“I would never lie to you. All the profit from your work goes into your pocket. I know you’ve been hellbent on being a part of a family business, but I think you should start your own. No matter what, you’re a Sinner. We got you.”
I bounced on my tippy toes, knowing the business opportunity meant I was back in the game with Neptune’s blessing and a group ofSinnerswho wouldn’t let anything happen to me.
“Aren’t Michael and Anastasia here?” I froze. “Oh my God. Now, I’m more nervous than before.”
Neptune released my hands, making my heartbeat quicken.
“What are you doing?” I quizzed, dragging my voice. “Kasey will have a fit if we?—”
“What did I tell you, Kitty? You and me,” he muttered, then kissed my earlobe. “My job is to calm your nerves. I don’t need to see your face to do that. Bend over, Mrs. Sinner.”
Neptune
Echo looked me up and down when I returned to the first floor of the house.
“Damn, Nep. I thought you and Kannon ran off and eloped.”
“If I had it my way, we would’ve,” I admitted. “I had to make sure my wife was straight.”
Pluto’s brows met in the middle of his forehead. “Kannon having second thoughts?”
“Not at all. She’s in her feelings because her punk-ass sperm donor didn’t show up to walk her down the aisle.”
Easy walked out of the guest bathroom, adjusting his bowtie. “I can do it. Kannon doesn’t have to walk down the aisle by herself.”
My brother had always been a gentleman, so his offer came as no surprise. After our father died, I worried about Easy’s mental health. I planned for him to move in with Kannon and me, but he was adamant about needing his own space. I waited a few weeks, but we connected with a realtor and found him an apartment complex reserved for adults with special needs. The building had a college dorm energy to it, and aides lived on the premises, making me more comfortable with the transition.
“You don’t have to do that, but Kannon would love you more for it, Easy.” I approached my brother then smoothed down the collar of his jacket. “Why didn’t you bring Stephanie to Hawaii?”
“She didn’t want to miss school, and I respect her wishes.”
Pluto walked over and squeezed Easy’s shoulder. “Damn, Cuzzo. It sounds like you’re getting married next. I still can’t believe your brother is having this expensive-ass wedding.”
“I had to make my baby smile,” I replied. “I’m just happy she was down to limit the guest list. All our family isn’t here, and the bill is long.”
Echo dropped a laugh into his fist. “Funny you say that. Uncle Lester texted me this morning askingforhis invite to the function.”
Since I had been promoted to a higher place within the Sinner’s camp, I treated Uncle Lester and Levi like they didn’t exist. My uncle hated that the twins and I were in a better position in the family business than his son, but he only had himself to blame. While we spent summers cleaning the casino and running the cleaners, Levi was drag racing and blowing money. Nowadays, Pluto took the position as an arms dealer, Echo dealt with the legit businesses, and I ran The Sinner’s Spot.
“Lester knows why I don’t fuck with his jealous ass. Kannon forgave him for talking slick when she was pregnant, but I didn’t. Let thatniggastay at the cleaners with his son.”
Pluto shook his head. “You foul for that.”
“Nah. Had I broke his neck instead of his jaw, then you could say that. He better be glad I wasn’t the person who decided his fate. I would’ve kicked him out of the family for being a snake.”
“How are you going to exile him for doing business with the Blackstones when you’re about to marry one?”
“That was business. This here is personal.” I smiled like I couldn’t be called outonmy shit. “I need y’all to finish getting dressed. The wedding starts in an hour.”
While everyone found a corner for themselves, I went into the walk-in closet and grabbed my Prada tuxedo. As soon as I was alone, thetensionin my chest returned. I had been feeling it since we arrived in Hawaii, but I couldn’t pinpoint the source of my anxiety.
After thirty minutes of making sure I looked perfect for Kannon, I rejoined the group and noticed my mom sitting in a reading chair in the corner.She looked healthier now than when we reconnected, and a smile reached her eyes whenever Easy or I were around.
“What’s up, Valerie? Everything all right?” I kneeled in front of her chair.
“Everything is perfect. I stopped by to grab Nova. The wedding starts soon, and she’s walking down the aisle with her granny.” She shimmied her shoulders.
“Nova is upstairs with her mom. They had a few more pictures to take before the ceremony.”
