Sins (Havoc of Sins #3)

Chapter 4

Grim

D ad beamed at me. “You did an amazing job, son.” It was the first time since we’d left for New Orleans that I’d seen him smile. “We’ve been through so much this last while, but your mother and I are very proud of you, and Leo would be, too.”

“Thanks, Dad.” I looked around the beautiful lobby of Secrets that was now filled with potential guests, new guests, and press. As much as the fire had set me back, it also had brought the hotel twice the amount of attention. I was very pleased with the grand opening so far.

I glanced around and spotted some staff from Indulge and noted Jayden and his father Walter Wallace were in conversation. To my surprise, Victor Conti had made an appearance. Thankfully, his son hadn’t dared show his battered face.

Salazar lifted a glass to me with a nod as he caught my eye from across the room, I tilted mine back at him as a thank you for coming. It had been an excellent turnout, and I felt confident that Secrets would be a success. I went back to scanning the lobby. Several other guests either waved or smiled, and a sense of accomplishment filled me. Perhaps we’d get through this thing without any trouble, after all. I scanned the lobby again.

“She’ll be here.” My father patted my shoulder.

“I was just checking out the guests.” It was partially true.

“Uh huh.” He smiled.

It had been ten days since we laid my brother to rest, and ten days since I’d seen Kenna. She had disappeared right after the funeral and apparently only let Dad know where she’d gone.

“If you’d only told me where she went, I could settle.” I held my glass up to my mouth as I spoke.

Dad tucked a hand in his pocket and made an effort to look relaxed, as many were watching us. “Like I explained, I’m honoring her wishes. I understand why she left,” he gave me a look, “but I need you to make things right.” He pressed his lips together when Minnie appeared at my side.

“Is she here yet?”

“Not yet.” My father smiled down at her. “I should go sit for a while.” He chuckled quietly and headed toward a chair off to the side. I saw Mom make a beeline for him. She made a show like a “mother hen” for a few moments then sat down beside him.

“I still can’t believe she left and didn’t tell me where she went. Just texted that she left.” Minnie blew out a breath as she pulled at her tight dress. “Holy mother of air conditioning, I’m like a helpless sausage wrangled into a casing.” She waved at herself, trying to cool down. “Jesus, even my vag is suffocating in this thing.”

“I’ll take things I didn’t need to know for five hundred.” Tess chuckled as she came up behind us.

“It’s like a water park down there. I’m slipping and sliding.”

“Minnie,” Tess shook her head, “these people don’t need to hear how your vag is a summer amusement park.”

I laughed. “Agreed. Please stop.” I spotted Knox with Calli and fought the urge to roll my eyes. Just what I needed, a fucking spy at my hotel opening.

“Meh.” She shrugged and snagged a champagne flute off a waiter’s tray as he walked by. “No sighting of Kenna yet,” she said in response to Tess’s question as she looked around.

“Fucking Sonny,” Tess huffed. That drew my attention, and Minnie’s eyes went wide at Tess.

“Why do you say that?” I looked at the two of them, and Tess closed her eyes with a curse. “Speak, ladies,” I ordered.

“We had it covered,” she started, and I cocked a brow. I didn’t like how this story started. “Basically, Kenna left Leo’s reception early and went back to the church because, well, you know, struggling with the family murder-ness.” She waved her hand. “Anyway, Sonny must have been watching her because the moment she was out of sight, he followed her in.”

“And?”

“And I don’t know, but whatever it was, she wouldn’t share. Then later that night, I get a text from her saying she’s leaving town but would be back for the opening.”

What the hell?

“And why was I not told this?”

“She brought it straight to Trigger,” Tess added quickly, “and he said he’d handle it because you had enough to deal with.”

“I see.” I didn’t like it, but I would have done the same for Trig, so I understood it. As for Sonny, I would deal with him again soon. I smirked to myself as I remembered Jesse had told me I’d broken his nose and fractured his cheek.

