Sinners & Saints (Sinners & Saints #1) (36 page)

           
“Bye,
Mom,” I say bitterly.

           
“Bye,
sweetie!” I hear her snickering before I end the call.

JULIET

“Just make sure to sit next to me,
Poppy. No matter what anyone does or says, yeah?” I tell her once we get
outside.

           
“Okay,”
she nods, smiling.

           
I
don’t want Hugo to be near me and Jordana seems to be in a bad mood so I don’t
bother her. Cody would probably give in like my Uncle Ned would give up his own
children for a bottle of scotch. Poppy is my best bet.

           
“See
you in Valhalla, my darlings!” Ms. Eleanor in her gigantic sunglasses and white
hat blows kisses at us from the sunroof of the limo. Her Spanish lover rises
next to her with a glass of Champagne. We wave as the limo pulls off. I look
back and see Hugo walking out. I quickly get in. I sit right next to the mini
bar because I’m going to need a few drinks for this hour and forty minute trip.
Poppy sits right next to me. Cody sits across and Jordana sits in the back
section.

           
Hugo
gets in and I avoid looking at him.

           
“Poppy,
trade seats with me and I’ll let you have my last joint.”

           
“Okay.”
I gape at Poppy who is smiling as Hugo passes her the last joint out of his
gold cigarette case. Okay I was an idiot. Poppy
is
my Uncle Ned.

           
I
look back towards the driver window once Hugo sits next to me and we pull off.
I’m not going to look at him. I practically threw myself at him a few days ago
and I was rejected… again. No way. That’s not me. I am not going to spend the
rest of my summer in a tidal wave with him. I can’t do it. It’s too intense
even for me.

           
I
feel his eyes on me. Why is he doing this? He ignored me all week
—
why now? I now look across at Cody
whose eyes are drifting back and forth between Hugo and me.

           
“So,
Cody, how is everything with Anika?” I try distracting myself from the feeling
of his arm against mine.

           
Cody
smiles hard. “Great. She’s amazing. We like all the same things and… she’s a
great kisser.”

           
“Aww,
look at little Cody,” Jordana teases him.

           
“How
is everything with Margaret Jacobs?” he asks with a knowing look.

           
“What
about it?” She narrows her eyes at him.

           
“I
heard you on the phone with your mom.” He looks at her with sympathy.

           
“No
one else talk to me until we get there,” she sneers putting on her headphones
and blocking us out with her music.

           
“I’m
sorry Jo
  
”

           
“Shut
up.”

           
Cody
sits back with guilt and Poppy passes him the joint.

           
I
wonder what’s going on with Jordana and Margaret and the phone call with her
mum. I can sort of maybe guess though. Jordana must’ve told her mum about a
girl. When you tell your parents about someone, it definitely means you fancy
them. In Jordana’s case, it’s love. She’s already admitted it to me, but I’m
sure it’s getting tough. Being with someone you can’t have fully. The more time
you spend with them, the more you love them.

           
This
thought makes me look at Hugo who is staring at his hands. He’s squeezing them
tight before letting them go. His left hand then drifts to the hand on my
thigh. My hand he touches. My hand he gently grabs hold of. My hand that
doesn’t move away. Instead our fingers intertwine and he pulls them into his
lap, covering them with his other hand. Just like that I’m back, but once I
look into his eyes, the beautiful ocean is no longer furious with hard-hitting
waves. The sea is calm and clear.
 

           
We
hold hands the whole trip. I even lay my head against his, falling asleep. He
brushes his knuckles across my cheek to wake me up. I hate being woken up. I
moan in frustration.

           
“You’re
drooling on my shirt.” I quickly open my eyes and sit up, wiping the drool from
my mouth.

           
“Sorry,”
I say, “I tend to do that.”

           
“So
I’ve noticed.” He’s still looking at me in that way again. Like I’m adorable or
something.

           
We
step out of the limo. I look around me at the property we have taken. It is an
estate that looks like something from the 17
^th
century. Limos and
sports cars surround the property. There is another estate behind it to the
right. Just as big.

           
“Whose
place is this?” I ask.

           
“The
Manhattan Women’s elite. Decades ago the originals bought this place to host
parties,” Hugo answers. “They figured the men had their gentlemen’s clubs, why
shouldn’t they have their own mansions and land?”

           
“I
like them already.”

           
“Yoo
hoo!” A short brunette comes our way in all white tennis gear and a clipboard.
“Mr. Mandrake! Ms. Abbott, Ms. Montgomery, Mr. Nichols, and of course Ms.
Spears.”

           
Wait,
how does she know my name?

           
“Rene
knows everything about everyone. Well, when it comes to these parties,” Jordana
says.

