The Season of Sin (Peace In The Storm Publishing Presents) Read Free Page B

Sharp exotic features complimented her dark mahogany tone. She radiated, boasting a chic style that hypnotized.
    Dylan walked through the front hallway. “You’re crazy, Aunt Jas! Nuts, nuts, nuts!”
     “Me?” Jasmine waved fists. “Young lady, you could write a book on crazy!”
    Steven stood on his tiptoes. “Let me guess, bad time?”
    Zoë rocked with her hands on her hips. “It’s always like this when these two get together.”
    Brianna peeked around Zoë. “Why are they fighting?”
    Zoë batted her thick lashes. “Same reason they always are. Dylan wants to run her own life and her family won’t let her.  They’ve been arguing like this since I got into town.”
    “Where are you from?” Sweat streamed down the back of Steven’s neck.
    Brianna glanced at him then back to Zoë.
    “I live in NYC. I come down from time to time to spend time with Dylan.”
    “I think that’s very considerate for you to help Dylan during this awful time.”
    “ Do you?” Brianna whispered.
    “Yes well she needs me. Anyone who really cared would do the same.”
    “May we come in?”
    “Oh.” Zoë felt her forehead.  “I’m sorry, Detective Morris. Come on in. You can put your coats there.” She pointed to the rack behind the door.
    Brianna unbuttoned hers. “No thanks we won’t be staying that long.”
    Zoë called for Dylan and Jasmine.  Those skintight leather pants and turtleneck highlighted her fascinating physique. Her long brown hair fell down her back in a sleek ponytail that stopped at her luscious butt. That retro-style makeup illuminated her glamorous features. While other women got out of bed in the mornings she got off magazine covers.
    Steven bumped into Brianna.
    “Watch it.”
    “Sorry.” He moved back.
    She fixed her coat. “Maybe if your eyes weren’t connected to Zoë’s ass, you’d know where you were going.” 
    “What? That’s ridiculous.”  He pointed to the floor. “I tripped on that tile that’s coming up.”
    “Right. Then why are you staring at her ass?”
    “And why are you being such a bitch, Bree?”
    “You think this is something I haven’t shown you nothing yet.”
    Who could blame him?  Being around Brianna everyday drove him crazy enough. You throw a woman like Zoë in his path and his hormones popped like guppies in bowling water.
    Dylan walked in. She wore her short jet-black hair in pristine layers.  The shaven sides accented her slender face.  Long, uneven bangs were gelled across her pencil-thin brows. Not many women could pull off a cut like this but it flattered Dylan’s sharp features and skinny neck.
    The local artists of the underground culture scene had reincarnated this New-Wave style from the eighties into a modern phenomenon.
    Of course Dylan’s eccentric look wouldn’t be complete without that zodiac choker, the studs crowding her ears and that mood ring. 
    Yep. This should be interesting.
    Jasmine soared into the room with her arms stuffed in her robe. “Detective Morris I’m glad you’re here. I got something I need to say.”
    “Shut up, Aunt Jas!”
    “Don’t tell me to shut up!”
    “Whoa just hold on, ladies.” Steven flapped his hand. “Is everything okay, Dylan?”
    “No. I can’t even grieve in peace around here.”
    “And to top it off Detective Matthews was here this morning. He grilled us like we were criminals. He asked me and Dylan if we had alibis. I’ve never been so insulted.”
    “That’s standard procedure, Ms. Hudson.”
    “With all due respect Detective Kemp I don’t take it lightly. I wanted to call Matthews’ superiors. That’s how upset I was.”
    “Wouldn’t you prefer to be a little offended if it would get everyone closer to answers?” Brianna asked.  “Jayce was just doing his job.  It’s normal to suspect the ones closest to the victim.”
    Jasmine gasped. “So we are suspects?”
    “Not necessarily. That’s why Jayce asked you questions, to check you out and eliminate you,”