My mind drifted back over the past week. I thought of Talya’s warning that her parents, Jerry and Elva Cano, had been behind some of our problems. Retaliation had been sweet. We’d tipped off some of the rival Cartel families and shared that the Canos planned to take over Martin Castillo’s empire. Now they had a whole new set of problems. Karma. Of course, I made sure whoever took over Rosarito knew they’d have my support as long as they left my run alone. My contract for drug distribution to Vegas was carved in stone.

Suddenly, Minnie’s hand slapped on my arm, and I followed her line of sight. Kenna entered the lobby on the arm of Yen Hong. She was in a dress that nearly took my breath away. A long, form-fitted, red number. It flowed over her willowy frame and hugged her curves. Her shoulders were bare, as the top of the dress was attached to a matching red scarf that was wrapped around her slender neck.

When she turned to smile at someone, I caught her bare back. The dress was open all the way down to just above her sexy bottom, where it cut into a V shape and gathered across her hips. The red scarf hung from her neck at the back and swooped down to trail along the floor. I froze when she laughed at something Yen said and he smiled down at her. It didn’t help that the rich Asian bastard looked like he’d stepped from a fashion magazine himself.

“Oh, shit,” Minnie squeaked. She looked at Tess like she knew something I didn’t. Then she squeezed my arm with something like panic on her face. “So that’s where she was!”

“Where?” I wasn’t following.

“A while ago, Yen Hong made her an amazing offer to come work for his hotel in Hong Kong. She didn’t say yes but didn’t shoot the idea down either.”

“What the hell, Minnie? I need to know these things!”

“No,” she corrected me, “only a boyfriend needs to know these things, and you’ve stated a few times now that Kenna isn’t your girlfriend.”

“I’m her boss. If she’s being poached, I need to know.”

“Then go be a boss and win her back, because so help me Jesus, if you don’t and something breaks up our trio, I will strip you bare and beat your fine ass for all to see.”

“Oh, I want in on that, too.” Tess glared at me.

Where are the fucking guys when I need them? I caught sight of Brick, who just smirked at me from the far corner of the room, like he knew what a handful they could be. The Devil’s Reach wanted nothing to do with fancy parties but everything to do with watching my back.

“Good evening, ladies.” Yen was in front of me. “Mr. Gates, your hotel looks exquisite. Congratulations on your opening.”

“Thank you.” I tried my best to curb my frustration that he had Kenna on his arm. “I’m glad you could join us. I thought you were out of town.”

“I was,” he smiled lovingly at Kenna then back at me, “but Kenna made me an offer I couldn’t refuse, and, well, here we are.” What the hell does that mean? Someone called out his name and he inclined his head at me. “Forgive me, but I must go attend to something.” He turned to Kenna and bowed and kissed her hand. A beautiful gold Chow Tai Fook bracelet sparkled from her wrist. “What a pleasure it’s been.” He winked, and her cheeks pinked.

My blood boiled to the point of pain, but when Kenna brushed back the piece of her hair that hung from her low bun, I caught a whiff of her perfume, and my fingers twitched to grab her. The only reason I didn’t was I felt my father’s eyes on me. I’d promised to behave, but I never promised for how long.

“Kenna,” Minnie moved closer to us, “please tell me you didn’t sign with Yen?”

Kenna slapped a smile on as someone she knew said hello. “Now is not the time to discuss this.”

“Is that a Fook bracelet?” Minnie grabbed her arm. “Tess, look at this, it’s positively fuck-worthy!” She studied the bracelet, and my skin grew hot.

Tess snagged her arm and took her time studying it while I studied Kenna’s face. “Yen bought you a gift?”

“It’s not that big of a deal.” She brushed them off and glanced at me like I was just any other man in the room. “The place looks lovely. You should be pleased.”

“I am with the hotel, just not with certain people who leave on vacation without so much as a warning when I have an opening planned.” I hadn’t liked it when she was away. I’d grown quite accustomed to her being around. Even when I was an asshole to her.

“Well, I see you managed.”

“It wasn’t easy.”

