The Next Sin (The Sin Trilogy 2)

Without another word, we leave the celebratory dinner we organized.

I phone Sterling and he pulls to the curb to fetch us. We get in, neither of us saying a word on the short drive home.

We enter the front door and I pull Bleu into my arms. “I’m sorry.”

“He ruined what should have been a happy occasion with your family. Instead, he turned it into something ugly. I hate him.”

Right now, I hate him too.

Her hurt is my pain. I feel it in the center of my chest as tangible as someone squeezing my heart without mercy.

“I know adoptees can’t become leaders but is there some kind of stupid rule stating babies conceived with medical assistance can’t be head of The Fellowship?”

“Of course not.”

“Then why did he ensure everyone knows we didn’t conceive this baby on our own? Was he doing it to be cruel?”

It was a stab at Bleu. “Yes.”

“He’s a psychopath, Sin.”

I don’t think she’s joking. “That’s a strong accusation.”

“I’ve studied them. They can’t form emotional attachments or feel real empathy for anyone. That’s why he can say the things he does without regard for the way his words affect people. They often have very charming personalities, are very manipulative, and easily gain trust. They pretend to have emotions, yet they don’t feel them. Some are so good at manipulation that their families never suspect their true nature. I know what I’m talking about and he fits the profile perfectly.”

“I can’t argue with you.”

“A person exhibiting those characteristics has no place leading The Fellowship.”

I’m confused. She has said on numerous occasions that she wants us to have time together before I take my place. “You know what you’re suggesting?”

“Yes. As much as I’d like to postpone, it may be something you need to consider for the good of the brotherhood. To lead is to serve. He’s no servant. He hurts people. I’m not the only one.”

“What has he done?”

“He instructed Linsey to fuck you until you forgot me.”

It all fits now. Linsey never showed any interest in me. It’s one of the reasons I accepted her request to be my paralegal. I needed an assistant who was interested in working and doing a good job.

“He’s family. You want to see the best in him but he’s evil. Allowing him to be in control of the people who place their trust in him is irresponsible.”

My wife is right. Our people deserve better. Even loyalists like The Fellowship can be pushed too far. We can’t afford a rebellion. But am I ready to knock Abram out as a top runner?

“You can’t wear blinders and refuse to acknowledge his true nature forever. Or what he’s capable of.”

We’re back to her believing Abram could be her mother’s killer.

“I need proof, Bonny.”

“I understand. I’m working on it.”

“If it’s proven that he’s the murderer, my father will kill him without hesitation.” I have no doubt about that.

“No! I have to be the one to do it.”

I wouldn’t let her go through with it even if I hadn’t made a promise to Harry on his deathbed. “You’re pregnant. No way I’m letting you do that.”

“I won’t be pregnant forever.”

Is she even thinking ahead? “What’s the end result when you’re no longer pregnant? You’ll be a mother, and not to just any child. My child! There’s no way I’ll allow you to put yourself in a dangerous situation like that.”

She’s shaking her head in disagreement. “You’re my husband but that doesn’t mean you get to dictate what I do.”

“You’re wrong if you think I don’t get a vote.”

I can predict with one hundred percent accuracy that what I’m about to say will cause problems between us. “As your husband, I won’t command you to do anything, but as your Fellowship leader, I will.”

“Oh. I see now. You’re my leader before you’re my husband.”

“Never. I’m always your husband first. That means I protect you above anything else and I’m telling you that you won’t do this no matter what you prove.”

“I’d like to see you try to stop me.”

She doesn’t understand the repercussions for killing a brother. I think it’s time she had a lesson. “Bonny. If you kill Abram and you’re caught, they will kill you. And I can’t stop them. Is there any part of that you don’t understand?”

“I won’t be caught.”

“Bleu! Don’t ignore what I’m telling you.” I don’t enjoy raising my voice at my wife. I enjoy the expression on her face as she looks at me even less. It’s a melting pot of hurt and anger.

“Or what? I’ll have to pay penance? You’ll send me to Sangster and have me beaten within an inch of my life?”

I grab Bleu firmly by her upper arms. “Listen to me. We’re having a baby. You’re going to be a mother. There’s no room for stupidity where our child is concerned. I will not let you jeopardize our family over your obsession.”

I release her arms and head for the door. She’s being irrational and unreasonable. I’m furious so I shouldn’t be around her right now. Fighting fair—it’s not something I’ve ever learned to do so I fear what I might say or do. I don’t want to create regrets.

“Where are you going?”

“Out.”

I stop in the doorway and turn back to look at Bleu. “Keeping you and our child safe is number one. Always. Maybe you should think about what your priorities are while I’m gone.”

* * *

I’m angry with Bleu but I’m furious with Abram. His actions are feeding her addiction for revenge, taunting her at every opportunity. It has to stop. Now.

I storm into my parents’ house and call out for my father.

“In here, son.”

I find my parents in the living room—together, watching television. I’m surprised they’re in the same room by choice. “What’s going on?”

“We were discussing Abram’s actions at dinner. It was unacceptable and I told him so,” my dad says.

“How is Bleu?” my mum asks.

“Not great.”

I sit next to my mother, facing my father. “Tonight wasn’t the first time Abram has acted out at Bleu. He’s taunted her on other occasions.”

“He’s a bully,” my mum says.

“He may be but he’s not going to upset the mother of my child like that. I can’t be expected to accept that kind of behavior directed at my wife by any Fellowship member, even if he is your brother.”

“I don’t expect you to tolerate Bleu being mistreated, even if he is my brother. Now is the time to put a stop to it. With Abram, what you allow him to do is what will continue. I learned that lesson the hard way.”

Bleu is determined. She isn’t going to drop her suspicion about Abram. It’s probably best to let Dad know now rather than later. “There’s more to further complicate the situation between Bleu and Abram. She believes there’s a possibility he killed her mother.”

My dad looks shocked. “What in the world would make her believe that?”

“Something Abram said at our reception sparked a memory from that night. That spark has turned into a fire and Abram stokes it each time he attacks Bleu.”

“She has no evidence to support her suspicion?” Dad asks.

“Not yet.”

“I don’t think ye should dismiss her suspicion so quickly. Bleu has studied the criminal mind extensively. How they think. How they react. She’s very educated about the tactics they use tae manipulate their closest ties,” Mum says.

There’s one way to prove he didn’t do it. “Does Abram have a scar from a dog bite on his leg?”

Dad shrugs. “Not that I’m aware. But I’m not sure I’ve seen his bare leg in the last twenty years. No reason to.”

No. I suppose the opportunity hasn’t presented itself.

“Was Abram in the US when Bleu an

d her mother were attacked?”

“Aye.”

“You know him better than anyone. Do you think he’s capable?”

Dad shakes his head. “He wouldn’t have touched Amanda.”

“I told her she couldn’t name Abram a suspect.”

“Ye must look at this from Bleu’s point of view. In her mind, that could be construed as you choosing him over her,” Mum says.

She’s right. I need to make Bleu understand I’ll always choose her before him.