Page 81 of A Sinner's Saint

“I’m really not hungry, Vin. You can go eat with your family. I’ll just... stay here.” She motions a hand around the room.

“Cammi, when was the last time you ate?” I’ve been with her basically all day. She didn’t touch the food they gave her at the hospital.

“This morning. I had a muffin at the café,” she says. “I’m fine, honestly.”

“What if we go to that sushi place you used to love?” I suggest, and Cammi screws up her face.

“I don’t feel like eating right now.”

I don’t know what to do to get her to eat—actually I do. It’s manipulative as fuck but I think it just might work. “Fine,” I say, sitting down on the bed and making myself comfortable.

“What are you doing?” she asks before climbing on next to me.

“If you’re imposing some kind of hunger strike, I’m joining you. I’m not eating until you do.” I fold my arms over my chest.

“That’s ridiculous, Vin. You need to eat.”

I raise a single eyebrow at her without saying a word. We get trapped in a staring match. I’m stubborn as fuck, and when it comes to her well-being, I’ll be more stubborn than ever if it gets me what I want.

“You’re really not going to go and eat?” she asks.

“Nope. You wanna watch a movie?” I offer, reaching for the remote.

“Fine, I’ll eat. Come on,” Cammi huffs out.

“Glad you finally saw things my way.” I smile at her as I climb off the bed.

Just before we walk out of the room, I reach down and clasp my hand around hers. I watch her face as I do, waiting for any indication that she doesn’t want me to touch her.

Cammi turns and smiles at me. “It’s okay.”

I breathe out a breath I didn’t know I was holding. I can do this. I can get past my messed-up fuckups and try to be better for her. I don’t want her having to spend a lifetime having to ask me to touch her. Kiss her. Make love to her. I get that it’s not normal.

“Wait.” I skid to a stop in the hallway, my eyes honing in on her lips. “I… ah…”

“Vin, I want you to. I always want you to,” she says.

I bend forward and meld my mouth with hers. “I really want to be better for you.”

“I don’t need you to be anything but yourself, Vin. All I need is for you to stay. Don’t leave me again.” Her words cut me deep.

“I was a fucking idiot, Cammi. Trust me, I’m not going anywhere,” I say as I lead her downstairs.

My brothers are already sitting at the dining table, along with El, Daisy, and Zoe—Marcel’s new girlfriend. Gabe has Luciano on his lap. This family really is growing fast.

I pull out a chair for Cammi. She sits down but doesn’t let go of my hand. Her grip is tight, and I have to force myself to remain calm as I claim the seat next to hers. I try every fucking thing I can think of. Counting to five, looking over at the adorable face of my nephew, but I can feel myself starting to sweat.

Not now. Fuck, I can’t even sit at a dining table five minutes after I told her I was going to be better for her.

“What’s wrong?” Cammi whispers while looking across at me.

My fingers clench and unclench. “Nothing,” I tell her, forcing my tone to remain neutral.

And then she lets go of my hand. “Sorry,” she says, “I didn’t…”

“It’s okay. It’s not your fault,” I tell her before turning my attention to the table. “Everyone, this is Cammi and we’re getting married.”

“You’re what now?” Eloise asks.

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