Sins E-Book

J. L. Drake

• Herausgeber: J.L. DRAKE
• Kategorie: Gesellschafts- und Liebesromane
• Serie: Havoc of Sins
• Sprache: Englisch
• Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2024

Seitenzahl: 455

Beschreibung

From the author who brought you the Devil’s Reach MC and the Quiet Mafia series comes the last installment of the gritty, dark, billionaire romantic suspense series, Havoc of Sins.
My rage pushed Kenna to the brink, but vengeance demanded it.
In this bloody game, betrayal and enemies lurk everywhere.
Forcing the Vegas Reaper to rise and seek retribution.
Sonny’s downfall was the beginning.
Meanwhile, behind bars, a ruthless player forces Cameron to do the unthinkable.
Someone must die and he chose what’s mine.
When danger lingers, secrets unravel, and chaos reigns.
Together with the Devil’s Reach MC, we’ll hunt down every traitor.
Our empire must be reclaimed.
Death will claim this reckoning.

Leseprobe

Contents

Character Guide

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

Epilogue

Acknowledgments

About the Author

Suggested Reading Order

SINS

HAVOC OF SINS

Copyright 2024 © J.L. Drake

All rights reserved

The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is a crime punishable by law. No part of this book may be scanned, uploaded to, or downloaded from file sharing sites or distributed in any other way via the internet or any other means, electronic or print, without the publisher’s permission. Criminal copyright infringement, including infringement without monetary gain, is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by up to 5 years in federal prison and a fine of $250,000.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to locales, events, business establishments, or actual persons— living or dead—is entirely coincidental.

All rights reserved. Except as permitted under the U.S. Copyright Act of 1976. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in, or introduced into a retrieval system or transmitted, in any form or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise), without the prior permission of J.L. Drake.

Cover Design by TRC Designs

Editing by Lori Whitwam

Formatting by Spellbinding Design

Dedication

To all those who wait out their enemy. You got this.

Character Guide

Gates Family

Jim Gates: Grim’s father and owner of Indulge Hotel

Laurel Gates: Grim’s mother

Grim Gates: Owner of Secrets and oldest of the brothers

Leo Gates: Middle of the three brothers

Knox Gates: Youngest of the three brothers

Leal and Zhar: Grim’s Doberman Pinschers

Darcy: Dog walker

Extras to the Gates Family

Jesse: Grim’s right-hand man

Cartwright: Grim’s main driver

Louis: Grim trusts him to ride his bike

Janelle: In love with Grim

Deborah: Real estate advisor

Tayla Canos: Cartel daughter (Dark Water Series)

Jerry and Elva Canos: Tayla’s parents (Grim lived with them for 10 years when in Mexico)

Tame Family

Cameron Tame: Kenna’s father, Lawyer to Jim Gates

Claudine Tame: Kenna’s mother, travels the world for work

Kenna Tame: Goes by Lodge to keep her job separate from her family

Calli Tame: Kenna’s younger sister, doesn’t get along with Kenna

Extras to the Tame Family

Simon Gable: Private Investigator, works for Cameron

Zara: Cameron’s secretary

Extras

Jayden Wallace: Manager to super hosts

Mr. Salazar: Client of Kenna’s

Yen Hong: Client of Kenna’s

Elio Capri: Head of the Capri mafia family in Italy (Quiet Wealth Series) and friend of Grim

Vinni and Niccola Capri: Elio’s cousins

Martin Castillo: Head of Cartel (Dark Water Series)

Hannah: Kenna’s old friend

Gavin: Elevator operator at Indulge Hotel

Shore: Kenna’s favorite driver at Indulge Hotel

Devil’s Reach Motorcycle Club

Location of official clubhouse: Santa Monica, California

Trigger: President, married to Tess

Brick: Vice President, Minnie’s longtime boyfriend

Tess: Married to Trigger, best friend to Brick and Minnie and owner of Dirty Deeds Club

Minnie: Kenna’s best friend and owner of a sex house and Dirty Demons strip club.

Rail: Good friend of Kenna’s and dates whoever he can

Morgan: Good friend of Kenna’s. Holds the rank of Sergeant of Arms

Stripe Backs Motorcycle Club

Rival club to Devil’s Reach

Location of official clubhouse: Venice, California.

Club weak and scattered as many members were killed over the years. Power struggle within the membership as they try to rebuild.

Grim

Blood sprayed as my fist met his face. Everything blurred while I pounded out my anger. I grabbed him by the collar and sent one into his chest and quickly repeated it with one to the gut. Darkness filled me as I grabbed his hand and broke all the small bones. His screams seemed to come from a distance and were like a salve to my insides, but it wasn’t enough. Nothing could soothe the pain or heal the scars left from Leo’s death. I was no longer human; I was a machine designed to kill anyone who had a hand in my brother’s murder.

“That all you got?” his pulp of a face asked as he spat. His blood-lined teeth morphed into a grin. “You better finish me off, Gates, because I’ll be coming for ya.”

I switched hands and drilled my knee into his stomach, and when he buckled, I drove a knee into his face. A little voice told me to keep going with the promise of peace at the end. That was a lie. There would never be peace for me; that would mean Leo came back from the dead.

“Grim! No!” my mother yelled from the doorway, and someone yanked at my arm throwing me off balance. I whirled around to take a swing when Knox’s face appeared. He wore a crazed expression. He grabbed my arm and held on.

“Not him,” Knox shouted. “No, Grim, not like this!”

I glared at the asshole who had managed to slither over to the wall. He propped his battered body upright.

