Page 41 of Holy Sinner

Rafe straightens and sighs, because he hears the same thing I do. The door to the cabin opening and closing. Kit’s back.

“How do you want to play it?” he asks. I don’t have to ask, I already know what he means. Kit. This fucked situation. The secret from her past that’s getting harder for her to hide from.

“Let it lie tonight,” I reply and we both make for the bathroom door. “Let her tell us if she wants.”

Rafe grumbles at me but my boyfriend gives me a begrudging nod. “Fine, but I’m shooting you if this goes wrong.”

“Deal.”

Chapter Twenty

KIT

Yoga is good.

Well, as good as yoga can be when you’re taking a class with the woman whose throat you almost slit. Jasmine doesn’t give it away, though. She does her poses with poise and grace, Warrior Two and Three seamlessly melding into Mountain with practiced ease. By the time we’re lying on the teak wood floor of the yoga studio, I’m the one that’s in danger of giving the whole ‘I threatened to kill her and ruin her career’ secret away, with all the sweating that I’m doing. Luckily, if anyone notices, they don’t let on. I wouldn’t think anyone would point out how badly I’m sweating or my beet red face because the only people at Elysium Sol Sanctuary are people associated with filming.

We have the entire run of the place for the next two months. Holly seemed pleased by that and I took Jane’s soft encouragement to “try the amenities out” as the nudge I needed to try and relax. I thought about getting Rafe to join me for the sound bath again after class but turns out I’m the one that’s not up for it. The yoga class wore me out more than I realized. I nearly fall asleep but the teacher's gentle voice instructing us to roll onto our sides and open our eyes pulls me back to the land of the living.

I rub my eyes and stretch. Jasmine turns and looks my way for a split second before she shoulders on her bag and hurries from the yoga studio. I don’t regret threatening her, but my stomach still pinches with worry. Just because I’m not regretful over what I’d done to Jasmine doesn’t mean that I’m not still coming to terms with what that means about me and how I’m changing.

“We’re yours forever.”

The bracelet on my wrist weighs heavy, despite how delicate it is and my hand goes to it automatically. I haven't taken it off since my men gave it to me. It’s a steady and constant reminder of exactly how Rafe and Grant feel about me.

Would they still want me if I’m not their good girl? Yes, they’ve taught me how to defend myself but not to go on the attack. I chew on my bottom lip and wave goodbye to the yoga teacher on my way past. The night air is cool and refreshing on my skin and I take in a deep breath of the forest air. Pine and moisture carry on the wind and when I turn my head I see the telltale clouds of a thunderstorm rolling in. I hope the rain doesn’t delay the construction of Delilah Falls.

“Kit, hey!” a voice calls out and I practically jump a foot in the air.

My hands are at my throat when I turn to see who it is. “Alexia, hi,” I gasp out, forcing a smile to my lips. Alexia is a makeup artist on set and we’re friendly enough that she gives me mini makeovers when she has time between takes. She’s one of the best makeup artists on set and a constant presence during filming. I’ve watched the other makeup artists and stylists rotate out, but not Alexia. She’s been there every single day and it’s nice seeing her familiar face now.

“Oh shit, I scared you. I am so fucking sorry.” Alexia smacks her forehead with her hand. “I didn’t even think about, you know,” Alexia lowers her voice and takes a step closer to me, “why we’re even here and then I scare you. I am such a-”

I raise my hands and interrupt her, because I don’t want to think about why we’re here. “It’s okay, really, I promise. How are you?”

She looks like she isn’t so sure that it’s okay but after a half second she smiles and nods. “I’m good. I’m loving the change in location. This place is a dream, right?”

“Yeah, it’s great.”

“They have horseback riding and a mudroom. There’s even, like, a rock climbing wall too and I think I might actually try it out. Would you want to do that with me one day?”

I tilt my head to the side and think about it. “That could be fun,” I say, even though I’m terrified of heights. I’m scared of a lot, always have been, probably always will be. But trying new things feels like a way to put more distance between myself and that night. It seems silly, it might even be silly, but that doesn’t mean I’m not going to try it.

“Really? You’ll go?!” I nod and Alexia bounces on her toes in excitement. “This is ah-mah-zing. Do you know how many people I asked to go with me? I even tried to get Jane and she said no way was that gonna happen in a million years, which I guess I should have seen coming. But going with you is going to be way more fun. Are you going up that way to the cabins?” she asks and I nod, content to let Alexia chatter on when she offers to walk me to my cabin. I’m in cabin 4 with Rafe and Grant and Alexia is further down in cabin ten. There’s about a dozen cabins in total on the property.

“They’ve got a few of us in the cabins to help with space but a lot of folks are up at the lodge. It helps that we’re rotating through the crews,” Alexia tells me.

“Are you going to be going back to Seattle, then?” I ask and I hope not. I don’t have a lot of friends on set to begin with and thinking about losing a friendly face right now makes that familiar pinch in my stomach come back. I just wish things would slow down and go back to normal for once. Trouble is, I can’t remember what normal is anymore. Would I even recognize it if it happened?

Probably not, if I’m honest.

“No, they’re going to keep me on so I get to kick back and enjoy this paradise for two whole months!” Alexia throws her arms wide and I think she’s about to go skipping around and singing like they do in musicals before they meet their true loves but she goes still and gives me an apologetic look. “God, I’m such a dick. I keep acting like we’re on vacation and we’re here because some freak took pictures of you.”

I open my mouth to tell her it’s okay, that I understand why she’s excited, that Elysium Sol is definitely a slice of paradise, but I don’t. Instead, I roll my shoulders forward and wrap my arms around my waist as we walk on.

“I can’t believe I didn’t know they were there,” I tell her. It’s the most I’ve talked about the photos to anyone that’s not Rafe or Grant. Even then, I didn’t dare tell them how I felt. If I did, they would have gone on a rampage and that’s not something the three of us need right now.

“That’s terrifying, Kit. I-well, I’m sorry that happened to you. I can’t imagine what it felt like seeing those photos. I’m so so sorry.” Alexia’s empathy and sorrowful eyes catch me off guard. I realize I’m not used to hearing someone tell me they’re sorry. Rafe and Grant don’t tell me they’re sorry when shit goes sideways. They fix it–which means they get even.

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