Page 93 of Sinful

But I’d decided I didn’t want to hate any of them, so I didn’t. There were far more important people out there who deserved my wrath than a couple of guys trying to get their heads in the right space.

“Does he watch you sleep at night? He reminds me of some creep who would watch you sleep,” Stitches continued.

“Like Church?” Sin smirked at Stitches.

“You’ve got a point there. And to be fair, Church only watches Sirena at night.” Stitches winked at me. “But something tells me baby girl likes that about him.”

I winked back at him, making his grin bigger.

“He actually called me today,” Ashes said after putting his boots on. “Church. He’s been busy dealing with Everett’s bullshit.” Ashes moved his gaze to me quickly. I had no idea what he’d been doing. I tried to not dwell on it because I was scared of what Church was capable of in the hands of his father.

“Is everything OK?” Sin asked.

Stitches shrugged. “Is it ever?”

“Good point.” Sin let out a sigh.

“Everett has him following around some people, learning about them. I think at some point Everett’s going to call on him to do some real damage, aside from what he’s already doing in the Underground.”

Sin nodded and rubbed the back of his neck. “I see. Well, I’ll be here to watch over Siren if that happens. Just text me.”

Ashes and Stitches exchanged looks. It was Ashes who spoke, though.

“Maybe Church and you could talk when he gets back—”

“It’s fine, Asher. I’m good. Really. I’m not going to bother him with my shit. I know what I did was fucked up. I’m making peace with the consequences. Even if they fucking hurt.” He glanced at me, his Adam’s apple bobbing.

He’d changed so much. He was still grouchy, but that exterior had become cracked and worn, and I was able to see the man beneath it. The one who wanted to love and be loved. The one I could even. . .

Damn.

I smiled at him, making the sadness in his gray eyes recede.

Stitches cleared his throat.

“Uh, we should get going. It’s getting late. Angel, baby, don’t do anything. . . well, don’t do anything I wouldn’t do. Keep Sin in line, OK?” He kissed me, lowering his voice. “I’m serious. I worry about you. Alone.”

I squeezed his hand, letting him know I would be safe with Sin. It seemed Stitches still had his reservations despite the niceties happening between the three of them.

Stitches released me, and Ashes took his spot, kissing me slowly.

“I love you,” he whispered against my lips. “We’ll be back soon.”

I nodded at him before going up on my toes for another kiss. He gave it freely before pulling his lighter out and flipping it open and closed five times, the flame burning bright for a moment before he snapped it closed and did it all over again.

“Sin, take care of our girl,” Stitches called out once he got to the door.

“I will,” Sin answered, inclining his head at them before they opened the door and left, leaving just me and Sin alone.

We stood staring at one another for a moment before Sin cleared his throat and gave me a nervous smile.

“I, uh, brought a notebook.” He held up the black notebook for me to see. “And a pen.”

I said nothing as I went to the couch to sit and looked over the back at him. He shuffled from foot to foot for a moment before he came over.

“Can, I mean, do you want me to sit next to you?” He seemed so bashful about it all, and it made me smile. I’d have never thought Sinclair Priest could be this nervous guy. He was always so cold, withdrawn, and rough.

I patted the cushion next to me. He moved forward and sat before he opened the notebook. I watched while he wrote quickly in it.

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