Sinless (Deadly Omen Book 1)

by Jenica Saren

  “Come on, baby, I’ll make it special, I swear!” Oh hell no.

  At the last one, I yanked my hand from Drea’s surprisingly strong grip and feigned a drunk stumble into the guy’s table, knocking his drink down his entire front.

  He jumped up, locking his eyes to mine and failing pretty miserably at looking intimidating. “What the fuck, bitch?” He screamed at me, spittle flying. He was short and stocky, with ginger hair combed back and a large spattering of dark freckles all over his face. The worst part, though, is that his eyes were too small and too far apart. And they were the colour of wet cardboard.

  My eyes shot to the small, blonde girl he was sitting with. She looked entirely uncomfortable and no older than maybe seventeen. It was like I temporarily had no control over my movements, like I was possessed, and before I could even register what was happening, my hand was cracking across his face. “How dare you try to sneak around behind my back?” I screeched, grabbing the girl’s drink and throwing it in his face.

  My inner self was doing a jig, obviously approving of my intervention.

  The slimeball made a grab for me, his eyes filled with rage, but a larger hand wrapped around my waist at the last second.

  “Finders keepers.” Said a familiar voice attached to the hand. The beady-eyed guy started backing away with his hands slightly raised and completely red in the face, and with a last look of complete disgust in his direction, the girl was gone, fleeing into the crowd. Thank god for that.

  Before I could open my mouth again, I was being steered in the opposite direction.

  I turned and looked up at my saviour, who just happened to be built like a brick shithouse, and I very clearly recall him being shirtless the last time we saw each other, which was less than an hour ago.

  “So, uh,” I fumbled. “Hi?” Why did I keep saying that like a question? “Hi” wasn’t a question, it was a greeting. As in, Hi, my name is…

  Get it together! I scolded myself.

  The guy just grunted in response and deposited me by a chair where Drea was sitting. And of course, just as I was about to thank him for taking me back to my friend, he sat down next to me. Just. My. Luck.

  “Ria, what the hell?” Drea squealed. “You haven’t even been here for twenty-four hours, and you’re already hooking up with skeazey guys?” She looked absolutely appalled and started shaking her head like she was trying to get rid of a really bad mental image. I was seriously thinking about doing the same thing.

  I did feel the need to defend myself, though. I wasn’t that kind of ho. “No, I would never, ever, ever.” I was shaking my head so hard that I could practically feel my brain rattling around. “He was trying to pressure some teenage girl into having sex with him.” I explained, not even trying to mask my complete disgust.

  Understanding dawned on Drea’s face while confusion settled over Godzilla next to me.

  “If Ria had tried to tell the girl not to feel pressured, she’d do it anyway and regret it later.” She explained to our hulking companion.

  The two of us watched the gears tuning and clicking into place. “So,” he said slowly. “You needed her to see him as a lowlife, loser playboy so she’d choose to say no on her own?” He directed the question at me, settling his deep blue eyes on mine and making me squirm nervously.

  “Bingo.” I replied. “So, now that you’ve both seen my ass and saved it, care to introduce yourself?” I reached over and stole Drea’s glass, taking a long swig without thinking it through, and nearly choked. It was disgustingly sweet. Gross.

  Drea looked back and forth between the two of us. “I’m so confused. Didn’t Miss Clove introduce you?”

  I took another nauseatingly sweet sip. “Nope. She conveniently neglected to inform me –“

  “Or any of us.” The Big Friendly Giant interjected.

  “That we were going to be roomies, or even that either party existed.” I shrugged my shoulders and made to finish off Drea’s drink before she yanked it out of my hands.

  She shot me a glare and downed her drink. “Ria, Kellan, Kel, Ria. Now you’ve been introduced,” she moved to get up from her seat and wobbled slightly. “And now I need another drink. It’s my birthday.” She added, glaring down the two of us. The two of us mumbled out our apologies as she took off for the bar, leaving the two of us in a very uncomfortable silence.

  “So, Ria, how do you know Clove?” Kellan finally asked.

