Page 113 of Sinful

I’d relaxed enough to take it from him with slightly trembling fingers. I loved these cupcakes.

“I also have a lemon one and carrot cake with cream cheese frosting.” He showed me the little box of cupcakes he had. “I knew you really liked the chocolate one, though, but you can have these ones too. Take them home with you. I kept a few for myself.”

I didn’t bite into my cupcake. I simply held it in my hands.

Bryce reached out and carefully took the cupcake from me, then placed it on his bedside table.

“Cady said Adam was on his way over. I don’t know if you heard her telling me when she opened the door tonight. She told me to get lost.” He took my hand in his and held it. “Do you want to talk about it?”

I rocked back and forth, hating the sound of that monster’s name.

“I know this place gets overwhelming, but you’re not alone. I don’t want you to ever think you are.” He paused and cleared his throat. “Mirage came to see me.”

I continued to rock, trying to hold myself together.

“He told me what happened, Sirena. I-I know what happened to you that night. I’m so fucking sorry. God, if I could change it. . . I-I went into the woods that night. I tried to get to you in the hopes we could talk. That I could. . . hell, I don’t know. Prove my feelings.” He let out a breath. “It doesn’t matter. You know how I feel, and I’m not here to push that on you. I just want you to know you’re safe with me. You were on day one and will always be.” He squeezed my hand again.

I placed my hand over his and finally looked into his eyes.

I had feelings for him too, but everything had become so complicated.

“When you’re ready to talk, you can talk to me. I’ll make sure things are taken care of.” His words held an ominous tone to them, but maybe it was just me and all the feelings ricocheting through my body.

“I hate you were hurt,” he said fiercely, his hand trembling in mine. “I fucking hate it. You’re a bright star in the dark, Sirena. This place is that dark place. Don’t lose your shine. Promise me you won’t, and I’ll make sure the monster is found.”

I stared into his hazel eyes, my body relaxing.

“Promise,” he murmured. “I can’t lose you. I need you. You’re all I have here.”

He leaned in and rested his forehead against mine.

I closed my eyes, relishing his warmth. His familiar smell. The way the butterflies converged in my stomach. The same ones I’d ignored when we’d met and every day since.

“Do you think in another world you’d have been my girl?” he whispered.

I knew deep in my heart that I wanted to try to be his girl in this life. Bryce made sense. He was sweet. Caring. Kind. He’d take care of me and keep me away from all the ugly.

My watchers would never go for it. It was the same deal I was facing with my feelings for Mirage/Asylum and Sin. I wanted to take them all and love them forever. It was unconventional, but it was what I wanted.

“You don’t need to answer,” he continued in a soft voice. “It’s probably best that I don’t know.”

I cradled his cheek, wanting to tell him so many things.

“Don’t,” he said, his voice trembling.

I wanted to do this. I wanted to have a choice. My entire life, I’d never had a choice. This could be one of mine. Maybe I’d feel guilt and regret it, but I was so tired of feeling guilt and regret over wanting things in my life.

Church’s words to me flashed through my mind.

He terrified me, but I loved him. He needed to understand I could love them all.

I shifted so our lips were a breath away from each other.

“Sirena,” he pleaded softly, closing his eyes. “Cupcake.”

There was a loud bang on his door, jerking us apart. The pounding had nothing on my pulse rushing through my body, my ears filled with the noise.

The door banged open, bouncing off the wall, before Sin entered the room, Mirage behind him.

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