Page 106 of My Beautiful Sin

Brandy hops off the counter, then grabs a napkin. She takes a scone, then moves toward the living area. I grab one as well, then follow her onto the patio. We both look out over the hills and the rooftops beneath us until Brandy shifts just enough to look at me directly. “Christopher apologized to me. He said he should have realized who Walt was from my reaction. And that he should have done what Devlin did.”

I don’t say anything. If I were Christopher, I’m sure I’d have been thinking the same thing.

“I think he’s a little in awe of Devlin. He even told me he didn’t think he’d have had the balls to put himself in the line of fire like that. For a sec, I thought he meant because of who Devlin really is—you know, that the more public he is the more someone from his past as Alex might recognize him.”

I start to speak, but she beats me to it.

“I almost said something—I almost screwed it up for Devlin because I was too shook up to think clearly.”

Fear slices through me, but I press my hand over hers and manage to keep my voice steady as I say, “But you didn’t.” I even manage to make it a statement, even though I desperately want an answer.

“No,” she assures me. “I didn’t. I realized before I said anything that he just meant he’d have been nervous about getting involved in such an explosive situation.”

“Yeah, well, he doesn’t know the kind of life Devlin really led. Between his father and the military, explosive situations must come pretty naturally to him.” It’s the first time I’ve ever really thought of it like that, and I frown as I wonder just what Devlin has done over the years. From the things he’s hinted at—and from his flat out statement that he has dangerous secrets—I have to assume that from his perspective, last night wasn’t really explosive at all.

“I’m pretty sure that all this time, Christopher has been thinking that Devlin is just some rich guy playing the role of benevolent savior,” Brandy says. “But now he sees that Devlin’s a genuinely good guy.”

“Well, that’s a bright spot,” I say, and we both laugh. “Seriously, though,” I continue. “I really like Christopher. I hope he’s not feeling shitty about not being your white knight.”

“A little shitty, yeah. But I think even that’s good. Because we talked, you know? I mean, really talked. Like a whole different level of connection. As if we really got under the surface.”

Her smile is a little shy. Mine is so wide it hurts my cheeks.

“Brandy Bradshaw, did you two—?”

“I’m thinking tonight. We’re going out for dinner. In LA. I have lunch meetings in Beverly Hills tomorrow, and since he can write anywhere he has his laptop, it seems like a good idea.”

“I’m happy for you,” I tell her.

“I’m happy for me, too. And nervous. Tell me that goes away.”

“About the sex? Totally. About the relationship…?” I trail off with a shrug. “You’re asking the wrong person about that one. I still don’t know what I’ll do if I lose him again.”

“You won’t,” she says firmly.

“He told me,” I say. “He said he loved me. He actually said the words.”

“Oh, Ellie.” Emotion fills her voice, and I want to melt with pleasure. “See? He’s not going anywhere.”

I smile, because I desperately want to believe. But I know better than anyone that love isn’t a magical shield, and that no matter how fervently you cling to it, that bitch Fate will rip away the people you love without even the slightest warning.

Chapter Thirty-Five

“You have a house here?” Anna asks. “Where?”

I’m sitting on the bench across from Anna’s desk waiting for Devlin to get off the phone. It’s not even lunchtime yet, so I’m sure he’s busy, but I’d come by in the hopes of grabbing a quick coffee with him. I’d been at the office of Sunset Realty and Management a few blocks down on PCH signing the documents needed to release them from the management contract that Peter had set up.

“Off of Sunset Canyon,” I say. “So the north side of Pacific, opposite to where Brandy’s is.”

“It’s where you grew up?” Tamra asks. She’d been deep in conversation with Anna when I’d arrived. Something about the Las Vegas security breaches.

“Only until I was thirteen,” I say. “That’s when I moved into Peter’s beach house. And honestly, since I stayed with Peter after school, the beach house was pretty much home from the time my mom died.”

Tamra gives my hand a sympathetic squeeze. “Still, it’s a nice memory to have back.”

I nod in agreement. “Unexpected, too. The same tenant has had the place since Uncle Peter put it up for lease.” I don’t know the man, but apparently he’s moving to Virginia to take care of an elderly parent. Technically he gave thirty days’ notice, but he told the management company that he’d be vacating in ten days. After which I can get in there and look around. Then start searching for contractors to update the place before I move in. I’ll miss living with Brandy, but I’m excited to have my own place again.

I see the light turn off on Anna’s phone, signaling that Devlin’s off his call. I stand, only to see it light right back up again. I sigh, then look between the two of them. “So what is going on in Vegas, anyway?”