Sinful Like Us (Like Us, #5)

by Krista Ritchie

Fact: Thatcher Moretti taught himself to decipher my handwriting. He didn’t have to do that. My old retired bodyguard never did.

“We’re still kerosene.” Flammable. Combustible. I smile. “Sounds disastrously right.”

She was a cute kid—even crying. My lips begin to really lift. “Why are you smiling?” Rose snaps at me. My mouth flattens. “Because I think my girlfriend’s baby pictures are cute.” Jane brightens like radiant sunlight.

He’s brushing Ophelia, and my white cat is absolute mush on the floor. Yes, Ophelia, he has that affect on me too. I know the feeling deeply well.

I’m head-deep, un-fucking-believably in love with this girl, and I would do anything for her.

Banks licks beer off his lips. “I’m supposed to go on this trip and help protect Maximoff, and you’re supposed to stay behind and protect Xander.” His lip rises. “Switch places with me.” I think I hear him wrong. I know my twin brother is like a strong wind. He can adapt to any fragged mission and fly through hellfire. But he can’t be suggesting that.

Do not fall into his lap like a bird without wings, Jane. You’re born from lions.

Yes Jane, yes you are!

They didn’t write “hypocrite” on his butt like I thought they would. Like Thatcher said they could. Instead, SFO decided on something that “better fit” Thatcher. And so they tattooed the word, Cinderella.

His fiancé and my boyfriend speak under their breaths to one another, seeming very civil, and that is profoundly new. Maximoff squints. “Are we in the same universe?” “This feels unfamiliar.” “If they hug, we took a wrong damn turn somewhere.”

“Murder with the Cobalt fam,” Donnelly says through a mouthful of cheesecake. “Those who slay together, stay together.”

First come the bodyguards. I count five. And then five famous faces bring up the rear. Charlie, Beckett, Eliot, Tom, and Ben. Every single one of my brothers. They’re all here, and they’re far too fixated on Thatcher like he’s tonight’s five-course meal.

“Do not cower,” I coach quickly. “Do not avoid their eyes. Do not show fear. They’re little fiends that will chew you up like you’re nothing more than a three o’clock snack.”

If the God of War and hedonistic Dionysus birthed a child, they’d spit out my nineteen-year-old brother.

And Charlie—everyone thinks he has no soul but his is just the darkest, deepest of them all.

Among tabloids and fans, Xander Hale is considered the “prettiest” boy. Maximoff Hale is in a league of his own. And the Cobalt brothers—they’re cited as the “sexiest,” oozing some kind of ancient, sensual allure.

“Donnelly to SFO, I found the space babe.”

*swoon*

then Donnelly arrives with hot hoagies from Wawa.

Of course

“Beckett, please,” I whisper. “We just want to help you.” He pushes back curlier strands of his hair. “You’re hurting me.” His eyes are raw and red. “I’m sorry.” I am. I am. Don’t cower.

I'm gonna cry!

Beckett scratches underneath the cuff. “No. I just need the sink.” He still can’t meet my eyes. “Please.” His voice is a sincere whisper. “I didn’t want to worry her, but I have to wash my hands. It’s really bothering me…” He expels a taut, anxious breath.

My poor, anxious baby!

“Yeah, well…” He exhales a deeper breath and steps away from the bathroom. “We’re preparing for a wedding, might as well have a funeral too.”

whisper, “Have fun with your boyfriend.” I smile brighter. “I will. You have fun with your fiancé.” He grimaces, crinkling his nose. “I won’t.” I laugh. Maximoff looks lovesick and Farrow isn’t even in the kitchen.

“There’s always a way out. You don’t have to fall on a sword because it’s sitting in front of you, waiting. You put together the team that’s going to find the right exit. You sidelined me. That’s on you.”

Jane blows out a measured breath. “I don’t need your love.” It sucker-punches me. “I want it,” she clarifies quickly. “But like in this instance, I don’t need it. I can survive on my own.”

“Is it weird that we both kissed brothers?” Sulli asks me.

“She’s lovesick; she’s not thinking straight.” “She’s infected.” Luna sticks out her tongue, neon-green piercing in the center. “Should we amputate?”

Leaving Jane. Two words I hate thinking. Two words I never want to hear.

“I thought you were young.” Too young for me. Too rich for me. Too much of a Cobalt for me.

Aunt Daisy has taught me to use my voice, even if the world says stay quiet. Aunt Lily has taught me fierce courage, even on days when you feel lesser than. And Rose Calloway Cobalt, my mom—she’s taught me how to walk into a room full of men and never back down.