“Yeah, not like this.” Sonny laughed, and I lunged at him, only to be pulled away from him again. I was yanked backward, and my father’s voice boomed through the chaos in my head.

“No!” Dad wouldn’t let go, even when I ripped my arm away from Knox. “Son, no.”

“Snap out of it,” Knox yelled. “You’re gonna hurt Dad!”

“Yeah, listen to your brother, Grim.” Sonny coughed. “You only have one left.”

Dad tightened his grip on me as I went in for a third time.

“Enough! All of you, enough!” Mom’s voice got through, and I tried to force myself to focus on her.

“Sonny Conti,” if she could breathe fire she would have in that moment, “one more word out of your mouth and I’ll put a bullet through your heartless chest myself.”

“Yes, ma'am.” He snickered, and Dad reached for his gun.

“Jim,” Mom warned, and like me, he knew to step back. Mom rarely used that voice, and we all knew to listen. “Knox,” she kept her eyes on me, “get your brother out of here.”

I slapped Knox’s hand away and spun toward the door. I grabbed the handle and slammed the door into the wall as I stomped out. I could hear the glass smash as I left.

“Conference room,” Dad ordered from behind me. “Jesse, look after this, will you?” Dad waved at the mess against the wall.

“Of course, sir. Sorry I wasn’t here sooner.” He glanced at me. We both knew what he’d done had given me a head start.

Once inside, Dad shut the door behind us, and the only sound I could hear was my own gasping breath. I forced myself to take a moment to breathe. I was too amped to sit, so I grabbed one of the high-back chairs and clenched the top of it with my fists. I desperately needed something to anchor me.

Knox was the first to speak. “What do you know?”

I shook my head. I wasn’t ready to tell them yet; I wanted to end his fucking life first.

“Laurel?” Dad turned to Mom. “How did this all happen?” I appreciated him giving me a moment to gather myself.

“I was up talking to Gavin up in the security room when I saw Grim race through the lobby, then he went to the restaurant where the Tames normally have their family dinner. When he headed up to this floor, it didn’t take much to see he was looking for Cameron.” She smoothed out her hair as she settled in a chair.

“So, why Sonny?” Knox pushed.

“Because…” I felt everything rush to the surface, and I could tell I was going to blow.

Knox took a step toward me, and I raised my hand to stop him. “Because?”

“Because they’re all fucking in on it!” I screamed, and Mom jumped. “It wasn’t supposed to be Leo. I was the mark. Me!” I jabbed a finger at my chest. “Cameron ordered a hit to take me out, but Leo had my jacket on, and the stupid hired fuckers thought he was me.”

Silence.

Fuck!

“How?” Knox shook his head, confused. “You’re like a fucking Picasso painting.” He waved a finger at all my tats. “Leo was a blank slate, for shit’s sake.”

“I don’t understand, Grim.” Mom leaned forward in her chair.

“Me either.” Knox pursed his lips. “Even if he had your jacket on, he looks nothing like you.”

“Hired men don’t get photos, they get marks.” I tried to calm my nerves and remember Knox wouldn’t know this shit. “They get a text, a bit of information, that’s it.”

“Why? That’s stupid.”

I pinched the bridge of my nose. “It’s all about tracing shit back.” I slammed my fists into the chair. “You’d know this shit if you actually paid attention.”

“Grim!” Mom warned as she pressed her hands flat on the table. “What do you mean, Cameron ordered the hit? What evidence do you have?”

“Kenna.” As her name slipped past my lips, I had a sudden vision of her still handcuffed in my room. “She found an envelope in her father’s office. It had Leo’s cufflinks and some of that straw that was found in Leo’s room.”

“Proof of a kill,” Dad spelled out for Knox, who had suddenly paled. “Any chance it could be a fluke?”

“No.” I rubbed my head. “Jesse found out Cameron sent Sonny to New Orleans. To see where we were, maybe? I’m guessing, but to me, it’s enough, with the cufflinks⁠—”

“That’s not why he sent Sonny there.” We all turned to stare at Knox. “He wanted confirmation that you and Kenna were together.”

I swallowed hard as Knox slowly shook his head like something was coming back to him. “What do you know, little brother?”

“More than I realized, I think.” His face morphed into visible pain, and for a moment, I took pity on him. “I’m not as stupid as you might assume.” His eyes went glossy. “I know I party too much, but it’s because I’m not ready to deal with the shit you all do. You all walk around like you carry this big secret on your shoulders, and Grim is always angry or just plain covered in blood.”

I shrugged. “We have a lot of enemies.”

“Don’t we have people to keep them out?” His youth showed in his face, and I saw the little boy I’d helped shield from our world for so long peek through. Yet another mistake I’d made. I shook the thought away and slipped back to business. “Knox, what do you⁠—”

“It’s a lot,” Dad cut me off, and I moved to sit next to him, “and we’re carrying a big secret, son. One I think you might be in the middle of without knowing it.” He gave Knox a sad smile and pointed at the chair across from us. “Grim may be right, Knox. If we can figure out what Cameron’s up to and what else you might know, maybe we can end this nightmare and move on.” Dad reached across and patted his arm tenderly. “What else do you know, son?”

“Well, I know Calli likes to feed me drinks.” He squeezed his eyes shut as he thought. “At first, I thought she just wanted us to have fun, but over time, I noticed she never really touches much alcohol at all. One time when I wasn’t feeling the best, you know, from the night before,” he made a face and looked down, “I pretended to drink whatever she gave me, but I poured them into a planter next to me. Later, when I was zapped from the sun, I drifted off in the cabana. I wasn’t totally asleep and overheard Cameron telling Calli he’d sent Sonny to New Orleans to get proof that you,” he looked at me, “were fooling around with Kenna.”

