Sins & Mistrust (33 page)

She crawls out of my lap and I give her hand a small squeeze before exiting.

When I find the guys inside the club, I ask if they like it, and I’m happy to hear that they do. I know some changes will need to be made, but it won’t be as big of a project as Club Trinity was.

“Okay, Linc, just send me an email when you’re ready to start the paperwork. We’ll make sure we have everybody we need present to go over everything and finalize the sale.”

He nods in response and says bye to the guys. Before he leaves, he hands over the key to the building so we can lock up when we leave. Right before he leaves the room, he turns and looks at me.

“You’ll hear from me shortly.”

To Jace and Troy, I’m sure it sounds like he’s talking about business, but I know otherwise. I only nod in response and watch him walk out. The guys slap me on the back and thank me for being able to find a place so quickly.

When we’re in the car driving away, Troy speaks up.

“Marc?”

“Yeah?”

“You seem to have some lipstick on your neck.”

My eyes widen slightly. Fuck. I didn’t even think she might have left lipstick on me. Unsure of what to say, I say the only thing that comes to mind.

“Oops.”

Troy turns in his seat and looks at Jace in the backseat. Through the rearview I can see that they exchange a look and then just laugh and shake their heads. They don’t question it, and that surprises me, but I’m grateful.

Towards the end of the month, Jace invites us all over to his house at the last minute. Because I had just come back from working on my project in Summerlin South, I was able to be one of the first ones there. Nico made jokes about me actually not being out being a pimp or drug dealer, and we were all ushered into Jace’s theater room for an announcement.

In there we discovered that not only was he asking Adrienne to move in with him, but he also wanted her to marry him. We all stayed over late that night, celebrating their news, and while I had a good time, I couldn’t help but think about what Nathalia and Lincoln were doing.

I ended up taking a cab home, because I had too much to drink at their house. When I dropped to my bed, I pulled my phone from my pocket and did what you’re never supposed to do. Drunk text.

Me:
I need to see you. Right now. I need you right now.

The response comes back a few minutes later.
I’m out of town. I’ll see you when I get back.

As soon as I get back to my place, I quickly shower, and change into some leggings and a long, loose sweater dress. After I push my feet into some heels, I check my phone, grab my purse, and leave.

The drive takes a while. I didn’t realize how far Marc lived from The Strip. I consult my directions once more and try not to speed on the way there. Ever since I got his text while I was in California, I couldn’t stop thinking about him and couldn’t get here fast enough. He said he wanted me. He needed me. It was a great feeling.

When I pull up to his expansive and beautiful home, I take a couple deep breaths, and then step out. It feels like my stomach is tied up in a knot, and my heart hammers heavily in my chest. I knock on the door, and as I’m waiting, I feel like I’m on the verge of throwing up.

The door swings open and Marc stands before me, looking extraordinarily handsome in a plain white t-shirt. His body fills it out perfectly, allowing me to still see every muscle he has. He’s grown some more facial hair, giving him a perfect five o’clock shadow.

“Hey,” he greets, stepping out of the way and allowing me in.

“Hi.”

“You look beautiful,” he compliments, giving me a kiss on the corner of my mouth.

My eyes close as soon as his lips touch me and I wish the kiss lasted a little longer.

“Thank you.”

“Are you hungry?” he asks.

“No, I grabbed something not too long ago.”

He leads me across the gorgeous marble floor, and into a living area that houses a fireplace, and a large cream-colored sectional. The lights are dim, and music is playing low in the background.

“Thanks for coming over,” he says with a smile as we sit.

“Of course. I’m just sorry I wasn’t here when you texted me.”

“That’s okay. You’re here now.”

Getting comfortable, I toe my heels off, and tuck my legs under myself, leaning into the cushion of the couch.

“So, talk to me, Marc. What’s been going on?”

He seems to think about what all he wants to tell me before he opens his mouth. Shifting his body, he angles himself towards me and lets his arm lay across the back of the couch.

With a sigh, he starts. “A lot. A lot has been going on. My friends have been asking about me a lot lately. Just curious about where I’ve been and what I’ve been doing. I’ve been doing some...” he pauses, “traveling a lot lately, and if they invite me out, I’m usually late or unable to answer my phone right away. Anyway, they know something’s up, I’m sure, but as far as they know, it’s work-related.”

“Is it not work-related?” I ask, furrowing her brow.

“Well, kind of. But, even when I was hanging with you and Lincoln they were wondering where I was all the time, and obviously I wasn’t able to tell them.”

“Are you going to? I mean, it’s been months since we had this conversation.”

