Sinners & Saints (Sinners & Saints #1)

by Ballinger, Chelsea

  “Is everything fine?” she asks. I didn’t even notice she was standing over me.

  “Yes,” I quickly say, gawking at her like an idiot. “Um, when will the food be coming?”

  Her eyes looked worried. I wasn’t complaining; I was trying to find another way to freaking talk to her.

  “Chef said it should be about fifteen more minutes. I’m very sorry.”

  “No, no, no.” I keep repeating it, shaking my head. “It’s fine. It’s not late. I mean…” I close my mouth and recover my words. “I was just wondering when the food will be out.”

  She smiles. It’s a smile that kind of makes you feel good about yourself. It’s big and bright and, more importantly, genuine.

  Her name is Anika. She’s average height, brown skin, black hair that has this bang that falls over her face and her eyes are a dark brown that have captured my attention since I first saw her four months ago. That’s why we come here every time they visit. They think it’s my favorite restaurant, but I could care less about the food.

  I can never get the courage to just say something other than order my food.

  “Cody.” My mom says my name, but I don’t see her. I just see Anika walking away.

  “Yeah,” I finally look at her.

  “She’s pretty.” She gives me that ‘boy stop playin’ look—meaning don’t even think about it. Look but don’t touch when it comes to girls not set to our standards. My mom doesn’t want me to get trapped by two kinds of women. A white girl that just wants to piss off her parents by dating a black man and a girl from a low class family, no matter what race. It’s very rude, I know, but that’s just how it is for the people on the top of the food chain. Metaphorically, wealth is all one big incest. We marry within the family. That’s why the people I live with are fucked up. I just got lucky. Most of their parents married each other because they were brother and sister and blood is thicker than water. Family sticks together… while secretly plotting one another’s assassinations.

  JULIET

  I learn a lot from August. Like how organized he is. He doesn’t like things out of place. He notices when I touch his toy car collection, with his permission of course. I pick up one of the cars. It’s a mustang; I do know that. It’s blue with white stripes. I place it back in its rightful spot on the black shelf, or so I think. August, with his finger pushes the toy car an inch to the left on the shelf.

  “How do you know that it’s not in the right spot?” I ask him as he goes back to drawing a maze in his sketchbook.

  “The sun always shines on it,” he answers still staring at the sketchbook. “The sun wasn’t shining when you put it back.”

  “Well, what happens when the sun isn’t out?”

  “Then I panic,” he answers in a normal tone. Panic is normal for him.

  “We like you, Juliet,” he suddenly says.

  “We?” I stare at him confused.

  “Hugo and I. We’re twins. Brothers. We are one. That’s what Hugo always says. After Mom went flying, I was really sad. Hugo decided we become one. Knife plus my hand equals blood. Knife plus Hugo’s hand equals blood. My blood plus Hugo’s blood equals… one.”

  “One,” I repeat in awe.

  “We like you.”

  I smile at August. “I like you too.” I do. I like them both.

  “What are you doing?” I turn around to see Hugo standing in the doorway.

  “August wanted to show me his amazing maze. Your brother is a creative genius.”

  “Yes, he is. I don’t understand why he would show you. He doesn’t show anyone.”

  “We like her, Hugo,” August tells him and I smile nodding.

  “Yes, Hugo. You like me,” I say. I notice the concern in his eyes. He’s not his usual stoic self. “You okay?”

  “Yes, I need to do some pull ups and take a shower. I’m about to have company.”

  “Don’t you want to figure it out? You always figure it out,” August eagerly asks.

  Hugo looks at me before answering. “I promise, August, I’ll figure it out later.” He walks up to him and gently rubs the top of his head and places his other hand on his right shoulder. “I promise,” he softly says and it’s the first time the tone in his voice sounds gentle.

  “Okay,” August nods, looking around. He’s upset, but okay.

  Hugo leaves the room and August scratches the back of his head and goes back to drawing. “He’s mad,” he says. “He only does pull ups three times a week. This is his fourth time.”

  I am a nuisance. I could just leave Hugo alone yet I am walking into his room. Not only is his shirt already removed but everything but his blue and red Calvin Klein boxer briefs that have a nice sized bulge. Oh God. Fuck. Shit. Every foul thing in the dictionary, basically.

  He just lifts himself up on the black pull up bar that’s bolted on his bathroom door frame. Over and over again. His stomach flexes every time he goes up.

  “Do you always do pull ups in your underwear?”

  He doesn’t answer. “You are very good at those. I can’t even do one.”

  “Anyone can do it,” he says between breaths and pulls. “You just have to believe you can and work at it.”

  “So, you do have a heart.”

  “What do you want?” He’s annoyed now.

  “Wow, you are just full of emotions right now.”

  “Do I look like I have time for this right now?”

  “No, you don’t. August told me you were mad.”

  “He doesn’t know shit.”

  My eyes broaden at his sharp tone. “Yep, you are in a bad mood. Well, I’ll wait to bother you when you’re in a lighter one.”

