Page 44 of Sinful

“I made my promise. My vow. I’m only here to protect her,” Sin murmured, his voice thick. He looked from Church to me. “I won’t touch her unless it’s to save her. She would never choose me. She has enough monsters to deal with.”

Church scoffed and pulled a joint out before I went to him and offered him a light. He took a deep inhale of the drug before offering it to me. Taking it from him, I toked on it for a minute before going to Asylum and offering it.

He waved me off. “My head gets too calm when I’m high. Feels like I should be on high alert right now.”

Fair enough.

I turned to Sin. “You want some?”

Sin looked at the joint for a moment before he reached out and took it, taking a deep hit before handing it back to me. I brought what was left to Church, who sat staring at Sin. I could only imagine the thoughts rolling through his mind.

I didn’t think any one of them were pleasant. If I knew anything about Church, it was that once he was pissed at you, he stayed that way. Many people had lost their lives to his wrath before. Sin knew it too.

The bleakness of that situation haunted us.

I hated to admit it, but Sin might not ever get to come back to us. Yeah, he’d screwed up, but I still gave a damn about him, and it was clear he was willing to try again.

“So you’re just going to leave? Do you know for how long?” I asked, sitting back in my spot.

“I’ll leave tomorrow morning. I don’t know for how long. Until he’s satisfied. If I do a good enough job, I expect it won’t take long.”

I sighed. “Man, I don’t like this.”

“Nor I, but it’s either me or her, and I would easily die in her place,” he answered simply.

“Then come back to haunt nightmares.” Asylum smiled. “I would be happy to assist you with your father. I can come with you.”

“No,” Church said quickly. He closed his eyes for a moment. “No. Stay here. More hands here are better.”

“I knew you’d say that.” Asylum settled back in his seat. “But I’ll still help.”

“Of course you did,” I mumbled.

“I’d prefer Sin didn’t have to work too hard,” Church continued. “Ashes and Stitches will already be here. Asylum. I don’t see why Sin’s service would be required.”

“Every single one of you was here when this shit went down,” Sin said, his voice laced with his anger. “And it was me who fucking got her out of there. I’m useful. I-I can be useful.”

“Easy, slice and dice,” Asylum said, resting his hand on Sin’s shoulder.

I winced at the nickname. I knew it had to do with all the cuts Sin had given himself over the past few weeks.

“You are useful,” I said. “You are. It’s just. . .”

“I’m not going to hurt her,” he whispered. “I’m not. I swear I won’t. I just. . . I only want to help. I said I’d not touch her. It wasn’t a lie. I won’t unless it’s necessary. If you all make this happen, and I’m the odd man out, I’ll deal with it.” He let out a shaky breath. “I made my hell, and so I’ll burn in it. I accept this.”

“Sin.” I sighed, ready to say to hell with it and welcome him home. So much pain was laced in his words. I hated he was hurting, but damnit. He’d really fucked up.

He had helped today, though. He’d kept her safe. Acting fast, he managed to get her away. The fact she hadn’t tried to get away from him had to mean that perhaps she was more accepting of him than we were. Or at least Church was.

“Cry me a fucking river,” Church said before taking another hit from his joint and blowing out the smoke. “You’re lucky we let you live. Be happy with our fucking compassion, and stop trying to weasel your way back in. You’re not wanted. No amount of heartfelt words will change my mind.”

“You’re right.” Sin let out a bitter laugh. He got to his feet and went to the door. Without another word, he pulled it open and left.

“Damnit, Dante,” I muttered, getting to my feet. “We do fucking need him. All hands on deck right now.For her.” I didn’t wait for his rebuttal. I swept from the living room and went to find Sin.

I didn’t know what I was going to say, but hell, maybe it would help.

At this point, it sure couldn’t hurt.

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