Sins (Havoc of Sins #3)

Chapter 3

Kenna

“ W hoa.” Minnie caught me as I stepped out of the Wet and Wild cage in a fishnet dress. “Are you crazy? What do you think you’re doing?”

“Dancing.” I snagged a towel from the peg and wrung out my hair.

“Kenna, no,” she held out an arm to stop me, “we’re not ready. What if that sicko shows up? What if he’s already here?” Minnie’s concern was understandable, and I knew it, but I was way past being sensible.

“Then he saw me dance.” I shrugged.

“But, Kenna, he beat, threatened, and blackmailed you, then he hired some tweaker to send you a message that he’s still around. That isn’t the average shithead we have to deal with every day here. This is on a way higher messed up level.”

“I know.” I wanted the bastard to show up. If anyone should be beaten to a pulp, it should be him. “But if he shows up, then we’ll know who it is.”

Minnie looked at me like I had two heads. “What happened to you tonight? You look different.” She scanned my body then homed in on my wrist. “Tell me this was from doing something kinky.”

“No, this was Grim making sure I didn’t get to my father before he killed him.” I dropped my damp fishnet dress on the floor, stepped out of it, and wrapped my towel around me.

Minnie’s mouth dropped open. “Okay, wait. Start again.”

“Turns out my father did get Leo killed, and now Grim is on the warpath.”

Minnie gasped, pulled out her phone, and made a call to Brick. As she filled him in, I gathered my things.

“Wait, Kenna, where are you going?”

I stopped at the door and drew in a deep breath. “Now that I’ve had a chance to get my head on straight,” I pointed back to the cage, “I need to speak to that murdering son-of-a-bitch father of mine.”

I didn’t wait for her to protest. I shot outside and rushed back to Indulge. Benny called out as I entered the lobby and hurried toward me. I hadn’t realized he was still in town.

“Hey,” he reached out as I rushed by and spun me right around as he snagged my arm, “where’s the fire?”

Flashbacks of Grim’s hotel Secrets being on fire came screaming back to me, but I quickly pushed them away.

“I’m late for?—”

“Your dinner?” he asked in a tone that made me look at him strangely, and he pointed a finger in the air. “Your father’s upstairs with Calli and some guy in that restaurant with the glass box. They seem to be looking for somebody. I just assumed it was you.”

“Yeah, they are.” I nodded through my lie.

He smiled like something ran through his head and let go of my arm.

“What?”

He shrugged. “I understand why your boyfriend is so protective.” I dropped my gaze with how much his words bothered me. “Well, don't let me keep you.”

“Thanks.” I rushed away and slid into the elevator just as the doors were closing. I smiled at the old couple who were already inside out of habit then focused on what I needed to do.

I watched my father from a few yards away, He might as well have had a spotlight directed on him. He was making such a show of himself from his favorite “everyone can see me” table in the restaurant. He let go a loud belly laugh, head tipped back, and mouth wide open. Food spat from his mouth as my sister said something else and laughed along with him.

My temper shot to the surface as I clenched my fists. How could he have fun at a time like this? What an insensitive asshole.

He banged on the table and made a few guests look over as he laughed harder. Simon sat with them, but he seemed to be the only one who was conscious of the spectacle they made. He looked around a few times almost as if embarrassed.

My feet started to move on their own as a million different thoughts raced through my head. Every scenario I came up with ended with me making a scene. My blood pressure spiked. I felt my cheeks burn, and my heart pounded against my chest to the point of pain as I headed toward their table. The memory of Leo’s smile popped up in front of me, and pain mixed with the anger. Tears prickled my eyes as I grew closer. He was my father, but how could he do such a thing?

Suddenly, an arm wrapped around me, and I was steered in a different direction.

“What are you doing?” I snarled at Grim.

He waited until we were far enough away not to be heard by my father or the others. “Mom needs a word.”

“I was in the middle of something.”

He wouldn’t look at me. “I know.” He led me toward a table and pulled out a chair. Laurel Gates greeted me.

“Please,” she pointed to the chair, “have a seat.”

