We can run but the truck can’t, not while carrying unstable explosives.
I look to Dad but I can already predict what he’ll say. “We don’t have a choice. We have to pull over to see what they want.”
“And hope to hell they don’t search the back of that truck.”
Sterling pulls to a stop on the side of the road. I look at the time and see we have ten minutes until the deadline. “We don’t have time for this.”
“Patience, Sinclair.”
I consider the reasons the authorities would have for blue lighting us. We weren’t breaking any traffic laws so I’m inclined to think this is a set-up. “I have a bad feeling about this.”
“That makes two of us.”
My heart sinks when Lloyd Buchanan, deputy chief constable of the Organized Crime Unit, comes to the driver’s window. This is no routine traffic stop. Judging by the amused look on his face, he knows he has something on us. “Good evening, Thane. Sinclair.”
“Good evening, Officer Buchanan,” my father says.
He steps away from the car with his hands of his hips, rocking on his heels. Grinning. “I hear congratulations are in order.”
He can’t possibly know about Bleu’s pregnancy. “You’re referring to my marriage?”
“Aye. I must admit I was taken aback to hear that you’d married outside The Fellowship.”
“You’ve seen how bonny my wife is. It should come as no surprise.”
“Aye, she’s a lovely lass but I’m wondering why you’d go against your brotherhood. You’re a tight bunch. I’m doubtful they welcomed your American bride with open arms.”
I don’t have time for this. “You didn’t pull our car over to discuss my marriage.”
“Aye. You’re right, but before we get to that, I’m curious. Why are you escorting a transport truck through Order territory this time of night?”
He has nothing on us. He’s curious. Good. “I was under the impression that Edinburgh was a free town. I suppose I failed to get the memo about sections of it belonging to anyone in particular. How does one do that—go about obtaining parts of a city?”
“Enough with the bullshit,” Buchanan says.
“Finally. Something we agree upon.”
“Then I’ll get on with it.”
Buchanan takes his gun from his holster and points it in my direction. “Sinclair Breckenridge. Step out of the car slowly with your hands on your head.”
A half dozen officers, firearms pointed at me, surround the car.
“What is this about?” my father asks.
“I’m arresting your son for the murder of Malcolm Irvine.”
No. This can’t be happening now. Anytime but now.
I can’t be taken in. Bleu’s life is dependent upon me making this delivery.
I’m ready to grovel if need be. “I need two hours. It’s life and death. And then I’ll turn myself in for questioning.”
“Doesn’t work like that. I don’t get credit for your arrest if you turn yourself in.”
“Please. My wife has been taken. She’s in grave danger.”
“Sounds like a police matter to me.”
He knows I’d never do that. “I can’t come to the police. That’s not how these things work.”
“Aye. I know exactly how people from your world operate. Illegally. Always.”
“They’ll kill her if I don’t meet their demands.”
He shrugs. “Not my problem if it’s not reported to the authorities.”
“They’ll kill her if the police become involved.”
“Again, not my problem.”
“Bleu is pregnant with twins. If you can’t have mercy for me, can you at least have it for the two innocent lives she carries?”
“I’m afraid that’s just two more cockroaches for me to squash in the coming years.”
Buchanan is supposedly one of the good guys but he’s as evil as any Order member.
I’m desperate. To hell with the consequences of my actions. None of it matters if I don’t get to Bleu in time.
I reach for my gun.
My father puts his hand on my arm. “It will be the hardest thing you ever do but go with him, Sinclair. Rodrick will be there within the hour to clear up this mess. I’ll take care of our problem in the meantime.”
I don’t want my dad to take care of my mistake. It’s mine to fix.
I’m not ready to budge and he sees this. “You don’t need your wife coming home to an incarcerated husband because he made an irrational decision.”
Again, my father is right. I’m no good to Bleu if I’m in prison.
“All right, Buchanan. I’m getting out of the car.”
“Slowly. Hands on top of your head.”
“Aye. You’ve already said that.”
“Just want to be clear.”
I do just as the bastard says. It’s the hardest damn thing I’ve ever done, second only to watching Bleu walk out of my life.
I’m immediately swarmed by his mob of lawmen, shoved face down onto the ground, my gun taken from its holster. “I voluntarily surrendered Buchanan. Is this really necessary?”
I can’t see him because my face is forced into the dirt but I hear him and know he’s standing over me. “You’re under arrest for the murder of Malcolm Irvine. You do not have to say anything. However, it may harm your defense if you do not mention, when questioned, something which you later rely on in court. Anything you do say may be given in evidence. But you know these things already, Mr. Solicitor. Congratulations on that, by the way. The world has been in need of another dirty lawyer.”
“Just as they’re in need of another dirty police officer.”
My hands are cuffed behind my back and I’m yanked to my feet. “You can pretend to be the good guy all you like, but we both know what hides behind that badge.”
My two men driving the truck are handcuffed and placed in the back of a squad car. Of course, they’re keeping the three of us separate.
I inwardly growl as I watch the officers swarm the truck. They have no idea how much they’re fucking up my trade for Bleu’s life. I’m not sure The Order will agree to any kind of exchange without the explosives.
My beloved is a captive. I’m in custody. I’m at the mercy of my father and The Order. I fucking hate i
t. And there’s nothing I can do about it.
To be continued …
One Last Sin to be released on March 23, 2015
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Acknowledgments
Samantha Young
I came to know my dear friend, Samantha Young, online close to three years ago. Neither of us were New York Times best-selling authors back then. We had the same goal: write damn good books and hope for the best. Our journeys have differed but we’ve come a long way. I’m still amazed when I look back at where we once were and where we are now––especially Sam. She is so deserving of all the success she has achieved. She is an extraordinary person and I’m so happy to call her a friend.
It is my hope that in reading A Necessary Sin and The Next Sin, you find them authentic in regards to Scotland and the Scottish lifestyle. Thanks be to Samantha and her keen eye for detail.
Thank you for all your help, Sam. I love you dearly.
If you don’t already know the fantabulous Samantha Young, you can discover her and her awesome books at: Author Samantha Young.
Excerpt: Beauty from Pain
The Beauty Series: Book I
Georgia Cates
Chapter One
Laurelyn Prescott
I am sick of being on this plane. The four-and-a-half-hour flight from Nashville to Los Angeles was fine. The layover was tolerable, thanks to the airport bar. But the last leg of our flight to Australia is becoming more and more unbearable with each passing minute.
I try to calculate how much longer it is until we land in Sydney. My exhaustion makes it difficult for me to do the simple equation in my head, but it looks like it’s still almost two hours until I will feel solid ground beneath my feet again. I sigh and tell myself to be patient. I’ve made it this far. I can take another two hours. I mean, I don’t really have a choice at this point, right?