Page 69 of Sinful

“Fine?” I pressed. “What did you guys do?”

“Nothing. I made some food,” he muttered. “We sat on the couch. She did some homework. That’s, uh, pretty much it.”

“Is it?” Stitches asked. “You two were close when we came in.”

Sin shook his head. “Just. . . I don’t know. Nothing. Just sitting there.”

He looked back to her again, ending the conversation. It took him a beat before he walked forward. Paused. He shook his head and muttered something we couldn’t hear.

I looked at Stitches again, knowing something was definitely up.

He gave me a knowing nod and studied Sin.

“You leaving?” Stitches asked.

“Uh, yeah. Yeah, I should probably go. I told Say-Mirage I’d watch a movie with him tonight.”

“What kinds of movies does he like?” I asked, curious what sort of stuff Asylum was into. Or Mirage. Whoever the hell he was today.

Sin scoffed. “Weird, obscure horror. Shit sucks.”

“Figures.” Stitches rolled his eyes. “He’s so fucking weird.”

“He is,” Sin agreed, letting out a sigh. “I’ll see you guys.”

“See you,” I said wistfully as he pulled his jacket on. He paused at the door when Sirena got up and went to him.

We watched the exchange wordlessly.

Sin took a cautious step toward her. She simply stared at him.

“See you, siren,” he said softly before backing away. She remained silent, watching him open the door and leave. The cool breeze from the Michigan night fanned across her face, feathering her dark hair.

“Something’s going on,” Stitches said when Sirena returned to the couch and sat back on it.

I nodded. “Seems to be.”

“What do we do?”

I mulled it over before answering. “I think we let it happen, whatever it is. Maybe Sin will come home.”

“What if he fucks up again?”

I pulled my attention from Sirena as I scooped another forkful of noodles and cheese into my mouth and chewed.

I swallowed, hating the words coming from my mouth but knowing they were true.

“You know the rules. None of us will go unpunished if we hurt her. He had his warning. Next time, I’ll burn him until his screams fade into the night,” I whispered.

“Just wanted to make sure we’re on the same page.”

“We are,” I said, finishing my food before putting the bowl into the sink.

“And Church?”

“I think if Sirena wants Sin, Church will allow it. I know I will.”

Stitches considered my words before scraping his bowl with his fork. “I will too. I might punch him in the face so he remembers, but I think I’d welcome the grouchy fuck with open arms.” He ate quietly for a moment before speaking. “And Asylum?”

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