Grim took a chair then entwined his fingers and rested his hands calmly on the table. I found that odd, considering the man he wanted to kill was across the room from us. “You weren’t in the pool, and you haven’t been to your suite yet, and why is your hair wet?”

“What? Are you watching me?” I shook my head, confused about why he’d bring that up right now.

“Grim, please,” his mother said quietly. I turned my attention to her and took in her rigid posture and the heavy bags under her eyes. “I’m going to address the elephant in the room.” She nodded over my shoulder, and I didn’t need to turn to know she referred to my father and the others who sat across the room. “It’s true, dear, all of it.” She placed a hand on mine. I immediately felt the weight of my father’s actions slam down on my shoulders. I tried to fight the tears that pooled in my eyes, but it was impossible. It was true; my father was a monster. “Your father killed my son.” She paused to swallow while I sat stiffly in my seat. “We have all the proof we need.”

“I’m so sorry, Mrs. Gates,” I said softly, not knowing what else to say. “I truly had no idea.”

“I know you are, and I know that too.” She tugged at her yellow cardigan and shivered. “Because if you did, this conversation would be going very differently.”

Now I was the one who shivered.

The sound of my father’s laughter made me cringe, and I noticed Grim’s finger had started to tap on the table.

“My son isn’t even laid to rest, and that miserable man is stuffing his face with Chef Dan’s finest food.” She rubbed her tired eyes. “And tomorrow I have to stand there and watch him pretend to mourn for my baby.” Grim reached over and squeezed her hand. “To think we let him in all those years ago.” She held back a sob and closed her eyes to regain control. “We thought he was our friend.”

“People with money like we have don’t have friends, mother,” Grim growled.

I wanted to run away like a child. I didn’t know how to handle this situation. Nothing could prepare you for when your father murders your boss’s son.

I shifted in my seat, unsure what to say next, so I opened my stupid mouth and spoke without a filter. “What’s going to happen to my father?”

“I have a few ideas,” Grim hissed, but Laurel said something to him in Spanish I didn’t catch. Whatever it was, he gave a tight nod and shut up. I wished I had that power over him sometimes.

“As much as I want to tear his eyes out for what he’s done, Kenna, we all have to take a step back. We have to wait.”

“Wait?” I didn’t follow.

She nodded and let her gaze move over my shoulder, and a darkness I’d only ever seen in her son’s eyes flickered across hers. “He suspects Grim knows, and he probably wonders if we know, but a part of me thinks he might not suspect that you know.” Her fingers tapped the table. “I’m sure it’s why he’s making such a scene in the middle of the restaurant. If people are watching, he knows we won’t make a move.”

“For someone who’s fucking stupid, he has his moments,” Grim added.

“And when he’s alone?”

“Then we return the kindness he so lovingly cast on my brother.” Grim’s voice sent another shiver through me. “But until then,” his lips spread into a chilling smile, “we play.”

“Play?” I repeated and leaned forward in my seat as I looked up at him. “As in handcuff him to your bed for several hours?”

His mother’s gaze dropped to my wrist as I rubbed the angry red mark from where I’d tried to free myself. “Grim!”

“Don’t worry, Mother,” he huffed. “She held her own just fine.” He pulled his shirt down at the neck and revealed the cut where I’d slashed him with the knife.

She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. “Please, don’t make me worry about you two.”

“I can assure you anything we might have had is over.” I licked around my dry mouth, and Grim smirked and shook his head. “Mrs. Gates, what can I do to help?” I wanted to be kept close to this.

“Act like you don’t know anything,” she shifted gears, “and keep an eye on Knox for me?”

“Knox?” That confused me.

“Your sister has her claws in him,” Grim grunted, but I wouldn’t look at him. “They keep him with a belly full of liquor and pump him for information whenever they feel like it.”

“Grim,” his mother shook her head, “Knox is still young. Kenna, I think he really loves your sister, but I don’t think it’s returned. I’ve lost one child to your family. I’m not about to lose another.”

