Awakened by Sin (Crime Lord Series Book 4)

by Mia Knight

  “I don’t know.”

  “You don’t know?” She downed the pain pills and accepted the spoon he offered, clearly indicating he wanted her to eat the oatmeal.

  “Never met my father, don’t know what happened to my mother. I was taken from her and put in state custody.” He sat at the head of the table and angled himself in her direction. “I was put in an institute before doing a round of foster homes.” He shrugged. “It’s inevitable that I would get mixed up with kids like Maddog and others connected to the underworld. It’s what happens to most strays.”

  Her spoon clattered to the table. “Stray?” she choked out in outrage. “You’re not a stray!”

  He grinned. “I’m not?”

  She smacked her hand on the table. “What are you smiling about? This isn’t funny!”

  “Carmen, that was a long time ago.”

  “You’re not a stray,” she muttered as she grabbed another piece of bacon. Just the thought of Marcus labeling himself as that pissed her off.

  “Strays don’t have family.”

  “You do have family! Me and Gavin and Lyla …” Her voice trailed off. She sat back as it hit her. “That’s why you’re so loyal to Gavin. He’s your first family.”

  He stared at her for a long moment before he inclined his head. “Yes. Gavin’s stuck with me whether he likes it or not. I would never betray him.”

  Her eyes stung with tears. She looked down to hide them. “Right. Well, that means you aren’t a stray anymore. You have somewhere to go during the holidays.” She silently vowed that even when this thing between them ended, their relationship would remain civil. Everyone needed family.

  “Carmen?”

  She cleared her throat as she brushed invisible lint off her thigh. “Yeah?”

  He cupped her chin and lifted it so she couldn’t avoid his gaze. He examined her shimmery eyes and wiped away a tear that leaked out of the corner.

  “I’m fine,” he said.

  She nodded. “Yes, you are. I just … didn’t know.”

  He retracted his hand. “It’s not something I blab about.”

  Of course, he wouldn’t. She waved a hand. “I’m sorry. It’s none of my business.” She grabbed her spoon and dug into her oatmeal. “Subject change. Do I snore?”

  He blinked. “What?”

  “Did I snore last night?”

  “No,” he said slowly.

  “Good to know. I do that when I’m really exhausted.”

  Her phone rang. When she looked around, Marcus rose and fetched it from her clutch. He glanced at the screen and his brows came together as he handed it to her. She answered on the last ring.

  “Connie?”

  “What kind of rock do you want?” Cormac Hart asked.

  “What?”

  “I was doing an interview, and you came up. Apparently, a picture of us is circulating the internet. I figure we’ll be engaged next, so what kind of rock do you want?”

  She didn’t even have to think about it. “I want a six-carat pink diamond ring.”

  She winked at Marcus who towered over her.

  “How much is that going to set me back?” Cormac asked.

  “Just one million,” she said airily.

  “Fuck that. See, that’s why I’m never getting married. Hey, if Gavin isn’t cock-blocking, I have a friend who’s bugging the hell out of me about you. You want to meet the asshole?”

  Marcus did not look happy. She beamed at him. He was so dang cute.

  “I’m with someone, but thanks,” she said.

  “Not surprised. Only a matter of time before someone picked you up. You coming to my next fight?”

  “Sure. Just let me know when and where.”

  “Will do. Gotta go, babe.”

  “Bye, Con.” She hung up and scrolled through her messages.

  She had missed calls from Lyla, Mom, Maddie, Kiki, and Luci. Maddie was done with her test and wanted to do something. She sent her a quick text, saying she wanted to do nails and hair before she texted Shonda.

  “Cormac Hart asked what kind of jewelry you want?” Marcus asked.

  “Some reporter asked him about us. There’s a picture of us on the internet from that party where you and I fucked in the laundry room. He was messing around, asking what kind of engagement ring I want.”

  “He calls you often?”

  “No, but we party from time to time. Con and I go way back.”

  Marcus sat. “How far back?”

  “I sponsored him when no one else would.”

  His brows shot up. “You sponsored a fighter?”

