Page 49 of Perfect Sin
My eyes feast on him, as he does on me. He extends his elbow. “Are you ready to do this?”
I take his arm. “With you by my side, I’m ready for anything.”
* * *
Lucien isright at home meandering through the well heeled crowd. People stop and greet him, while I cling to Sin and hope no one notices me. I don’t know how he does it, smile and act like the dutiful son while knowing how Damien made it to this position.
Our father is somewhere in the crowd networking. It’s another con, but instead of dealing drugs, guns, or people, he’s selling them access to power. And here I am, helping him secure it so I can have a future with Sin.
Sin brushes my hair out of my face. “Dance with me. The guilt will hold for a song.”
I nod and let him lead me out to the dance floor. The music is not my style, never having been a fan of classical music, but it’s magic being in Sin’s arms. He’s right though, the guilt will hold.
Another song starts, and my father appears over Sin’s shoulder. “Mind if I cut in?”
Sin steps back, letting my father take his place. We resume dancing, but the music has lost its appeal. I notice a photographer move into position, and recognize the dance for what it is, a photo op. Mimicking Lucien, I paste a fake smile on my face and give them the picture they’re looking for, the dutiful daughter.
“Is this the part where you threaten me?” I ask while we spin around the floor.
“Why would I threaten you? You’ve proven more useful than I ever imagined. I don’t have to be the boogeyman in your nightmares,” my father says.
“As long as I do as I’m told?”
“Is that so hard? I’ll get Whitmore off your backs, and you help me win this election.”
“What will it be after that? How deep does this rabbit hole go, Dad?”
“Live in the moment, Raven. Isn’t that what teenagers are known for?”
“I don’t know. I haven’t been allowed to have many friends.”
“Raven, now is not the time for you to throw a tantrum. There is someone I’d like for you to meet,” he says as the song ends.
Sin waits off on the side of the dance floor. “Jackson,” my father gets his attention, “I was just telling Raven there were some people I’d like to introduce you both to.”
“Who would these people be? Important donors?” Sin asks.
“Let’s just say making this introduction is mutually beneficial,” Damien says with a smirk.
He jaunts off toward a balding man with a paunch. His suit is off the rack and slightly wrinkled. He doesn’t fit with the posh, polished crowd.
“Howard, glad you could make it.”
“Mr. Blackthorne, I told your assistant an invite to a fancy party isn’t going to get you the endorsement of The Post.”
“Of course not. That’s exactly why I want your endorsement. It carries weight. That’s why you’re here, to gather information to make your decision. While you’re here, I’d like to introduce you to my daughter and her husband. Jackson and Raven, I’d like to introduce you to Howard Morris.”
Howard turns his attention to us. “Jackson Whitmore, every reporter here is dying to interview you.”
Sin raises his eyebrows. “I hope they get used to disappointment.”
“Don’t you care to dispute your parents’ version?” Howard asks.
“Not really. The harder you try to deny something, the more people think you’re lying. The truth is, I don’t give a flying fuck what anyone thinks, except for Raven.”
He takes my hand and leads me back to the dance floor. “I thought the entire point to this party was to dispel the rumors your dad is throwing,” I say as he twirls me around the floor.
“That’s just a cover. Lucien and I have a little trip planned for later tonight.”