Page 76 of Sinner's Storm

I was still struggling to comprehend everything that had happened.

I loved my daughter. I didn’t know I could love someone so fast. My feelings for Harlow came naturally to me, almost as if they were instinctual.

I found myself at a loss when it came to Delany, unsure of how to process my thoughts and feelings about her. What bothered me the most was the missed opportunity to truly get to know each other. There was no playful banter, no romantic outings, no initial experiences of any kind. Sex was the sole foundation of our relationship.

For anyone else, that would be fine, but not for me.

When it came down to it, the idea of getting married and having children was something I had never even considered. It wasn’t something that appealed to my desires or necessities. I was content and satisfied with the life I had before. Enjoyed the rush, the freedom of it all. Mainly, I loved sampling the beauties that life offered. I just never imagined myself shackled to one woman for the rest of my life. And now, Montana expected me to form an unbreakable bond with someone I didn’t even know.

If I had the opportunity to spend more time getting to know my wife, it was possible that we could discover shared interests and find common ground. Maybe even nurture something profound. Considering the ever-present threat that weighed heavily on my mind, I was unsure I could manage my time effectively. I was completely in the dark about when Reaper would make an appearance or if he would make one at all. I understood Montana’s concern, but I couldn’t just snap my fingers and make my wife fall in love with me.

Last night when she submitted to me so beautifully, I stupidly thought that we could have a Dominant/Submissive relationship. That was something I was comfortable with, something I could wrap my head around. I think on some level, even after last night, I knew that wouldn’t work. While Delany deferred to me, I didn’t see her doing that for the rest of her life. Something told me that deep down, there was a stubbornness, a fighter within Delany. I saw a small part of that when she slapped me across the face.

I wanted to know the woman—all of her.

It was only right to be curious about the woman I’d married, and though I wished I had more time to do just that, time was ticking away fast. No matter what happened between us, I just hoped that when the time came, she would stand next to me.

Because I really wasn’t ready to die.

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Delany

Three days later...

“Are you sure I’m dressed alright?” I mumbled, fidgeting with the clutch in my hands. Never did I ever imagine myself attending one of the New York Society’s balls. To make things more interesting, it was the Fireman’s Ball.

The very ball dedicated to honor and remember the fallen firefighters of 9/11 and their families.

The very charity that was spearheaded by Jason, in remembrance of his father, uncle, and several cousins who perished that fateful day, along with many others. Tonight was supposed to be a night of celebration, to raise funds for the fallen families, and to celebrate their loved ones. Everyone who was anyone would be there. However, as time ticked away, the niggling feeling of impending doom took root in my stomach.

Expensive fancy charity parties weren’t the kind of thing that a twenty-eight-year-old middle-class mom got invited to. But I wasn’t just any middle-class mom anymore. I was the wife of Jason Calloway, the CEO of Calloway Investments.

“You look beautiful,” Jason said, standing before a mirror and adjusting his black bow tie.

I was going to a freaking black-tie ball.

When Jason told me I would be accompanying him, I tried to think of every excuse I could find to get out of it. I even feigned my monthly cycle. In the end, I was still washed, buffed, fluffed, and taped into a dress that cost more than I made in a year.

“Will there be cameras?”

“It’s a big night for the city, Delany. The paparazzi will be there, along with all the major news outlets and papers. Expect to have your picture taken many times.”

“What if someone says something?”

“They won’t.”

“Jason, maybe I shouldn’t go. This is a big night for you. They won’t want the daughter of a firefighter accused of murder there.”

“I will be with you the entire night,” he assured, turning to face me. I knew Jason was a handsome man with a wicked panty-melting smile, but dressed in a black tux, the man could easily make any woman bend to his will. So, when he walked over to me and took my hands in his, I couldn’t stop myself from gasping. “Nothing is going to happen. The club will be there and so will my mom and sister. Please trust me.”

Reluctantly, I nodded, even though something in my gut told me it was wrong.

Bespoke Rolls-Royces lined the street, each waiting their turn to stop before the red carpet, draped along the steps in front of the American Museum of Natural History, as cameras flashed like fireworks in the night sky.

Watching the partygoers ascend the red carpet as we waited our turn, something caught my attention. “Jason, are you sure I’m dressed correctly?”

“Yep,” he muttered, looking at his phone.