Sin (The Stone Society Book 8) Read online

  SIN

  Stone Society Book 8

  By Faith Gibson

  All rights reserved. In accordance with the U.S. Copyright Act of 1976, the scanning, uploading, and electronic sharing of any part of this book without the permission of the publisher is unlawful piracy and theft of the author’s intellectual property. Thank you for your support of the author’s rights.

  This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locations, or persons, living or dead, is coincidental.

  The author acknowledges the copyrighted or trademarked status and trademark owners of the wordmarks mentioned in this work of fiction.

  Copyright © 2016 by Faith Gibson

  Published by: Bramblerose Press LLC

  Editor: Jagged Rose Wordsmithing

  First edition: November 2016

  Cover design: Jay Aheer, Simply Defined Art

  Photographer: Randy Sewell, RLS Model Images Photography

  Cover Model: Colby Dansby

  ISBN: 978-0996366496

  Dedication

  This book is dedicated to anyone who has ever felt “less than.”

  Acknowledgements

  Two years after book 1 came out, I am releasing Sin. When I started The Stone Society, I knew it would be a good series, but I didn’t know how much I would fall in love with all my characters and the world they live in. With each new story, I have amassed new readers and new friends. My writing posse started out small, but it’s grown into an amazing group of women I can’t imagine not having in my life. Alex, Candy, Kendall, Jen, and Nikki, you all bring something different to the table, and I couldn’t do it without your support.

  To my Beta readers - Your feedback is invaluable.

  My dear, precious readers, I am where I am because you continue to buy the books and leave reviews. You share this strange, new world with me. You cheer for the heroes. You boo the villains. And you always ask for more.

  The wonderfully talented Jay Aheer, thank you for taking my vision and making it into art.

  Randy Sewell, thank you, buddy, for such a wonderful photograph.

  And as always, a major dose of appreciation goes to the man for taking this journey with me.

  Table of Contents

  Prologue

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  Chapter Thirty

  Epilogue

  Coming Soon

  Cast of Characters

  About the Author

  Other Works by Faith Gibson

  Prologue

  Southern California

  2045

  “And to my niece, Raquel Taryn Cartwright, I bequeath my bar and all assets associated with it,” Joel Warren, attorney and friend of Rocky’s uncle, stated to the room.

  Rocky squirmed in her chair as her family turned and stared her way. Uncle Ray always loved her best, and he just gave the rest of his family a double dose of fuck you.

  “What the fuck do you know about running a bar?” Rocky’s older cousin, Tommy, asked. “You’re barely old enough to walk into one much less run one.”

  “Thomas, that’s enough. My brother obviously saw something in Raquel the rest of us aren’t aware of.” Tommy’s mom, Linda, didn’t like Rocky any more than her son did, but she hated confrontation, especially in front of someone like Uncle Ray’s attorney. The woman had all but offered herself to the older man, as if that would change the outcome of the will.

  Mr. Warren addressed the room. “Raymond was explicit in his wishes. His body will be cremated and his ashes spread over the ocean. I will contact you when the remains are released to me, in case you would like to join me for the memorial. Now, if there’s nothing further…”

  Rocky got up but didn’t follow the rest of her family out of the room. It was times like this when she really missed her parents. If they had still been alive, Uncle Ray wouldn’t have burdened her with the bar. He’d have given it to her dad. Living with Aunt Linda had been nothing but one nightmare after another. No, living with Tommy had been the nightmare. He was too old to be living with his mother, but Rocky doubted he’d ever get a job and move out. Not when he could sleep all day and party all night at his mom’s expense.

  Mr. Warren stood from his chair and came around the desk, propping against the corner. “Rocky, I know this is a lot for someone as young as you to take on, but Raymond and I discussed this on more than one occasion. He had faith in you, but more than that, he loved you like you were his own daughter. His only regret was not taking you into his home instead of letting you go live with his sister. I want you to know I’m here for you. For financial advice, legal advice, or even an ear to listen. The bar manager should be able to walk you through the day to day business, and I’ll help you with the money side of things, if you need it. Speaking of money, I’ve also filed the necessary paperwork to transfer your inheritance into a private account. One your aunt no longer has access to. All you have to do is go to the bank and give them your signature. Ask for Mr. Dawson.”

  “Oh my god, thank you. I’ve had to beg for money for so long, I won’t know how to act. This is all going to be so strange. Having control over my life. Moving from waitress to owner. I hope the others don’t hate me.”

  “Do they hate you now?”

  “No, sir. Well, there’s one girl who likes to run her mouth, but I guess now I can fire her.”

  Mr. Warren laughed. “Just make sure it’s for the right reason, dear. You don’t want to start off on the wrong foot. Here are the keys to the safe deposit box and the apartment, although I would suggest having the apartment re-keyed. I don’t know who had access to it, and if you’re going to live there, I wouldn’t want you to have any surprises. Here are the keys to his Saab. It’s an older vehicle, but it should be reliable. If it isn’t your style, we can sell it and get something more to your liking. Don’t forget to call and get insurance in your name if you decide to keep it.”

