The Rebirth of Sin (Wicked Trinity Book 2) by Courtney Lane

simply a man grieving over the loss of his son and had no makings of becoming a deranged killer.
    Mr. Seres and I parted ways after it was clear he understood my warning. I scanned the crowd through the doorway, and my attention was drawn to the woman standing directly in front of me—most likely, able to see my entire interaction with Mr. Seres.
    I plastered on my charming smile for Sherilynn, the one that had won her over the first time we’d met. “I can explain that situation.”
    “Can you?” she asked, her mouth still slacked. 
    “He had some disparaging things to say about you and your daughter. He needed to be…quieted.”
    “Did he?” she asked, finally swallowing.
    “He did, and you’re welcome.”
    She looked over her shoulder for a second then back at me. “This is a highly important function for me, Noah. We do not handle our problems this way. We’re not street thugs or criminals. If there’s someone who says anything against my daughter or me, come to me. Physical violence will only bring about lawsuits and negative publicity at a time when I need all the good press I can muster.”
    “You’re Keaton’s mom, not mine,” I reminded her, my smile fading. “Your campaign has nothing to do with me. If it did, I would call you on the carpet for the way you’re treating your daughter; like a political whore. You’re selling her story for sympathy and sponsors. I could call you on the carpet about a lot of your misdeeds, Sherilynn. My suggestion? Let’s not make a big deal out of the minor things, and we’ll both walk away happy.”
    She gasped loudly and clutched her throat.
    I brushed past her and walked out. 
    Needing air, I went outside.

 
     
     
     

     
    “I’ve consistently deceived you to get what I wanted from you. This is the point I warned you about.” 
    -THE SECT
     
    “He’s here!” Brandy proclaimed, grabbing my arm and ushering me to the less populated area of the mansion. My mother had received the expressed endorsement of a well-known philanthropist and was able to procure the home he used for entertaining in the suburban Maryland area as the venue for her event. The guests were a venerable list of important people in the D.C./Maryland/Virginia area. 
    Between being at her side and meeting so many people I couldn’t remember their names, I kept a stray eye on my father. He went to the open bar thirty-minutes into the party and remained there for the duration. 
    “I’m sorry, who?” I asked, half-listening to Brandy.
    “Braedan! Veronica introduced me to him, and oh my god, Keaton. You have to meet him.” She linked her arm with mine and tried to guide me along.
    My pain medication had begun to wear off and made my steps a bit more cautious.
    “You’re lucky I’m such a good friend, because I would be all over him tonight. But Veronica is right. He’s perfect for you.”
    I should’ve protested about how inappropriate it was, but I was distracted. During our stride to another section of the home, I noticed my mother interacting with Noah in the doorway of the study. She’d never appeared more upset than she did during her brief interaction with him. Noah made a hasty exit, leaving my mother visibly fuming.
    “There he is,” Brandy proclaimed pointing ahead of us.
    The back of his head, as he stood on the balcony through the open French doors, was all I could see of Braedan. He was tall, lean, and broad in the shoulders. His dark blue suit was taken in and let out in the perfect places to give a defined silhouette of his very fit shape. His dark hair, almost midnight blue in hue, was cut into a style reminiscent of a ‘30s movie star; it shimmered against the full moon and onslaught of outdoor lighting outside. Curiosity and some unknown force magnetized my tread forward. As if he sensed my presence, he turned slightly to the right. The dim moonlight ensured I could barely see definition in his profile. A tingling heat shrouded my body, enticing my