“Did I miss a single one of your business requests?” She raised a brow. “No, I handled everything I needed to, and then some. Clearly, you don’t need me here in person.”

“I disagree.”

She stiffened, and it took me two seconds to understand why.

Jenelle threaded her arm through mine. “There you are,” she purred, clearly pleased to have me speaking to her again.

“Yeah, he’s in the same space he was when you watched him five minutes ago from across the room.” Minnie rolled her eyes at Jenelle. “And he hasn’t moved since you arrived.”

“How nice of you to notice me.” Jenelle chuckled in the bitchy way she always did when women were around me. “Dad thinks tomorrow would be a good time for that dinner.”

Excellent.

“Great, I’ll have my assistant make the reservations for six people at seven.” I smiled down at her and watched as her face morphed into a frown.

“Six?”

“That’s the number that comes after five,” Minnie’s voice dripped sarcasm, and it made Tess smile.

“Yes, six. Kenna is the lead hostess for Secrets. She needs to be at all business meetings with prospective clients.” Kenna’s face hardened as Jenelle shot her a nasty look.

“Shit just got real,” Tess muttered as she turned away.

“I didn’t see that on my calendar,” Kenna shot back. “I believe I have a night with Salazar tomorrow.”

“See,” Jenelle beamed up at me, “she’s entertaining another man tomorrow night.” She clapped her hands. “Five, it is.”

Minnie raised her glass in the air. “Well, tie my tits in a bow, she can do math.”

“I took the liberty of clearing your schedule,” I countered and watched Kenna’s face grow angry. “Perks of being the boss.”

“Boss isn’t the word I would use,” she muttered, but her eyes lit up when Chef Dale came out of nowhere.

“Mr. Gates,” he pumped my hand, “this place is something else.” I nodded politely as he turned to greet Kenna.

“You’re back!” He wrapped her in a hug. “Damn, girl, you look hot enough to start a fire in that dress. Remind me why we broke up.”

“’Cause you’re a man-whore,” Minnie teased. I knew there was a lot of truth behind her words.

Kenna bypassed his question. “Did you meet Chef Trahan yet?”

“No.” Dale took her arm. “Introduce us?”

“Sure.” She slipped away, and I wanted to stop her, but Jenelle moved in front of me.

“Dance with me?”

I shook my head. “I have to make some rounds.” With that, I left her with Minnie and Tess and went to fulfill my role as the owner of the newest hotel on the strip. I felt a sense of pride that it had finally come together and that it was everything I’d hoped for.

I searched the faces in the crowd for Cameron, in spite of the fact that if he even showed his face for a moment, I’d know. Elio and his cousins, Niccola and Vinni, were back at Indulge watching things from there, while the Devil’s Reach had this place surrounded. I refused to have anything else go wrong.

I kept an eye on Kenna as she worked the guests after she’d linked up the chefs, Dale and Trahan. As I whisked by the two of them at one point, I caught their conversation about various dishes they had in common. Kenna worked expertly around the room. Her charisma and charm as she talked with people was interesting to watch. Even the most high-powered men and women met their match with her. She fielded all their comments and raised them one.

I saw her face fall when Calli and Knox pulled her away from someone she was talking to. I moved through the crowd to intercept but got tangled up with an art dealer and missed what was said.

My phone buzzed. I pulled it free and excused myself from the art dealer.

Morgan: Your ten o’clock, green shirt.

I scanned the crowd in that direction and spotted Simon, who had his eyes on Kenna. Maybe it was Calli he watched, but I’d take bets it wasn’t.

Morgan: He arrived alone five minutes ago. Figured we’d let him through and watch what he did.

“I think I’ll turn in,” I heard Kenna say. “Thanks for everything. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“No thanks needed.” I recognized Yen’s voice. “I’ve always got you.”

She strolled by and greeted people along the way.

Grim: Don’t lose him.

I moved quickly through the crowd to my private elevator. Because it was opening night, the main staff had been given rooms so they could properly celebrate; I was pleased to see Kenna was going to use hers.

