Page 14 of Promises in the Dark

The bastard’s attitude was burned into my DNA. His coldness, his lack of mercy—it seeped into me like poison. I saw that same emptiness in myself, and it scared the shit out of me, more than I’d admit.

His cold and unforgiving demeanor was something I knew all too well, the same behaviour that always left my mother with tear-stained cheeks and a trembling voice, making me flinch and avoid eye contact whenever the asshole was in the room.

I knew how people saw me. Knew I could use that shit when I needed to. Tall, muscular, rough around the edges—chicks always fell for it. This one was no different. Her eyes kept drifting down to my body, lingering on my abs like she couldn’t help herself. She was trying to keep it professional, but I could see the faint blush creeping up her cheeks.

She paused for a second, looking at me with those big, brown eyes. I could tell she was tempted, but she was trying to play it cool.

“I don’t think that’s a good idea, Mr...” she trailed off, obviously not remembering my name.

“Rogue, sweetheart,” I replied, smoothly. “And I think you know it’s a damn good idea.”

“I really shouldn’t be doing this,” she said, sounding hesitant but not fully committed to saying no.

It took everything I had to keep up this pathetic act. I forced myself to look weak, helpless, like some lost puppy. Fucking ridiculous.

“Please...” I uttered, trying to sound desperate.

“Sir, I can’t go against the doctor’s orders...” she said, a flare of embarrassment crossing her face.

“Come on,love. I don’t kiss and tell,” I said with a wink so cheesy it almost made me gag.

That did the trick. Her cheeks flushed bright red, and her eyes flickered between me and those damn restraints. I waited, my heart pounding in my chest as she debated it. Finally, after a few seconds, she gave in, just like I knew she would.

“Alright,” she complied, reaching for the restraints that kept me tethered to the bed. “But please, be careful and don’t push yourself too hard.”

Fucking finally.

I flashed her a devilish grin as she smiled shyly, brushing a hand through her chestnut hair like she was trying to play coy.

“Thanks for the help, love. I’ll be on my best behavior,” I lied through my teeth, releasing a breath I didn’t realize I was holding.

I’d never been one of those pussy-ass decent motherfuckers, not by any moral standards. I’d done some real fucked-up shit, and I’d never feel a goddamn ounce of remorse or regret for any of it.

If God truly existed, then I deserved nothing less than eternal damnation in the fiery pits of Hell.

Chapter 5

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“Our Father, Who art in heaven,

Hallowed be Thy Name.

Thy Kingdom come.

Thy Will be done,

on earth as it is in Heaven...”

Iblinked and forced my eyes open, the bright lights of the hospital room assaulting my vision.

“That bullshit again?” I murmured.

The idiot had been spewing the same crap all fucking morning.

I shot the soldier a contemptuous look, my words cutting through him like a knife, his eyes welling up with tears as he struggled to hold back his pain. I had zero patience left for this shit, definitely not in the mood to listen to his delusions.

“If your God’s so loving and merciful, then why the fuck are you stuck in a hospital bed?”

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