Although she had every right to be devastated, her words slashed. It was as if she’d said it had been my doing.

“Of course. I’ll keep a close eye on him.” I didn’t want to hear anything else. My heart hurt for everyone, and there was no making it right. I got up and left the way I came.

I stood in the back while everyone piled into the church, the Gateses stood in a row and greeted people as they came in. I hadn’t slept at all the previous night, and the more I tried to make sense of things, the more twisted up I became. How did you process something like this? How did you not feel the judgement from others, and how could you not blame them?

Minnie caught my eye from where she sat next to Brick and Tess. She waved me over, but I shook my head, just wanting to be alone. The only thing that almost brought a smile to my lips was the row of reapers that lined the pew from the guy’s motorcycle cuts. A few older ladies clutched their pearls as they walked by. If only they knew.

“Are you not going to join the others?” Elio Capri, the mafia boss of Italy, inquired kindly. I loved that he’d taken the time to be here for the Gates family. It showed how strong his friendship with Grim was. I shook my head. “Why is that?” His accent was thick, but his English was perfect.

“I don’t feel overly welcome, given the…” I paused as someone walked by, “situation.”

“Mm.” He stroked his chin. The huge black ring he wore caught the light, and I saw what looked like a family crest engraved on it. “Do you know my wife’s story?”

“I’ve heard a bit about it.” I’d heard a lot more than a bit, but I didn’t want to admit it. Her past could be a book in itself.

“Sienna had no control over who she was; I would never hold that over her.”

“Perhaps, but let me ask you this.” I couldn’t believe I was speaking so freely with this man. He could snap his fingers and end my existence. “When you first found out, weren’t you shocked? Didn’t a sliver of doubt ever run through your mind that maybe, just maybe she wasn’t who you thought she was? What if she was just playing a game with you for years?” I stopped myself at his raised eyebrow. I’d already said too much.

He smiled and shrugged. “So, you have heard the story.” He put a hand on my arm. “I would be lying if I said there wasn’t a moment of doubt in the beginning, but that’s to be expected. I’m only human. Not to mention my responsibility to protect my people.”

“And no one should ever think to judge you for that, Mr. Capri. I mean Elio,” I corrected myself when he gave me a look. “So, you see why I’m standing back here on this day of all days. They only just got confirmation it was my father who did it. There’d be some doubt there, wouldn’t there? In the forefront of their minds?” I looked down as my chest squeezed tight. “The way Laurel looked at me yesterday,” I cleared my throat, “it broke a tiny piece of me.”

“And what about Grim? How does he look at you?”

“With regret,” I answered honestly.

I caught movement and nearly passed out as my father, mother, and Calli came through the doors dressed in their finest. Dad looked in the direction of the family pew and seemed to think twice about sitting there. He steered them all into seats farther back.

I noticed Elio caught Trigger’s look and something passed through them, but as fast as I felt it, it was gone.

“Can I ask you something, Elio?”

He looked straight ahead. “Of course.”

“I just hope my mother didn’t know anything.” Elio peered down at me and gave me a puzzled look. “I feel like a loose balloon stuck on a tree branch about to pop. I’m close with my mom, and I need to know I can trust her.” He shifted uncomfortably. I felt weak in the knees.

“It’s difficult to say if she could have known about the hit on Grim. I certainly can’t comment on their relationship. Perhaps you should talk to your mother.”

“Great.” I felt myself invert even further.

“Perhaps a good friend, then? Minnie and Tess are there if you need someone. Both of them are good people.” I nodded with an attempt at a smile.

Elio looked over as the priest entered and asked everyone to take their seats. The service was about to begin. Elio pointed for us to sit in a half pew off to the side.

“No, please, be with your friends.” I pointed to Trigger and the others.

He ignored me and moved to the pew and waited for me to sit down then he slid in beside me. “I am, mia amica .”

“Thank you, Elio.”

The service was beautiful and filled with stories of Leo and how he brought laughter to everyone’s life. I was pleased that Elio took my arm and walked with me to the reception after.

