The Sinner's Secret

by Kira Sinclair

  Finn grinned. “Always stack the deck, my friend.”

  Gray, tired of listening to the banter, growled, “You assholes can stop talking about me like I’m not here.”

  “Well, look at that, he is paying attention.”

  “Of course I am.” His attention turned to Finn. “Her father’s trial is tomorrow?”

  This time both of Finn’s eyebrows rose. “The high-priced lawyer you hired filed a motion to dismiss. The judge is hearing it tomorrow. Although, I would have expected you to know this already.”

  And he might have...if he hadn’t told the guy who’d called yesterday about Blakely’s father’s case that he didn’t want to hear anything about it. He just wanted the man to do his job. Period.

  Dammit, but now he knew. His foot started tapping against the floor. The muscles in his shoulders tightened. Blakely must be stressed out over the outcome.

  He needed to get out of here, before he did something stupid. Like call her and see how she was holding up.

  Pushing back from the table, Gray said, “You guys will have to finish this meeting without me.”

  “Please tell me you’re going to her.”

  Gray looked across the table at Stone. “No.”

  His friend groaned, closing his eyes. “You really are a fool.” Waving a hand, Stone added, “Go, we’ve got this. Do us a favor, though, and don’t come back in until you have your shit together. Amanda is afraid to come near you right now. She said you snapped her head off when she brought you some paperwork this morning.”

  “It was screwed up.”

  “Maybe so, but that wasn’t her fault.”

  Stone might be right, but Gray wasn’t in the mood to acknowledge it. “Whatever.”

  He was halfway to the door when Finn’s voice stopped him. “Would you like some friendly advice?”

  Gray paused for several seconds before turning back to his friend. “Not really.”

  “You’re getting it, anyway. I don’t know what happened between you. What I do know is that with her you were happier than I’d ever seen you. And that’s saying a lot considering everything that was going on. I would have expected the last few weeks to have been some of the most difficult of your life.”

  And when Gray stopped to think about it, Finn was right. Aside from being convicted for a crime he didn’t commit, finding out his mother wasn’t really his, that his father had paid someone to cover it up and his birth mother had sold him...not exactly a happy time.

  “Still, somehow, you managed to get through that experience without tearing apart someone or something. I saw you smile more often in those weeks than I have in the eight years I’ve known you. She makes you happy, man. And that’s worth a lot.”

  Stone picked up where Finn left off. “It’s worth doing whatever you have to in order to have that in your life. Whatever the problem is...figure out how to fix it. All of us know, life is too unpredictable. You take the joy where you can find it.”

  “And when you find a woman worth having in your life, you do what you can to keep her there,” Finn added.

  Gray stared at both his friends. They watched him with matching earnest expressions, firmly believing what they were telling him.

  And he had to admit, the last few days he’d been miserable.

  “This is the right thing...for her. It’ll get better.”

  “No, it won’t,” Stone said, his voice filled with certainty. “I let Piper go before I went to prison. And those feelings never disappeared. They were just as powerful years later. If you love her, tell her.”

  “Fight for her,” Finn chimed in. “You’re good at that, man. You know how to fight. So why are you walking away from the most important one of your life?”

  Gray’s gaze bounced between his two friends. Aside from Blakely, they were the most important people in his life.

  What they said both scared him...and gave him hope. Maybe they were right. Stone had been noble, trying to do the right thing just like he was. But in the end, Piper hadn’t wanted that sacrifice from him. She’d wanted the man she loved.

  Walking away from Blakely was the hardest thing he’d ever done. And Finn had a point. He’d never backed down from a fight before. So why was he doing it now, when it mattered most?

  “That’s a damn good question.”

  Fifteen

  Blakely sat behind her father. He was at the table in front of her. The lawyer Gray had hired sat next to him. She’d half expected the guy to drop the case, but he hadn’t.

  She couldn’t decide whether to be grateful or pissed. Half of her had hoped Gray would pull an asshole move so she could be angry instead of hurt and heartbroken.

  No such luck.

  The bastard.

  The judge walked into the courtroom and everyone stood. After he was seated, the bailiff instructed everyone else to sit. The registrar began detailing the order of cases. The hearing for her father’s motion was first.

  Everyone was shuffling papers and murmuring. Getting prepared. Blakely’s stomach was in knots. Over the last several days, she’d spent some time with her father, really talking about what had happened. A few weeks ago, she would have gone into that conversation with a completely different mindset. But thanks to Gray...she’d truly listened to her father and decided for herself, and for him, that she believed him. He was far from perfect, but it was clear to her he’d been honestly trying to change his life.

  Which made this hearing even more important.

  Leaning forward, Blakely placed her hand over her father’s shoulder and squeezed. He didn’t turn, but brought his own hand up, covering hers. The pads of his fingers were rough with calluses, reminding her that no matter what, her father had worked hard all of his life to provide for his family. Maybe not the way she would have preferred...but the only way he knew how.

  The hearing started, and the prosecution began with a brief outline of their case. Blakely listened to the evidence, her throat tightening with each word. They made him sound so guilty.

