Taken by a Sinner (Sinners 1)

I take a seat at my desk, and setting the container down, I peel the lid off. Andreas leans over the desk, way too eager to see what I’m having for lunch, then he tilts his head, laughter threatening to explode from him. “Is that…?”

“Fuck off,” I mutter, quickly closing the lid over the container. “Go do your work.”

I wait for my friend to leave my office, his chuckling making me smile, before I open the container again.

Looking down at the little note tucked in between two sandwiches that have been cut in circles and a banana forming a smiley face, I shake my head.

Cute.

I take the note out and fold it open.

I’m falling in love with you.

Please don’t break my heart.

xxx

Tess.

The smile drops from my face, my heartbeat erupting in a happy thumping against my ribs.

Christ, finally!

Unadulterated elation washes through me, making me feel fucking emotional.

I read the words over and over until every swirl and curve of her handwriting is imprinted in my mind.

Never have words meant more to me than these.

Tess is falling in love with me. Finally.

Grinning like an idiot who just won the jackpot, I pick up one of the sandwiches and bite into it. The bread is fresh, the ham and cheese a perfect blend to hit the empty spot in my stomach.

Fuck, I can get used to this.

Pulling my phone out, I dial my wife’s number.

“Hi,” her bubbly voice comes over the line. “Enjoying your lunch?”

“I am,” I swallow, then look at the note again. “I read your note.”

“And?” I hear endless laughter in the single word, and it warms my chest.

“I want to hear you say it,” I demand.

There’s a moment where Tess remains silent, and it makes me start to worry.

“I’m falling in love with you, Nikolas.” I hear her emotions for me trembling in her voice. “Please don’t break my heart.”

“I won’t,” I vow. “I’ll never break the one thing that means the most to me.”

“Wow, this is getting really emotional,” Tess mutters. I hear her sniff. “Just got to school. I need to go in, or I’ll be late.”

“Say it again,” I order before I’ll let her go.

“I’m in love with you, Nikolas,” she obeys.

I groan, hating that she’s on the other side of the city. “It’s so fucking good to finally hear those words.”

“Zoí mou, I need to go,” she reminds me.

My life.

It’s on the tip of my tongue to order her to skip class and meet me at home, but knowing she needs to work on her project, I reluctantly say, “Be safe. I’ll see you at home.”

“Bye.”

The call ends, and I slump back in my chair, not at all in the mood to work.

Andreas walks into my office, and not wanting him to get his hands on the rest of my lunch, I close the container and place it in my drawer.

“Where do you want me to put Grant?”

“Have him stationed with Elias and Craig. They’ll get him back in line.”

The fucker was growing too comfortable in his position as Tess’ guard, and I can’t have that.

With that taken care of, I turn my attention to my emails. “When do you think would be best to attack?” I ask Andreas before he can leave.

He takes a seat across from me. “A Sunday. People see it as a day of peace and rest. I think we’ll catch them off guard.”

Impressed by my friend, I nod. “We’re attacking next Sunday.”

Chapter 38

Tess

Walking into the studio where the bar scene will be recorded, I smile at Jake and Annette.

It’s time.

I set my bag down and walk to where they're setting up the camera gear.

“I have something to tell you,” I say.

“Oh, hopefully, it’s good news,” Annette mentions as she turns her attention to me.

It takes Jake a little longer to glance in my direction.

“I got married.”

Jake does a double-take, his head snapping so fast to me he almost risks spraining his neck.

Annette’s mouth drops open, then she mutters, “You’re kidding, right?”

I hold out my left hand so they can see the ring, that I’ve grown quite attached to, sparkling on my finger.

“You’re not kidding?” Annette’s eyes widen, then she grabs my hand, and I’m yanked closer. “Holy shit! Nice diamond, but you’re only twenty-one. Who the hell did you marry? When did all of this go down?”

Jake points to Annette, a dark frown on his face. “What she said.”

I shrug, pulling my hand free from her tight grip. “Ah… it happened a month ago.”

“What?” Annette shrieks. “And you’re only telling us now?”

I shrug again. “I wanted to get used to it before telling you.” My tongue darts nervously over my lips, then I remember who I am. My chin lifts. “I married Nikolas.”

Again shock ripples over their faces. “You did what?” Annette mutters. “Your step-brother? Are we talking about the Nikolas you hate?”