“Hey, sweetie,” Minnie wrapped a loving arm around me, “I’ve never been one to beat around the bush, mainly because I’ve never had one, but how are you dealing with all this?” She nodded toward my father, whose dress shirt did nothing for his weight problem.

I grimaced. “Just trying to digest it all.”

Elio excused himself to go to speak to someone.

“God, that man is sex on a stick,” Minnie sighed. “We’re going back to my club after this to toast Leo. You’re coming.” She rested her head on my shoulder. You’d have known if you answered my calls.”

I felt like a shitty friend, but I also suddenly felt like an outsider looking in at my life. “I’m sorry.”

My father caught my attention. It seemed he’d finally gotten up the nerve to speak to Jim and Laurel. I held my breath, curious what might happen, but the Gateses stayed true to their word and played it off well.

“Breathe, Kenna,” Minnie reminded me. “You have friends all around you.”

“It’s not that. I’m worried about?—”

She cut me off. “You know your father.”

“No, it’s not that.” I waved my hand at her. “What if my mother’s involved?”

“What? Oh, good God.” She patted my arm. “I can’t imagine.” She chewed her cheek for a beat. “I guess only time will tell. I’m so sorry sweetie. I hadn’t even gone there.” Minnie spotted Brick, who beckoned for her to join him. “Look, hang in there, okay? See you tonight?”

I shook my head. “I think I just need a night alone.”

“I disagree.”

I set my glass down and slid my purse under my arm. “I know.” I squeezed her arm and left, ignoring her protests.

I pushed open the doors to the chapel and slipped back inside. Everyone had gone, and it felt so peaceful. Candles were lit on a little table; they flickered in a sudden draft.

My heels clicked loudly on the wooden floor as I made my way up the aisle. The cross above me grew larger as I approached the altar. The evening sun shone through the pieces of stained glass and created shapes against the wall. It was lovely, and I felt a calmness come over me as I slowly lowered myself onto the polished wooden pew.

A sudden tap on my shoulder sent my nerves firing. To my horror, Sonny Conti asked me to move over. His appearance was shocking. It looked like he’d been through a bar fight. Then it hit me like a bag of rocks. Grim’s battered knuckles.

“Yeah, your boyfriend’s handiwork.” He read my mind.

My back went up. “He’s not my boyfriend,” I corrected.

“Right. Well, all this,” he waved a finger around his face, “was his doing. For no reason.”

“Pfft, if he did it, I’m sure he had a good reason,” I shot back without thinking, and his expression went hard. I swallowed. I needed to be careful.

He smelled like cigarettes and alcohol, and I turned my face away. I wanted to run, to scream, to God knew what, anything but sit there like a stone and let him fill me with fear. I realized my effort to be alone had left me vulnerable.

“Funny how people turn to the church for solace whenever anything bad happens. And what is this place but a building filled with things that bring some people comfort? Just a house, really. The only difference between this and a house is that someone stands up there,” he pointed to the pulpit, “in front of two crossed sticks and tells us how we should be good people.” My hands shook in my lap, and I wondered if I should try to call Minnie for help. “Are you good people, Kenna?” He put a hand heavily across my shoulders. I refused to flinch. I wouldn’t give him the pleasure of knowing the depth of my fear.

“Are you?” I countered.

“No.” He shrugged. “But the difference between you and me is that I’m honest with myself.”

“Just because you admit you’re bad doesn’t justify the behavior.” I shirked out from under his arm and leaned forward against the other pew.

“Maybe not, but at least I sleep at night.” He turned to look at me, and I knew he saw my exhaustion. “You worried about dear old dad?” I locked my face in place. This was a test. I knew it was. He wanted to know if I knew the truth.

“Why?” I shook my head and acted like I didn’t follow. “What happened to Dad?” I went for my purse like I was going to call him. Sonny’s cold hand slammed down on mine, and he leaned close, so his swollen-ugly face was only inches from mine.

“We all have sins, Kenna, and it’s only a matter of time before we have to deal with the consequences.” He squeezed my thigh hard, then, as fast as he’d appeared, he got up and left.