Sinful Knight

SINFUL KNIGHT KNIGHT’S RIDGE EMPIRE BOOK 16 TRACY LORRAINE CONTENTS 1. Evie 2. Evie 3. Alex 4. Evie 5. Alex 6. Evie 7. Evie 8. Alex 9. Alex 10. Evie 11. Alex 12. Evie 13. Alex 14. Evie 15. Alex 16. Evie 17. Alex 18. Evie 19. Alex 20. Evie 21. Alex 22. Evie 23. Alex 24. Evie 25. Alex 26. Evie 27. Alex 28. Evie 29. Alex 30. Evie 31. Alex 32. Alex 33. Evie 34. Alex 35. Evie 36. Alex 37. Evie About the Author Also by Tracy Lorraine The Mistakes You Make The Revenge You Seek Sneak Peek Copyright © 2022 by Tracy Lorraine All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review. Editing by Pinpoint Editing Proofreading by Sisters Get Lit.erary Photography by Wander Aguiar Models - Zakk Davis & Evan Keys 1 EVIE A month ago… I wince as a loud crash fills the flat before their shouting starts up again. My fingers curl around my pencil so tightly, I’m amazed it doesn’t snap in my hand. Every single word that’s thrown at my sister pierces through me, causing me just as much hurt as I’m sure they are her. But there’s nothing I can do about it. A few years ago, I’d be rushing in there and trying to fight her corner. But I quickly learned that that only makes things worse. As much as it pains me, I’ve promised Blakely that I’ll keep out of it. No matter how vicious it sounds. Movement across the room catches my attention and I look up to find our father rolling toward me. As per usual, he’s got an empty bottle of vodka between his thighs and a mostly burned-out cigarette hanging from his lips. “She causing trouble again?” he asks, his voice rough from years of abusing his lungs. My brows pinch as anger continues to burn within me. “She’s sick, Dad. Something I thought you might understand,” I spit. He tsks, continuing to roll toward the bin to deposit his empty bottle. “Recycling,” I bark, making him pause. “It’s just one bottle,” he mutters under his breath. “So far,” I add. “One bottle so far today. When you’re the one who takes it down to the bins, you get to have an opinion.” He stares up at me with cold, shocked eyes. But I don’t care. Gone are the days that I used to shut up and put up. I’m done with that shit. If I get an opportunity to point out what a shitty father he is, then I’ll do it. I still might feel guilty as hell about it afterward, but he doesn’t need to know that. “What’s crawled up your arse and died today?” There’s another bang across the flat before a door is pulled open and heavy footsteps thud this way. My stomach knots, my grip on the pencil tightening again. “Afternoon, Derek,” Dad grunts, studying his oldest friend as if he wasn’t just threatening his firstborn in the bedroom. “Jeremy. And little Evie,” he coos, his expression morphing to one that has disgust rolling through me. He studies me as if I’m not little at all. Which, of course, I’m not. Not anymore. “I have something for you,” he sings suggestively, shoving his hand into his pocket. Dad studies us with interest, but I ignore his attention. I’m too desperate for what Derek is about to hand me. Excitement stirs in my belly the second I see the wad of notes in his grasp. “Here you go, sweet pea.” The way his fingers brush mine makes goosebumps race up my arm, and not the good kind. “Thank you,” I say politely, trying to take it from him. “You do know you could make more, though, right?” “Derek,” Dad growls, unimpressed by his suggestion. Although to be fair, he’s unimpressed by all of this. He may never have had an issue with Blakely selling herself to ensure we all have enough food to eat, but he’s never had the same opinion of me. Well, screw him. If he can’t get a job and support his kids, then his bullshit opinions are meaningless. “When I change my mind, you’ll be the first to know,” I tell Derek, finally pulling what I’m owed from his fingers. It’s nowhere near as much as I could earn, I know that. With his hefty cut taken out and the fact I have some hard rules for what I will and won’t do means I earn a hell of a lot less than my sister. But so be it. It’s more than I used to make at the art shop in a year, and it’s going to ensure university happens for me come September. I’m beyond caring what people think. “While we’re talking about jobs, you’re not busy tonight, are you?” My brow lifts as I glare at him. He knows full well I wanted this weekend off. “With your sister out of action again,” he drawls, rolling his eyes as if Blakely is faking her illness to get her out of work. “I’m a girl down for tonight. I’ll pay you double,” he offers. Silence lingers as I consider his offer. Dad glares at me while Blakely crashes around in our bedroom doing God knows what. “Does it break any of my rules?” I ask, keeping my eyes focused on Derek’s haggard face. He’s the same age as Dad, but you’d never believe it from looking at him. His skin is wrinkled, his lips thin and showing evidence of years of smoking right along with his yellow teeth. His hair is grey and well overdue a cut. The only thing he has going for him is the money he blatantly robs from all his girls. But seeing as he preys