“That’s probably what made him snap.” I slammed my fist into the table. “After I beat his face in, I’m going to slice his throat and break every⁠—”

“Calm down, Grim,” Mom said firmly. “Knox, I know you care for Calli, but you see what’s happening here, right?”

“I do. But, Mom, I really love Calli. She’s different than them.” He didn’t get it, blinded by easy pussy and a cute smile. “She’s just as blind to her father as Kenna is.”

“Don’t,” I snapped. “Don’t clump the two of them together.” I suddenly felt wildly protective of the woman I’d ripped apart emotionally and still held captive in my bedroom.

“She feels stuck in her job because she works for him. You guys don’t know the Calli that I do. She’s loyal to her father. Surely that counts for something?” Knox looked at Dad, and I saw red. Dad must have sensed my change in mood because his tone changed.

“It does,” he said soothingly. “I love that you see the good in everyone.” He stood and walked around the table and kissed Knox on the head like he was twelve and not in his mid-twenties. “And you’re right. We don’t know Calli, and maybe given what’s going on, we need to. Why don’t you invite her to dinner tonight? Kenna too.” Dad gave me a look, and I wanted to laugh at what I was hearing.

“Sure, I’ll ask.” Knox cautiously looked at me then at Dad. “Just make sure Kenna will be there so Grim doesn’t take a swipe at Calli.”

I found it humorous that he thought Kenna could stop me.

“I will.” Dad smiled warmly. “Why don’t you head out, and we’ll deal with this Sonny situation?”

“Okay.” He looked relieved to go. “Sounds good.” He headed for the door.

I blocked his path and pushed a finger into his chest. “Just remember what blood you carry and where your loyalty lies.”

“And you don’t forget he was my brother, too.” He swallowed hard. “You grieve with violence and I with emotion. You might want to try it sometime before you push everyone who loves you away.” He shoved my arm aside and left.

As the door slammed shut, Mom let out a light cry.

“He’s not wrong, Grim.” Dad poured himself a drink. “If you don’t deal with this right, it’ll consume you.”

“Who says it hasn’t?” I grunted and pulled my head back on track. “So, we can’t trust Knox or Calli right now.”

“No, we can’t,” he agreed, “so we’ll pull her in and keep her close.” His phone rang, and he cursed. “I have to go.”

Mom and I sat in silence. I knew this was hard on her, and I wasn’t making it any easier, but shit, I could have eliminated one of our enemies tonight if she hadn’t come in. Sonny was trouble and clearly knew more than any of us realized.

“Please,” she rubbed her face, “don’t do anything else unless we know about it first. We’ve been waiting this out far too long to have Cameron think we know anything.”

“Yeah.”

She dropped her hands heavily on the table. “Seriously, Grim.”

“I understand, and you’re right.” I nodded. She was right; I’d let myself slip, and I needed to be careful.

“One last thing.” I tapped a finger on the table. “It might be wise if you were the one to ask Kenna to join us tonight.”

“Why? Are you two fighting again?” She leaned back with an exasperated sigh.

“Because she knows I was headed to kill her father, and she’s, ahh, handcuffed to my bed right now.”

“Grimson Gates,” her mouth dropped open as I quickly slipped out the door, “you better be joking!” Her voice followed me.

My head was in pure chaos when I left the office. When I stepped onto my suite, Zhar immediately sat up, then got to his feet as he sensed my mood and followed me toward the bedroom. I listened outside the door, but it was quiet. I pushed it open and saw Kenna curled into a ball, her head against the headboard with Leal curled up next to her. He lifted his head to look at me and gave a low growl as I moved farther into the room. Apparently, he had an opinion on the situation.He looked at Kenna then stared at me.

I eased onto the bed next to her then slowly reached over her head to unlock the cuff. I could spot a hit a mile away, but she caught me totally off guard when she swiped out her hand and something sliced across my collarbone. I snagged her hand and squeezed her wrist to make her release the knife.

“You missed,” I growled and snatched the knife up and shoved it back in her hand. I yanked her arm up and held her hand with the knife tightly in mine and pointed the tip of the blade to my throat. “Go big or be killed,” I tempted her. I waited for her to apply the necessary pressure, but instead, she stiffened.

“Let go of me!” She pulled her arm away, sending the knife to the bed. I tried to grab her wrist again, but she was extra feisty. Instead, I grabbed her legs and tried to hold her down. “Why are you such a bastard?” She was like a wild animal, and I found myself turned on by her temper.

“I never claimed to be anything else.” I flipped her onto her stomach, careful not to hurt her arm too much, but the little devil was ready and bucked upward. I snagged her ankle and slid her back across the mattress to a better position. I pushed her down with my arm, and her wild breathing made her sexy chest strain against her lacy bra. “Are you quite finished?” I kind of hoped she wasn’t because I really was a sick bastard.

I saw the anger fade from her puffy eyes as she took in my battered and bloody knuckles. She dropped defeated against the mattress, and I watched her fall apart.

“Did you?” Her voice was barely a whisper.

I grabbed the knife and tossed it on the bedside table, making Leal jump. “I couldn’t find him,” I admitted, and her chest fell as she let out the air she held with a relieved sob. I wasn’t sure why she was relieved; after all, it was only a matter of time.

I leaned over her to unlock the cuff, and her gaze followed mine. She leaned back as I leaned in. Her bra strained against my dress shirt, and I took in her beauty. She was a gorgeous woman, and it crossed my mind I should just keep her locked up here.