  Rocky was overwhelmed. She had lived the last ten years with only what her aunt would allow her to have. Now, she not only had her parents’ insurance money, or what was left of it, but also everything Uncle Ray had left her. She was twenty-one and finally free of her family. She never had to step foot in her aunt’s house again, and that was the biggest blessing out of all of this. She wouldn’t have to beg for money. Her money. And she wouldn’t have to endure another second of Tommy. Bastard. She would go to the bank, sign for her new account, and start fresh.

  “Here’s my card, dear. Please, call me day or night if you need anything. Raymond was my best friend, and I promised him I’d look after you.”

  “Thank you. I think I’ll be okay, but it’s good to know I have someone I can call if I need to.” Rocky took the card and dropped it into her purse. �
�He talked about you all the time, you know.”

  Mr. Warren closed his eyes; the professional drifted away for a brief moment, and the lost lover shone through. He cleared his throat and plastered on a fake smile. “Yes, well, we were best friends for many years.”

  Rocky stopped at the door and started to tell her uncle’s lover she knew the truth, but what would that accomplish? Nothing. She left the man to his own grief and walked out the door to her new life. She had so much to get done before her shift at the bar later that night. Except now, she didn’t have to wait tables. Rocky needed to get with Bridget, the manager, and get things squared away. First things first, she needed to go shopping. Since she had access to her money, she refused to step back into the hell that had been her life. Tommy never left the house, and Rocky wouldn’t chance going back for her clothes with the mood he was in.

  Tommy made his presence known a few times at the bar, but Rocky had loyal employees who had her back. After the fourth time of Tommy coming in drunk and threatening her, Rocky filed an injunction against him, and he was banned from the bar. It didn’t stop him from showing up on her doorstep at all hours of the night, but Rocky wasn’t scared anymore. Tommy had done his worst to her many years ago. Besides, she had her uncle’s nine millimeter beside the bed.

  It took a while, but with Bridget’s help, Rocky grabbed the reins her uncle had given her and was soon running RC’s Tavern as smoothly as her uncle had. Sure, there were bumps along the way. She ended up firing the girl who’d given her grief, but she had good reason. The girl was caught stealing whiskey from the storeroom. Other than that, the employees she’d worked alongside of when her uncle was alive didn’t blink an eye about Rocky taking over. She hired a new bartender to help fill in the gaps, and their team gelled.

  Four months after Ray’s death, Rocky was serving up drinks on a busy Saturday night. Royce, her regular bartender, had called in sick, so Rocky was doing what any good owner would do – she was working side by side with her employees. A tall, somewhat handsome man ordered a whiskey and Coke. When Rocky placed the drink in front of him, he grabbed her hand along with the tumbler. “You’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen. I know that sounds like a line, but it’s the truth.”

  Rocky smiled, slid her hand away, and thanked the man for the compliment. She moved on down the bar to the next patron. Rocky was tall, thin, and nothing special. Her long dark hair was pulled back into a messy bun. Her T-shirt bearing the name of the bar was loose from all the hours put in learning the business and not eating like she should. The whiskey drinker was one in a long line of men who flirted with her, and being a bartender, she usually flirted back, because tips were better when the one paying thought he might have a chance at getting her phone number. At the least, she offered the men a smile and a sweet word. Something about this particular man was off. Still, she didn’t completely ignore him. He was a paying customer after all. She just didn’t linger in front of him unless he was ordering another drink.

  Weeks went by, and the man, Blake Stansbury, continued to come in at least twice a week, ordering whiskey and Coke. He continued paying Rocky compliments and tipping really well. One Saturday night, Rocky was tired and not on her game. When he asked if he could take her out, she gave in. “What could it hurt?” she asked herself. She placed Blake’s tab in front of him and told him, “I have tomorrow night off. Meet me here at six, and I’ll let you take me to dinner. But that’s all.”

  Blake grinned, throwing cash down on top of his bill. Rocky didn’t have to look at the money to know it would be double what he owed. She almost felt sorry for the guy. If he was trying to bribe her into going out with him, it was working. “If all you’re offering is dinner, I expect to take you somewhere really nice, Raquel. How do you feel about Italian?”

  “I can do Italian. I’ll see you tomorrow.” Rocky left a smirking Blake to wait on the others who didn’t tip quite as well as he did. After she and her staff cleaned up and closed down the bar, Rocky made her way up the back steps to her apartment, stopping at the door. She leaned against the wall. What are you doing, Rocky girl? She’d vowed to never get involved with anyone, much less someone who gave her bad vibes. There was something off about Blake she couldn’t put her finger on. Maybe after tomorrow night, he’d prove he was really a nice guy and she could spend some of her free time getting to know him. She would tell him she didn’t want anything serious, because she didn’t. She was tainted goods, and no man would want her if they ever found out the truth.