           
“Yes,
it is my job to know everything about our guests so you can have a grand time.
I even have pictures.” She flips over the clipboard to show
—
holy shit that’s my driver’s license
headshot. “Now you all will be staying in the rooms in the west wing. I’ve already
escorted Ms. Eleanor and her guest there. Also the Townsend family and Ms.
Brayson will be staying in that section also.”

           
“Oh,
goodie.” I give Hugo a look.

           
“These
fine young gentlemen will carry your luggage.” She gestures to the six young
men in all white.

           
“Ooh!”
Poppy hooks her arm through one of the boys’ arms and guides them to our
luggage.

           
Rene
leads the rest of us into the estate. Already it seems to be a party as a
half-naked girl in a bikini runs through the foyer. Slowly running behind her
with a cane is an old Asian man.

           
“I
see you’re still going strong, Mr. Tamaki,” Cody says as we laugh.

           
“Mr.
Takami always brings a Playboy Bunny to these things,” Rene informs me.

           
She
guides up the grand staircase where people are smoking and drinking.

           
“Hello,
my lovelies,” Ms. Eleanor greets us while snogging Diego.

           
Renee
pulls out our keys each labeled with the room number. She gives us each one.
Hugo grabs one of my bags out of my hand and follows me to my room.

           
“You
didn’t have to carry that.” I grab it from him once we get to my room. I toss
it to the floor as he stands out in the hallway.

           
“I
wanted to,” he tells me in that way that keeps my hope conscious.

           
“You
did?” He’s not an idiot. He knows what I mean when I ask that.

           
He
waits a moment before asking. “Yes… Juliet…”

           
“Well,
isn’t this lovely?” Scarlett comes out of nowhere of course.

           
“Don’t
you have bad timing,” I say to her. She’s in a white bikini top and shorts. Of
course her room is across from mine. Rebecca comes out after her and her face
goes ill once she sees Hugo.

           
“Hello,”
Hugo greets her.

           
“Hi,”
she quickly says. “Scarlett, I’m gonna go to the lake.”

           
“Okay,”
Scarlett says smiling.

           
I
know Rebecca fancies Hugo, but the way she looked at him just now you would think
he murdered her entire family.

           
“Is
she okay?” I ask.

           
“She’ll
be fine,” Scarlett says sharply. “I look forward to seeing you all tonight.”
She smiles and walks away leaving a chill.

           
“Is
it me or does it get colder every time she comes within reach? Also is it me or
was she speaking cryptically?”

           
He’s
still staring at her as she walks away.

           
“Hugo?
Hugo, did you want to tell me something?”

           
He
looks at me. “I told Scarlett about your scars.”

           
Heart
stops. Blood pressure rises.

           
“Juliet,
say something.”

           
“Shit
just got real,” I say. I usually say this when my feelings are really, really
hurt.

           
“I
was… I was desperate.”

           
“Desperate
about what?”

           
“About…
about the way you make me feel.”

           
“So
you do a shitty thing like that?”

           
“I’m
sorry.” He comes closer. “I’m so sorry. I’m sorry. I’m sorry.” He says it in a
panic and I don’t know how I feel right now.

           
“I’m
not really shocked that you told her. Hurt, but not shocked. I’ll see you
tonight.” I close the door on him and breathe.

SCARLETT

“He just said hi, like it was nothing.
Why?” Rebecca has been going on and on about this interaction with Hugo. I’m
trying to enjoy the sun and nature and all I can do is focus on her whining.

           
“That’s
what some guys do. Hugo is that guy.”

           
“Scarlett…
it’s not just that. I’ve been having nightmares where I see this blurred face
and that person is on top of me and I…”

           
“I
take off my sunglasses and sit up on my beach towel. “What?”

           
“I
keep saying no and… I think I kept saying no that night.”

           
Now,
yes, pretending Hugo is the one who stole her virginity
—
that’s wrong, but I was angry and even
I tend to do stupid but brilliant things when mad. It’s brilliant because Hugo
crosses me again… I will destroy him and this is the way. But because it’s
Hugo, I’ll make sure to keep it tamed for now. He’s a soft spot for me just
like Gabriel was. I too gave him too many chances before he disappointed me. A
part of me has faith that Hugo won’t.

           
“Rebecca,
you’re just imagining things. I’ve known Hugo for a very long time and he is
not like that. A man whore, yes, but never in life would he do something like
that, especially to a young girl such as yourself. Sometimes, Rebecca, when we
make mistakes we try to force blame on others. We try to conjure up a different
story that doesn’t basically say, ‘Hey, I was drunk and I had sex with a guy I
shouldn’t have.’ That’s it.” I comb my fingers through her hair as she nods her
head. “You’re okay. Just say hi and keep your distance. Next time you have sex,
I guarantee you that it will be great… and memorable.”

           
“Was
that how it was for you? Your first time? Horrible then great?”

           
I
think back to it. His hands on my body, his smile, that cute heart shaped
birthmark on his left inner thigh.