“Grim, please don’t do this. Please. “Don’t forget, he’s my father.”

Rage rushed to the surface, and I felt my walls shoot back up.

“So, it’s okay that he killed my brother? It’s okay that it was meant for me?” I seethed as I let her arm drop.

“No, but⁠—”

“Would you be so forgiving if he’d killed me?” I interrupted.

She pushed me back and sat upright. “No! I’m just saying there was a different way to handle the situation.” She rubbed her raw wrist then jumped up and grabbed her dress off the floor. “And it’s a lot to process, but you don’t have to kill him. There are ways to deal with these things,” she shouted.

“Listen, sweetheart,” I grabbed her arm and made her look at me, “when you live in my world, it’s my way. You come at me, I come at you. He knows that.”

“Who are you to live above the law!”

“There is no law in my world. It’s live or die. Your father killed my brother and tried to kill me. He failed. He knows retaliation is coming.”

“You’re infuriating.” She tried to pull away, but I wouldn’t let her go. When she moved to slap me, I blocked her hit. I towered over her, and she cowed as she saw she’d fucked up.

“Listen to me, Kenna.” My voice was eerily calm. “I know where our fights lead us, and as much as I might want to be inside you right now, be careful.” I jerked her toward me. “Because I will destroy you.”

Her face fell into an expression I couldn’t read, and she pulled her hand out of my grip. “You already have.” She grabbed one of my dress shirts from the back of a chair, covered herself up, and left. d.

Simon

My prison life had become a game of dodgeball. I constantly had to dodge the monsters who wanted their way with me, and I grew exhausted with all the hiding. I had little protection, and they knew it. I soon found solace in the library. Who would have thought they had one? The library was huge, and they had an entire wing designated just to books on the law. I had to laugh at that one. Given that I was a model inmate, I soon earned the respect of Sprinkles, the manager, who just so happened to be best friends with CM, my cellmate.

I remembered the day I asked the manager why he was called Sprinkles. He just smiled and said he added that extra little touch to those who stood in his gang’s way. The image that passed through me sent goosebumps. I quit asking about nicknames after that.

I eyed CM as he thumbed through a law book and scribbled something down in his notebook. He always had that book tucked in his breast pocket.

“Curiosity will get you killed in here.” He didn’t look up, so he must have felt me watching him. “Go ahead and ask.”

The load of books in my arms was heavy, so I started to stack them as I spoke. “How much time do you have left?” I pushed my glasses farther up my nose. “Here, I mean.”

“I can leave at any time.” He shrugged, and I chuckled, but when he looked up, I saw something flash across his face.

“I guess I could, too, but I don’t want to be shot or thrown into the hole like you were just in last month.”

He closed his notebook, tucked it away, and moved closer. “See this?” He pulled up his sleeve and pointed to a part of his tattoo. “That symbol right there?” I nodded. “That means I’m a recruiter. I pop in and out of prison to check on my men here and the new guys coming in.”

“For your club?” I tried to follow.

“Yes, my club.” He smiled like he thought it was cute I called it a club. “I wasn’t in the hole. I was in west Los Angeles checking on a,” he tilted his head as he thought, “client who got himself into a real bad situation.”

A smile broke out across my face when I realized he was playing me. “You had me there.” I chuckled.

“You don’t believe me?”

“I don’t.” I lowered my voice when a guard came in with his lunch. “It’s impossible.”

He jumped up on the table, and I held my breath, waiting for the guard to snap at him. “Nothing is impossible when you have money. We,” he tapped his tattoo, “have money. Lots of it, in fact.”

“How?” I shook my head and thought how crazy this all sounded. “Who are you, really?”

He pursed his lips and studied my face. “So, are you ready to share who you really are?”

I pulled my glasses off and used a rag to clean them. I needed a moment to think. “Why do I get the impression you knew who I was before I stepped into our cell?”

“He said you were smart.” He grinned.

“Who?”

“Come.” He chin-pointed to the door. “We should talk, but not here.”

I jumped back to the present as Cameron tossed open the door to his office, then I slammed into his back as he stopped short. I bounced off his heavy body, but he didn’t turn around.

“What the fuck happened to you?” he barked at someone I couldn’t see. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Jesse, Grim’s right-hand man, turn swiftly on his heel and head in the opposite direction. That was odd.

The sound of a bullet being pushed into the chamber pulled my attention immediately back to the office.

“Whoa!” Cameron dropped his bag and raised his hands. “What the hell?”

I shimmied around Cameron and saw a badly beaten Sonny sitting in one of the chairs. He had a gun pointed in our direction.

“This, you fat, fucking ass, was meant for you!” he shouted as I slowly closed the door. I didn’t want to give Jesse a reason to head back this way.

I inched between the two of them. I figured Sonny had reached his limit. “Who did this to you?” I tried to be the rational one.

Sonny winced as he stood and pressed his other hand to what I could only imagine were several cracked or broken ribs. “I’m tired of this.” He moved closer to Cameron. “I’ve had enough of your constant bullshit. I’m⁠—”

“Calm down, Sonny.” Cameron stepped back with his hands out in front of him. He stopped as he hit the wall. “Who did this?” Sonny raised the gun, so it pointed at Cameron’s face. I knew I should stop him, but there was a part of me that liked seeing Cameron nearly soil himself.

“He was looking for you,” Sonny’s voice made my mouth go dry, “but found me instead.”

I moved into Sonny’s line of vision, in fear he’d go too far and really shoot Cameron. “Who are you talking about?”

