though I may still kill him for it.”
“Sin, don’t be mad—”
He rubbed the flat of his tongue along my left nipple, and I pressed my lips together to keep from moaning. Footsteps in the hall had him whirling, covering me with his broad body. I hastily lowered my shirt. Farns rounded the corner, a bandage still affixed to his forehead.
“How are you feeling?” Sin asked.
“Much better, thank you.”
“Maybe we should have that talk again. The one about you taking it easy while bossing a younger man around.”
“No sir. Not a chance. Not while there’s still breath left in this beat up old body.”
“It wouldn’t be so bad.” Once my shirt was straight, I walked over and squeezed Farns’ bony elbow. “It’s not like you’d be going anywhere.
”
“All the same, I prefer to continue my duties for as long as I’m allowed.”
“Suit yourself. Come on, Stella, I have some estate particulars to go over with Lucius and Teddy.”
I followed him down the hall. Laura had prepared an early lunch. We told her we’d be leaving in the afternoon and attending an all-night party. Teddy and Lucius sat at the table, Teddy chatting with Laura as Lucius spoke Spanish on his phone.
When we walked in, Teddy said, “We’re going to need some family time, babe. I’ll catch up with you before we leave this afternoon.”
Laura’s cheeks turned pink, but she nodded and went to the kitchen. Sin closed the door behind us, and Lucius ended his phone call.
“What’s the word?” Lucius popped a cheese straw into his mouth.
“Mother’s estate is taken care of. I checked her holdings in the city—all the safe deposit boxes are secure. She left it all to me, but I saw fit to divide the estate equally three ways. However, the business won’t be quite so easy to divvy up, so all three of us will remain on the board. Also, I kept the house for myself, because I can.”
“That all sounds fine by me.” Lucius nodded.
“Does that mean I’m rich now?” Teddy asked.
Sin smirked. “Oh, forgot to mention, your third is held in trust. Lucius and I are the trustees.”
“Aw, shit.” Teddy took an angry bite of his baguette to the point it was almost comical.
“Good one, Sin.” Lucius laughed.
“Now, let’s get down to more pressing business.” He sat at the head of the table. “I’ve checked with Quinlan, and everything is on schedule. He’s adjusted arrangements to add Teddy; otherwise, the plan is the same.”
A knock sounded at the door.
“Yes?” Sin barked.
Renee poked her head in. Though her eyes were ringed with dark circles, her hair was fixed and her clothes clean and neat. I dropped by to see her more frequently over the few days after Rebecca passed. She made a habit of sitting by Rebecca’s grave under an oak near the levee, often taking a blanket and lying in the shade for hours.
Sin, Lucius, and Teddy were grim for the brief funeral, but Rebecca’s death seemed to bring as much relief as grief for them. Renee, however, was inconsolable. The love she’d shared with Rebecca—even when it was twisted and ugly—was one that even death couldn’t snuff out.