The Secret (The Evolution of Sin 2)

“I’m not making it any better,” I admitted.

“And I am?”

We were both quiet for a moment. I stared down at the gorgeous chaos of early evening in New York, the yellow cabs and rivers of pedestrians. It seemed, at the moment, infinitely more organized than my life.

“Go fishing with me tomorrow.”

“What?” Of all the things he could have said, I was least expecting that. I told him so.

After he finished laughing, he said, “It won’t compare to the Pacific, but autumn fishing in New York is the time to do it. I’ll take you out to Manhattan Beach and introduce you to the Antonios of New York.”

“There are more like him?” I couldn’t imagine the eccentric Mexican fisherman being like anyone else.

“Not quite, but the regulars under the Verrazano Bridge are real urban fishermen. You’ll like them. Better bring your camera.”

I was grinning so widely it was difficult to speak. “I never go anywhere without it.”

“It will be an early start,” he warned. “On the water at 5 am.”

“Bring me a caramel latte and I’m set.”

“I’ll be by at 4:35 to pick you up.”

“Okay.”

“I’ll see you then.”

“Okay.” My heart was beating fast; I didn’t want to say goodbye. “I’ll see you then.”

&n

bsp; “Just a thought before I sign off; do you remember what you said when you discovered who I was? You weren’t willing to hurt Elena. Admirable, Giselle, but maybe you should consider this; who else is hurting for your sacrifice?”

He hung up before I could respond, but I had nothing to say either so I guess it didn’t really matter.

Chapter Eight.

I woke up with a smile before dawn the next morning and sang loudly to Beatles music in the shower as I carefully washed every inch of my body. Though I usually let my hair dry naturally into thick waves, I applied curling product and blew it dry with a diffuser so that the red locks settled into large, messy curls around my flushed face. I knew it would be cold out on the water at the beginning of November so I layered with care, rolling a grey turtleneck over my silk camisole and tugging thickly knit socks up to my knees over my blue jeans. The shades complimented my coloring beautifully and when I put on the final touches, a dove grey knitted head band with matching gloves and scarf, I stared at my happy self in the mirror with quiet pride. This was the Giselle I wanted to be, happy and confident. It was hard to be like that under the current circumstances, when I felt ugly and villainous with my family and desperate around Sinclair, but Cosima-level confidence took time and I was happy with my progress.

I had been hoping to escape the apartment unobserved but as soon as I left my room, I heard the swell of Italian music in the kitchen.

Cosima stood before the stove in thick socks and a pink cashmere robe, her inky hair swinging as she moved fluidly to the music, her voice raised in song.

“A bit early for Verdi, isn’t it?”

She spun to face me with a wide smile, her quick eyes taking in my carefully coordinated outfit without expression.

“It is never too early for il maestro! Although, I would argue it is way too early to be looking so cute. Where are you off to?” she asked.

I poured myself a glass of water with ice from the fridge to buy myself some time. Sinclair hadn’t said to lie about our outing and was there really anything wrong in my sister’s boyfriend taking me out? After all, I was new in town.

“Sinclair.” I cleared my throat. “Daniel invited me fishing. I told him the other day at lunch that I had enjoyed it in Mexico and he got pretty excited about it.” I rolled my eyes. “Who would have guessed such a buttoned up guy would be a fishing geek.”

Cosima grinned as she stirred the fragrant concoction in her pan. “Massive fishing geek. He enters the Bassmaster Elite Series on Oneida lake every August and I’m pretty sure he always takes his executives to Mexico just so he can get in some fishing.”

I laughed, remembering how boyish and carefree he had been out on the water. “I’m looking forward to it.”

“He’s taken me out before.” She scrunched her nose up. “Let’s just say I’m more comfortable on land. I’d take horseback riding over fishing any day.”