Page 62 of Sinful

“Are you OK?” I asked Bryce, my words low.

He blinked rapidly at me. “Sirena?”

“Are you OK?” I repeated louder.

“I-I’m OK. I’m hurting,” he answered, his Adam’s apple bobbing in his throat. “I meant to meet you in the woods. I-I got hurt.”

“Did he hurt you?” I demanded, my anger slowly rising to the surface.

“I, who?” he asked.

Mirage slid closer.

“You know who. The one who hurt me.”

“I-I, no. No. Church found me out there. He got angry with me. We-we fought.” He winced. “I fought with the watchers. I’m OK, though. At least now. I saw you meeting with the rabbit. With Mirage. It was the only way I could get you to speak to me again after. . . after I told you how I felt.” He licked his lips. “I’m sorry about that. I am. I understand we can’t happen, but I don’t want to not be in your life. I care about you and want to be with you however I can be. Even if it’s only as your friend.”

“You want me?”

“I-I do, but I already know—”

“Did you see him? In the woods?”

“Sirena, I only saw the guys. I didn’t see anyone else. I know you were hurt,” his voice cracked. “I blame myself. I-I should have gotten there sooner. Then you wouldn’t have been hurt. Hell—”

“He’d have hurt you too,” I said. “He’s a monster. A fucking monster!” The words came out in a scream. I saw red. Images of that night flashed through my mind.

“I’ll kill him. I’m going to kill him!” I tugged at my hair, snarling and screaming. My body went fuzzy again, and I couldn’t stop the loud sob that tore from my lungs as those ugly images kept flooding my mind.

I couldn’t take it. I couldn’t.

God, help me.

I was hot. So hot.

I couldn’t escape. I can’t escape. He’s going to hurt me. He’s out there. Waiting.

I tore my top off, and Bryce got to his feet.

“Do something,” he shouted at Mirage, who was on his feet, trying to hold me while I screamed.

I heard the patio door bang open. Footsteps thundered toward me. The sound of Cady calling out to me in a frantic confusion.

Ashes. Stitches. Mirage. Bryce. Cady. Even Sin.

“Sirena. Sirena. Hey. Hey, stop. Stop.” Stitches pulled me away from Mirage and wrapped his arms around me as I continued my meltdown.

“What the fuck happened?” Ashes demanded.

I didn’t hear what Bryce and Mirage recounted.

I couldn’t breathe. I couldn’t breathe.

“Sirena. Angel, baby. Look at me.” Stitches forced my face upward. “You can do this. Focus. Focus.”

I couldn’t do this.

In my mind, Adam cackled and teased me. Hurt me. Forced his way inside me.