Page 69 of Sinner's Malice

“Fuck you! Fuck all of you!”

As I hurriedly shoved past the people on the street, I could feel the intensity of the storm brewing inside me. I remained unfazed, even while Montana’s voice echoed through the air, calling my name.

Having exhausted all other options, I reluctantly made my way to the one and only place in the city that would offer me the sanctuary I so desperately sought. There was only one place where I felt fully accepted, without any need for explanations or interrogation.

The Playground.

Yet nothing could have prepared me for the sickening guilt that settled deep in my stomach the moment I walked through the doors.

This place had been my refuge for the longest time, providing solace and peace. A place I used to escape her, where I could freely indulge my instincts. I never claimed to be a decent man, fully aware of my shortcomings. Hell, I didn’t know anyone truly decent. Everyone seemed to have their own selfish motives. Yet, in this place, there existed only acceptance and understanding, devoid of any condemnations or allegations, a realm where the forbidden desires thrived.

Looking around the place, the walls, draped in cream silk, looked unassuming against the dark carpeted floor. Black sconces gave the building a dark, gothic vibe as I walked deeper inside. The building was cold, almost like someone forgot to turn off the air conditioning. Scanning the area, I noticed severalblack and white pictures of naked men and women adorning the walls.

Each picture, more graphic than the next.

With every step, my discomfort grew, and I became increasingly aware that being here was not what I desired.

There was an unsettling feeling about the place that made me uneasy.

“Gideon?”

Sin pivoted, his grip tightening on the clipboard, as he gave his full attention to the construction worker’s conversation. Without uttering a word, he silently extended the clipboard to the worker, while making his way towards me.

I didn’t look at him.

I couldn’t.

He would know.

He aways knew.

“Follow me,” he ordered, turning to walk away.

Doing as he instructed, I followed him into what used to be my office. Closing the door behind him, he rounded on me.

“Tell me.”

“She hates me.”

“Arianwen?”

I nodded. “She thinks I’m no better than Petrovitch.”

Sin growled, “Boris Petrovitch? He’s fucking dead. What does he have to do with Arianwen?”

Looking at Sin, I frowned. “You don’t know?”

Sin sighed, unbuttoned his suit and took a seat behind his desk. “Tell me.”

Settling into my seat, I decided it was time to reveal everything to him. From the moment Arianwen fell into Petrovitch’s clutches, to the day I stumbled upon her in the scorching desert, to her eventual arrival at the clubhouse, and finally, to the unforgettable night when I made her mine.Saying nothing, he remained completely attentive, his focus unwavering while he absorbed everything that was being said. Throughout the conversation, he maintained his composure and never interrupted once. When I was done, he shifted back in his chair, his silence speaking volumes. What was there to say? We both carried the weight of our horrific pasts, but this wasn’t a contest to see who had it worse.

“So let me get this straight and correct me if I’m wrong. The day you came to see me, you were running from what you’d done to Arianwen.”

I nodded.

“You told me she accepted your claim.”

“She did.”

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