“You and Sin don’t have to know. Just let me find out. I swear I won’t let it slip.”
That’s such bullshit. “You have the biggest mouth of anyone I know. There’s no way you’d be able to keep it a secret.”
“I can. I swear.”
“No. We want everyone to be surprised with us.”
She groans. “I can’t believe you’re doing this to me.”
“Believe it or not, this is about what my husband and I want. Not you.”
“I know but I’m an excited aunt. I want to buy them stuff.”
Why does everyone think they must go out and get everything now? “You can still buy them stuff, just nothing gender specific until after they get here.”
“You have the patience of a saint. Always have.” While Ellison chomps at the bit.
“All right. Done with the measurements. It’s fun time.”
“Yes!” Ellison claps, reminding me of a two-year-old about to get a cookie. “Auntie Elli finally gets to see her babies.”
She gets up and goes around to the monitor of the machine. “Oh my God. They look like they’re butting heads.”
“I hear siblings do that from time to time.”
“They’re starting awful early.”
She studies the screen intently, never taking her eyes away from the babies. “Are you trying to see what they are?”
“Of course not.”
“Yes you are.” I don’t know how familiar Ellison’s ER experience makes her with OB sonograms, but it’s possible she knows just enough to be able to read them. “Stop or I’m going to make you leave.”
“Bleu. All I’m doing is looking at the babies, same as you.”
She tries to look innocent but I can see the little devil sitting on her shoulder whispering in ear. “Get your ass over here and sit down. Now.”
She takes her seat but she’s wearing a shit grin. “You saw, didn’t you?”
“Yes! But I could only make out one.”
Now I’m pissed off. And maybe a little jealous. She shouldn’t know what my babies are––or one of them––if I don’t.
“If you change your mind about knowing, all you have to do is ask.”
“No. And if you let it slip, I swear I’ll never forgive you.”
“I won’t. Promise.”
She’s never been able to keep her mouth shut in her life. I suspect now won’t be any different.
We leave my OB appointment and I’m feeling especially sulky. “I’m sorry, Bleu. I know you think I was trying to purposely see but I wasn’t. It popped up when she moved the wand. And I could be wrong. I’m not even that familiar with reading them.”
I can’t tell if she’s telling the truth or backpedaling. “Let’s not talk about it anymore.”
“How about lunch? Or maybe shopping?” she says.
Lunch sounds awesome. I know exactly what I want. Haggis.
I take Ellison to my favorite quick service restaurant. She isn’t nearly as in love with the items on the menu as I am.
Our plates arrive and she stares at my food. “That is the nastiest-looking shit I’ve ever seen.”
“I thought so too until I got pregnant. Now I crave it all the time.” It’s crazy.
“That’s just wrong, whatever that is.”
I hold out a bite on my fork in her direction. I know it disgusts her. That’s sort of why I’m doing it. “It’s good. Want a try?”
“Hell no,” she snarls.
“All the more for me, then.”
Ellison leans away and puts her fork down.
“What’s wrong? Burger not good?”
“It’s fine.”
Something’s up. “You aren’t eating.”
“I can’t stop thinking about the babies and how I’ll miss everything if I leave.”
I wanted Ellison to be the one to bring this up when she was ready. I guess this means it’s time. “You already know I want you here. Sin wants you to stay too.” I sort of suspect Jamie wants her to stick around as well.
“I’ve been thinking about it a lot. I don’t think I can leave.”
“Is this your way of telling me you’ve decided to remain in Edinburgh?”
“I think so.”
“Temporarily?”
“I want to stay long-term.”
That means she must become a member. “As one of us?”
She shrugs. “There’s a lot to work out where that’s concerned so I guess that all depends.”
Ellison will always be safe from harm by The Fellowship. She’s my sister but our familial ties don’t obligate the brotherhood to protect her from harm by anyone else. That’s a precarious situation to be in since her affiliation with us places her in danger.
She knows there’s no bigger advocate for women’s equality than me, but the truth is that she’s going to need a Fellowship member to step forward and take responsibility for her. “I wish I could’ve taken you to Sin’s swearing-in ceremony. It would’ve been the perfect opportunity to meet every bachelor within The Fellowship.”
“It feels weird knowing I’ll be looking for a man to volunteer to be beaten nearly to death for me. I don’t feel right about that.”
“Endurance is normal practice for The Fellowship. It’s a harsh way to weed out the weak, so know that only a strong man will come forward to claim you.”
“I definitely want someone strong if I’m going to do this.”
I’m not really sure there are weaklings in The Fellowship. “No worries. Sin will make sure he finds you a great match.”
“My brother-in-law finding a husband for me doesn’t sound the least bit romantic. Or hot.”
I guess not unless you look at whom she could end up with. “Even if he’s somebody like Jamie?”
“I can’t say I’d mind being with someone like him.”
“What if you were matched with him?” Jamie isn’t in a relationship. He’s available as far as I know.
“You already know I find him drool-worthy but I don’t think he’s attracted to me.”
Ellison is beautiful. And so funny. I’m actually sort of surprised Jamie hasn’t already made a move for her. “What makes you say that?”