  “I’m never in a lighter mood.”

  I scoff at him. “Please, spare me the rebel without a cause bull.”

  “You know James Dean?” He’s being condescending.

  “I’m British, not a bloody alien,” I fire back as he does his last pull up. I think he did thirty. He drops on his feet and narrows his eyes at me. “Speaking of nationality, I thought British were supposed to be stiff and non-huggers with bad teeth.”

  “That stereotype really gets old. Half true, but not all. It’s like saying all Americans are obese and idiots, which I’m starting to think is true.”

  “On the contrary, most people in America are idiots… and obese.”

  “Oh, except you.”

  “You said it.” He comes closer. He’s blatantly ignoring the fact that he’s still in his underwear. Oh God, here he goes with that sexy seductive look again. I can feel my body getting warmer.

  “Because you don’t feel anything for anyone, right?” It comes out more of a whisper because of the Adonis standing close to me. “You honestly don’t feel an inch of love for your brother?”

  “I am obligated to him. I feel sorry for him.” His answer is like throwing cold water over me. Finally, I can get my shit together.

  “I think you feel sorry for yourself,” I tell him and his brow creases.

  “I think you are the most vexatious human being I have ever met.”

  “You read the dictionary a lot, don’t you?”

  “Wha- what do you think this is?” he stammers. “You think this is a classic tale where the beautiful, funny girl captures the heart of the villain and makes him change his ways, saving him from a life full of atrocity?”

  I smile and I am shamelessly blushing at him. “So you think I’m funny and beautiful?”

  He rolls his eyes as I laugh. I swear I see a smile trying to slip out as the right corner of his mouth goes up for a moment. “I think your eyes are crooked, your nose is small and long at the same time, your lips are too thin and you have neither breasts nor ass.”

  “My top lip is only thin, my nose is small, not crooked, my bra size is in the lower B area but they’re still grip worthy and I do have an arse… when it’s naked.” I arch my brow and smirk.

  He licks his lips before answering. “But despite physical lackluster, yes.” The way he loo
ks at me now it’s as if he’s now realizing it himself. “You are quite beautiful. Your personality needs work.”

  “So, you think I shouldn’t have any?”

  “No, I didn’t say that.”

  “Or maybe I should have a narcissistic personality like your good mate, Scarlett.”

  “Maybe you should.”

  “What is it about her for you?”

  “She understands me.”

  “No, she understands what she turned you into.”

  “I see.” He nods his head and walks away, grabbing the nearest towel. “You’ve been getting information about me.”

  “I’m curious.” I shrug as he faces me. Without hesitation, he removes his briefs. He dares me to look down with his semi smirk, the bastard. I will not. I will not look down. “I heard you used to not be this way.” Finally, he’s wrapping a towel over him. “I heard you actually used to smile and laugh.” I pause before pushing. I probably shouldn’t, but like I said before, I never listen to my first right mind. “I heard about your mum… and that you were the one who… I’m sorry you had to go through that. That should’ve-“

  “Yes,” he interrupts me. “I witnessed my mother jump off the balcony and into her brutal demise. If only I would’ve been a minute later to not witness it or a minute early. Maybe I could have saved her. Nothing shocking. It’s all the same sad story. The same what ifs. Spare me.”

  His eyes are cold. His body is hard. His heart is steel. I just want to break through.

  “Well, really what I was going to say is that… if your mum did see you watching her before she jumped… then she shouldn’t have jumped.”

  The large bump in his throat and the look on his face as if I stabbed him in the chest indicates that I have just broke through.

  “She shouldn’t have done that to you. I don’t care if she still would’ve wanted to kill herself. She should have rescheduled instead of letting her own son witness the most horrific thing that would haunt him for the rest of his life. As a final favor to you, she should have at least granted you that.”

  His right hand is trembling. His face is strained. He’s just a statue, but now the cracks are beginning show.

  “Excuse me, sir.” The butler, Thomas, is at the doorway. “Your guests have arrived.”

  Two girls appear behind him. I laugh a little shaking my head. One is a red head with a yellow sundress on and the other is a black girl with a white top and jeans. Both very beautiful.

  “Juliet this is Kirsten Vaughn and Lindsey O’Connell,” Hugo introduces us. “Come in.”

  They both walk in, saying hi, smiling. I don’t judge, but my mild jealousy is forcing me too. I can’t help but scream at them in my head, shouting, Sluts! Whores! Hoes! Skanks! What’s the new one? Thots! I kind of like that word.

  The red head stares up and down at me. “Will she be joining us?” she asks.

  I’m flattered and at the end of the day I can’t help but adore these girls. I adore everyone at first.

  I look back at Hugo and that same mask appears. His eyes blank, a semi smirk, back to challenging me. “Well, Juliet? It is a very spacious shower.”

  “No, I won’t be joining.” I wink at the girls and make one last request. “But do be extra good to him girls, he’s had a rough day.”

