Page 20 of Deadly Sins: Lust

I bet he knew the right thing to say in any situation to produce the results he wanted. I could see why he was a politician.

Like the puppet she was, Layla nodded and did what he asked.

“Before you go, I have a question for you, Layla,” I said. “Marissa was keeping something from Nick, and since she’s no longer alive, there’s no use keeping her secret now. What didn’t she tell him?”

She responded by raising her middle finger.

“Oh, by the way,” I said. “Thanks for recommending Pelican. It’s a good restaurant. The bartenders are great. Love those guys.”

I had hoped the realization that I was aware of her sexual escapade would work in my favor. Instead, she went into the house and slammed the door.

James laughed.

“You’re marrying a feisty woman,” I said. “In your position, doesn’t that concern you?”

He smiled. “Her gutty personality is the best thing about her. She can be reasoned with.”

Reasoned withseemed like a polite way of him saying she could be controlled.

“I know what Layla did the other night,” he said. “She told me.”

I laughed. “I’m sure you don’t know everything.”

“She had sex with another man. Was there something else?”

He said it without blinking, like he was indifferent to the idea of Layla being with anyone else.

“She told you?” I asked.

“It was my idea.”

“The thought of her having sex with another man doesn’t bother you?”

“Why should it? We have an open, honest relationship. I have never lied to her about anything. We love each other. That’s all that matters.”

While I remained speechless, Maddie lit up like she wanted to give the man a standing ovation.

He glanced at his phone. “It’s getting late, and we have a wedding rehearsal in the morning. It was nice meeting you both, and I’m sorry you’ve come all this way for nothing. Stick around for a while if you like, but face the truth about Marissa’s death. Stop looking for something that doesn’t exist.”

“Is that a suggestion?” I asked.

“It is. One I’d advise you to follow.”

“Or what? I’ve heard rumors about you.”

He gazed at me for a time, unaffected, and then said, “Funny thing, rumors. Hard to know what’s true and what’s not.”

CHAPTER 15

The following morning, we woke to the sound of Maddie’s cell phone buzzing. She yawned and grabbed it off the nightstand.

“Who is it?” I asked.

“I’m not sure. I don’t recognize the number.”

She put the call on speaker. “Hello?”

“Madison, this is Victoria Bennett.”