  By the time six o’clock rolled around the next day, Rocky was close to having a panic attack. She had changed clothes four times. Not because she couldn’t decide what to wear, but because she was so strung out about going on a date. She opened her freezer and pulled out a bottle of Patron Reposado she kept for special occasions. If her first date in over a year wasn’t a reason to drink, nothing was. She didn’t bother with a glass. Rocky pulled the cork out of the bottle and tipped it up to her lips. Smoother than regular tequila, she took several sips before shoving the cork back in and replacing the bottle in the freezer. She took one last look in the mirror before making her way downstairs. Even though Rocky was early, Blake was already there waiting for her. He was dressed impeccably in a charcoal gray suit. His white dress shirt was unbuttoned farther than she thought appropriate for a first date, but his chest was magnificent from what she could see. The man obviously took great pains with keeping in shape. His dark hair was styled away from his face. At first glance, he looked like a mob boss.

  Rocky had already told Bridget where she was going and with whom. She waved bye to her friend and took the arm Blake was offering. “Raquel, you are stunning, as always.” Rocky offered a smile but didn’t return the compliment. She was afraid if she opened her mouth, the tequila would come back up. She shouldn’t have been surprised when a driver held open the back door to some fancy type of car. She had no idea what kind of vehicle she was getting into, but the large tips Blake had been leaving now made sense. He had money. Either that, or he’d stolen some rich old man’s ride.

  Thankfully, Blake didn’t crowd her once they were seated. He kept his hands to himself, but he did slide his arm across the seat behind her head. She turned toward him slightly so she could keep an eye on him. “Thank you, Raquel, for accompanying me tonight. You’re a hard sell, that’s for sure.”

  “I don’t date much,” she offered as an explanation. Rocky wouldn’t dare tell him the truth – he sort of gave her the creeps. She still didn’t know why she’d agreed to the date.

  “That is a shame for other men, but I am grateful you agreed to dinner. So, tell me something about you I don’t already know.”

  This was the part Rocky hated. The getting to know you phase. She didn’t want Blake to know anything about her other than what was on the surface.

  “I hate broccoli.”

  Blake laughed, tipping his head back. Rocky’s eyes were drawn to the corded muscles in his neck. Why did he have to be so sexy? She needed to stay alert. On her game. She could not let her guard down where he, or any man, was concerned. “I was going for something a little more personal, but that’s important. Whenever I cook for you, I’ll remember to omit the green stuff.” His eyes twinkled with mischief. So, he planned on there being more than one date. Of course he did. A man with his money didn’t take a woman out to a nice restaurant if he thought he wouldn’t get a second date. “I think you are a mystery, Raquel Cartwright. One I fully intend to unravel.” Rocky didn’t miss the look in his eye that traveled down the length of her body. Blake intended to unravel her all right.

  Dinner was more comfortable than Rocky expected. Blake kept the conversation light and chatted about himself. He owned a club, although he didn’t elaborate as to what type of club it was. He was a native Californian and an only child. His parents had come from Sicily right after they were married forty years ago. Rocky tried to figure out his age without asking. He looked to be in his late twenties, but he could a
lso be thirty-something for all she knew. At least he had money and wasn’t after hers. Nobody except Mr. Warren knew exactly how much money Rocky had in the bank. Aunt Linda only knew about the insurance money, and that hadn’t been a whole lot after Linda used it to “raise” Rocky.

  When there was a lull in the conversation, Rocky excused herself to the restroom. When she came back, two glasses of wine were on the table. She didn’t drink wine, but Blake held the glass out to her. “A toast, if you will.” Rocky took the offered glass, waiting for Blake to speak. “To many more nights of getting to know you. Salute,” he said, extending his glass toward her. Rocky clinked her glass to his and sipped the dark liquid. She’d never tasted a wine so sweet. She actually liked it. Blake sipped his own glass and watched her from his side of the table. As soon as she had finished all the liquid, Blake was pulling her to her feet.

  “I think a nice walk in the park would be a lovely way to cap off the evening.” He didn’t ask her opinion, but Rocky didn’t see anything wrong with a walk as long as they stayed to the lit pathways. The driver held the door open to the car once they reached the sidewalk, and Rocky began feeling the effects of the wine. Her body was warming from the inside out, but it wasn’t uncomfortable. When Blake slid into the seat beside her, he sat closer than he had on the ride over. His thigh was pressed against hers, and the contact was electric. Rocky wanted him closer. Wanted him to put his hand on her bare leg and slide it up until it reached the apex. She wanted to straddle his lap and ride his dick until she screamed. These thoughts were still going through her mind when the car stopped. Blake exited the car and held out a hand. She placed hers in his and allowed him to pull her to standing. She staggered a bit, and he caught her up against his chest.

  “Are you okay, Raquel? I thought with you owning the bar, you wouldn’t be affected by one glass of wine.”