  I gave a little shrug and stared intently at the wood grain on the table, the other partygoers, and even the lights – anything to avoid looking into those eyes. “I just met her here this morning, when I first got into town.” I replied. I saw his eyebrow raise out of the corner of my eye and decided to put off his questioning until later. “So, how do you know Drea?” Divert, divert, divert. In the business I was in, conversation was never about me, and customers usually only asked about my personal life out of courtesy, and not really out of interest. Diverting the conversation back to them was always the best tactic.

  Kellan looked out in the direction Drea went in and it was a few seconds before he spoke again. “You see all these people here tonight?” He asked, almost sadly. He turned back to look at me.

  I took a quick look around before nodding.

  He took a deep breath. “Out of all the people here, the only ones here to celebrate her birthday are you and I.” He stared angrily down at the table, as if he was about to go Hulk on it. “Everyone else is here for the cheap booze and karaoke.”

  I had to take a second to mull that all over in my brain. It didn’t make sense. “But she’s so likeable, and she works one of the most sociable jobs ever.” I was genuinely confused. I’d assume that she wasn’t very good with people, or just didn’t enjoy making friends, but my initial interaction with her said otherwise.

  “This is an old town, and the people here are just as old fashioned, for the most part.” His expression became solemn. I’m pretty sure that this was the closest this massive guy could ever come to tearing up. “Her sister is pretty popular around town, but Drea…” He looked like he was struggling to get the words out. “She plays for your team, if you know what I mean.” He give me a sort of sad smile, which looked absolutely bizarre and out of place.

  Hold on two seconds.

  “The don’t like her because she’s lesbian?” I gasped. “What century are these people living in?” I was beyond appalled. I was completely aghast.

  Kellan shook his head and looked out to the crowd again. “I know, it’s fucked up, but it’s their loss.”

  My heart swelled with admiration for both my beefy new roommate, and my sweet new friend. “I know, she’s pretty damn awesome.” I said, staring at the table again. My head whipped back up almost instantly. “Wait, how did you two become friends, then?” That was one thing that definitely baffled the ever loving fuck out of me.

  He turned back to me and grinned a terrifying grin. It was kinda hot. Uh, not that I noticed or anything. “She’s something I can never have. I like that.” Yep. Hot. Really, really, really hot.

  Totally noticing. My inner self jeered.

  I popped out of my seat before making a decision I’d seriously regret, which could have either been talking out loud to myself or jumping the missing Twin Tower before me. “I’m heading to the bar, want anything?” I asked.

  Kellan slapped a twenty in my hand and said, “bourbon, two rocks.”

  I nodded and took off in the direction Drea had gone, suddenly realizing she’d been gone awhile. Once I reached the bar, I flagged down the bartender and ordered two bourbons, taking care to remember Kellan’s two rocks, since he went to the trouble of requesting it in the first place. Once the drinks were ordered, I leaned back against the bar and surveyed the crowed.

  Where the actual fuck was she?

  No sooner had I thought the words, did my eyes land on the next karaoke contestant: my new friend. I had heard the girl hum earlier and it was not a sound I’d like to hear over a microphone, and consider
ing how long she’d been gone and how drunk she already was, I wasn’t about to let her embarrass herself.

  I started pushing my way through the crush of bodies, calling her name. She didn’t even bother to look up. Suddenly, the music started and it was too late. Drea opened her mouth, and mine gaped. That was one hundred percent not the voice I heard her humming with that morning, and I was at a total loss words. I listened to her belt out a couple of lines, stunned to bits, when I heard the bartender call out to me. I headed back to the bar and gathered the drinks, quickly moving to the table to drop Kellan’s off with him so I could go back and support my friend.

  “Here you go!” I said cheerily, plopping the glass on the table and turning to go back to the karaoke floor.

  “Wait, Ria! Where are you going?”

  I spun so fast that I gave myself a little bit of vertigo. “Drea?” I blinked rapidly a few times, staring at my friend who was sitting at the table, then turned to face the floor, where my friend was also standing and singing karaoke.

