Page 24 of His Sinner

Slowly, the puzzle pieces click together in Briar’s head until her eyes widen and snap to her father. “You said you lost your ear in a dog attack.”

He pales before sputtering, “He’s lying.”

Her eyes narrow. “He’s always honest. You’re the liar.”

She has him there. I’ve been honest with her from day one—I’ve confessed to the sacrifices I’ve made for her, the lives I’ve taken, the painful parts of my past I never disclose to anyone. But she’s always known him to be secretive, disloyal, deceptive.

Warren sighs. “Of course I couldn’t tell you the truth.”

“You killed a woman! A little boy’s mom.” Briar’s voice cracks on the final words. She can feel the pain I experienced as if it’s her own. God, I love her so much.

And though she’s not yet ready to admit it, though she may not even be aware of it herself, she’s falling deeply in love with me.

Warren slams a fist down on the table, shaking it. “After she killed my brother! Your uncle!”

“Because he tried molesting her son!”

Her father’s jaw clenches to the verge of snapping. “He wasn’t like that.”

Figures he would also be the sort of bastard who defends a child predator, even in death.

“A woman doesn’t kill a man because she didn’t catch him trying to molest her son.” Briar’s cheeks are rosy now.

My eyes prick not from the painful memories but from the fierceness in Briar’s tone. Her protectiveness.

A woman who once despised me, who wanted me out of her life forever, is now defending me to her own father. Choosing me.

I squeeze her hand. “My mother didn’t kill your brother.” Both of them fall silent, gazes landing on me. “I did.”

“You?” Warren barks. “You couldn’t have. You would’ve been just a child.”

“Yes. To your brother’s delight.”

Warren’s mouth twists into a snarl. “I don’t want you anywhere near my daughter.”

“You don’t get a say in who I spend my time with anymore,” Briar snaps. “In fact, you don’t get a say in any part of my life. I literally don’t even want you in my house.”

He whirls on her. “He doesn’t give a shit about you, Briar! He’s here for me. You think this is a coincidence? He killed my brother, I killed his mother, and now he’s planning to kill you.” His gaze lasers back on me. “But he’ll have to go through me first.”

A flash of fear in Briar’s wide, bright blue irises.

She slips her hand from mine.

My heart plummets to my feet. She can’t possibly believe his vile accusations. Not after everything we’ve been through. Everything I’ve already done for her to prove my love, my eternal devotion.

She’s agreed to return to Nicholson Manor with me. To live with me, be with me. I can’t lose her already.

“Don’t listen to him, Briar. He’s hurt you countless times. I would never, ever hurt you. You know that.”

Trust. That’s what I still need from her. Her full, unwavering trust. But I’m not yet sure I’ve earned it.

With her watery blue eyes trained on me, she gives a single nod. “I know.”

Relief floods through me. She won’t let him get in her head. She knows the real me.

I haven’t lost her.

“Get out,” Warren orders.

---