  “I believed in him. He had heart.” She shrugged. “I met him in my stripper days. He came in, and we clicked. He’s a good guy although he acts like a douche. I have a thing for underdogs.”

  “A stripper who invests in fighters, dates one of the wealthiest men in the state, is behind the most successful clubs and restaurants on The Strip, knows how to handle a gun, and looks like a supermodel …” Marcus shook his head. “Like I said, you scare me.”

  “You should be afraid,” she said loftily as she popped grapes in her mouth. “I’m a kamikaze with a cause.”

  He grinned. “That you are.”

  “My parents let me be who I wanted.” She ignored the dull ache in her chest. “My dad was an enforcer, so I know the good, bad, and ugly of Las Vegas. He kept me from it as best as he could. He told me I was a princess.” She smiled sadly as she stared out at The Strip, which lacked the punch and magic that it had at night. “He was a great dad. The best. If you think I’m a brat, blame him.”

  “I think he did a damn good job.”

  She rose from her seat and leaned down so they were face to face. “You’re sweet.” She kissed his lips, but pulled away before he could open his mouth. “You’re sexy.” Another kiss, this time on the corner of his lips. “And you fuck like a porn star.” One last kiss before she looked into his eyes. “And you’ll always have a friend in me.”

  His hand curled around her nape. “Promise?”

  She nodded. “Promise.”

  Marcus was just as much a part of the family as she was. No matter what, they would find a way to remain friends. No man had been able to put up with her for long. What he thought was sexy and exciting now would fade. He needed order and routine and control—those words weren’t part of her vocabulary. She would ride the wave for now and try to find herself before it ended.

  “I guess I’ll let you use my body then. That’s what good friends do, right?” he murmured.

  She ran a hand down his chest. “Yep. Whatever’s required. It’s in the best friend contract.”

  “What about the family contract?”

  “That means you put up with my craziness. You’re doing a damn good job so far.” Her phone beeped, and she straightened. “I have to pick up Maddie.”

  “Your future stepsister?”

  She shrugged. “She’s my sister now even though we’re waiting for them to get married.” She tucked her clutch under her arm and headed toward the exit. She paused beside the large lion fountain and bobbed her brows at Marcus. “We could have done crazy shit on this lion.”

  His eyes gleamed. “Next time.”

  “I’m counting on it.”

  “Everything’s all right at the house?” he asked.

  “Everything’s great. Now that I’ve settled in, I can focus on other things. I want to start my pole classes again, see my friends, spend time with Lyla, get her out and about …”

  “You’re supposed to stay out of sight,” he reminded her mildly as they boarded the elevator.

  “I’ll leave that to Mickey and Frederick.” Because he looked concerned, she added, “I won’t take unnecessary risks.”

  “Good.”

  The elevator doors opened, and Frederick and Mickey stepped in.

  “Hey, boys,” she said.

  Frederick didn’t respond, but Mickey winked at her. They stood in front of them as they traveled down to the ground
floor. They strolled through the casino with Frederick and Mickey flanking them. They were passing the bar when someone called out to Marcus. He paused as a handsome, exotic-looking man held out a hand.

  “Best birthday bash ever,” he said as he shook Marcus’s hand.

  “You’re welcome. Khalid, this is Carmen Pyre. Carmen, this is our guest of honor. He’s visiting from Dubai and interested in some Pyre Casinos projects,” Marcus said.

  She shook Khalid’s hand. “Happy Birthday. Your bash had quite the guest list.”

  “Pyre?” Khalid echoed.

  “I was married to the former COO,” she said.

  Khalid nodded. “I see. Very nice to meet you. Where are you off to?”

  “I have an appointment,” she said.

  He gestured to the bar, which was packed with men. “Have a drink with us. I’m sure your appointment can wait.”

  She retracted her hand and gave him a plastic smile. “Sorry, I’m busy. I’m sure Marcus can find you some companions for the day.”

  Khalid handed her a black business card with gold script. “When you’re finished with your appointment, call me. I’ll be in town for the rest of the week.” He cocked his head. “Have you ever been to Dubai?”

