Page 93 of Sinful Sacrifice

If Julian wasn’t next to me, I’d be more careful with my words.

But thankfully, his protection allows me to speak more freely.

My mom backs up a step at my lack of excitement. “Are you not happy for me? This is life-changing.”

“Unless he gives you the business, no strings attached, the only way it’ll change your life is, he’ll control you again,” I argue.

“We need the income.” She whips her arm toward the building. “This is it.”

It’s like her ears are broken.

Like my words are flying straight over her head into traffic.

“No, this is a leash he’s attaching to you.”

I peer at Lanie, standing there in a summer dress and Chucks, looking not only confused but scared shitless too. I’m uncertain if the fear is of Cernach hurting me or that she fears him. She hasn’t been around my uncle much.

“Leash?” Cernach huffs out. “I’m helping my dear sister. What kind of brother would I be if I didn’t?”

I’m almost expecting him to pat her on the head like a good little dog.

I’ve never wanted to punch a righteous smirk off someone’s face so bad.

If my mom believes him, she doesn’t need to open a new studio. She needs to walk her ass straight to the hospital and have them check her for has lost her mind syndrome.

Cernach scoots closer to her, mirroring Julian with me.

Oh, give me a break.

My mother straightens her back, composing herself. “Now that your father is gone, I need money to support us.”

“There are plenty of jobs in the city,” I bite out.

For years, she’s told me horror stories of Cernach.

I didn’t get princess bedtime stories. I got tales of my mother’s trauma.

Warnings of how women are treated in that life.

I experienced my mother’s emotional wounds because she had no one else to pour them out to. And now, she’s suddenly okay with his behavior?

“This also helps you,” she quickly adds. “You don’t have to work at the coffee shop anymore. You can teach here.”

Cernach rolls his eyes, growing impatient with me. “I took care of her problem. Show some gratitude.”

“No, you gave me more problems,” I fire back, noticing people are staring.

She can’t run the studio alone, even if Cernach funds it. I’ll have to help her. Her arthritis makes it difficult to teach classes. It’s not that I mind doing it since I’ve been by her side for years, but I refuse to do it with Cernach as a partner.

Cernach scrubs his hands together. “The contracts have already been signed. The studio is your mother’s.” He levels his eyes on me. “Now, I think we should plan your wedding.”

“Wedding?” Lanie gasps, green eyes widening. “You’re getting married?”

I ball my hands into fists, and Julian steps closer to me. “I’m not marrying anyone.”

“Oh, come on,” Cernach draws out mockingly. “What’s the big deal? You’re already living with Damien. Why not marry him and help your family out in the process?”

I love Damien, and under any other circumstances, I’d love to marry him, but never with Cernach involved. Cernach tarnishes everything he touches, and I’ll be damned if I let him in any way.

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