Page 110 of Sinful

I said nothing, knowing Church tended to grow darker the longer he was in the Underground with his father. It was how his life was. He had to adapt or get eaten. Quite literally.

Didn’t mean I had to like it.

“Keep yourself in check,” Stitches said, clearly on the same page as me. “You tend to fall a little into the black when you’re there too long and exposed to all that shit.”

Church let out a soft chuckle that sent chills down my spine. I hated him like this.

“I’m the king of the black. I invented it, brother.”

“Church, we worry,” I said. “Life is hard enough without trying to tug you back from the brink.”

“I’m fine.” He sat back abruptly. “I’ll be fine. I always am.”

“Don’t forget who you are,” I said evenly.

He eyed the camera for a moment. “I’m the King of the Underground.”

I sighed, knowing he was in one of his moods. “I’m going to duck out. You and Stitches have a good talk. I’m going to go check on Sirena.” I turned and made to leave, needing to get out of there before I lost my shit.

“Asher,” Church called out.

I sighed and turned to face the phone.

“I will be home soon. I better not come back to find Sin has tried to make a comeback, or I’ll finish what we started in the cemetery with him.”

I clenched my jaw and said nothing while Stitches let out a soft curse in Spanish.

Turning, I swept forward, grabbed my jacket on the way out, and stepped into the cold air, praying for some damn peace.

If not for me, then for Sin.

I felt he deserved it.

SIRENA

Istared down at the pink, sparkly polish on my nails. I hadn’t painted them in ages it seemed, and it felt nice to do so with Cady.

“So I told him he could go fuck himself if he was going to be that way,” Cady said, finishing her story about some guy named Jake on campus who wanted her to put out, but she wouldn’t because he insisted on recording them.

“I don’t know how you deal with all your guys,” she continued. “Do they do stupid shit like that?”

I shook my head for her, making her sigh.

“I’m glad you’re lucky in love. I’m waist-deep in the cesspool, it seems.”

I patted her hand, letting her know it would be OK. She did seem to have bad luck with guys.

“You know, last year at Megan Keeley’s party, I made out with Lucy Travers.”

I raised my eyebrows at her admission.

She nodded, smirking at me. “It was fun. Girls are softer, you know? They aren’t just looking to screw. At least the ones I’ve known aren’t. Sure, it’s a good time and all that, but they actually can hold a conversation, unlike all the guys I’ve known.”

I watched her examine her black nails.

“Mom called. Asked how things were going here. I told her I wish I’d have gone crazy sooner. She didn’t like that.” She laughed. “But she said Jerry’s being a dick and hasn’t been home much. He’s probably railing his secretary or something.” She paused. “Does he have a secretary?”

I shrugged, not knowing or caring what that jerk had, but wishing my mom would leave him. I had no idea what she saw in him.

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