“I shouldn’t be treating you like this. I’m not capable of having a boyfriend.” At least, not him. Not someone I want this much. “Jane, it’s fine—” “It’s not,” I say, adamant. “We’re done. I’m done.” Oh God.

Wait... What...

His intense gaze isn’t defeating me. It wraps me. Tightly. Protectively, and oh God, I wish I never told him to sit back down. Because I also love that he’s willing to break orders for me. Constantly. Even now.

“You don’t deserve—” “Jane.” His eyes redden. “I love you. I’m here for these moments. Every fucking one. We’re going through fear, shame, guilt, back to fear together. A hundred, million times if we need to.”

Sempre toujours. The first word is Italian, the second French. It means, always always.

“Any of you know how to sew?” He raises a sweater, and I recognize the orange and green stitching as Luna’s handiwork. One she knitted for him in exchange for a tattoo design. “I pulled out a thread and now there’s a hole.”

While Maximoff jogs past, Farrow gives him a blatant once-over, and we all watch Maximoff trip on a rug. Everyone laughs, and my lip begins to lift. “Jesus Christ,” Maximoff curses. “You didn’t see that.” “I definitely did,” Farrow teases.

Until I see a switch in Tony. His eyes go dark. It kicks my ass to a stance. “You don’t know what you’re talking about, Jane.” He stands, puffing out his chest. “Go sit down—” “Hey,” I cut in, my stride severe. Urgent. “What the fuck are you doing?!” Tony uses his height to loom over Jane. To physically intimidate her—and I bolt, fury blasting in my veins, and I draw her behind me in an instant, and I confront him full-force. I’m not shoving him back. I’m done with that shit.

Hell no he didn't

That’s the thing about the Cobalt Empire; they don’t show you their cards until the very end. And I just hope and dream up one more thing. That I haven’t completely screwed Thatcher and Jane’s ending.

“Are you sure you don’t want us to snowshoe?” Donnelly wonders with a frown. “Positive,” Luna nods. “Don’t sacrifice your life for a tampon.” “More like your comfort, you know?” Donnelly shrugs.

“Sadistic.” Charlie nods slowly. “You want to see sadistic?” He addresses the room. “Just so everyone is aware—this isn’t Banks Moretti.” He points at me. I’m rigid. “NO!” Jane screams bloody murder. “Charlie!”

Charlie wipes away a quick, fallen tear off his cheek. He broke her fucking heart, and I think he broke his own too.

Our kiss ignites fires. Melts snow and burns the grounds beneath our feet. It is filled with epic, soul-crushing love. And we’re armored for whatever storm comes next. I hope and plead that nothing will ever tear us apart.

If my life means anything, let it mean this: I tried with my whole soul to protect the ones who couldn’t protect themselves, and I loved while I was here. I will always love my brother. And Jane—I will always, always love Jane. Death can’t take that from me.

“I love him,” I cry. “I love him…I love him.” My biggest regret is not saying it enough.

“You’re my duty. My heart, and you come first.” “You think you put me second or third tonight?” She frowns. “You didn’t, Thatcher. I was safe.” She clutches my jaw stronger. “Your entire life is built on service to others. I don’t want different. I don’t need different. I need you exactly as you are, just as you’ve loved me as exactly as I am.” It crashes against me. There are no words.

I take the papers and instantly see the typed title. Kitsuwon Securities Inc. This is a contract. He’s building his own private security firm.

“So here’s the deal, since all you dumb-fucks decided to join a sinking ship, there are no Omega bodyguards over at Triple Shield. SFO is here.” He points at the floor. My lips rise. The men are grinning. So is Jane next to me. “Tony can’t be a lead if there’s no Force to lead.” Oscar claps loudly, and the other two Yale boys join in the applause.

“You’re going to be my wife. I promise you that.” She cries into a tearful smile, and her lips find my ear—her cheek brushing against my hard jaw—and tenderly, Jane whispers, “I love you, I love you, I love you, and let me tell you how terribly and tremendously I do.”

I can live inside hell, but for the first time, I’ve finally reached heaven—and I’m happy and I’m staying. I’m staying. To build a life and future and family. Right here, with Jane Eleanor Cobalt. For forever.

I never want to leave his embrace, happiness is right here in his arms. And if we’re strong enough to survive ice and fire together, we can survive anything. Sempre toujours. Always always.