Page 132 of Ashes

“How are you?” I asked.

Cady shoved Church. He pushed her back before they launched into calling one another colorful names. Sin shook his head and moved ahead of them.

“Alive,” Stitches muttered, his stare on his feet.

This Stitches seemed so reserved. It was unlike him to be so quiet. Even after his break before his suicide attempt, he was still all teasing and laughter.

“I’m glad you are.”

He let out a soft huff of air.

I cleared my throat after a moment of silence. “Do you want to talk about it?”

He shrugged as he kicked a pebble on the path. Cady was now walking backward in front of Church, taunting him. She kept darting away every time he tried to grab her. I knew he’d throw her in a bush if he managed to get her.

“Ashes, man, shit was fucked in there. I-I don’t even want to see angel right now. The shit that happened. . .” He blew out a breath. “She’ll never forgive me.”

“What happened?”

Fear roiled deep in my chest.

He shook his head. “I-I can’t talk about it. I don’t want to talk about it. All I know is I have a lot of work cut out for me if I’m ever going to get her to love me. She’ll never forgive me.”

“Stitches, what happened? You’re scaring me.”

“I-I can’t say. Just know any hatred she has for me would be well-placed. The fact she’s with Asylum right now. . . Fuck.”

“Should we be more worried than we are? We’ll take her from him. You know Dante will. He won’t hesitate if you say the word—”

“She’s not safe anywhere, man. This world is fucked. But if I had to pick a place for her, it would be with Asylum. He took care of her in there.”

His words hurt, but the look on his face let me know he meant it. Considering what Stiches had done over the thought of losing her to him, this new approach made me uneasy. Something big had happened. I didn’t want to dwell on it because my mind only went to the darkest of places. If I found out she was harmed in some screwed up experiment, I’d burn this place to the ground.

We reached Asylum’s building and went inside.

“Hurry up,” Church called out, looking back to us as he shoved Cady into a Ficus tree in the lobby.

“Prick,” she muttered, catching herself on the wall.

“I’m not going in. I’ll wait here.” Stitches visibly swallowed.

“I’ll wait with him,” Sin said immediately.

“What the fuck is the matter with you two jerks?” Cady demanded. “I thought you guys loved my sister? I’m confused. So it’s just Deputy Dipshit and Ashes who want her?” She jerked her thumb at Church.

“Fuck off, Claws.” Church sneered, giving her the finger.

She rolled her eyes at him.

“I’m just not ready,” Stitches said softly. “That’s all.”

Cady shrugged. “I get it. You tried to kill yourself because of her. I’ll let you off this time. “But you…” She rounded on Sin, her finger pointed at him. “What the fuck, shit for brains?”

“Don’t point your tiny finger at me, you fucking nightmare. I’m not interested in your sister,” Sin snapped, glowering at her. “I thought you got that memo.”

“Whatever. Fuck you, pretty boy. I don’t have time for this shit. I’m going to see my sister.” She spun on her heel and pushed the button for the elevator.

I glanced at Sin. A muscle thrummed along his jaw. I wished he could get over the shit he went through with Isabella. She really messed with his head. Sighing, I flipped my lighter opened and closed five times. Pause. Five more times.

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