None of this was unfolding the way I had imagined it would. It just showed that nothing in life could be planned.

And there was nothing normal about what was going on. I still hadn’t been able to find out what was going on and I couldn’t wait for when we weren’t being listened in on. I had so many questions, everything that had gone between Sin and I was in disarray.

But the most important thing was he hadn’t cheated. It had restored my heart somewhat but I feared the situation we were in.

I did not like Mack one bit and knew he was dangerous despite not knowing him at all, except for the brief meeting the day before.

“You ready?” Sin asked, when he walked into the living room.

He had a collar shirt on with the sleeves rolled to his elbows. The sight of him made my pulse quicken.

I nodded as I stood, soothing the skirt I wore. Trying to keep my nerves in check. I was pregnant and not feeling great but the stress of the situation was resting heavily on my shoulders. And I didn’t even know how Sin had ended up in the this situation.

“You’re beautiful.” The way he said it as he touched my stomach gently, flattening his hand against my stomach, did weird things to my insides.

I covered his hand with mine and took a breath, feeling more emotional than usual. I wasn’t sure if it was the hormones or the situation that was causing my vulnerable state.

I wanted to be able to talk about our baby out in the open but knew it was too dangerous. It would have to wait. We just had to get through this. It sounded far more simple than I believed it was.

His mouth briefly pressed to mine and I was left breathless as I stared up into his eyes. I loved him so much in that moment. Maybe it was relief that he hadn’t cheated and had been happy about the pregnancy. No anger at how it had happened. Just happy.

At least my stomach had settled after having some ginger tea and some plain crackers.

“Are you sure you’re well enough for this?” he asked. “I can tell Mack you still aren’t feeling well.”

I couldn’t guarantee I wouldn’t feel unwell but I was hesitant to let him go alone. I didn’t seem to have a handle on the changes I was experiencing but I knew stress would only make things worse. Staying behind and worrying about him would drive me nuts.

Besides I was hoping the lunch would shed more light on how Mack fit into Sin’s life. And his sister, Sienna.

“We have to go,” Sin said, sounding serious and reluctant.

I nodded, taking a steady breath.

He took my hand in his, giving it a gentle squeeze after his hands threaded through mine.

I was nervous but I wasn’t alone and that held me steady. I had Sin. It felt like I could get through anything with him, including our current situation.

I was relieved Connor had shown up to demand answers for my strange behavior. Besides, I still had no idea what was really going on. All I knew that the house was bugged and this had something to do with Mack. The dangerous man who had picked me up off the street against my will, without hesitation. His presence made the hairs on my arms stand up. It told me he was a man who was used to getting what he wanted, and that he was dangerous. How dangerous? I didn’t know the answer to that. But maybe it was a good thing for my stress that I didn’t know the answer.

I checked my phone to ensure it was on silent. There was no way I would take any chances my brother wouldn’t lose patience and demand answers. While I understood why he was worried, I hope he could trust me enough to be patient.

Sin wasn’t someone who feared anyone but I could see how he changed in the brief interaction with Mack. There had been a guardedness in him that I had never witnessed before.

So many questions still remained. Who was Mack? Who was Sienna? And what had landed Sin right in the middle of it?

I sensed this all had to do with the past he rarely spoke of.

But we were due back at Mack’s place for lunch. There was no time to talk or ask questions. A permanent nervousness settled in my stomach. I prayed that Connor would trust me enough to stay out of it otherwise he could blow the whole thing up.

To keep my stress level down I pushed any concern about my brother to the back of my mind. I needed to keep my attention on the present.

There was a car waiting outside the house. I bet it had been sent by Mack, which meant we still couldn’t talk freely.

Sin opened the door for me and I slid inside the car, taking a breath to calm my flutter of nerves.

Sin got into the car and the driver pulled away from our house. I kept my hands together to keep myself from nervously fidgeting.

Sin rested his hand on mine and my eyes found his. I had to remember I was doing this for him. Losing my shit now wasn’t an option.

The drive wasn’t long before we were pulling up in front of Mack’s mansion. The property was huge and beautiful, it screamed money.

Mack was at the door when we exited the car.

Sin took my hand in his protectively, putting it on his arm as he led me to Mack.

“Sin,” Mack greeted, but his eyes were fixed on me.

I didn’t like the way he looked at me. It gave me the creeps but I didn’t show any reaction. There was too much riding on this.

“Mack.” Sin’s voice was cold and direct.

“Sin,” a female’s voice greeted.

It was Sienna. She looked effortlessly beautiful.

Sin went to kiss her cheek as she hugged him which left me alone with Mack briefly.

“Taylor.” The way he said my name, made me shiver. It was also the way his eyes tracked me from head to toe.

“Mack,” I greeted stiffly, trying to ensure I wasn’t over friendly.

I didn’t want to give him any encouragement but I had feeling he wouldn’t need any. I bet he was used getting whatever he wanted.

“You are beautiful.”

Sin took my hand in his, possessively. His back stiff, shoulders wide. I could see the tension in his features.

“Thanks,” I murmured, moving my attention to Sienna.

She was dressed in a simple summer dress but she still looked stunning.

“Taylor,” Sienna greeted me. She was more open and friendly, very different from Mack.

She hugged me briefly before ushering me inside the house.

Was Sienna Mack’s girlfriend or partner? It was difficult to read them.

As I followed Sienna inside, Sin was beside me with his hand to the small of my back. I bet he would not leave me alone with Mack for a moment and I was relieved.

I didn’t like Mack at all and the way he kept looking at me told me to be careful of his intentions. His friendliness was only skin deep. His sharp eyes missed nothing.

He was not be to underestimated, that much I could sense.

Sienna poured some champagne and I watched anxiously trying to figure out how to get out of drinking without raising suspicion.

“Taylor’s going to have to stick to non alcoholic. She is on medication because she hasn’t been feeling well.”

“I’m sorry to hear you still aren’t feeling well,” Sienna sympathized. She was genuine. Very different than Mack. “I’m so thankful you managed to make it even though you’re still under the weather.”

Sienna ordered some sweet tea for me.

Once I had my drink Mack raised his champagne glass. “I’d like to take this moment to made a toast.”

Sienna, I and Sin raised out glasses.

“To childhood friendships, and future ones.”

Childhood friendships.

“To friendships,” Sin confirmed, but his features were cold. Nothing like when he interacted with Slater.

Mack wasn’t a friend. That much I could tell.

Sin sipped his drink and I did the same of mine. Mack watched closely.