Free Sins & Mistrust by Isabel Lucero Page B

my way to the decanter of scotch. I drink two fingers' worth before my phone is ringing.
    “Thalia. So glad that you got back to me so quickly,” I say through gritted teeth.
    “Funny. You don’t sound too happy at all. What’s going on, Lincoln?”
    “I’ve been calling you for days now, but you haven’t been answering. Are you intentionally ignoring me?”
    She releases another loud sigh. “I’ve been busy, that’s all. I was going to call you back when I had some time.”
    “Busy with that escort of yours, hmm?”
    She’s silent and I know I’ve shocked her with that bit of information.
    “How did you find out?”
    “It doesn’t matter.”
    “You’re an unrelenting bastard,” she says, and I think I hear a bit of laughter in her voice.
    “That’s not the worst thing I’ve been called.”
    “Oh, I’m sure not.”
    “Now, tell me, Thalia. Did you talk to your little friend about what we’ve discussed?”
    “My little friend is actually not so little, and he has a name, and you know it. Do you mean Marc? If so, then yes, I’ve spoken to him.”
    “Really?” I answer with a large smile. “And what did he have to say about this?”
    After a brief pause, she says, “He said even if he fucked men, he isn’t interested in someone who comes off like a stubborn bastard.” Another pause. “And he doesn’t find you attractive in the least.”
    “He didn’t say that,” I say after a few moments. I hold my breath and wait for her to respond.
    Her laughter floats through the phone. “Maybe not, but I had to mess with you.”
    “You might have made me believe you if you hadn’t said he didn’t find me attractive. I mean, come on.”
    Thalia laughs again. “So cocky.”
    “It’s probably just because mine is so big, so you know…”
    “Oh shut up!” she cries through laughter.
    “Well, I ran into Marc today, interestingly enough.”
    “Did you?” she asks, her voice going higher and curiosity filling it.
    “Well, he actually ran into me. Literally. We had a fun talk.”
    “I doubt that.”
    “Why do you doubt that? I’m fun.”
    She scoffs. “Okay,” she says, placating me. “What did you two fun guys talk about?”
    “Well, after my initial sexual innuendo, he decided to do a verbal spar with me. He said how he wouldn’t ram into me unless I begged him to. Something similar to that anyway. I responded with something about how he’d have to tease and if he was willing, he said he would do what he wants, but I’d have to ask nicely. Clearly, he hasn’t gotten to know me very well. Anyway, then before we parted ways, I told him I don’t beg for anything, to which he replied that if I did, he’d grant me more than I knew what to do with.”
    “Huh.”
    “What kind of response is that?” I ask.
    “I just wish I had been around for that. You two are going to be my entertainment, I can tell.”
    “I don’t see how this is fun for you,” I respond, confused.
    “It’ll be fun watching you two together. In the red corner we have Alpha one, in the blue corner we have Alpha two. Who will deliver the first blow…job?” She begins cracking up.
    “How funny you are, Thalia,” I groan, rubbing my head.
    “I know,” she chirps.
    “So, you think Marc is an alpha male? That’s funny. He doesn’t seem to be too intimidating.”
    “You’re ridiculous if you think being an alpha male means you have to be intimidating.”
    “Well, please, enlighten me, Ms. LaBelle.”
    “An alpha male is someone who is smart and witty, and has the ability to laugh at himself. He’s confident, and a hard worker. There’s always room for improvement, and he understands that. He doesn’t fear failure; for he knows that he will only grow and move forward with new knowledge. He doesn’t talk just to hear himself talk; he always has something meaningful to say. He isn’t selfish; instead he likes to help others succeed along with himself. He’s a protector, but doesn’t go around looking