A Whisper of Sin Read Online Free Page B

I take my grandmother to her appointments—”
    â€œWho said you have to sit at home?” An intent stare.
    Ria didn’t react well to any kind of intimidation. “Well, if I can’t go anywhere alone—and I’m not going to put my grandmother in danger—then what else am I supposed to do, hire a bodyguard?” The minute, the
second
, her father found out about this, he’d use it as an excuse to stop her from finding a job.
    Simon and Alex Wembley loved their only daughter. They loved her so much, they couldn’t bear to have the world put a single bruise on her soul. As a result, Ria had grown up being protected and cosseted. If it hadn’t been for her grandmother, she might have turned into a spoiled brat. Instead, she’d grown up cherishing her parents’ love . . . while understanding the sadness that lay behind its protective fervor. That’s why she hadn’t gone away to college like Ken—she hadn’t been able to put that much worry in their hearts. But she couldn’t live in a cocoon forever, not even for her mom and dad. It would never suit her—it would, in fact, destroy her.
    However, her parents hadn’t yet figured that out. In Simon’s and Alex’s minds, marriage to Tom would provide the ultimate protection—as a Clark wife, she’d be expected to do nothing more strenuous than look pretty and maybe arrange a few flowers. “Emmett?” she prompted when he remained silent.
    â€œI’ll protect you.”
    Her heart thudded. “How long?”
    â€œAs long as it takes.”
    She almost took a step back at the sheer untamed power of him. “You can’t be with me twenty-four/seven. I won’t say no to an escort from the skytrain at night, though.” She was independent, not stupid.
    â€œThe Crew’s been known to kidnap people off the street in broad daylight.” His skin pulled taut over his cheekbones. “They intimidate any witnesses into silence, so their victims seem to disappear into thin air.”
    The need for freedom came up against the logic of what he was saying. “What about my family?”
    â€œWe’ve already posted pack soldiers at your mother’s store and around your home. The Crew’s M.O. is to hit the women in the family, so your mother, sister-in-law, and grandmother are most at risk.”
    â€œAmber’s over eight months pregnant,” Ria began.
    â€œReally?” A teasing smile. “I thought she looked a bit different.”
    She felt a flush stain her cheekbones. “She hasn’t been going out much anyway—if we tell her about the Crew’s tactics, she’ll probably be okay with staying inside for a bit.”
    â€œIt would definitely make our job easier. Your mother?”
    â€œNo way. She’ll go to work—she refuses to surrender to intimidation.”
    â€œI can’t say that’s exactly a surprise.” He shook his head. “I’m not even going to ask about your grandmother. Just make sure she knows someone will be shadowing her every time she goes out alone.”
    â€œKnowing her, she’ll get them to carry her shopping.”
    Emmett’s eyes gleamed. “And you?”
    â€œI’ll be ignoring you,” she said, feeling an odd sense of excitement in her gut.
    No smile, no hint of softening in his face. “You’re welcome to try.”
    Â * * * 
    E mmett finished fixing the computronics inside his mother’s car and picked up his cell phone to call her. “I’ll drop it off tomorrow morning. It was a short circuit, nothing big.”
    â€œThanks, baby.” His mom was the only one Emmett let get away with calling him “baby.” The one time he’d tried to question her about it, she’d simply stared at him until he’d sighed and given in.
    â€œHas Dad gotten in yet?”
    â€œNo,” she told him, her voice holding