  The defense was about to start when the door at the back of the courtroom opened. Blakely turned at the noise, nothing more than a reflex, but her world stood still when she saw who entered.

  Gray.

  What was he doing here?

  Pausing, he looked straight at her for several moments. His expression was blank and impossible to read. A jumbled mess of emotions tangled into knots inside her already rolling belly. Anger, heartbreak, hope and frustration collided, so coiled together that she couldn’t separate them enough to deal with any.

  Clamping her jaws together, Blakely purposefully turned away from him, placing her focus back onto her father and the hearing.

  She listened to her father’s attorney decimate each of the prosecution’s points, poking holes in their evidence and making a strong case for dismissing the charges altogether. He also made a compelling argument that her father had been turning his life around, distancing himself from the people who were bad influences and attempting to become a better citizen. He suggested no one should be judged based on their past behavior when they were clearly trying to make the right changes.

  The experience was a roller coaster, but optimistic hope came out on top when her father’s attorney finally sat. And in that moment, she was proud of her father. Something she’d never been able to say before.

  When both sides were done, the judge sat back in his chair. He looked out over the courtroom, his gaze zeroing in on her father.

  “Mr. Whittaker, I’ve heard from both sides. After careful consideration of the facts presented here, I find there isn’t enough evidence to hold this case over for trial.”

  Blakely let out a huge sigh of relief. In front of her, her father sagged into his chair, his shoulders dipping with relief.

  “I want to caution you, however. While it might be ideal not to judge p
eople on their past mistakes, ultimately, we’re all human and it happens. You have much to atone for in your past, but I’m a firm believer everyone deserves a second chance. So far, you’ve proven your willingness to make changes in your life. Keep it that way so I don’t have to see you in my courtroom again.” The judge paused for several seconds. “Because next time, you might not be so lucky.”

  Her father stood. “Thank you, sir. I understand and I’m so grateful for your decision.”

  Everyone around her seemed to move at once. Her father’s attorney stood and began gathering his files and papers. He turned to her father and murmured several things before clapping him on the back and wishing him the best.

  Her father turned to her, a huge grin stretching across his face. Blakely leaned forward, wrapping him in a hug. But she couldn’t stop herself from whispering in his ear. “You’re lucky, Dad. Please don’t blow this second chance.”

  “I won’t, baby girl. I promise not to let you down again.”

  Pulling back, Blakely looked deep into his eyes. “Dad, don’t do it for me. Do it for yourself.”

  The smile on Martin’s face dimmed a little, but he nodded and squeezed her shoulder.

  Together, they walked out of the courtroom. Blakely couldn’t stop herself from scanning the crowd in front of her, looking for Gray even though she knew she shouldn’t.

  But he wasn’t there.

  And for some stupid reason, her heart dropped into her toes when she realized he was gone. He hadn’t come for her; he’d come to support her father. To make sure his money had been spent wisely.

  In that moment, the last bit of hope Blakely had been clinging to disappeared.

  * * *

  Gray watched as Blakely and her father left the courthouse. Martin got into his car and drove away. His daughter stood for several seconds, watching him disappear.

  Her hands were shaking. He wanted to go to her, hold her, and make it stop.

  She was so strong for everyone, but for the first time, Gray realized that meant she had no one to be strong for her.

  No, that wasn’t true. She had him.

  To hell with it. He didn’t care if she wanted him to be there or not. Didn’t care if she was angry with him, or if she didn’t like his criminal reputation. They’d figure it out.

  Walking out of the shadows, Gray crossed the sidewalk. Reaching out, he grasped her hands and squeezed.

  She didn’t startle or jerk away. But she also didn’t turn to him. Instead, she stared straight ahead and asked, “Why are you here?”

  “I wouldn’t be anywhere else.”

  Blakely’s head bowed.

  Using his grip on her shoulders, Gray gently turned her to face him. Her face was drawn, unhappy and sad. Exactly the way he’d been feeling the past days without her.

  “Blakely, I’m miserable without you.” Those words were a hell of a lot easier to say than he’d expected. “I miss your laugh, the way you smell. I miss the way you burrow into me in your sleep, like you can’t get close enough. I miss the way you argue with me and challenge me. I just miss you.”

  Blakely’s mouth thinned. Her eyes glistened with tears she wouldn’t let fall. “You pushed me away, Gray.”

  “You’re right. I did. I was afraid.”

  “Of what?”

  “That you were only with me out of guilt.” No, it was more than that. And if there was ever a time to be completely honest with himself and her, it was now. “I was afraid I didn’t deserve you. Blakely, I spent seven years in prison. And I might not have been a criminal when I went inside—”

  Blakely cut him off, her voice hard and strong when she said, “You’re still not a criminal.”

  And that was where she was wrong. “I’ve done plenty of things that are on the gray side of the law. And I know you, Blakely. If you knew everything, you wouldn’t be okay with it.”

