Misguided Vows (Lethal Vows Book 5)

“You scared her off,” Maria scolds, hitting my shoulder. I watch Alina as she walks out, not even a stumble indicating how drunk she is. And I know she was at least tipsy because I could smell the alcohol on her, but it was mixed with an underlying vanilla scent.

“I did no such thing,” I reply.

She was… interesting. Pretty. Calculating. Very drunk.

“Stop watching her.” My sister throws her arms in the air and storms off. I stare until the designer makes it all the way out the front door, her ass swaying in that tight dress, which is punishable in its own right.

When my sister told me she was hiring a professional to design the bar’s interior, I didn’t think much of it. But the money was well spent. Alina did a fantastic job, and she’s easy on the eyes.

Alina is clearly not from around here; her accent is very American. And while I just left the US after completing a job, I didn’t think the next woman I would be eyeing would be from there.

Had she not so obviously despised me, I might’ve even tried to fuck her tonight. I hide the smirk on my face, so very tempted to seek out the designer and do so. But I follow my sister to the bar instead. The bartender is already serving her, and I tap the top of my glass to indicate the same for myself.

“So, how close are you two?”

Maria rolls her eyes. “Will, you are not fucking another one of my friends.”

“You two are friends?” My eyebrows perk.

“I’m not telling you anymore about her,” she says adamantly, and I smirk.

“Maria, you know I can find out anything I want about her with my own resources. I just want to make sure my baby sister isn’t hanging out with anyone shady.” I nudge her shoulder, and she rolls her eyes.

She might tell people that our parents never beat the smartass from me, but they’d never smacked the sass out of her either.

“The only shady person here is you,” she deadpans.

“Touché.”

Although my sister suspects I might be involved in some not-so-above-board business arrangements, she never pushes me about it. As far as the family is concerned, I’m a businessman. Granted, I might be one of the best trackers in the world and get my hands dirty from time to time, but they don’t need the small details of such affairs.

The bartender slides over both of our drinks, and Maria and I admire the crowd together. “Did I tell you how proud of you I am?” I ask, saluting her with my glass. She smiles appreciatively, looking around, and clinks her glass against mine.

“Thank you for believing in me,” she says.

Maria was too scared to ask our parents for a loan, and, apparently, I was the easier option or biggest sucker. I don’t mind which one it was. I support my sister by spoiling her to make up for my not being here in London often enough.

“How long will you be in town for?” she asks.

I think on it a moment. I returned to London for a job, and it usually doesn’t take me too long to find my target. In the meantime, I can have some fun.

“I’m not sure yet. Maybe a few weeks. What about your friend, is she living here?”

Maria rolls her eyes and steps away from the bar.

“Come on, help your big brother out,” I call out after her, but she just flips me the bird.

Damn, it’s good to be home.