“I know this is going to sound like just an excuse, but really, so much has been going on. My friend Troy’s ex-fiancé came back in town and has stirred up a lot of drama. His current girlfriend has been hospitalized, and nobody’s been arrested for that. My other friend got engaged and had his fiancée move in with him, and it just never felt like a right time to bring up my secrets. I feel like they have a lot going on that’s more important. I don’t know. That may not be true, but that’s how it feels.”

“You’re right. It does sound like an excuse,” I say with a small smile.

He gives me a skewed grin and shrugs. “Well, I’m also doing something else, and it should be done soon, but that’s really what I’m waiting for before I start spilling my guts. I figure I might as well say everything at once.”

I raise my brows. “What else is there?”

He laughs. “Nothing crazy. Well, maybe,” he says with a wink.

“I’ll admit you have me intrigued. You’re quite the enigma, aren’t you?”

“That’s what I’m told,” he responds.

“Does anybody assume you’re in a relationship?”

He barks out a laugh. “Actually, when I met with you in the car, you left some lipstick on my neck. My friends spotted it when we were driving away. They didn’t really question it, though.”

A giggle escapes me. “That’s funny.”

“Yeah. My friend Nico keeps telling Troy and Jace that I have a secret life. But he says I’m probably a drug dealer or a pimp.”

I laugh again. “I’m not sure if they’ll be disappointed in the truth or not. Do you think they suspected anything was going on with you and Lincoln?”

He shakes his head. “Nah. Lincoln and I barely spoke, and when we did, it was tense. Maybe they figure we don’t get along, but I doubt they’d think anything close to the truth.”

“Are you sure you aren’t worried they’ll look at you different once they know the truth?”

“We’re brothers. We’re all completely different, but we’re brothers nonetheless. We all give each other shit for lots of things, but we love each other, and I don’t think they’d turn on me based on who I like. If they do, then I don’t know them as well as I thought I did.”

“So, why keep it secret this whole time? They might be upset because you never told them.”

He nods like he knows. “Yeah, they might, but I stand by why I didn’t say anything. My job as an escort was my livelihood. I couldn’t risk losing it, and then when we all became close, it just wasn’t anything I thought about. I was so used to just being an escort anyway, and not having serious relationships with anyone. Why bring it up?”

“Now you have a reason to.”

He doesn’t respond right away and my heart stops briefly. “What if Lincoln doesn’t want to do this anymore? I’m pretty sure I’ve pissed him off. What happens with us? I know you two have a relationship, so I don’t know how this would work.”

I shake my head and give a small laugh. “You have no idea, do you?”

The confusion on his face is almost laughable. “I have no idea about what?”

“It’s not really my place. I think you two need to talk.”

“If we talk, we’re going to fight.”

“What’s new? You guys will just fuck like crazy afterwards…and I can watch,” I say, trying not to blush.

He gives me an adorable grin and reaches out to run the pad of his thumb over my bottom lip. “My little minx.”

“I’ll be your little anything,” I say softly.

Leaning in closer, his lips brush against mine. His palm cups my cheek while his fingers come to rest on the back of my head. We kiss gently and passionately before he pulls away and his baby blues stare back at me.

“You’re my everything.” My breath hitches in my chest and my heart does a little flip. “I’ve thought about you every day since I walked out of your hotel room. Our time apart has only shown me how much I care about you, how much I love being with you. It’s been terrible. I’ve always wondering what you were doing, where you were, how you were feeling. I’ve realized that you aren’t somebody I can just walk away from and forget.”

As my eyes water and I try to come up with words to respond with, his cell phone blares from the table, causing me to jolt. He leans over and grabs it, his brows furrowing when he looks at the screen.

“Hold on,” he says to me.

“Hello?”

Pause.

“Oh, hey, Emilie.”

Another pause.

“Are you okay?”

Longer pause. His face grows concerned.

“What’s going on? Are you safe? I’ll be over soon. What’s the address?”

He hangs up the phone, running a hand through his hair.

“What’s wrong?” I ask.

“That was Emilie. Troy’s Emilie, but something’s wrong. She was panicked and said she needed someone to pick her up because she needs her locks changed. I’m sure it has to do with her getting attacked before. It might be the same person. I’m sorry, but I have to go over there and make sure she’s okay.”

“Yeah, of course. I completely understand.”

I stand up and put my shoes on, and get ready to leave.

“I don’t want you to leave, though,” he says, grabbing my hand. “Do you mind waiting for me here?”

“Really?” I squeak.

“Yeah. I want to finish talking to you. I’ll text you when I’m on my way back, but until then, just make yourself comfortable.”

“You aren’t afraid I’ll snoop?” I ask playfully.

“Snoop all you want,” he says with a grin as he leans in to kiss me.

“I don’t know. I may get lost in here.”

“I’ll be back,” he says, putting his phone in his pocket and walking towards the door.

“Be safe.”