  “That’s bullshit, Gray. You say you know me, but I know you, too. I don’t care what you think you’ve done. I have no doubt you had perfectly good reasons. Period. I don’t need the details to know that, because I know you. Trust you.”

  Blakely’s arm flung out, sweeping across the expanse of the courthouse steps. “I just spent the last hour in a courtroom with my dad. A few weeks ago, dread and disappointment would have sat heavy on my stomach. Because I would have been embarrassed and hurt by what he’d done. Instead, I was hopeful. And not just because you’d spent money on a damn good lawyer. But because I believe that deep down, he wants to change. I believe in him, in a way I never have before. You gave me that.” She shook her head. “No, you gave us that. Because my support is going to help my dad be successful in making those changes.”

  Gray’s chest tightened. “I’m really happy for you both.”

  “Then why won’t you let me show you the same support you’ve given me?”

  Blakely closed the gap between them, wrapping her hands around his face and bringing her body snugly against his. “I love you, Gray.”

  Everything inside him went silent at her words. Something sharp lanced through his chest and then warmth expanded, spreading throughout his entire body.

  She loved him. Gray wasn’t certain what he’d done right in his life to deserve her, but he’d take it. Because he wasn’t strong enough not to.

  Dropping his forehead to hers, he said, “I love you, too.”

  “There might have been a time I thought you were the worst kind of man, but I was clearly wrong. Gray Lockwood, you’re one of the most honorable, selfless men I’ve ever met.”

  Gray’s throat tight, he pulled her up until his mouth met hers. The kiss they shared was hot as always, but it was more. Connection, comfort, support and appreciation.

  It was a beginning, one they were both anxious to start.

  * * *

  Don’t miss any of the Bad Billionaires!

  The Rebel’s Redemption

  The Devil’s Bargain

  The Sinner’s Secret

  Keep reading for an excerpt from All He Wants for Christmas by Karen Booth.

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  All He Wants for Christmas

  by Karen Booth

  One

  Andrew Sterling had nearly forgotten how pleasant November in San Diego could be. As he descended the stairs of his Cessna, a soft breeze ruffled his hair and a strong dose of California sun warmed his face. If he had to guess, it was nearly seventy degrees today. This was a complete one-eighty from his adopted home of Seattle, where the cold and rain was a fixture this close to Thanksgiving. It crept into your bones and your psyche and made itself at home well past Christmas. San Diego was obviously a far better locale this time of year. But this city held too many unhappy memories for Andrew—dreams dashed, loyalties destroyed, love lost and, ultimately, two brothers forever divided. He wouldn’t be staying here long, no matter how nice the weather.

  Forever divided. That was the part Andrew was having the hardest time getting past. There was no repairing his relationship with his brother. Johnathon was dead, his life ended three short months ago at the too-young age of forty-one. It was a fluke accident—a line drive on the golf course, straight to the temple. There had been no time to say goodbye, not that it would have been an easy conversation. There would’ve been countless things to say, and even more things to apologize for, which could have only happened after getting past the state of their relationship that day—Johnathon and Andrew hadn’t spoken in over a year. Even worse, Andrew was orchestrating a scheme to kneecap Johnathon’s business, Sterling Enterprises.r />
  He’d had good reason to embark on the secret venture, but that didn’t matter now. Johnathon was gone, and Andrew had to stop the plan he’d set in motion. Defuse the bomb he’d built. Unfortunately, someone else still wanted to light the fuse—Andrew’s one-time ally in the scheme, a man known only as Victor. Victor had been on the wrong end of a multimillion-dollar business deal with Johnathon and he was not the type to forgive and forget. Guilt and regret had made Andrew stop, but Victor didn’t have family loyalty or even a conscience to constrain him. Victor was merciless. If he couldn’t get his revenge on Johnathon, he’d destroy his legacy instead. Hence, Andrew’s open-ended return to the city he could no longer stand.

  Andrew strode across the tarmac to the idling SUV waiting for him at Gray Municipal, a landing strip so far south of San Diego it was nearly in Mexico. No one would expect Andrew to come into town via such a remote and admittedly unglamorous location. There were more than a dozen airports closer to the city, with better amenities and far nicer facilities to hangar his plane. But he wanted to slip into San Diego undetected. It was the best way to stop Victor at his game.

  It was a half-hour drive to the historic US Grant Hotel, the five-star grand dame of downtown San Diego, but Andrew was not delivered to the front door. Instead, he was taken to the parking garage and used the private entry reserved for dignitaries and heads of state. Andrew was neither, but he did have a security detail and the money that afforded this level of preferential treatment. He and one of his bodyguards, Pietro, rode the elevator up to the presidential suite. It was pure luxury, with its tall arched windows, nine-foot ceiling and impeccable decor, not that Andrew planned to enjoy it. Pietro did a quick sweep of the living area, then headed up to the suite’s second level for a full inspection of the bedroom and bath. Meanwhile, Andrew paced. He was eager to get to work, discreetly find out exactly what Victor was up to, and formulate his plan from there.

  “Everything checks out upstairs,” Pietro said. “Would you like me to head over to check on Ms. Sterling?”