  10

  SCARLETT

  “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you about my mom and Rebecca coming here for the summer,” Patrick says staring at me through the mirror. I’m combing through my wet hair, having just taken a shower after getting back from the gym in the building. I needed to release some steam through cardio and yoga.

  “Its fine,” I lie, smiling at him. A bright smile flashes across his face.

  “So was the girl’s sleepover fun last night?”

  I smile to myself remembering all the dirty things Hugo and I did last night. “Yes, it was wonderful.” I can’t believe Patrick actually thinks I had a sleepover with the girls.

  “I like em. They are very… out there, but they were okay enough. Hugo definitely is a hard one.”

  “Yeah, he’s always been like that.”

  “Was his brother Gabriel like that?” I stop combing my hair.

  “Gabriel was more… charismatic. He could laugh and smile without a problem, but that’s what made him a great liar too.”

  “I know you don’t like talking about him. I was just curious because when I saw those family pictures, Hugo and Gabriel looked alike just… next to different Scarlett’s, I suppose. It’s very obvious that Hugo sees you as more than a friend too.”

  “Oh?” I slyly grin.

  “Don’t ‘oh’ me. I know you know. You know everything.”

  “Hugo likes what he can’t have.”

  “And he’s never had you, right?” He sounds a little irritated.

  I turn my head looking at him. “What’s going on?”

  He closes his eyes and sighs. “Nothing.”

  “Then don’t be absurd, Patrick. When Hugo and I were both staying at Ms. Eleanor’s, he was a kid. I did some pretty shitty things but not that. A lot of people think we did, but no. I told you that. Gabriel was my first. He died. Then came other guys.”

  He raises his hand up, wincing. “I know. I know. I don’t want to rehash the past roster. I’m sorry.” Frustrated, he pulls his hair. “It’s work and my mom being here now. I just… I’m taking it out on you.”

  “Well, I know your mom has fished for every truth pertaining to a rumor about me, but what’s going on with work?”

  He looks at me with his hands on his hips, contemplating if he should tell me. “There is a bidding for a very promising technology software.”

  “What?”

  “It’s called NeoLock. It’s a new data protection system. Scarlett, this thing can do it all when it comes to encryption, security, data loss prevention, anything that has anything to do with protecting valuable and important information virally.” He’s getting excited, speaking about this. “Remember that meeting I had to go to last month? Well, that was to see this thing tested out. Babe, it is the future. It can and it will drive data protections like CipherCloud to the ground. This thing creates a whole other cloud. Already Wall Street firms, banks in other countries, I even heard Google is looking towards buying this thing. Could you imagine what this could do for Townsend?”

  “Yes, I do.” The possibility of being on top makes me wet. “So what’s the problem?”

  His smile faints a little. “NeoLock needs five investors. They already have two locked down. One of them being the company that designed it. Now looking for three more.”

  “Who designed it?”

  “Harper Industries.”

  “Edward Harper? Self-made millionaire, now with this he’ll be a billionaire. I know his daughter. She’s married to ”

  “Jonathan Mandrake, your friend Hugo’s father.”

  I can’t help but laugh. Of course, my Hugo’s family would be in the way of my impending reign.

  “Rumors of Harper creating this newfound technology circulated three years ago.”

  “I know,” I smile remembering one of my lovers, a CEO of a software company mentioning it to me. “No one took it serious though. Harper Industries doesn’t normally focus on technology.”

  “Yeah, well the old man finally caught up.”

  “It explains Hugo’s dad’s interest in Kelly Harper at the time.”

  Patrick gapes at me. He’s so ignorant. “You think he deliberately married her so he could get in with Harper?”

  “Yeah, why not? Patrick your company has always been one step above his along with the already two companies lined up to invest, I am sure of it. Jonathan Mandrake likes to be on top just like the rest of you men. He gets a hot wife and more billions, two wins.”

  “So that’s what you think men want? Sexy wife, more money.”

  “Most. It’s the oldest trick in the trade. Woo the daughter to get the father. I’ve seen it played many times and so have you. You jus
t choose to see the best in people.”

  “I saw the best in you.”

  “You did, which is why I love you.” I wrap my arms around his neck and he wraps his around my waist.

  “Well, either way Mandrakes got this in the bag. The board members want me to offer more money, but it’s too much of a risk with our other investments. I’m not willing to lose my family’s company or myself over this. Hopefully, he’ll take our offer and drop one of the others.” He kisses me on the forehead and heads into the bathroom.

  “Who are the other companies?!” I call out asking, but I have an idea who. He peaks his out.

  “Uh, Dole Capital is the one that’s locked down but the ones in the bid that will probably get it are Rocket Co, Transcend Q, and Keegan.”

  “As in Tom Keegan?”

  “Yep, the son, right? You know him?” he asks as he runs the shower.

  “Yes, I do.” I grin. “He was a friend of my father’s.”

  HUGO

  “So what’s up with you, Mandrake?” Kirsten asks me. She’s lying next to me while Lindsey is at the foot of the bed. Both of them naked under my sheets.