“Grim Gates.” I watched as that news sank in for Cameron. “I took a beating for you, motherfucker.”

Cameron’s face turned three shades of red as he took a deep breath. “Impossible. He can’t know. There’s no proof.”

“The missing cliff links,” I reminded him.

He swung his gaze over to me. “But those were sent to me. I didn’t take them.”

I shrugged. “Does it matter? Possession is nine-tenths of the law.”

“Hang on, hang on.” Cameron held up a hand as he thought. “Let’s back this up a moment. Why would you think Grim was after me and wasn’t looking for you?”

“You want to try that sentence again?” Sonny hissed.

“You went to New Orleans to discover if that inked-up mongrel was involved with my daughter. You were supposed to keep a low profile and report back to me. Instead, you made a mockery of yourself, swinging your hurt ego around when you saw they were together. Then you go and make a big show of your power. Maybe, just maybe,” Cameron’s face twisted into a grin, “he believes it was you behind his brother’s hit.” He paused as Sonny’s face grew red. “No, I don’t think that beating was for me. I think he was looking for me to find you, and you just so happened to be in my office when he came in.”

“Cameron,” I warned. I knew shit was about to hit the fan.

“If Grim Gates believed it was me behind Leo’s death, I can assure you I’d have a sniper laser between my eyes right now.”

If he would only be so lucky.

“If you want to blame me for that,” Cameron pointed at Sonny’s swollen face, “bring me more proof.”

The sound of spit being pulled from halfway down someone’s throat filled the silence, then Sonny spat a bloody ball of mucus at Cameron’s chest.

I closed my eyes in disgust. I totally understood why Sonny was so upset. Cameron was an idiot and incredibly hardheaded. He refused to see anyone’s side of things if he didn’t want to. He was impossible.

Sonny dropped his arm and groaned in pain. As the gun lowered, I let out the breath I held. “We need to get you looked at, Sonny.” I hoped he would let it go for now.

Sonny looked at me, then his face twisted in an ugly scowl as he looked over at Cameron. “Let’s not forget your role in all of this.”

Kenna

“Whoa.” Minnie caught me as I stepped out of the Wet and Wild cage in a fishnet dress. “Are you crazy? What do you think you’re doing?”

“Dancing.” I snagged a towel from the peg and wrung out my hair.

“Kenna, no,” she held out an arm to stop me, “we’re not ready. What if that sicko shows up? What if he’s already here?” Minnie’s concern was understandable, and I knew it, but I was way past being sensible.

“Then he saw me dance.” I shrugged.

“But, Kenna, he beat, threatened, and blackmailed you, then he hired some tweaker to send you a message that he’s still around. That isn’t the average shithead we have to deal with every day here. This is on a way higher messed up level.”

“I know.” I wanted the bastard to show up. If anyone should be beaten to a pulp, it should be him. “But if he shows up, then we’ll know who it is.”

Minnie looked at me like I had two heads. “What happened to you tonight? You look different.” She scanned my body then homed in on my wrist. “Tell me this was from doing something kinky.”

“No, this was Grim making sure I didn’t get to my father before he killed him.” I dropped my damp fishnet dress on the floor, stepped out of it, and wrapped my towel around me.

Minnie’s mouth dropped open. “Okay, wait. Start again.”

“Turns out my father did get Leo killed, and now Grim is on the warpath.”

Minnie gasped, pulled out her phone, and made a call to Brick. As she filled him in, I gathered my things.

“Wait, Kenna, where are you going?”

I stopped at the door and drew in a deep breath. “Now that I’ve had a chance to get my head on straight,” I pointed back to the cage, “I need to speak to that murdering son-of-a-bitch father of mine.”

I didn’t wait for her to protest. I shot outside and rushed back to Indulge. Benny called out as I entered the lobby and hurried toward me. I hadn’t realized he was still in town.

“Hey,” he reached out as I rushed by and spun me right around as he snagged my arm, “where’s the fire?”

Flashbacks of Grim’s hotel Secrets being on fire came screaming back to me, but I quickly pushed them away.

“I’m late for⁠—”

“Your dinner?” he asked in a tone that made me look at him strangely, and he pointed a finger in the air. “Your father’s upstairs with Calli and some guy in that restaurant with the glass box. They seem to be looking for somebody. I just assumed it was you.”

“Yeah, they are.” I nodded through my lie.

He smiled like something ran through his head and let go of my arm.

“What?”

He shrugged. “I understand why your boyfriend is so protective.” I dropped my gaze with how much his words bothered me. “Well, don't let me keep you.”

“Thanks.” I rushed away and slid into the elevator just as the doors were closing. I smiled at the old couple who were already inside out of habit then focused on what I needed to do.

I watched my father from a few yards away, He might as well have had a spotlight directed on him. He was making such a show of himself from his favorite “everyone can see me” table in the restaurant. He let go a loud belly laugh, head tipped back, and mouth wide open. Food spat from his mouth as my sister said something else and laughed along with him.

My temper shot to the surface as I clenched my fists. How could he have fun at a time like this? What an insensitive asshole.

He banged on the table and made a few guests look over as he laughed harder. Simon sat with them, but he seemed to be the only one who was conscious of the spectacle they made. He looked around a few times almost as if embarrassed.

My feet started to move on their own as a million different thoughts raced through my head. Every scenario I came up with ended with me making a scene. My blood pressure spiked. I felt my cheeks burn, and my heart pounded against my chest to the point of pain as I headed toward their table. The memory of Leo’s smile popped up in front of me, and pain mixed with the anger. Tears prickled my eyes as I grew closer. He was my father, but how could he do such a thing?

