Page 54 of Sinful

“So you were the one meeting her in the woods?” Ashes called out.

“To help her. She needed a way to relieve some stress. Nothing more. Nothing less. I was just a friendly rabbit who was able to help.”

“I get it,” Stitches murmured. “You were meeting up with her as a…rabbit. The one who hurt her knew that. That’s a clue. Something to go on then. Right?” Stitches looked to Ashes then to Mirage. “It’s something, right?”

“It is,” Mirage said with a nod. “It’s just not much. We’ll get there though.”

“Well, you don’t need to wear that damn mask here,” Stitches continued. “It’s fucking weird, dude.”

“It doesn’t come off.”

“Asylum.” Stitches sighed.

“Mirage. I’m Mirage. A rabbit.”

Stitches rolled his eyes. “You’re crazier than I thought.”

“No, you thought right.” Mirage grinned at him. “I’m living up to the thought.”

“Right, well, what’s going on? Why are you guys here? Also, Church may lose it when he learns you were the damn rabbit the whole time,” Stitches continued, narrowing his eyes at him.

Mirage waved him off. “He won’t. And if he does, he’ll get over it and see it for what it is. A friend helping a friend. Again.”

Stitches grunted as I watched the exchange, grateful Mirage came out and said who he was. I didn’t like keeping the secret.

“To answer your other question though, we stopped in today to see how things were going. Figured it might be nice to get a jump on everything.”

“Everything?” Ashes called out from the kitchen. “What’s everything?”

Mirage shrugged. “Church is gone. I think strength in numbers is a good thing.” His blue eyes moved to Cady and Bryce. “It’s good to see you, Bryce.”

Bryce grunted a reply.

“I don’t really think you’re needed,” Cady said, her eyes narrowed. “We’re here. We have it covered. Go back to your padded room, you nutsack.”

I shot her a look, wanting her to be quiet. She caught my eye and sighed before looking away, clearly annoyed at Mirage’s presence.

“It’s fine,” Ashes said, coming closer with his spatula in hand and a yellow apron on. “I like the idea of strength in numbers. Sirena seems happy to see him and Bryce, so I say, let’s roll with it. Weird mask and all. Mirage.” He gave him a nod. Mirage inclined his head back, seemingly good with it all.

Stitches rolled his eyes and steered me back to the couch.

“Sin, it’s nice to see you,” Ashes said.

I knew he felt awkward. Sin gave him a quick nod before toeing his boots off and hanging his jacket next to Mirage’s in the closet.

“So, Asylum, you look weird today,” Stitches said when Asylum sat on the couch next to Sin.

“Do I?” Mirage raised his brows at Stitches. “How so?”

“I don’t know.” Stitches studied him, his hand on my thigh. “Almost like you had a good night’s sleep and combed your hair. Plus, that stupid mask.”

Mirage chuckled at that. “I’m the same, yet different. It’s who I am.”

Tell him who you are. Who you really are.

Mirage winked at me and pressed his finger to his lips like he was keeping a secret. I frowned at that. I didn’t know why it mattered, but it wasn’t my place to tell. Maybe he would.

“You even sound weird.” Stitches frowned at him. “You OK?”

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