Sinner by Minx Hardbringer, Natasha Tanner Read Free Book Online

and out of traffic, I'm both terrified and exhilarated. This is how I imagine other people feel on roller coasters. It's how amusement park rides are supposed to feel. They usually just make me feel sick, but now I understand why people love them so much.
    I tighten my arms around Adam's waist and press my face to his back. Once we're far enough away, he slows down and stops riding so aggressively. We pull up behind the church that's the base of his operations and his current home. When we get off the bike, he rolls it through the doors into the church.
    "Too risky to leave it outside. Someone might have seen."
    "I don't think anyone did, but that's good thinking," I say trying to comfort him and myself.
    "Are you alright?" He asks and takes a step towards me.
    "I think I'm okay." I say, but then I burst into tears.
    "Shhh," Adam says and pulls me into his arms.
    I've never come that close to dying before. Well, except the time I drifted into the deep end of a wave pool at a water park without a floaty ring. I was clinging to the wall of the pool unable to climb out. I tried to time my breaths with the waves that were smashing into me. It was a losing fight, and I don't know what would have happened if a random stranger hadn't stopped and pulled me out.
    That's how I felt right now. It was like the wave of terror was trying to drown me. The initial adrenaline rush was wearing off, and I felt raw and damaged. But, Adam held me tight and stroked my hair until I was able to calm down. It helped that he smelled of soap and mint again. His scent comforted me. Home. He was starting to feel like home. That thought was almost as terrifying as having a gun pointed at me.
    "Let's go see what we've got." He says when I finally stop crying.
    "Okay."

Chapter Eight
    Adam
    "It's not an address," I growl.
    I crumple up the paper and throw it on the floor. I thought I was going to get Sophie back tonight, and now I don't know if I ever will. Lilith bends down and picks up the paper.
    "You'll still probably need this." She says and uncrumples it.
    "I know. I'm sorry. Let's give to Becks and see what she makes of it." I say and pluck the paper from her hand gently. I need to keep my temper under control. None of this is Lilith's fault, and she' already been traumatized enough today.
    "It looks like a combination," Becks says when I hand her the paper. "Whatever the hard drive is stored in must require a combination and a key."
    "So, how did the buyer know where the safe is?" Lilith asks softly.
    "Who knows," Becks says in response.
    "Maybe Tom told him in code during dinner. Perhaps he already knew. Maybe Tom isn't so secretive about the location of the hard drive since he knows you need a key and a code to retrieve it." I say. "I need a drink."
    "Me too." Says Becks.
    "Can I join you?" Lilith asks looking defeated.
    "Of course," I answer and put my hand around her shoulder.
    The three of us go upstairs to the makeshift living area that Becks and I put together with an old couch and a chair. I grab three glasses from the church's old kitchen in the back of the building. Thanks to Becks' hacks, it still functions. I put the glasses on the coffee table in the middle of our seats and pour three shots of bourbon. I take the first shot, and then pour myself another. It's time to tell Lilith what's going on, and I need some liquid courage. Once my second shot is gone, I had the glasses to the ladies.
    "You alright?" Lilith says with concern painted on her face. It makes me feel terrible. Involving her in any of this makes me a horrible person. I try to tell myself that I've done the wrong things for the right reasons, but that doesn't help me sleep at night.
    "I wasn't always a criminal, you know?" I say and sit down on the sofa next to her. Becks is seated in the chair with one leg flung over the arm, and she's sipping her bourbon gingerly.
    "I kinda figured," Lilith says and puts a comforting hand on my knee. She takes a drink of her bourbon and