  Okay, so I entered the Matrix. Go me. My inner self had propped herself up on a chaise lounge, a warm rag laid over her eyes in a show of dramatics.

  “How…?” I trailed off, glancing between the two.

  Drea rolled her eyes and gave Kellan a sidelong look, who took a sip of his drink and looked like he was thoroughly enjoying the show. “That would be my sister, Ana.” She didn’t say it with much distaste, more like halfhearted boredom, like it was a question that got asked way too frequently. Which, it probably did. “The whole twin thing throws people off, but I thought this jackass had already spilled the beans.” She shoved Kellan playfully, and he grinned in return.

  I watched the exchange with curiosity. “He told me you had a sister, but he seems to be channeling his inner Clove.” I said as I rolled my eyes. Seriously, though. Ana? Drea? Andrea? Heh.

  Kellan broke out in guffaws while Drea giggled.

  They were actually a really cute pair, though I could definitely never see them as relationship material. They had this weird bond that was almost visible, like a cord stretching between them.

  “So, uh, Kellan?” He continued laughing, likely not even hearing me. “Hey, Iron Giant!” I half-shouted.

  He stopped laughing abruptly and raised an eyebrow at me, looking seconds away from breaking out in another round of uncontrollable laugher. “Iron Giant?” He repeated, deadpan.

  “Good, I’ve got your attention.” I was torn between being scared of his muscles crushing me and laughing my own ass off at the incredulous look on his face. Both would probably mean my own death. “I’ve got a question.”

  Kellan’s face grew a little wary. “No personal questions, and you’re good.”

  “Duly noted.” I replied dryly. “I was actually wondering how everything at the house is going to work out. I’m pretty sure no one wants me there, and I wasn’t exactly expecting roommates.” He looked just the tiniest bit hurt before his face went carefully blank. “Not that I have a problem with you. Even Beck is kind of okay. I think.” I amended.

  He looked like he was thinking it all over for a second. “Well, whether or not the other guys want you around isn’t really their choice to make. All votes have to be unanimous.”

  Drea chose that moment to jump back into the conversation. “Wait, your brothers don’t want her around?” Drea looked so genuinely upset that I wanted to take back everything that had just came out of my stupid mouth.

  Wait.

  Brothers?

  I tried so hard not to look shocked, I really did, but it was almost impossible with a news bomb like that dropped on my head. I forced myself to cool down for a second. Maybe not all of them were brothers. She didn’t exactly say a number. It was entirely plausible that a couple of them were related.

  Kellan rolled his eyes at Drea’s dramatics. “No, I’m pretty sure Beck likes her fine. Besides, after the shock of her being there wears off, everything will be a-okay.” He flashed her a completely heart-melting grin and she smiled timidly back.

  She turned to look at me, then, fixing me with her innocent, earnest eyes. “If any one of those Severin boys gives you a hard time, just let me know and I’ll sic Kel on them, ‘kay?” She smiled at me and blew her a little kiss across the table.

  “Thanks, boo.” Severin? What a strange last name. Well, not that I had much room to talk.

  “Don’t mention it, cutie.”

  I stood up and stretched, looking at the rapidly thinning crowd around us. “I need to head out. I’ve still got to unpack.” I told my two table companions. “Drea, do you need a ride home?” She’d had way too many drinks tonight for me to feel safe sending her home on her own.

  She waved my worried expression away. “I’m fine, Ana’s driving. She doesn’t really drink.” She told me, wrapping me in a big hug. “Thank you so much for coming! I know you don’t really know me, but I really appreciate it.”

  I hugged her back hard before pulling back. “It was totally my pleasure. And happy birthday, girl.” I zipped up the front of my jacket as I started out the door and turned to wave goodbye to the two of them before realizing that Kellan was following me. I almost freaked out before realizing he was probably heading the same way I was. You know, home.

  Once outside the shop, the cold air biting at my nose and cheeks, I picked up the pace to my car.

  “Where’s the fire?” Kellan said from behind me.

