Page 30 of Stitches

“I don’t like you taking new meds.” Church narrowed his eyes on me.

“I don’t like being me, so I guess we both have a problem, huh?”

Before he could answer, Sirena came into the room in her white nightgown. I sat up straighter, noting so did Ashes and Church.

“Hey, baby,” Ashes greeted her, reaching for her hand. “How was your nap?”

She slid easily onto his lap and nuzzled against him. My chest clenched when he cradled her face and kiss her.

“Specter,” Church called out after a moment.

Ashes kissed her once more before releasing her to my brother. She went easily, looking breathtaking as she did so. I could only stare at her as she settled on Church’s lap.

It was a similar greeting to what she’d given to Ashes. A deep kiss. Touching. Then Church murmured something in her ear, making her still. Another kiss. More whispering.

I looked away, my throat tight, and caught Ashes’s eye.

He gave me a smile and nodded to Church and Sirena as if to saylook at them. How sweet.

It was sweet. It was also completely unlike Church to be that way with anyone.

That was how I knew what he had with her was real.

My brother was in love.

And I was in turmoil.

Church released her, and she got to her feet again. This time, she came to me. I stiffened when she paused in front of me, her pretty eyes giving me a nervous look that did something to my insides.

I watched her twist her fingers anxiously in front of me.

Her lips parted. We locked eyes. Her chest rose and fell faster. A tremor raced through her body, giving her a small frame a slight shake.

I hated it.

I fucking hated it.

She shouldn’t feel that way.

I scared her. That was what this was.

I got to my feet and stared down at her, our bodies nearly touching.

I leaned in, my body unsteady, and whispered in her ear.

“Go to Dante or Ashes. Not me, angel. I’m unworthy.” I moved past her and didn’t look back, but I heard Church call out to her to come back to him.

The door to my bedroom clicked closed behind me with the thought that my angel was now being held by Church or Ashes. It brought me some semblance of comfort.

And for that, I was grateful.

SETH

Istared at Sin as he lay in his bed, the blankets twisted around his fucked-up body. He’d punished himself to the point it was making even me a little sick.

The last thing I wanted to do was call his condition in, but I’d done it anyway. Now, he was in one of the hospital beds, all bandaged up and on pain meds.

“Asylum. Why am I not surprised to see you here?” Sully’s deep voice met my ears.

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