“He’s shown no interest.”
Ellison doesn’t understand the brotherhood. “The world of The Fellowship is a complicated one. No brother strays outside of it for a woman without chancing a harsh punishment.”
“How will I find a potential mate if I’m not one of you but can’t become part of The Fellowship until someone claims me?”
It’s sort of a chicken-or-the-egg conundrum. “Valid question. I think we should have some sort of social event so you can meet the brotherhood bachelors.”
“Brotherhood bachelors. Should be a reality show.”
Umm… no. “I think not.”
I sit back in my seat and tug on my tunic. “I can’t avoid buying real maternity clothes any longer. I’ve outgrown all my loose-fitting, stretchy stuff.”
“Ugh! The dreaded pregnancy wardrobe. Don’t you dare buy those damn maternity overalls.”
God, those things are fugly.
“If I can’t buy anything for the babies, then maybe getting you some stuff will suffice. Let’s shop before we go home. I’m sure Kyle and Blare would love nothing more than to accompany us to a mommy-and-me store.”
“They’ll hate me hard if I make them do that.”
“They must have done something really bad to have been assigned to guarding you.”
I’m sure it’s the opposite. “I imagine they did something really right. My husband didn’t choose them to watch over me and his children because they’ve proven themselves useless.”
“They both look mean as hell. What do you think they’ve done?”
I look at my two protectors sitting three tables away. They remind me of military men. Short hair. Muscular. Stone-faced. Content to keep quiet. “They’ve killed. A lot.”
“You think?”
“No doubt.
”
“Has Sin killed?”
I debate answering that question but decide she should know the truth if she’s staying. “Yes. And if you join us, your husband will too. You’d better make damn sure you’re prepared to handle that part of his life. There will be times when he needs to confide the things he’s done. He may even cry like a baby on your shoulder because it’s become too much to handle. And you’ll let him. You’ll be the light delivering him from the dark. The beauty of the ugliness is that it’ll bring you closer.”
“I’m guessing the first time would be the worst. How did you handle it?”
“Sin went after three men who’d beaten and raped Alanna, the girl from our self-defense class. Once he told me the horrid things they did to her, I knew he was doing the only thing he could––taking care of his own. I was glad to be with a man who would avenge a wrong committed against an innocent young girl. It made me wonder how different I might have turned out if someone like him had done something like that for me.”
“I hate what happened to you, but it molded you into who you are today. I happen to like that person very much.”
“I feel like I’ve hidden my true self from you my entire life. I’m happy you finally get to know the real me.”
“I’ve always known the real you. All of this other stuff is just details.”
Ellison places one of my new maternity dresses on a hanger. It’s the black one embellished with metallic beading on the neckline. “This is so cute. I think you can wear it with leggings after the babies are born.”
I’m pretty sure I’ll be sick of wearing tents by the time they get here. “Or I can save it for you when you get pregnant.”
“The dress will probably be out of style by the time I have a baby.” No. That would ruin my plan.
“I want our babies to be close in age, like us.”
“You have high expectations if you plan on our children being that close in age. That means I’d have to find a husband and get pregnant within the next year. That would be completely putting my life on fast-forward.”
It could happen. “I admit Sin and I are having babies way sooner than I would’ve planned, but fate and I didn’t share the same schedule. I couldn’t be more pleased about it now.”
“I’ve literally never known you to be so happy.”
It’s not difficult with a husband like Breck.
“Sin changed everything. I realized the white knight wasn’t for me. I prefer the alpha wolf. He never hesitates to devour me.”
“Shit. That’s hot.”
She can’t imagine how scorching it is.
“Is he alpha in all ways?”
“All the ways that count.”
There’s a tap on the door. I’m in the middle of changing into my new maternity comfies so I dart for the bathroom. “I’m sure that’s Kyle or Blare. Will you see what they want?”
I’m pulling my hair into a ponytail when Ellison comes into the bathroom. “It was Kyle. He asked me to tell you that Mr. Breckenridge has come to see you and is giving him and Blare the rest of the evening off. Kyle said they’d report back for duty in the morning.
Thane went to Dublin with Sin. My heart immediately begins pounding. “Oh God. Something has happened.”
I dash to the living room.
“Oh my. I believe that is excitement to see me.”
Abram. Not the Mr. Breckenridge I was expecting but I won’t complain. At least it’s not Thane here to deliver bad news. “Why are you here?”
“We’ve not had the opportunity to talk since your husband gave me sixty lashes. I thought we might catch up while he’s away on Fellowship business.” Sin delivered sixty lashes to Abram? He didn’t tell me that.
Abram’s back is turned so he can’t see Ellison when she comes to the doorway. He briefly looks away when he places his hand in his jacket so I motion with a quick nod for her to go. She promptly retreats.
“What do you want?”
“Things were pretty perfect in my world until you came along.”
I can’t believe he’s going to be whiny about this. I expected better from him. “I’m sorry you had to join the rest of us in an imperfect world.”
“I was on top, and now I have nothing.”