Suddenly, an arm wrapped around me, and I was steered in a different direction.

“What are you doing?” I snarled at Grim.

He waited until we were far enough away not to be heard by my father or the others. “Mom needs a word.”

“I was in the middle of something.”

He wouldn’t look at me. “I know.” He led me toward a table and pulled out a chair. Laurel Gates greeted me.

“Please,” she pointed to the chair, “have a seat.”

Grim took a chair then entwined his fingers and rested his hands calmly on the table. I found that odd, considering the man he wanted to kill was across the room from us. “You weren’t in the pool, and you haven’t been to your suite yet, and why is your hair wet?”

“What? Are you watching me?” I shook my head, confused about why he’d bring that up right now.

“Grim, please,” his mother said quietly. I turned my attention to her and took in her rigid posture and the heavy bags under her eyes. “I’m going to address the elephant in the room.” She nodded over my shoulder, and I didn’t need to turn to know she referred to my father and the others who sat across the room. “It’s true, dear, all of it.” She placed a hand on mine. I immediately felt the weight of my father’s actions slam down on my shoulders. I tried to fight the tears that pooled in my eyes, but it was impossible. It was true; my father was a monster. “Your father killed my son.” She paused to swallow while I sat stiffly in my seat. “We have all the proof we need.”

“I’m so sorry, Mrs. Gates,” I said softly, not knowing what else to say. “I truly had no idea.”

“I know you are, and I know that too.” She tugged at her yellow cardigan and shivered. “Because if you did, this conversation would be going very differently.”

Now I was the one who shivered.

The sound of my father’s laughter made me cringe, and I noticed Grim’s finger had started to tap on the table.

“My son isn’t even laid to rest, and that miserable man is stuffing his face with Chef Dan’s finest food.” She rubbed her tired eyes. “And tomorrow I have to stand there and watch him pretend to mourn for my baby.” Grim reached over and squeezed her hand. “To think we let him in all those years ago.” She held back a sob and closed her eyes to regain control. “We thought he was our friend.”

“People with money like we have don’t have friends, mother,” Grim growled.

I wanted to run away like a child. I didn’t know how to handle this situation. Nothing could prepare you for when your father murders your boss’s son.

I shifted in my seat, unsure what to say next, so I opened my stupid mouth and spoke without a filter. “What’s going to happen to my father?”

“I have a few ideas,” Grim hissed, but Laurel said something to him in Spanish I didn’t catch. Whatever it was, he gave a tight nod and shut up. I wished I had that power over him sometimes.

“As much as I want to tear his eyes out for what he’s done, Kenna, we all have to take a step back. We have to wait.”

“Wait?” I didn’t follow.

She nodded and let her gaze move over my shoulder, and a darkness I’d only ever seen in her son’s eyes flickered across hers. “He suspects Grim knows, and he probably wonders if we know, but a part of me thinks he might not suspect that you know.” Her fingers tapped the table. “I’m sure it’s why he’s making such a scene in the middle of the restaurant. If people are watching, he knows we won’t make a move.”

“For someone who’s fucking stupid, he has his moments,” Grim added.

“And when he’s alone?”

“Then we return the kindness he so lovingly cast on my brother.” Grim’s voice sent another shiver through me. “But until then,” his lips spread into a chilling smile, “we play.”

“Play?” I repeated and leaned forward in my seat as I looked up at him. “As in handcuff him to your bed for several hours?”

His mother’s gaze dropped to my wrist as I rubbed the angry red mark from where I’d tried to free myself. “Grim!”

“Don’t worry, Mother,” he huffed. “She held her own just fine.” He pulled his shirt down at the neck and revealed the cut where I’d slashed him with the knife.

She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. “Please, don’t make me worry about you two.”

“I can assure you anything we might have had is over.” I licked around my dry mouth, and Grim smirked and shook his head. “Mrs. Gates, what can I do to help?” I wanted to be kept close to this.

“Act like you don’t know anything,” she shifted gears, “and keep an eye on Knox for me?”

“Knox?” That confused me.

“Your sister has her claws in him,” Grim grunted, but I wouldn’t look at him. “They keep him with a belly full of liquor and pump him for information whenever they feel like it.”

“Grim,” his mother shook her head, “Knox is still young. Kenna, I think he really loves your sister, but I don’t think it’s returned. I’ve lost one child to your family. I’m not about to lose another.”

Although she had every right to be devastated, her words slashed. It was as if she’d said it had been my doing.

“Of course. I’ll keep a close eye on him.” I didn’t want to hear anything else. My heart hurt for everyone, and there was no making it right. I got up and left the way I came.

* * *

I stood in the back while everyone piled into the church, the Gateses stood in a row and greeted people as they came in. I hadn’t slept at all the previous night, and the more I tried to make sense of things, the more twisted up I became. How did you process something like this? How did you not feel the judgement from others, and how could you not blame them?

Minnie caught my eye from where she sat next to Brick and Tess. She waved me over, but I shook my head, just wanting to be alone. The only thing that almost brought a smile to my lips was the row of reapers that lined the pew from the guy’s motorcycle cuts. A few older ladies clutched their pearls as they walked by. If only they knew.

“Are you not going to join the others?” Elio Capri, the mafia boss of Italy, inquired kindly. I loved that he’d taken the time to be here for the Gates family. It showed how strong his friendship with Grim was. I shook my head. “Why is that?” His accent was thick, but his English was perfect.

“I don’t feel overly welcome, given the…” I paused as someone walked by, “situation.”

