Page 40 of Sins
“Hey.” She looked over my shoulder, and I could tell by the way she smiled she was aware of what was going on around the other side of the trees. “They think they’re fooling me,” she whispered and motioned for me to follow her farther away from them, “but I know they’ve had something for years now.”
“You know who Vinni’s with?”
“Sí.” She chuckled but didn’t go any further, which I honestly respected. People should be entitled to their privacy.
“Shouldn’t you be on stage right now?”
She shrugged. “Grim and Elio can handle it. The two of them could win over a priest to commit a sin, so…” She laughed at her dark joke. “Frankly, I don’t need to waste another breath on Rosa and Tieri’s death. Once it’s truly done, that will be enough for me.” There was a lightness to her voice. “Knowing those twoare finally gone forever will bring renewed peace for our family.” She looked concerned. “I saw you run out. Are you all right?”
“I’m fine. I just needed a little air.” I turned away to look at some flowers.
“I heard you met Emiliano.”
I eyed her. “You heard? Or were you roped into something by those two matchmaking friends of mine?”
“He’s not hard on the eyes,” she side-stepped my comment, “and he’s also very single.”
I crossed my arms and huffed out a breath. “Honestly, between everything going on back in Vegas, our close call, and… and, well, Grim, I think I’m about done right now. Men, especially single ones are very low on my priority list.” I sagged onto the bench, feeling the weight of my life press down on me.
She studied me for a moment then touched a purple flower that hung off a bush. “I’m sorry, Kenna, that you got wrapped up in my life here. What happened at the market is just part of it all.”
“Sadly, it’s not overly new for me either.”
She sat next to me. “No, I guess not.” Her nose scrunched as she looked at me. “Have you been getting much sleep? No matter how many times I’ve been shot at, it takes its toll.”
“Grim tires me out,” I confessed, “but I’m fine in the sleep department. And yeah, this whole thing has been utterly exhausting.” I rubbed my forehead and sighed.
She stood and held out a hand. “Will you do something for me?”
“Sure. What?” I pushed to my feet and took her hand.
“Just humor me, okay? Come with me.”
I followed her back inside as thoughts of a soft pillow began to sound like a lovely idea.
** *
The next morningcame all too fast. The sun beat through the windows and woke me out of my deep sleep. Sienna had given me a tour of her library on the way upstairs the night before after I did as she asked. She said it was the perfect place if I needed time alone. She brought me a cozy blanket and urged me to rest there.
Tears prickled my eyes when I felt my phone vibrate in my pocket. Four missed calls from Grim and an endless number of text messages, also from Grim. Sienna had promised to explain my absence and make it okay with the others. I had been too exhausted to entertain the idea of going back to the party. I needed time to think.
I slipped out the side door and froze when I heard a voice.
“Why someone would look so guilty leaving a library makes me very curious as to what you might have read.” Vinni grinned.
“It’s a gift.” I smiled.
He took my arm and walked with me. A fancy breakfast table was set outside the open garden doors, and Andrea and Laurel enjoyed coffee in the lovely setting. Vinni gave me a hug and retreated into the house.
I straightened my shoulders and tried not to show I had shed tears the night before. “You’re all up early.” I smiled at them. It was just after seven thirty. “I figured you’d be tired after such a successful celebration.”
“Most everyone is still sleeping, but we’re on grandkid duty.” Andrea smiled proudly. “We wanted to let their parents have the morning off.”
“That’s kind.” I squinted at the sun and thought how nice it felt on my face.
Laurel slipped her hand into mine. “Are you feeling all right? You left the party early.”
“Yes.” I looked down. “I think yesterday took a toll on me.” A shiver ran through me. “But I’m feeling much better.”