  He was forward as fuck, not surprising since he was a billionaire. He thought she would fall at his feet or rearrange her life for a day with him. If he wasn’t a potential investor for Pyre Casinos she would have told him to shove it. Instead, she took the card and slipped it into her back pocket.

  “I haven’t been to Dubai yet. It’s on my list.” She elbowed Marcus. “We should go someday.”

  “Maybe we will,” Marcus said.

  Khalid looked between them before he inclined his head. “I’ll let you get to your appointment.”

  “And we’ll let you get back to celebrating,” she said and took Marcus’s arm. She waved at Khalid’s entourage who were watching avidly and continued along the heavily carpeted path. “We really should go to Dubai. You need to travel, and I can add another destination to my list.”

  “Does that happen a lot?”

  “What?”

  “Hitting on you?”

  She glanced at him. “Of course.”

  “Must get annoying.”

  She sighed dramatically. “A cross I have to bear.”

  “Gavin’s here.”

  She looked ahead and saw Gavin cutting a path through the crowd with Alice at his side. She was half running to keep up with his long strides. Gavin clearly wasn’t going to shorten his stride for her, the jerk. Alice had a clipboard in hand and wore a long, hideous jean skirt with black leggings and a sweater vest. When Gavin spotted them, he stopped in his tracks, and his eyes narrowed to slits. Alice stopped and looked to see what had captured Gavin’s attention. She spotted them, and her mouth dropped open.

  Carmen gave him a broad smile. “Hey, psycho!”

  Marcus snickered while Gavin bared his teeth. “What the fuck is this?”

  “What’s what?” she asked, playing stupid and enjoying every moment.

  Gavin’s finger drifted between them. “This.” His voice dripped with venom.

  “We’re friends,” she said, sounding bewildered.

  “You’re touching him,” Gavin said through clenched teeth. “You used to avoid him, and now you’re touching him, and it’s morning. What are you doing here so early?”

  “Didn’t Lyla tell you we’re living together?” she asked.

  Gavin looked like he was going shit a brick. “What the fuck, Marcus?”

  “Don’t worry about it,” Marcus said.

  “Don’t worry?” Gavin stepped up to Marcus and hissed, “You don’t know her like I do. She’ll ruin your life.”

  His words speared straight to her gut. Did he mean if it hadn’t been for her, Vinny would still be here? She raised her clutch to bash him across the face, but Marcus pulled her back.

  “I’ll take care of him,” Marcus promised. “I have business to discuss with him, and you have an appointment.”

  She glared at Gavin over Marcus’s shoulder. “You’re going to pay for that,” she promised before she wrapped her arms around Marcus and gave him a long, deep kiss. “Thanks for last night, baby.”

  She turned and found Alice staring at her with bulging eyes. She hooked her arm with Alice and announced, “We have things to discuss. She’ll be gone the rest of the day.”

  “What? No, I—” Alice squeaked.

  “You need to talk to me about the auction, don’t you?” She turned to Marcus and Gavin and said, “All the proceeds for my donations will go to the Pyre Foundation. Alice and I haven’t discussed the details, which we’ll do at the salon. Toodles.”

  She dragged Alice toward the exit with Mickey leading the way.

  “Good news, you have some time off,” she said brightly to Alice. “I cleared it with your bosses. Don’t worry.”

  “Carmen, I couldn’t possibly—”

  “You can and will. We do need to talk about my donation, don’t we?”

  “Well, yes. I was just talking to Mr. Pyre about it before he noticed you and … Wait, you and Marcus?”

  Alice’s incredulous excitement raised her spirits again. She grinned. “Yup. He’s the best fuck. I’ll tell you about it while we get our nails done.”

  She ignored Alice’s scandalized gasp as they walked out of the casino and waited for their car to be brought around.

  “We’re swinging by the university to pick up my sister and then we’re going to the salon. You guys can get whatever you want done,” Carmen said to Frederick and Mickey before she called Lyla. “Heya, I’m doing a girls’ day. You should come. You need to meet Maddie.”

  “Gavin’s calling me, and it hasn’t even been an hour since he left,” Lyla grumbled.

  “It’s about me. I just told him I’m fucking Marcus, and he said I would ruin his life.”

