Guilty As Sin (Sin Trilogy#2)

Lincoln actually reined himself in because I told him to. I wasn’t lying when I said I wasn’t interested in trying to challenge Ricky’s legacy. It would be a bloodbath, and it’s not worth the cost right now.

The last thing I need is more death threats like the ones I got in LA. And with the press already in Gable and targeting my family? Not a chance in hell.

I spend another hour wandering the rooms of the suite, stopping with every rotation to jot down lines on my last blank sheet of paper. When I run out of space, I replace the pen in the holder and stare at the phone.

On a whim, I punch the button for the spa. Within two minutes, I have an appointment to see Gabi in the next hour.



“YOU CAME BACK,” Gabi says as she wraps me in a hug. “I heard you were staying here, but I wasn’t sure if you’d come see me again.”

“I promised I would.”

She releases me with a crooked grin. “You should know, I heard that Lincoln Riscoff not only brought tacos to the front desk break room a little while ago, but word on the street is that he was joking and laughing. Pretty much everyone was speculating on his good mood.”

“Oh Lord. I’m sure the rumor mill is hard at work.”

“Honey, it’s been working overtime since you walked into town. Follow me, and I’ll catch you right up while I work on you.”

As she leads me to the treatment room, I tell her, “To be honest, I kind of thought if I made an appointment, we could just catch up. I really don’t need another facial. It’s only been a couple days.”

“Psh.” Gabi waves a hand. “Don’t say that. I’ve been excited about this since I came out of my last appointment.”

“But I didn’t come down here to make you work. I wanted to get out of my room and see a friendly face.”

She pauses at the doorway. “Here’s the deal—I’ll feel guilty getting paid if I don’t do it, and I prefer to talk and work at the same time.”

I step inside the room, inhaling the lavender-scented air. “Only if you’re sure.”

“Positive. I’ll have your skin glowing by the time we’re done.”

As soon as I’m settled under the blanket, she starts to talk.

“The first thing I gotta tell you is that Maren Higgins is on the books today with an appointment.”



I tense. “Oh, really?”

“Mm-hmm. I’m guessing she heard Lincoln put your whole family up—on top of Ms. Riscoff promoting your aunt—and rushed to get the first open appointment so she’d have a chance to get a look at the competition.”

“Lord, the rumor mill in this town really does work even faster than the press.”

“And they’re probably more accurate too,” Gabi says as she places cucumber slices over my eyes. “I’ve heard what the news said yesterday, and there’s no way in hell your husband was a Riscoff. There’s not enough money or liquor in the world to make me believe that.”

I find it comforting that she doesn’t actually ask me whether it’s true.

“Anyhoo, enough of that and back to Maren. She’s way more fun to gossip about. Although, I wouldn’t want to face her without armor. Especially not when she thinks you’re trespassing on her property.”

“He’s a man. Not land.”

“And yet Maren will probably happily piss all over him.”

I cringe. “Gross.”

“Just saying, she’s the kind of woman who’d do anything to secure her spot when it comes with a billion dollars attached.”

“My cousin Cricket calls her Cuntcake McWhoreson.”



Gabi bursts out laughing. “I knew I liked her.”



AN HOUR AND A HALF LATER, my face is glowing, and I give Gabi a hug. “I don’t know how long I’ll be here, but I’ll try to come back down at least one more time.”

“I’m going to hold you to it, Whit. It’s such a treat.”

She leads me down the hallway, and I hear familiar giggles coming from a doorway up ahead. I pause when I see Karma and the girls all seated in pedicure chairs.

“Are you guys having fun?” I ask my little cousins, and the girls squeal their excitement. “What color did you pick?”

“I got pink!”

“Mine are purple.”

They hold out their fingernails, and I move closer to inspect them.

“They look so pretty.” I glance at Karma, and of course her resting bitch face is on point. “I hope you’re all having a nice afternoon.”

“We’re trying,” my cousin replies.

“I’m sure you’ll take full advantage of the amenities while we’re here.”



“My kids are missing school, but at least they’re finally getting what they deserve.”

I give her a tight smile and leave the room as quickly as I entered.

As soon as we’re out of earshot, Gabi asks, “What is her problem? She’s always been such a bitch.”

“I have no idea. But I’m not going to let her ruin my day.” Karma’s attitude is definitely what Magnus would consider a stormy cloud.

Gabi leaves me at the entrance to the women’s lounge, and I open the door to the locker room and run smack into a blonde. I bounce back.

“I’m sorry—”

“Oh. You.”

Her tone and the look on her face give me the clues I need to figure out exactly who she is.

Maren Higgins.





23





LINCOLN





EVER SINCE I left the resort this afternoon, I’ve been trying to find time to listen to Ricky Rango’s songs, but the universe seems to be conspiring against me.

First, one of our logging crews had an accident, and I spent a few hours in the hospital making sure the guy who got hit by a snapped cable wasn’t going to lose his hand. Thankfully, we have great doctors and surgeons on staff, and they all said he’d make a full recovery after surgery.

I hurried back to the office, just in time for legal to let me know that one of our customers has filed suit on a supply contract dispute.

And then, through it all, my mother left message after message.

When I finally have five minutes to myself, I return her call. It’s either that or risk having her show up at my door, and that’s the last thing I want to deal with.

“What did you tell them?” she says in lieu of a greeting, her tone sharp.

I know exactly what she’s talking about, but playing dumb is obviously the best choice. “You’re going to have to be more specific, Mother. Who did I tell what?”

“The household staff is acting strangely, my mobile phone has disappeared, and the internet is out. Your sister won’t answer my calls, and your brother told me to ask you for an explanation.”

Part of me is actually shocked that Harrison didn’t take the opportunity to fill my mother in on every little detail. But then again, he’s always been a coward, and he’s probably afraid she’ll kill the messenger. No doubt that’s why he sent her to me. There’s nothing my brother would love more than to give my mother another reason to despise me.

Unfortunately for Harrison, he’s not going to get his way this time, because I’m going to kick the can down the road exactly the same way he did. Commodore is the one who’s been withholding this information from us all for months, and he’s going to be the one to break the news to my mother.

“Has Commodore been over?”

“Of course not,” she snaps out. “You know that old man avoids coming here at all costs.”

I don’t respond to her comment because she’s correct. Commodore moved out of the estate when he started feeling unwell . . . but not until he accused my mother of poisoning his morning coffee. Now, when he comes to the estate, he refuses to eat or drink anything he didn’t personally bring with him. Obviously, I come by my trust issues genetically.

“I would expect him to stop by sometime tonight or tomorrow. Information has come to light that he’ll need to share with you. And I’m sure your cell phone will show up and the internet will be fixed soon.”



“What information? I want to know right now. I’m not waiting for that old dictator.”

“I’m sorry, Mother. Commodore’s orders.”

“But—”