Page 55 of Sinful

“I’m fine. I assure you. Excited to be here. I’m just…Mirage.”

Stitches rolled his eyes at him. “Whatever. No need to be sarcastic about it.”

“I do like being here. You know that, Malachi.” Mirage’s gaze was fixed on me.

“Well, we were planning something a little more exciting than entertaining guests,” Stitches continued.

I placed my hand on his thigh and gave it a little squeeze.

Cady laughed. “Ah, I see. You guys were going to get dirty before breakfast.”

“During, actually,” Stitches said. “But then you showed up with Bryce and ruined it.”

“Glad to hear I wasn’t the cause of ruination,” Mirage piped up.

“You already know you are. You’re the icing on top of the bad company cake these fucks made.” Stitches pointed to Cady and Bryce.

“No fighting. We have enough problems. We’re going to eat and have a good day. It’s Saturday. We can hang out. Watch some TV. Play some games. Let’s just chill,” Ashes said, placing a steaming pile of pancakes on the table next to the stolen waffles.

“I’m glad you aren’t kicking me and Sinclair out,” Mirage said. “Or Bryce, for that matter, considering everything.”

“Not now,” Stitches snapped.

Mirage held his hands up in a surrender motion.

“I agree,” Mirage said. “I was merely pointing it out. But soon, Malachi. It’s only right we divulge that little tidbit of truth.”

I glanced from Mirage to Stitches to Bryce, confused about what they were talking about.

“It’s not a big deal. I’m over it,” Bryce said. “Sirena, the guys thought I was getting too close, so they came and talked to me. That’s all. You don’t need to worry about anything. I’ve learned my place.”

“Have you?” Sin asked, snorting.

“Yes. For now.” Bryce openly glared at Sin, a move which surprised me. He was usually pretty withdrawn around the watchers. And Sin. And even Asylum. So, to hear him stand up for himself made me happy.

“For now.” Sin shook his head. “You’re as bad as I am, aren’t you?”

“Let’s eat,” Ashes called out. “Forget all this shit. Good food. Good times.”

I got up, agreeing with Ashes, and went to my spot at the table. Ashes had added a leaf, and Stitches went and got more chairs from the basement. We all settled around the table awkwardly. It was the first time we’d all been together.

I missed Church being with us, though. He completed the little family I’d gotten since arriving here.

Quickly, I cast a look to Sin sitting across from me. He was staring right back at me with those penetrating gray eyes.

I wasn’t quite sure what to call Sin, but I knew it probably wasn’t my enemy.

At least, I really hoped not.

CHURCH

The last place on this planet I wanted to be was in the fucking Underground.

“Dante,” a guard murmured, inclining his head at me as I passed by.

I said nothing, continuing to walk with my head held high. I was a king in this hell on earth. I made sure everyone here knew it too. Being gone as long as I had, I assumed maybe they’d gone lax without me. The fucks in this place sure scrambled to welcome me though.

Last summer, I’d spent my time traveling. I’d returned home long enough to grab a few things before heading out. I hadn’t even stepped foot into this hellhole in nearly two years.

---