Page 53 of Sinful

“What about you?” Stitches asked as Bryce stepped into the house. Stitches closed the door behind him. “Why are you here? I’m surprised you’re even able to walk.”

I frowned at his words, unsure about what they meant. I hadn’t seen Bryce on campus. Rumor had it he was sick. He definitely looked pale and in pain. My plan was to go see him this week. I just hadn’t known how to address it with the guys. We had so much we needed to air out.

I got to my feet to go to him, but Stitches moved forward and captured me in his arms before I could get to my destination.

“What are you doing, angel?” he cooed in my ear.

I looked up at him to see a muscle thrumming along his jaw. I reached out and brushed my fingers against it. His expression softened, and I untangled myself from him and went to Bryce.

“Hey,” Bryce greeted me softly, his voice holding a slight tremble to it. The last time we’d spoken, he’d told me his feelings. How much he cared for me. I’d been trying to process them along with everything else.

I reached out and took his hand, then gave it a squeeze.

“Sirena,” he whispered, his eyes glassy.

My heart broke looking at him.

He wasn’t OK. Something was wrong, and there was no way I could just ask him. I tried to get the words to come out, but they were stuck, making me frustrated.

He must have taken notice because he squeezed my hand back. “We’ll talk about it later, OK?” His voice was so low I had to lean in to hear him.

“Sirena,” Stitches called out, the tension evident in his voice.

I tugged Bryce forward, and he came along easily. His movements were slow, though, and I took note of the wincing he was doing when he sat on the couch.

Stitches quickly dragged me to his lap on the L part of the wraparound and nuzzled into my neck, his words a warm brush along my skin.

“We’re mad at him, Sirena. We can talk about it later, OK?”

I crinkled my brows at him in confusion, but I gave him a nod anyway because I wanted to know what had happened. Judging by the uneasy looks Bryce was casting Stitches, I wasn’t going to like it.

The smell of Ashes’s cooking met my nose, and my stomach gave an audible grumble. My face heated when Stitches chuckled.

“Rina, do you want to do some online shopping today? I found a website that has loads of discounted clothes.” Cady looked to me with excitement in her eyes.

I smiled at her, letting her know I’d like to do that.

“Hell yeah,” she said, giving Stitches the finger when he shook his head at her. Bryce remained quiet on the couch, focusing on his hands in his lap. Even more concern washed over me.

The doorbell rang once more.

“What now?” Stitches grumbled, sliding me onto the cushion and getting to his feet. He stomped to the door and pulled it open.

“Morning,” a familiar voice rang out. I knew that voice.

Immediately, I got to my feet, my heart in my throat as I watchedhimcome through the door.

I wasted no time in rushing to him. I was so fast that Stitches couldn’t catch me. Mirage opened his arms for me, and I fell easily into them.

“Rinny,” he murmured in my ear as he hugged me against his hard body. I took note of his rabbit mask in place.

“What the hell, Asylum?” Stitches snagged me back, and I scowled at him. “Why are you wearing that damn mask?” Tension radiated from him. “What the fuck is going on?”

Mirage offered him a quick smile that didn’t quite reach his blue eyes. “I’m Mirage. I’m wearing the mask because I’m a rabbit. Sirena loves rabbits.”

“A rabbit hurt her.” Stitches frowned at him. “You didn’t…”

“I wouldnever,” Mirage said fiercely. “I’m not who you seek. I’m whosheseeks. That is all.”

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