Page 158 of Sinful

“Repeat after me,” Church instructed. “I, Sinclair Priest, vow to give my life should I ever fuck up. Any misstep that would cause harm to Sirena or my brothers, and I will take a knife to the heart and die on its blade without protest. That I will do what is necessary to protect her from all pain and danger.”

Sin repeated his words, his voice quaking more from the cold.

“Hold out your hand,” Church said.

Sin did as he was told. I watched while Church cut his hand, the blood blossoming out. A moment later, he drew the knife over Sin’s palm.

Church slid his bloody hand against Sin’s.

“To the fucking grave, Sinclair. And then back again.”

“To the fucking grave, Dante. And then back again,” Sin repeated.

“And when we can’t breathe anymore?”

“We fucking do it anyway,” Sin answered.

“’Til the end, brother.”

“’Til the end,” Sin’s voice shook again, his and Church’s blood dripping onto the white snow.

“Welcome home, Sinclair,” Church said, pulling Sin to his feet. “Now, let’s get you home so I can properly punch you in the face.”

I let out a breath of relief before looking to Stitches, who looked how I felt.

“I’m still pissed at you,” Church continued.

“I know. And I’ll let you hit me again as many times as you want.”

“Be careful what you promise me. You know I’m a devil who collects.”

“I know,” Sin said as I steadied him. He shivered again, but at least the light was back in his eyes.

It was better than the darkness.

Way fucking better.

SIRENA

The moment I woke, I shoved my blankets off and stumbled to the bathroom. As quick as I could, I did my business before brushing my teeth, my mind racing on how I was going to get out of the house and get to wherever Sin was.

When I was lying on the table in the kitchen, Church had told me if I moved, Sin would surely die and that I needed to let Sin tell the truth. I’d been terrified in those moments, but I had to put my faith in something, praying death wouldn’t come to any of my guys over me.

I’d heard them say Sin was at the lake. It was a bit of a walk, and I had to go through the trail in the woods, but I could make it.

Hopefully.

I was terrified of the woods still. It was much easier to get through when someone was with me. Going alone put me on edge, but I’d do whatever I needed to in order to save Sin.

Church gave me enough sleeping meds to put my ass out all night. As groggy as I felt, I was ready for a war if it came down to it.

I didn’t bother dressing, opting to remain in the nightgown I was in.

Quickly, I rushed downstairs, rehearsing what I was going to say to Church and how I was willing to stab him to get my point across.

I stopped abruptly as all four guys put breakfast on the table.

“Good morning, heaven,” Ashes called out, his face cheerful.

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