           
“Yes.
Exactly like that.”

24

HUGO

The Century Ball has started and
everyone is in the ballroom mingling. Everyone that’s anyone in New York comes.
From the Senators to CEOs. This is where August and I were supposedly
conceived. I stand in the entrance in my tailored black tux that has a
dovetail. The normal men requirement. We’re to look as much like the upper
class society from centuries ago as possible. Which includes gloves, mostly
white or grey
—
mine are
white to match my white pearl vest, button up, and bow tie. At least I don’t
have on a top hat like most of them. I look to my right and see Scarlett in a
red gown, of course. It covers the front, but reveals back from top to bottom.
She always loves to show off her back. She approaches me in her red gown,
pinned up blonde hair, and long white gloves.

           
“You
look dashing,” she says smiling.

           
“And
you still look ravaging.” I smile at her and she’s in a bit of a shock. “I take
it as you aren’t angry at me anymore.”

           
“I
take your confidence as you’re not still acting like a pussy.”

           
“Minor
setback.”

           
“Sure
about that?”

           
I
don’t say anything. I hold my arm out. “Shall I escort you around?”

           
She
hooks her arm into mine. “You may.”

           
“Where
is the fiancé?” I ask as we walk through.

           
“He’s
in here somewhere, doing business of course.”

           
“Leaving
every man in here to eye fuck you. If you were mine, I would make it hard for
them.”

           
“I
am yours.”

           
I
stop and look into her eyes. “Do you truly believe that?” She walked right into
this trap.

           
“What?”
She looks stunned.

           
“You
are never anyone’s Scarlett.”

           
“What
are you implying?”

           
“I
am only stating that… we are the ones that belong to you… you belong to no
one.”

           
Her
face stiffens and she’s becoming uncomfortable. “You’ve been very off. Hell you
just smiled at me and… so what, I like it that way. It keeps me in control…
make sure everyone knows their place and the consequences of stepping out of
bounds.”

           
“What
is ever my consequence for stepping out of bounds?” She looks around and smiles
to herself.

           
“Did
you know Rebecca has a crush on you?”

           
“Is
that a trick question?”

           
“Why
haven’t you gone for her? You hate Patrick.”

           
“Because
she’s fifteen and… I don’t care. I don’t even hate Patrick. Why are you talking
about this?”

           
“You
know how I got Patrick… I bared my soul to him. I told him about the things I
had done and the things that were done to me. I told him things that I had
never told you. How do you feel about that?”

           
“Truth?”

           
“Always.”

           
“Hurt…
but relieved.”

           
Her
jaw tightens. “Explain.”

           
“It
means hopefully in your own twisted way you actually care about him and that… I
won’t have to worry about you.”

           
“Why
would you worry about me?”

           
“I
have always worried about you… I’m relieved that no matter what you will have
someone.”

           
“And
what do you have? What do you really want to say to me, Hugo?”

           
“Everything…
because I’ve always cared for you. You’ve been an important person to me and
you deserve to know that… things may change.” I’ve tried to practice speeches
to give to the two women in my life, but it turns out the practice was a waste.
“I told Juliet about my mother.”

           
“So
she tells you her sad secrets and you spill like that?”

           
“No,”
I shake my head. “I told her because I wanted to… Since you, I never have
wanted to.”

           
“So
she has changed you.”

           
“No,
she hasn’t… she makes me want to, as stupid as it fucking is. I have the urge
to express and share with her… to feel everything with her. Now I don’t know if
I can ever be the person she wants me to…”

“You can’t.”

“Look, I am only telling you this out
of respect and I can never take back the things I have told you about her.”

           
“You’re
worried I might out her.”

           
“Yes.”

           
“What
will you do if I do? Seek revenge by destroying me and my Patrick and what?
What would you do, Hugo?” She knows that if she does do harm to Juliet, I will
want to seek revenge in every possible way. That’s how strong it is. “If you
did do something horrible, it will just prove that you can’t change, Hugo. She
would not be impressed with your disturbing behavior. And also… you could never
truly choose between she and I… could you?”

           
“Babe.”
Patrick comes over with a gentlemen and his wife who I recognize as Mr. and
Mrs. Cartwright. “I didn’t know you were here yet.” Patrick leans in, kissing
her on the cheek then staring adorably at her like an ingrate. That was me
earlier in the limo with Juliet.

           
“Just
got here, Hugo escorted me in.”

           
He
looks at me. “Hello Hugo.”

           
“Patrick.”
I look over to the Cartwrights. “Mr. and Mrs. Cartwright, lovely to see you.”

 
          
They
smile tightly at me. They’re still unforgiving for the time I was caught with their
granddaughter and the housekeeper a few years back.

           
“Scarlett,
you look lovely, my dear,” Mrs. Cartwright compliments.

           
“Thank
you, you of course look eloquent.”

