Page 6 of Stitches

Sirena would need her strength later. I was sure of it.

* * *

I flippedmy lighter open and closed on repeat as I listened to Sister Grace drone on. I’d tuned her words out long ago. Math wasn’t my thing. I found it boring as hell. Instead, I let my mind wander to Sirena. She was upstairs in a Bible study class. Cady had the class with her, so it offered some comfort in knowing she wasn’t alone.

If I kept my mind on Sirena, I’d end up with an embarrassing situation, so I thought about Sin. The fire. His lies. His betrayal. And how much it hurt to lose him.

But I didn’t feel remorse over his punishment. He deserved more for all of the shit he’d done. I knew why he did it, but that still didn’t make it right. I was certain Asylum had something to do with saving him. I’d have let him burn in that moment had it been me, but when I lost myself in the flames, it was hard to think clearly.

It was all smoke and ash to me.

It was something I was working on.

Now that the ash had settled, I found myself sick with worry over him. Not that I wasn’t pissed, because I absolutely was and would punch him in the face again if I saw him. But I was worried about him. His mental state had been weak. I knew he’d loved us. I knew why he did what he did. He didn’t think it through though. He didn’t consider the consequences. That was one of the things I’d learned in my life. Starting a fire always had a consequence.

Maybe he’d learn it now too.

The bell rang, signaling our freedom for the day, so I got up and shoved past everyone to the door, hoping to get to Sirena quickly.

I took the stairs two at a time. I’d told Claws to always wait for me. So far, she’d obeyed. I hoped today wasn’t the day to change her actions.

When I reached the top of the stairs, I hauled ass through the crowded hallway to the bench outside the room where we arranged to always meet.

I halted in my tracks because Cady was nowhere to be seen. Sirena was sitting on the bench with Bryce beside her. He was talking a mile a minute to her.

Jealousy reared its ugly head inside me. I wasn’t a jealous guy. At least I never was before Sirena. But Bryce was different. He was kind. Patient. And he cared about her. He was everything a good girl could want in a guy, which was why I probably felt the way I did. She’d been with him before us. They made sense together. The watchers with such a perfect girl didn’t make sense.

Not that I didn’t trust her. It was I just didn’t want her to feel for anyone but us. I wanted to be her best friend. Her confidant. The one she smiled at and her eyes sparkled for. From what I could witness, she was into their conversation just as much as he was.

Cady was in hot water when I caught up to her.

Schooling my emotions, I went to them.

Sirena looked up at me with her big, innocent, pretty eyes as Bryce’s words faltered on his lips.

“Heaven,” I murmured.

She held her hand out to me. I gave her mine in return and pulled her to her feet.

Bryce followed and shot me a nervous look. “Sorry. Cady got in trouble for telling Sister Mary to eat her ass and was sent to the office. I stayed to make sure Sirena was OK.”

“Thank you,” I said, definitely planning on having words with Claws later on. She needed to learn to control herself.

Like I’m one to talk.

Bryce continued to stand there, staring at Sirena. I cleared my throat and gave him a pointed look.

His cheeks flushed pink for a moment before he looked at me.

“I-can Sirena hang out with me tonight—”

“No,” I said immediately, not even contemplating it for a moment.

Her hand squeezed mine, and I looked down at her to see her brows crinkled.

She wanted to hang out with him.

“Heaven,” I murmured, turning to face her. I cradled her cheek and frowned down at her. “No. Please. Not-not tonight, OK?”

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