“Mm.” He stroked his chin. The huge black ring he wore caught the light, and I saw what looked like a family crest engraved on it. “Do you know my wife’s story?”

“I’ve heard a bit about it.” I’d heard a lot more than a bit, but I didn’t want to admit it. Her past could be a book in itself.

“Sienna had no control over who she was; I would never hold that over her.”

“Perhaps, but let me ask you this.” I couldn’t believe I was speaking so freely with this man. He could snap his fingers and end my existence. “When you first found out, weren’t you shocked? Didn’t a sliver of doubt ever run through your mind that maybe, just maybe she wasn’t who you thought she was? What if she was just playing a game with you for years?” I stopped myself at his raised eyebrow. I’d already said too much.

He smiled and shrugged. “So, you have heard the story.” He put a hand on my arm. “I would be lying if I said there wasn’t a moment of doubt in the beginning, but that’s to be expected. I’m only human. Not to mention my responsibility to protect my people.”

“And no one should ever think to judge you for that, Mr. Capri. I mean Elio,” I corrected myself when he gave me a look. “So, you see why I’m standing back here on this day of all days. They only just got confirmation it was my father who did it. There’d be some doubt there, wouldn’t there? In the forefront of their minds?” I looked down as my chest squeezed tight. “The way Laurel looked at me yesterday,” I cleared my throat, “it broke a tiny piece of me.”

“And what about Grim? How does he look at you?”

“With regret,” I answered honestly.

I caught movement and nearly passed out as my father, mother, and Calli came through the doors dressed in their finest. Dad looked in the direction of the family pew and seemed to think twice about sitting there. He steered them all into seats farther back.

I noticed Elio caught Trigger’s look and something passed through them, but as fast as I felt it, it was gone.

“Can I ask you something, Elio?”

He looked straight ahead. “Of course.”

“I just hope my mother didn’t know anything.” Elio peered down at me and gave me a puzzled look. “I feel like a loose balloon stuck on a tree branch about to pop. I’m close with my mom, and I need to know I can trust her.” He shifted uncomfortably. I felt weak in the knees.

“It’s difficult to say if she could have known about the hit on Grim. I certainly can’t comment on their relationship. Perhaps you should talk to your mother.”

“Great.” I felt myself invert even further.

“Perhaps a good friend, then? Minnie and Tess are there if you need someone. Both of them are good people.” I nodded with an attempt at a smile.

Elio looked over as the priest entered and asked everyone to take their seats. The service was about to begin. Elio pointed for us to sit in a half pew off to the side.

“No, please, be with your friends.” I pointed to Trigger and the others.

He ignored me and moved to the pew and waited for me to sit down then he slid in beside me. “I am, mia amica.”

“Thank you, Elio.”

The service was beautiful and filled with stories of Leo and how he brought laughter to everyone’s life. I was pleased that Elio took my arm and walked with me to the reception after.

“Hey, sweetie,” Minnie wrapped a loving arm around me, “I’ve never been one to beat around the bush, mainly because I’ve never had one, but how are you dealing with all this?” She nodded toward my father, whose dress shirt did nothing for his weight problem.

I grimaced. “Just trying to digest it all.”

Elio excused himself to go to speak to someone.

“God, that man is sex on a stick,” Minnie sighed. “We’re going back to my club after this to toast Leo. You’re coming.” She rested her head on my shoulder. You’d have known if you answered my calls.”

I felt like a shitty friend, but I also suddenly felt like an outsider looking in at my life. “I’m sorry.”

My father caught my attention. It seemed he’d finally gotten up the nerve to speak to Jim and Laurel. I held my breath, curious what might happen, but the Gateses stayed true to their word and played it off well.

“Breathe, Kenna,” Minnie reminded me. “You have friends all around you.”

“It’s not that. I’m worried about⁠—”

She cut me off. “You know your father.”

“No, it’s not that.” I waved my hand at her. “What if my mother’s involved?”

“What? Oh, good God.” She patted my arm. “I can’t imagine.” She chewed her cheek for a beat. “I guess only time will tell. I’m so sorry sweetie. I hadn’t even gone there.” Minnie spotted Brick, who beckoned for her to join him. “Look, hang in there, okay? See you tonight?”

I shook my head. “I think I just need a night alone.”

“I disagree.”

I set my glass down and slid my purse under my arm. “I know.” I squeezed her arm and left, ignoring her protests.

I pushed open the doors to the chapel and slipped back inside. Everyone had gone, and it felt so peaceful. Candles were lit on a little table; they flickered in a sudden draft.

My heels clicked loudly on the wooden floor as I made my way up the aisle. The cross above me grew larger as I approached the altar. The evening sun shone through the pieces of stained glass and created shapes against the wall. It was lovely, and I felt a calmness come over me as I slowly lowered myself onto the polished wooden pew.

A sudden tap on my shoulder sent my nerves firing. To my horror, Sonny Conti asked me to move over. His appearance was shocking. It looked like he’d been through a bar fight. Then it hit me like a bag of rocks. Grim’s battered knuckles.

“Yeah, your boyfriend’s handiwork.” He read my mind.

My back went up. “He’s not my boyfriend,” I corrected.

“Right. Well, all this,” he waved a finger around his face, “was his doing. For no reason.”

“Pfft, if he did it, I’m sure he had a good reason,” I shot back without thinking, and his expression went hard. I swallowed. I needed to be careful.

He smelled like cigarettes and alcohol, and I turned my face away. I wanted to run, to scream, to God knew what, anything but sit there like a stone and let him fill me with fear. I realized my effort to be alone had left me vulnerable.

