Page 129 of Stitches

A tiny smirk cut his lips upward again. “Your violence is beautiful, my son. It is one of your most perfect attributes. I raised you well. However, if Adam becomes a victim to your own madness, there will be hell to pay. Do we have an agreement?”

“Yes,” I said tightly. “But if Adam so much as gets close to what belongs to me, Adam will pay.”

“Let’s hope you don’t make that mistake.” He grabbed a bag at his feet I hadn’t noticed and opened it. I watched as he pulled a covered bowl out. “I brought you something.”

He handed it to me. “Go on. I want you to try it.”

I opened the container to see cooked meat inside. Rather than let him see the sickness that gripped me, I looked to him and saw him reach back into the bag and pull out a fork.

“Here.” He handed it to me.

I took it and leveled my gaze on him.

“You’ll love it.” His eyes twinkled. “Trust me.”

I’d always called his bluffs. This would be no different.

I forked the meat and put it into my mouth and chewed, the flavor too much. It had far too many seasonings and spices on it.

I swallowed and raised a brow at him, waiting for his next test.

“Did you like it?”

“No. Too many seasonings. You need to fire your chef.”

“Perfect. I said the same thing.”

I handed him back the container and he covered it before placing it into his bag. I twirled the fork between my fingers, making his eyes sparkle.

“Everything is a weapon, is it not, my son?”

“Indeed,” I said solemnly.

He took the fork from me and stuffed it away.

“Is that all?” I asked.

“What else would there be?” He gave me a serene look.

“Isn’t there always something?”

“Not tonight. We’re done.”

I got to my feet and went to the door, but he stopped me before I got there.

“Dante, send my regards to Sirena and Malachi. I look forward to seeing them again soon.”

I said nothing. I knew how he worked. He wanted to work me up. Instead, I pulled the door open and stepped into the hall, the echo of his laughter in my ears as I shut the door.

Fuck him. He needed to die.

ASHES

“Hey, baby,” I greeted Sirena as she came out of classes that evening. She immediately came to me and curled beneath my arm, and I led her down the hall.

I’d been worried along with Church and Stitches about her odd behavior lately. She’d been spending a lot of time holed up in her room painting. I liked to think she was catching up on things, but after hearing she’d gone out into the night, I’d be lying if I said I was cool with it all.

“Ashes,” Sin called out. We barely spoke these days. In fact, it was rare that I ever saw him. He still looked sad as hell though, which in turn made me feel even more sad.

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