Tempted by the Sinner

“Good.” He nodded at me once. “I’m looking forward to whatever you come up with.”

He walked off with a huff.

I watched him go, shocked and confused and excited all at once.

As soon as he disappeared into his office, I turned back to my computer, finished the article, emailed it to him, and jumped to my feet. I grabbed my bag and ran out, hurrying down to my car. I got in, drove through the city, giddy and feeling stupid. I glided down Don Leone’s block and parked at the very end, but instead of going into the mansion, I crossed to the houses opposite and walked up my very own stoop.

I unlocked my front door and stepped inside.

It looked a lot like Vince’s house did, back before it got blown up. Modern furniture, hardwood floors, gleaming appliances in the kitchen. We bought it the week after my article on the Leone Crime Family was published in the Inquirer, spent a few months renovating, and lived there ever since.

I threw my bag down, kicked my shoes off, and ran to the basement door. I jumped down the steps two at a time and found Vince sitting at the bench press, sweat dripping down his skin, earbuds in his ears. He looked up, surprised to see me, and took them out.

“Hey, kid,” he said. “What are you doing home?”

“Vince,” I said, breathless. “Something crazy happened, there was a fire, and I saw Eric and Steven, then I wrote the article and called Steven Karl and Randy came and he gave me this crazy promotion and my own column and—”

“Slow down,” he said, standing up. “Did I hear promotion in there? And your own column?”

“It’s about law enforcement,” I said. “Randy wants the first installment in a few days.”

He barked a laugh and ran to me. I didn’t care that he was sweaty. He swooped me up and hugged me hard, kissing me, before putting me down.

“Law enforcement!” he said, laughing again. “The mobster’s bride writing about cops.”

“I know, it’s insane,” I said. “Your dad’s going to love it.”

“I’m sure he will.” Vince put his hand on my belly then kissed me. “We’ll have to celebrate, you know.”

“How about we just stay in tonight?” I asked. “I have drinks with Colleen later. You can have dinner ready for me when I get home.”

“That works for me,” he said.

“And Steven wants you to go to the bakery tomorrow. I think they want to talk to you about stolen Jalisco drugs.”

Vince rolled his eyes. “Yeah, I heard about that. Fucking Jalisco won’t just roll over and die.” He kissed me one more time, lingering for a while, lips on mine.

And I couldn’t believe this was my life.

I got my dream job, my dream column. I got my dream man.

And soon we’d have our baby, our family just beginning to grow. I never wanted this part to end, this perfect little chapter in our lives. Vince was gathering his own crew together, gaining some power on his own in the city, positioning himself to take over the family.

Things were looking right, so right.

“I love you,” I said.

“I love you too,” he said.

“But you’re sweaty. And now I have to get changed.”

He let me go, grinning. “You love it,” he said.

“I know.” I eyed his body and whistled. “What a hunk.”

“Get out of here,” he said. “I’ll think up a good dinner for you tonight.”

“I really do you love you, you know?”

“I know,” he said. “Now go get changed. I bet Colleen would love to move drinks up if you want.”

“Good thinking,” I said and walked to the stairs.

I watched him get back to working out for a second, thinking how far I’d come, and how happy I felt.

Then I headed upstairs with a stupid, giddy smile on my face.* * *