  “He what?” Lyla snapped. “Who you bang is none of his damn business!”

  “No worries. Marcus is tougher than you think. So, hair? Nails? Gossip? Salon?”

  “I’ll be there,” Lyla said before she hung up.

  “Excellent.” She texted her mom and Janice. “You know what Janice’s schedule is?”

  Alice shook her head as their SUV pulled up. Mickey opened the back door, and they climbed in. She let Maddie know they were on their way and turned to Alice, who was biting her nails.

  “What?” she asked.

  “You can’t just tell Marcus and Mr. Pyre that I’m going to get my nails done!” Alice burst out.

  “Why not?”

  “Because they’re my bosses.”

  “Technically, I’m also your boss,” she said casually. “I inherited Vinny’s shares, which means I own a piece of Pyre Casinos. I let them do what they want, but I can make their lives hell if I want to.” She shrugged. “But they know what they’re doing, so I don’t intervene.”

  “Y-you own a part of Pyre Casinos?” Alice asked faintly.

  “Yup.”

  “You and Gavin don’t seem to be on the best terms. I mean, if you wanted to, you could do major damage to …” Alice stopped, looking horrified. “I mean, not that you would—”

  “Hmm.” Carmen tapped her lips. “You know, that’s a great idea.”

  “Oh, my gosh! I didn’t mean it like that!”

  “You’re right. I should make his life a living hell. How dare he say I’m going to ruin Marcus’s life? I have a good thing going, and he’s trying to take away my sex on tap. What an ass, right?” She pulled out her phone, which Alice snatched and hid behind her back. “Alice, give.”

  “Obviously, you know how to handle Mr. Pyre. You two have history. You’re family! Don’t take my advice.”

  “Fine. Noted. Now, give me my phone.”

  “What are you going to do?”

  “Sell my shares or blackmail Gavin into saying sorry.”

  Alice’s eyes bulged with panic. “You can’t! Oh my God!”


  Carmen burst out laughing. “Alice, I’m kidding.”

  “No, you’re not.”

  “I am. If I really wanted to hit him where it hurts, I’d just take Lyla on vacation without telling him and set up cameras to watch him combust.” She held out a hand. “Gavin’s an ass, but I would never mess with Pyre Casinos. Business is business, and we both know that. Now, give.”

  “You promise?” Alice asked.

  “Yes.” When Alice extended the phone, she snatched it and saw that Janice and her mom were gonna meet her at the salon. “Girls’ day! Woohoo! I am feeling good, baby!” She leaned between the front seats. “What about you two? Feeling good?”

  “Fletcher put us up in a room. Nicest bed I ever slept on,” Mickey said.

  “What about you, Freddy?” she asked, poking him in the arm.

  “Fine,” he grunted.

  “You guys gonna get pedis?”

  “No,” Frederick snapped. “We’re trained guards, not pansies.”

  “Suit yourself.”

  She sat back and rolled down her window as they pulled up to the university. Maddie sat on the stairs with ripped jeans, a baseball cap, and her nose buried in a book.

  “Maddie!” she hollered, making a bunch of college kids look around. She winked at a cutie who could be a double for Justin Bieber before she moved over so Maddie could get in.

  “Hey, baby,” she said as she tossed an arm over her shoulders. “What’s shakin’?”

  Maddie eyed her. “You’re happy.”

  Alice leaned forward so she could inform Maddie, “She’s dating Marcus.”

  “Banging, not dating,” she corrected as she took off Maddie’s cap and ran her hands through her hair. “You’re a virgin, aren’t you?”

  Maddie jerked. “What?”

  Alice elbowed her in the ribs. “Leave her be, Carmen. I am too, Maddie. There’s nothing to be ashamed of.”

  “I meant her hair is virgin,” Carmen said and elbowed Alice back. “You want to do something to your hair?”

  “Do something?”

  Carmen fluffed her own blazing red hair, which needed a touch-up. “You want to be a mermaid, a unicorn, a Playboy bunny? What are kids doing these days?”

  “I wouldn’t know,” Maddie said.

  “What do you mean? You’re in college. You’re boarding, surrounded by your peers. What are your classmates doing?”