I heard her door open, and as she came into the room, I turned on the light and she jumped.

“Why do you insist on doing that?” She dropped her hand from her chest as she tossed her keycard on the side table. “Shouldn’t you be downstairs at your opening?”

“The last person I’d thought you’d show up with tonight was Yen Hong.” I rubbed my finger over my lips. “Did you sign his contract?” If she was surprised by my knowledge, she didn’t show it.

“I’m confused.” She twisted the top off a water bottle. “Why are you here? Because you made it very clear that you had no desire to see me. I’m a Tame, remember?”

I leaned forward and rested my elbows on my thighs as I studied her. “Answer my question.”

She ignored me and reached down to undo her heels. She tossed them to the side then reached up and undid her hair. It tumbled down her bare back.

“You know, it’s funny that you think you can control all aspects of my life.” She headed to the bar and poured herself a glass of red wine. She took her time, and I watched her throat constrict as she took a good swig then set the glass on the bar. When she turned back around, I was standing right behind her.

“Where were you?”

“Your father knew.”

“Were you with Yen?”

She held my gaze. “Yes.”

“Why?” I felt all tangled up inside.

“It’s none of your business.” She went to turn, but I grabbed the tie around her neck and used my free hand on her hip to draw her back to me. I saw her nipples harden through the thin fabric when my lips brushed by her ear.

“Whatever you do is my business.” I breathed her in. “I make it my business.”

“Well,” she leaned her head back to look at me, “that’s a you problem, isn’t it?” She tried to slide out of my hold, but I tightened my grip. “Grim,” she rolled her eyes, “yes, I was with Yen Hong in Hong Kong, and yes, he offered me a contract. I haven’t turned him down but haven’t accepted his offer either. I like having options.”

A cold prickle shot down my back. “Why? Don’t I give you enough here?”

Her face fell and her shoulders straightened. I could see a change come over her. “You’ve offered me more than enough here.”

“So?”

“Grim,” she wiggled away and put a hand on her hip, “it’s complicated.”

“I’m listening.”

“All right. One minute I’m a just a hostess for your father’s hotel, and the next I’m trapped under someone I just killed, then you show up and…” She shook her head. “Next I’m being attacked, then I’m being stalked.” Her hands whirled about as she tried to find the words. “Then you and I suddenly become like animals and it’s like we can’t keep our hands off each other.” She stopped and her eyes pierced mine. “Then there’s you and Jenelle.” She sucked in a deep breath. “One moment I think we just might have something, then…” She stopped herself and closed her eyes. “I don’t know. Sometimes I wonder if it’s a good idea for me to stay at Indulge.”

“It’s not.”

“Really,” she scoffed. “That’s what you’ve decided to say.”

“I have plenty more to say.” She waved for me to keep going. “For starters, what did Sonny Conti talk to you about after Leo’s funeral? Why did you sit in the back with Elio, and why did you leave the reception alone, anyway? You’re a smart woman, Kenna. You know people are watching you. You know who you killed. Why would you leave alone, knowing all that?”

“Seriously?” she yelled.

“I’d like you to take this seriously.”

She raised her chin in the way I hated yet loved because I knew we were in for a fight. I felt my pants tighten. “Grim! You flung insult after insult at me, trying to take me down so I’d hurt just as much as you did! You’d let me in then tossed me out just as fast.” She was pissed and hot. “You chose vengeance over me,” she spat.

“I also chose you over my brother, and look where that got me!” I boomed when she hit that nerve.

“I know that!” She pushed my chest with both hands, but I didn’t budge, and that pissed her off further. “You’ve reminded me many times. Like it was my fault or your fault.” Tears suddenly filled her wild eyes. “It wasn’t either of our faults. It was a horrible thing that happened, but blaming me or you isn’t going to help.”

“Why the hell do you think I went after your father?” I shouted in her face, but she didn’t back down.