“Funny how people turn to the church for solace whenever anything bad happens. And what is this place but a building filled with things that bring some people comfort? Just a house, really. The only difference between this and a house is that someone stands up there,” he pointed to the pulpit, “in front of two crossed sticks and tells us how we should be good people.” My hands shook in my lap, and I wondered if I should try to call Minnie for help. “Are you good people, Kenna?” He put a hand heavily across my shoulders. I refused to flinch. I wouldn’t give him the pleasure of knowing the depth of my fear.

“Are you?” I countered.

“No.” He shrugged. “But the difference between you and me is that I’m honest with myself.”

“Just because you admit you’re bad doesn’t justify the behavior.” I shirked out from under his arm and leaned forward against the other pew.

“Maybe not, but at least I sleep at night.” He turned to look at me, and I knew he saw my exhaustion. “You worried about dear old dad?” I locked my face in place. This was a test. I knew it was. He wanted to know if I knew the truth.

“Why?” I shook my head and acted like I didn’t follow. “What happened to Dad?” I went for my purse like I was going to call him. Sonny’s cold hand slammed down on mine, and he leaned close, so his swollen-ugly face was only inches from mine.

“We all have sins, Kenna, and it’s only a matter of time before we have to deal with the consequences.” He squeezed my thigh hard, then, as fast as he’d appeared, he got up and left.

Grim

Dad beamed at me. “You did an amazing job, son.” It was the first time since we’d left for New Orleans that I’d seen him smile. “We’ve been through so much this last while, but your mother and I are very proud of you, and Leo would be, too.”

“Thanks, Dad.” I looked around the beautiful lobby of Secrets that was now filled with potential guests, new guests, and press. As much as the fire had set me back, it also had brought the hotel twice the amount of attention. I was very pleased with the grand opening so far.

I glanced around and spotted some staff from Indulge and noted Jayden and his father Walter Wallace were in conversation. To my surprise, Victor Conti had made an appearance. Thankfully, his son hadn’t dared show his battered face.

Salazar lifted a glass to me with a nod as he caught my eye from across the room, I tilted mine back at him as a thank you for coming. It had been an excellent turnout, and I felt confident that Secrets would be a success. I went back to scanning the lobby. Several other guests either waved or smiled, and a sense of accomplishment filled me. Perhaps we’d get through this thing without any trouble, after all. I scanned the lobby again.

“She’ll be here.” My father patted my shoulder.

“I was just checking out the guests.” It was partially true.

“Uh huh.” He smiled.

It had been ten days since we laid my brother to rest, and ten days since I’d seen Kenna. She had disappeared right after the funeral and apparently only let Dad know where she’d gone.

“If you’d only told me where she went, I could settle.” I held my glass up to my mouth as I spoke.

Dad tucked a hand in his pocket and made an effort to look relaxed, as many were watching us. “Like I explained, I’m honoring her wishes. I understand why she left,” he gave me a look, “but I need you to make things right.” He pressed his lips together when Minnie appeared at my side.

“Is she here yet?”

“Not yet.” My father smiled down at her. “I should go sit for a while.” He chuckled quietly and headed toward a chair off to the side. I saw Mom make a beeline for him. She made a show like a “mother hen” for a few moments then sat down beside him.

“I still can’t believe she left and didn’t tell me where she went. Just texted that she left.” Minnie blew out a breath as she pulled at her tight dress. “Holy mother of air conditioning, I’m like a helpless sausage wrangled into a casing.” She waved at herself, trying to cool down. “Jesus, even my vag is suffocating in this thing.”

“I’ll take things I didn’t need to know for five hundred.” Tess chuckled as she came up behind us.

“It’s like a water park down there. I’m slipping and sliding.”

“Minnie,” Tess shook her head, “these people don’t need to hear how your vag is a summer amusement park.”

I laughed. “Agreed. Please stop.” I spotted Knox with Calli and fought the urge to roll my eyes. Just what I needed, a fucking spy at my hotel opening.

“Meh.” She shrugged and snagged a champagne flute off a waiter’s tray as he walked by. “No sighting of Kenna yet,” she said in response to Tess’s question as she looked around.

“Fucking Sonny,” Tess huffed. That drew my attention, and Minnie’s eyes went wide at Tess.

“Why do you say that?” I looked at the two of them, and Tess closed her eyes with a curse. “Speak, ladies,” I ordered.

“We had it covered,” she started, and I cocked a brow. I didn’t like how this story started. “Basically, Kenna left Leo’s reception early and went back to the church because, well, you know, struggling with the family murder-ness.” She waved her hand. “Anyway, Sonny must have been watching her because the moment she was out of sight, he followed her in.”

“And?”

“And I don’t know, but whatever it was, she wouldn’t share. Then later that night, I get a text from her saying she’s leaving town but would be back for the opening.”

What the hell?

“And why was I not told this?”

“She brought it straight to Trigger,” Tess added quickly, “and he said he’d handle it because you had enough to deal with.”

“I see.” I didn’t like it, but I would have done the same for Trig, so I understood it. As for Sonny, I would deal with him again soon. I smirked to myself as I remembered Jesse had told me I’d broken his nose and fractured his cheek.

My mind drifted back over the past week. I thought of Talya’s warning that her parents, Jerry and Elva Cano, had been behind some of our problems. Retaliation had been sweet. We’d tipped off some of the rival Cartel families and shared that the Canos planned to take over Martin Castillo’s empire. Now they had a whole new set of problems. Karma. Of course, I made sure whoever took over Rosarito knew they’d have my support as long as they left my run alone. My contract for drug distribution to Vegas was carved in stone.