Page 12 of A Sinner's Saint

“No, I don’t think…” Jye’s words are cut off when he’s tugged away from me before I can blink.

Everything happens so quickly. One minute, he’s right in my face. The next, he’s on the ground and an extremely angry-looking Vin is on top of him, raining down punch after punch.

A crowd gathers. Idiots surround us, all chanting, “Fight, fight, fight!”

I need to stop this madness. I don’t want Vin getting into any more trouble than he already has because of me.

Dash and Marcus pull Vin off Jye, whose face is covered in blood. “Let this be your only fucking warning.” Vin points to the crowd and then at me. “Camile Taylor is mine. If I so much as see any of you fuckers think about touching her, I will kill you.”

My eyes bug out of my head. What the hell? I wanted him to acknowledge me, sure, but he’s just made a freaking declaration in front of the entire school. People are recording it.

Shit. They’re all staring at me.

Vin doesn’t seem fazed at all. He lifts his arm, an invitation for me to lean against him. “You okay?” he whispers into my ear.

I nod my head. Shouldn’t I be the one asking him that?

“Vin, they’re all staring,” I whisper.

“Let them get a good look at their queen. We should get to class,” he says. “You got everything you need?”

Again, I nod like an idiot, because I don’t know what else to do. What else to say. When I look at my friends, their expressions tell me that the interrogation is coming. Just as soon as they get me alone. Thankfully, I have until lunch before I have to face them again.

“Later,” I mouth in their direction.

“So, what’d you get up to yesterday?” Vin asks as we make our way to our English class.

“Not much. You?”

“Babysat one of my brothers,” he says.

“Babysat? Aren’t you the youngest?” I look up at him.

“Yep. But you wouldn’t know it right now,” Vin grunts. “What’d you really do? You can’t expect me to believe you did nothing all day?”

“I… ah… Well, most of the day, I sat around debating whether or not I should call or text someone. And then it occurred to me I didn’t actually have their number anyway,” I admit.

Vin drops his arm from my shoulder. “Give me your phone,” he says.

“Why?” Even as I’m questioning him, I’m pulling my phone out of my pocket.

“I want to make sure you have my number. You know, in case that someone you want to sit around and debate on calling or messaging is me one day.” He takes my phone from my hand, and I watch as he types in his number. “There,” he says when he passes it back. “And for the record, don’t ever sit around debating shit. Just call me.”

“Okay. Thank you.” My eyes drop to my shoes. I don’t know why I’m feeling shy all of a sudden. He’s seen me naked. We showered together, not to mention everything else we’ve done.

Whispers surround us as we walk into the nearly-full classroom, side by side. I don’t blame them. I’d be curious too if I saw Vin De Bellis walk into class with the girl he just publicly claimed. He’s never done anything like this before.

If I thought the whispers and stares would simmer down as the day progressed, I was wrong. If anything, they’ve gotten worse. After English, Vin walked me to my next class and then went on to his. I haven’t seen him since.

Now, I’m walking through the cafeteria, wishing I’d chosen to eat somewhere else, anywhere else. Sinking into the seat across from Elena and Lauren, next to Devon, I look at my three best friends. And they all stare back at me like I’m a stranger.

“Okay, spit it out now or forever hold your peace.” I wave a hand at them in gesture for them to get on with it.

“What the actual hell? Vin? Really? You’re dating Vin De Bellis and you didn’t tell us?” This comes from Devon.

“I’m just… shocked. Happy for you, of course… if you’re happy,” Elena says.

“How did this even happen?” Lauren adds.

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