“No, you don’t!” She stepped closer, and I couldn’t help but glance down at her heaving chest. “What you need to take ownership for is to see that I was only trying to help protect you. I had to stop you from leaving. I was on your side, Grim. I knew we were being watched and that your family had to play it the right way.” She swiped away a tear that had slipped down her cheek, and her mouth opened and closed as though she was about to say something, then changed her mind. “And you knew by walking out that door that if you killed him, we were over, yet you still left.”

“He put a hit on me and got my brother instead,” I hissed and put a hand on her shoulder. “Anyone in my situation would have left.”

She slapped my hand away. “And anyone in my situation,” she poked my chest to drive her words home, “would have left too. So, I did.” She turned away, and I grabbed her hand.

“But I didn’t kill your father.”

Her mouth twisted as she thought. “Would you have if he was in his office that night?”

Fuck yes.

Well, maybe, yeah.

I thought for a moment as I took in her hurt expression, and something nagged at me. Would I have?

“Look,” her shoulders sagged, and she looked exhausted, “Sonny came to let me know the truth is coming. Whatever the hell that means. I can’t tell if he knows, but he made sure to scare the hell out of me.”

I hated that he got to her. “If he knew you killed Matt Mayers, you’d be dead, church or not.”

She nodded. “Then I guess I have my head for another day.”

Her phone rang, and I grabbed it off the bar and fought an internal battle not to look at the screen. I handed it to her and watched her send it to voicemail. She cursed under her breath as I moved closer to breathe in her scent. She was like a mantrap.

“Well, I can tell you, I’m over all of this.” She moved to sit on the couch, and I shut my mouth about how she was in too deep to hide her head in the sand now. “And I’m not going to dinner tomorrow night.”

I smiled and thought it was cute that she thought she had a choice. “You will go to dinner tomorrow night because I am your boss and it’s part of your job.” I poured myself a glass of wine from the open bottle and carried both glasses over to the couch.

“How is part of my job dealing with your bitch girlfriend?” She took the glass. “Do you enjoy the insults she flings at me?”

“I enjoy that you hold your own.” I took a sip of the cab sav. “What I don’t enjoy is another man poaching what’s mine.”

“And when did I become yours?” She set her glass down. “Because the last I remember, you had me tied up in your room, about to go kill my father without so much as listening to a word I said.”

A flash of her chained to my bed made my head go light. It was a beautiful sight. I loved the idea of having her all to myself and at my mercy. “Don’t think it won’t happen again,” I grinned, “having you there all to myself. You’re lucky you got away as easily as you did.”

Her eyes narrowed. “Next time, I’ll be more prepared.”

I grabbed her by the waist and hauled her onto my lap and snagged her wrists to hold her in place.

“Don’t threaten me with a good time, sweetheart.” I thrust my interest between her legs, but something flashed over her face I couldn’t pinpoint.

She pulled her hair over one shoulder and licked her lips as she looked down at me. She raised on her knees and shimmed her long dress up her thighs. I felt hungry for her as I skimmed my fingertips up her bare skin and over her smooth bottom. I loved that she wasn’t wearing anything under her dress; all that stuff just got in the way.

She reached back and slid the tie free from around her neck and allowed her breasts to break free. I leaned forward and kissed her across her collarbone and up her neck, and her breasts were warm as I palmed one.

“I need this.” I drew in her skin as I confessed without a care.

“And I needed you to hear me the other day,” she pulled back, “but you wouldn’t. So why should I give you my body?” Before I realized what was happening, she pushed off me and took a few steps back. Instantly, I felt a flash of anger.

“Kenna,” I warned, my head warm with wicked thoughts.

“If you care about me even in the slightest, leave.” She fixed her dress back in place. “Prove to me that you hear me when it counts.”

Fuck me!

I pushed to my feet. If she was anyone else, I would have lost my shit, but for some fucking reason, this woman had a hold on me.

I moved to tower over her as I weighed my decision. Everything screamed at me to take her, everything but one little spot in my fucking chest that gnawed at my core.

“You better be at that fucking dinner,” I growled. As the door shut, I swore I heard her exhale.