Page 135 of Sinful

“You tried to set my fucking coat on fire,” Stitches snapped at her.

“But I didn’t.” She rolled her eyes at him, then flopped down onto our couch and grabbed the remote.

“Motherfucker, I wasinit!” Stitches yelped, snatching the remote from her. “Asshole.”

“You’re too sensitive, stranglehold.” She grabbed the remote back and turned the TV on. I went into the kitchen, in a feeble attempt to ignore their bickering, and opened the fridge. After grabbing a bottle of water, I returned to the living room to see Stitches threatening Cady with a pillow if she didn’t return the remote.

“I’m not watching that B-movie shit,” Stitches said. “I’ll suffocate your ass if you put it on, Claws.”

She raised her brows at him in a challenge. They were driving me nuts.

I reached out and stole the remote from her, making her cry out.

“Asher!”

“Claws.” I turned the channel to some feel-good movie about second chances.

“For fuck’s sake, Ashes. I’d rather watch that shitty horror movie than this garbage,” Stitches groaned. “You know what? Fuck it. Set me on fire. Put me out of my misery.”

“Gladly.” Cady pulled her lighter from her pocket and flipped the lid, the flame glowing moments later.

Fuck my life.

This was going to be a long night.

I couldn’t wait for Sirena to come home. I’d do whatever I could to get a moment alone with her, even if it meant taking time away from Sin.

The alternative was letting Cady set me on fire too. It would be a hell of a lot better than listening to her and Stitches antagonize one another all night.

SIRENA

The snowman turned out good. I really liked the pinecone ears. It was a nice touch.

I smiled at his words in our notebook as we sat in the cave later that night. I didn’t realize he’d had the notebook tucked away in his jacket the entire time, but I was delighted he’d thought to grab it.

We’d wandered through the cemetery before heading to this secret cavern deep in the forest. I liked it here. The heaviness of Chapel Crest seemed far away as I scribbled quickly in the dim light from the heater to him.

I wasn’t going to give him ears, but I was thinking, what kind of snowman doesn’t have ears?

I took in the smile on his face as he read my words. Sinclair Priest was beautiful when he smiled. He was beautiful when he didn’t smile, but something about the way his face lit up made me sick with want. Wanting to keep him smiling. Wanting to keep him happy. Wanting so much for him, including his family back.

I was going to make it happen. Somehow.

Church’s words slipped into my mind. I swallowed and pushed them away. I didn’t want to worry tonight. Or this week. My focus needed to be on Sin right now.

One thing at a time.

That little dark cloud inside me peeked around the corner of my mind, reminding me we still needed to make a certain someone pay for what he did to me. Guilt rushed through me at having neglected that.

“Hey. Siren.” Sin’s warm fingers slid beneath my chin. “Come back, OK? Whatever you’re worried about, let it go. Be here with me in this moment.”

I stared into his gray eyes and nodded, my throat tight.

It didn’t seem to matter how hard I tried. What had happened in those damn woods haunted me like an old ghost. I needed to lay it to rest, but I didn’t know how. I couldn’t even say his name, let alone do anything about it.

The darkness grew.

God, what I wouldn’t give to tear his guts from his body. Wear them like a necklace before I. . .

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