A Necessary Sin: The Sin Trilogy: Book I

It’s official. I’m a Fellowship member, going on two weeks now. I’m completely and utterly in love with its future leader. I want to be with him forever. Undeniably, this isn’t ideal. It’s stupid and reckless but it’s what I’ve chosen because I refuse to live without him.

And Harry can never know. He’d die of a coronary before the cancer had a chance to take him.

I’m undecided about my plans for Thane. I only know one thing: I still plan to kill him. But it won’t be soon. I’m not ready to force Sin into his leadership role.

Clearly, my original plan has gone to shit. But … shit happens.

I have a dying father four thousand miles away and I’ll need to return home to him soon. No exceptions. I spoke to Ellison yesterday and she tells me Harry is declining. It’s expected, but I need to introduce the idea of going back to the US for a little while. And I know exactly how I’ll do it.

Sin is working in his office. I stand in the doorway and take a moment to admire how handsome he is before disturbing him. He’s still wearing his clothes from work, minus the jacket and tie. He’s rolled the sleeves of his shirt to his elbows and is wearing his reading glasses. Mmm … I was right. He’s hotter than a freshly fucked fox in a forest fire.

His eyes lift from the book lying open on his desk to his computer and he notices me standing there. The lopsided grin I love so much makes an appearance just for me. I covet it, especially when it’s accompanied by a single dimple. “Hey, you.”

“I hate to bother you. Can I have a minute?”

“I always have a minute for you.” He pushes away from his desk and pats the top of his thigh. “Come see me.”

I sit on his lap, sliding my arm around his shoulder for support. He pushes my hair away from my face so he can clearly see my eyes. “Everything okay?”

“Yeah. I just wanted to talk to you for a moment about something that’s been on my mind.”

“Sounds serious.” He rubs his hand over my back in a circular motion.

“I’m afraid I don’t make a very good kept woman. I’m used to working. Daily yoga and meal planning isn’t my thing.”

“Okay. I get it—you’re bored—and I assume you’ve come to me because you have a solution?”

“What are your thoughts about me moving my photography business here?” I ask, having no idea what kind of response I’ll get.

“Hmm … I don’t dislike the idea but I think your services could be better utilized by The Fellowship. Working for the public does nothing for the brotherhood.”

I can sort of see where he’s going with this. “How might I serve The Fellowship?”

“You’re a photographer. We could often use the services of a professional.”

I’m liking this idea much better. “You mean you’d have me taking surveillance photos?”

“Aye. It’s something we require on a regular basis so I think it’s worth considering.”

Criminals interest me far more than blushing brides and other people’s crying babies. Since I’ve been trained in surveillance, this will work out much better for me. “I like it.”

Now here comes the part about getting me back to the US so I can spend time with Harry. “All of my equipment is stored at my studio. I’ll need to make a trip home so I can pack it and ship everything here. I have my aunt’s settlement so I can take care of closing the studio for good while I’m there.”

“I’ll need to run it by Dad but I think he’ll be pleased with the idea.”

“I wouldn’t rouse suspicion since I don’t look the part of the typical Fellowship member you’d utilize for surveillance. Hopefully, your father would see me as an asset.”

“I agree. And going home would give you a chance to visit with your father and sister. I’m sure you miss them.”

“I do, terribly.” He can’t possibly imagine how much.

“Then we shall get you home.” Sin takes off his glasses, putting them on his desk. “I haven’t given you the attention you deserve this week. For that, I’m sorry, so I’m going to put this work away until another time.”

“Thank you.”

“I think we should go out tonight. Maybe invite some friends to go to the casino with us? What do you think?”

That sounds like fun. I haven’t been gambling in a while. “I would like that very much.”



* * *



There are six of us. Sin invited Jamie and Leith. I invited the only two girls I feel like I know at all—Lorna and Westlyn. That sucks for Jamie since Westlyn is his sister but Lorna is in love with Leith, so maybe I’m doing her a favor by bringing them together outside of work.

“What would you like to play first?” Sin asks.

Blackjack is my game. I’m a card counter—but I tell no one. I believe my mother was one as well. Perhaps that’s how she fell into the gaming profession. I guess you can say gambling is in my blood.

I don’t want to give myself away. “I should probably start with the American roulette table.”

Westlyn, Lorna, and I take the seats at the table while the men stand behind us. Sin tosses a pile of bills on the table and the dealer changes them for chips. “I’ve got the first round.”