  I glanced back at him like he had grown an extra head. “It’s cold as tits out here. I need heated seats.” I told him, sounding a little prissy, but honestly not caring.

  His eyebrows shot up into his hairline. “Heated seats?” He seemed like he was bouncing a little. “Can I ride with you?” Yep, definitely bouncing, and it was kind of adorable.

  I laughed a little. “Calm down, Hulk, or you’re gonna cause another west coast earthquake.” He rolled his eyes at me but kept smiling his super sexy smile. “And didn’t you bring your own ride?”

  Kellan waved his hand like it might fend off the offending question. “I rode my bike here, and heated seats sound a hell of a lot better right now.” The mental image of my giant, mouthwateringly sexy companion riding a bicycle almost made me crack up, but I knew he must have been talking about the gnarly Harley sitting down the parking lot from my own baby.

  I couldn’t bring myself to let him freeze, even if he did alternately scare the piss out of me and make me wanna jump his bones. “Oh, fine, come on.” I told him, pressing the button to start the car. “Let’s get home.”

  6

  Ria

  Heading back down the dark and twisty road to the house, the silence in the car was borderline deafening. I kept flicking my eyes over to my enormous roommate, he was just staring out the window, completely silent and stoic. Every time I contemplated doing something to create a reprieve from the awkwardness, it would fall short in my mind. I had even considered turning on the radio, but I couldn’t tell what kind of music he was into, and if he was into rap, I might have to throw one of us out of the car.

  I kept staring at the dimly illuminated scenery around me, the waxing moon barely visible behind a spattering of clouds making the foliage appear almost menacing. I shook off one of those chills that people get when thinking about creepy stuff.

  I tapped the steering wheel in frustration. Why was this drive taking so long?

  Kellan cleared he throat beside me, startling me more than I would ever care to admit. “So, does the radio work?” He asked, his voice sounding a lot deeper and more tempting in the close quarters of my little car.

  “Yeah, knock yourself out.” I replied nonchalantly.

  Please don’t be rap, please don’t be rap.

  I kept the mantra going in my head while he fiddled with the stations, momentarily landing on a song that had a good rhythm before the rapper started doing his thing. Kellan made a sound like he was gagging, and I had to fight the hard fight to keep myself from doubling over. Finally, he found a station playi
ng old rock and settled back into his seat, humming along with the song.

  I nearly sighed out loud in relief and relaxed into the music.

  “Where ya from?” Kellan asked, surprising the hell out of me.

  Someone’s a chatterbox.

  I bit the inside of my cheek while I thought about how to answer. I didn’t exactly want anyone following me back if I decided to head home, and while he had already seen me half-dressed, I wasn’t about to share personal information with a strange, abnormally attractive, giant new roommate. “I grew up in Cottage Grove.” I finally told him. At least if anyone went looking for me in my hometown, they’d be chased away with pitchforks and torches. They weren’t actually that old fashioned, but they might as well have been – growing up, I never realized that pants were so comfortable and liberating. What a life.

  Kellan eyed me suspiciously, obviously trying to chew over his next words. “You’re a long way from home, then.” He remarked.

  I fought back an eyeroll. “That, I surely am.” If I thought I’d be willing to jump from a moving vehicle before, that was nothing compared to how I was feeling right at that moment.

  “What brought you all the way out here?” He persisted.

  I bought myself a few seconds by turning onto the long driveway that led to the house. “Running. Life sucks sometimes, and it’s easier to run than deal with the fallout, you know?”

  He gave me a sad look. “I know.”

  I parked the car and got out, heading for the front door. I turned around and watched Kellan trying to get out of my little car and giggled a bit at his attempted maneuvering. “Need some help, Gigantor?” I called quietly, noting the lack of lights in the house.

  Even in the dim lighting of the half-covered moon, I could see the scowl he shot at me as he squeezed himself out and I clutched my midsection while laughing. “Ha, ha.” He mocked, coming up the steps.

  Wiping a tear from my eye, I opened the front door and headed for the stairs. “’Night.” I said to Kellan with a small smile. Back in the house, I was feeling a lot less bold and friendly.