Page 76 of My Beautiful Sin

He rolls his eyes. “You have a permit. Carry your damn weapon.”

I don’t argue since I don’t disagree.

When we reach the house, I head inside, then set the alarm. Brandy doesn’t always bother with it, often arming it only when we go to bed. Now, I want it permanently on.

“Brandy? You home?”

“Coming!” She appears almost simultaneously with the word. “Hey, I was going to meet Christopher for a drink later, but—”

She cuts herself off, frowning as she looks between Lamar and me. “What’s wrong?”

I glance at Lamar. “Will you fill her in? I think there’s a bruise on my ass. I want to check it out.”

“Okay, now I really want to know,” Brandy demands, her words directed toward Lamar as I head to my room. Sure enough, there’s what’s sure to be a doozy of a bruise rising on one ass cheek. Great. But as far as I can tell, that’s my only injury. Even my palms are fine, despite aching a bit. I don’t specifically remember, but I’m sure I must have used them—and my butt—to stop my fall.

When I come back, I bring my gun. As soon as I’ve put it down, Brandy tosses her arms around me. “You’re really okay?”

“I’m fine. I swear.”

“What’s Devlin say?”

“I haven’t told him yet.”

She grimaces. “I’m new to the boyfriend thing, but even I know you’re breaking the rules by not telling him.”

“I know. I’m not keeping it from him, but he’s in Vegas dealing with some important stuff, and I don’t want to distract him. You guys are here, and I’m safe.” I can tell Brandy’s about to argue, so I hold up a hand. “Really. He has shit to deal with. I’ll tell him tomorrow when I see him. Right now, I just want that wine.”

“Red or white?” Brandy asks, and I choose a Pinot Noir. “How about you?” she asks Lamar, who shakes his head.

“I completely forgot,” I tell him, an apology in my voice. “You’ve got a date. Go,” I say. “I’m fine.”

He studies my face, as if looking for hidden signs that I’m about to break down. I cock my head. “Seriously? You know me. I don’t get spooked easily. The house has an alarm, and I’ve got a gun. And whoever tried to run me down is a coward anyway. Tinted windows. No plates. That’s not someone who’s going to risk getting seen by the neighbors.”

“I’ll stay with her,” Brandy says, as if none of my speech means a thing. “I was supposed to go out with Christopher tonight, but he had to bail.”

“I’m sorry,” I say. “What’s up?”

She shook her head. “Not sure. He said he was having a bad day. I think he’s having trouble with the book, so, you know, I figured I wouldn’t bug him about it.”

“If you’re sure,” Lamar says. “Because I can rearrange, too. Or I can have Tracy come here and we can all watch a movie. Seriously, whatever you need.”

“I know,” I say, moving close to give him a hug. “But I’m really fine. Now go. Brandy and I are doing girl talk.”

Lamar flashes a toothy smile. “Oh, sugar, you know I can stay for that.”

I roll my eyes. “Go. Before I tell Tracy what a pain in the ass you can be.”

“You love me.”

“Only because I’m an idiot.”

He pulls me into a tight hug. “You be careful,” he whispers.

“Thanks for saving my ass.”

He kisses me on the forehead, looks me up and down, then backs away. “Take care of her,” he says to Brandy.

“Always,” she replies with a wave. “You do think it’s safe, right?” she asks once he’s out the door and we’ve re-armed the system.