Page 50 of Taken By Sin
Me: Where are you?
Bria: Staying in Paris for the night. I’ll be home tomorrow.
Me: Ugh.
Bria: Everything okay?
How do I explain without sounding like a child?Your brother is mean.
Me: Sin is the biggest asshole I’ve ever met.
Bria: Lol you cursing is the best.
Me: Seriously, I have to get out of here.
My phone rings a moment later.
“Hey,” I say quietly.
Bria’s voice is calm, gentle. “I’m sorry you’re seeing this side of him. I’m not sure what he did, but Sin can be brutal at points.”
A small laugh escapes me as a tear falls on my cheek. “He’s terrible. I don’t know what to do,” I admit.
“Magnolia, you don’t have to be anywhere you don’t want to be, okay?” She has all of the confidence in the world. “Ever.”
A sob bubbles up in my throat, threatening to escape. “I don’t have anywhere else to go.”
“Didn’t Sin give you a card?” she asks.
I nod, although she can’t see me. “Yes, but he’s going to know exactly what I’m doing.” Not that he would come looking for me, because he couldn’t give ‘two shits about me.’
“True. Listen.” She’s walking, probably down a busy Parisian street. “Go into my room.” I follow her instructions,stepping quietly in my socks. Axle is on my heels, and I worry the little pitter-patter of his feet will give my location away.
“Here,” I tell her.
“Good,” she laughs at my rebellion. “Go into my closet, open up the third drawer on the island.”
I slip open the drawer filled with shimmering diamonds. “I don’t think jewelry will help my emotional state.”
“You underestimate diamonds.” I hear her smile through the phone. “Do you see the small silk ribbon, back left corner?” I run my finger along the smooth velvet liner until I reach the silk piece. “Pull it.”
I lift the corner, gently setting the velvet tray of glittering diamonds on top of the island. A row of cards, phones, and ID’s that resemble her lay on the tray.
“You okay?” she asks.
“Yes, just…” I don’t know how to word this. “Why do you have…”
“So many IDs?” She snickers. “Sin isn’t the only one who likes to keep safe, listen Magnolia, take the black card with gold numbers and slip it in your pocket.”
I do as instructed. “Where do I go?”
“Pick the fanciest hotel; there is no limit on that card, order whatever you want. Just be careful and pick one close by.”
I laugh knowing I’m not going to be doing that. “Bria… I don’t want to spend your money.”
“I know, I know… but it comes out of Sin’s pocket,” she teases.
“Oh, I’m definitely getting room servicethen.”