           
“Hugo,
where is your father by the way?” Mr. Cartwright asks.

           
“Probably
still trying to pick up his jaw off the floor.”

           
He
looks at me confused.

They all start talking about something
and Scarlett gives me a look. She still wants to finish our conversation, but I
don’t know what else to say. I look away, searching for some type of escape
until I lose my breath.

           
“My
God,” Mr. Cartwright mumbles.

           
“Is
that the Spears girl?” Mrs. Cartwright asks.

           
“Um,
yes.” Scarlett’s tone takes a turn for the worse, as it should. Juliet looks
amazing. She is wearing a black dress. The front of it is a long V which she
can get away with due to the lack of chest, but I’m okay with that now. The
only jewelry she has on are diamond earrings. Her nails painted this dark
grayish black. Her hair is pulled up into this messy do that works for her.
God, she is just everything.

           
“She
is a looker,” Mr. Cartwright says.

           
“You
look to be an admirer, Hugo,” Patrick says to me amused. I look at him, the
Cartwrights and a discouraged Scarlett. I look back at Juliet who has spotted
me and slowly she smiles.

           
“Excuse
me,” I say as I walk towards her.

           
My
heart quickens once I reach her. Her eyes lower to what I’m wearing.

“You really do fit out a suit,
Mandrake.”

           
I
am still gazing at her. She laughs. “I take the silence as, ‘Yes, Juliet, you
look stunning, radiant, magnificent. I just want to take you right here right
now.’”

           
My
mouth twitches in amusement and I shake my head.

“So, I’ve been thinking… I’ll let it
go. I don’t need this night to be all about Scarlett knowing my darkest
secrets. I was the idiot who told you.”

“I’m so sorry.”

“He speaks… it’s alright.”

“No, it’s not.”

“No, it’s not… but I don’t care,” she
shrugs.

Stuff right here makes me both want her
and want to stay away from her. I don’t deserve her. Never have. I don’t think
I ever will.

           
“Juliet?”
Nicky fucking Young is interrupting us. “My, you look of perfection.”

           
“Thank
you.” She blushes and I see red.

           
“Young,”
I say sharply.

           
“Hey
Hugo.” I normally don’t have a problem with Nicky Young, other than his over
use of hair products, but I completely despise him at this moment and wish to
do him bodily harm. “Juliet, I was wondering if you could accompany me in
getting a drink at the bar?”

           
“Uh…”
She looks at me intently. “If it’s okay with Hugo.”

           
“Sure.”
What am I doing?

           
The
look on her face is asking me the same thing. She forces a smile and nods her
head. “I’ll be with you in a moment, Nicky. I just need to finish telling Hugo
something.”

           
“Okay,”
he smiles and she grabs my arm leading me a few feet away.

           
“So
I see we are still doing this.”

           
“Doing
what?” Annoyed, I ask.

           
“You
are such a stubborn bastard.”

           
“And
you are a tease.”

           
“A
tease? Are you serious? I? A fucking tease?”

           
“So
you’re telling me that you aren’t testing me right now?”

           
“Of
course I’m testing you. I just told you that I am willing to forgive you for
betraying my trust and obviously by me saying if it’s okay with you, I meant I
am your date you fucking twat. ”

           
“I
thought you weren’t into games anymore.”

           
“Hugo,
you are the most indecisive person I have ever met. I feel the urge to test you
because I don’t want to experience a beautiful moment with you only to have you
destroy it like that because you’re scared. Yes, I will keep throwing
challenges at you until you fucking show me.”

           
“Show
you what?”

           
“That
you love me.”

           
You
know that feeling when a bomb explodes inside your chest? Yeah, me neither, but
I think this might be it.

           
“See,”
She shakes her head. “Look at you. The mention of love and you shake and all I
want to do is hold you. Well, you can shake some more… I love you.” Her eyes
jump and she looks down. “Shit, I can’t believe I just told you that.” She
looks up at me in anger. “I really hate you for being the person you are and
for somehow unintentionally getting me to fall for you. I’m in love with you.
There it is. It’s all I have left to say now.”

           
I
continue standing still, unable to move and speak. I think I’m having a panic
attack.

           
“I’m
going to pay attention to Nicky now... and if you have an epiphany where you
realize it’s time to stop being a scared shit, then… you will know where to
find me because you stare at me when you think I’m not aware. You look at me
when I turn my back. You smile when I leave the room. I’m psychic, remember?
Even though that doesn’t have anything to do with being psychic, if anything it
would just mean I have eyes in the back of my head and maybe I’m a mind
reader.”

That causes me to faintly laugh.

“See, that’s also why I love you. You
think I’m funny and even though you try so hard not to show it, I can see it.
You brood as easily as you lie… to yourself. Bye.”

I watch as she walks away and I crack
my neck at the sight of Nicky King’s hand on her waist as he leads her to the
bar.