I wonder if Abram was the same person he is today when they decided to appoint him. If so, that was a bad call. “You were on top because Thane and Sin temporarily placed you there. It was never truly yours.”
“I took on Sinclair’s responsibilities for years while he had fun and fucked around with any woman he chose. Believe me, there were plenty of them. I ruled with an iron fist. Did a fucking good job and have gotten little gratitude for my sacrifice.”
Total psychopath. “I think sacrifice is a poor word choice to describe your role as second in leadership.”
“Regardless of the name we use, it all came to an end because of you.”
It’s just like Abram to place blame. “It was agreed Sin would take his place after he finished his traineeship. It would’ve happened even if I had not entered the picture.”
“He would’ve been content to continue the way things were for years, but you put ideas into his head. Marriage. Babies. Coming together to rule The Fellowship as a dual powerhouse while you push me out the door.”
The longer we talk, the closer he eases toward me, putting me on high alert. “You need to back away before I have Kyle and Blare put you out.”
He takes his gun from his pocket and waves it around as he speaks. “I sent them away. They needed a break so I’m your protector tonight.”
Abram is my husband’s uncle. Kyle and Blare don’t know the troubles we’ve had. They wouldn’t have a reason to think Abram would harm me. I’m certain they left without any concern for my safety.
An intelligent person can outwit one using a pistol in place of his brain. Isn’t that what I’ve always said?
“What can you possibly think you’ll gain by killing your nephew’s wife and children? Surely you don’t think that’ll end well for you.”
“Perhaps not, but it shall give me a great deal of satisfaction.”
“Sin will never let you live if you do this. Killing me will be your death sentence.”
“He won’t know it was me. I’m going to make it look like The Order paid you a visit.”
He has a plan. That means this didn’t just occur to him but I must convince him he hasn’t thought of everything. “You were the one to send Kyle and Blare away. Do you think they won’t tell Sin?”
“They won’t if they’re dead.” It may not be a foolproof plan, but he’s clearly given that part thought. The lack of its ingenuity doesn’t keep him from carrying it out.
He’s delusional. He thinks he won’t be caught because in his mind, he’s too smart for that.
“Drop your weapon or I’ll shoot.” Ellison stands in the doorway pointing my Beretta directly at Abram.
I wasn’t the only daughter Harry taught to use a handgun. This princess holds her own at a shooting range. On occasion, she outshoots me.
Abram takes his eyes from me but not his gun. “Ah. Sister Dearest is coming to the rescue?”
“I don’t want to shoot you but I will to protect my sister. Lower your weapon now.”
Abram turns from her and steadies his arm. He’s aiming for my chest. My heart.
He smirks. Because he thinks he’s won.
Ellison’s first shot hits him in his right shoulder. The second in his right upper arm.
He staggers toward the wall and holds it for support. He drops the gun, sending a discharged shot into the wall, before falling to the floor. I move quickly to kick the gun from his reach.
“Oh my God. What have I done?” Ellison screams. Her eyes are large as she cups her mouth with her hand.
She needs reassurance. “You had no choice. He was going to kill me.”
Abram is unmoving. Eyes closed. Bleeding on my wood flooring.
She assesses him. “He’s breathing and has
a heartbeat.”
A heartbeat is a tough one to pull off when you’re heartless.
“We have to call 911 or whatever it’s called here.”
She’s out of her mind. I’m not phoning anybody to help him. “The only person I’m calling is Sin.”
I fetch my phone and dial my husband.
Ellison sits on the floor beside Abram. “Who is this man?”
“Abram Breckenridge. Sin’s uncle. Jamie and Westlyn’s father.”
“Shit! Shit! Shit! I just shot Jamie and Westlyn’s dad?”
Sin answers. “Hello, my sweet Bonny. Missing me?”
“We have a problem.”
I recount the events for Sin. He’s relieved to know I’m all right but I’m not positive he won’t be on the next plane home so he can finish Abram off. He’s livid.
“He’s lying in the middle of our living room floor unconscious and bleeding. I don’t know what to do.”
“This mess isn’t for you to fix. I’ll call Jamie to come for him. I’ll catch the next flight home so I can deal with this quickly.”
“What will you do to him?”
“I have no choice. Allowing him to live is giving him another opportunity to try this again. He could be successful next time. I can’t let that happen.”
Chapter 14
Sinclair Breckenridge
It’s early morning, still pitch-black, when I arrive home from Dublin. Bleu stirs when I come into our bedroom and turns on the lamp. “Hey.”
I go to her side of the bed and pull her into my arms. “Did he hurt you at all?”
She puts her arms around me and squeezes. “We’re fine.”
I hold her for a moment, breathing in her aroma. Peaches and cherry blossoms.
“I knew he hated you but I never suspected he was capable of this.” Had I known, I would have already killed him myself.
“No one really knows the things a psychopath is capable of until they act.”
“How was Jamie when he came for Abram?” I ask.
“A fucking mess. And Ellison is as bad.” I’m sure she is. This isn’t the life Bleu’s sister is accustomed to. I’m certain she’s never shot anyone before.
Complete Sin Box Set Page 60