Page 107 of Breaking the Sinner

Forever.

He didn’t know what came next, but it didn’t scare him anymore. Time to sayfuck youto these guys, to this part of his life. To this twisted version of family that included his mom in prison. Family didn’t have to be like this. He didn’t have to choose this.

“Give her to me,” Cobra spat.

“Oh, it’s a she?” Klay lifted the dog, peering at Stella’s belly, then said, “Tyler! Check her out!”

And then he tossed her. Stella flew through the air, but Tyler wasn’t looking, and Cobra’s stomach slammed down into his feet. He jumped, reaching, reaching, reaching as far as he could, so far his shoulder about damn popped out. His fingers brushed her fur.

And he caught her.

He slammed down onto the ground shoulder first, Stella cradled in his arms. The air whooshed out of him, leaving him a vacuum inside. His shoulder screamed, but he popped to his feet before the pain could really make sense. Stella wriggled and yelped in his arms.

“Fucking pussy,” Klay spat. Cobra rushed for his duffel bag, which Tyler kicked out of his reach. If it weren’t for Stella, he’d make sure both of these assholes never used their jaws again.

“You’re really gonna choose a dog over us?”

Cobra bolted for the bag and snatched it up. He slung it over his shoulder, keeping Stella shielded as he headed for the door.

“He’s choosing that bitch over us,” Klay said. And the way he said it, Cobra knew he wasn’t talking about Stella. This time, it was about Gen. Heat thrummed through his veins, and he fought to keep his focus.Just get out of here.

“Fuckinganythingis better than this,” Cobra said, flinging the door open so hard the doorknob lodged in the drywall. He raced out the door, down the short flight of steps to the ground level, and out to his car.

He didn’t breathe until he’d locked himself in his car. He turned on the engine, pulled out of the parking spot, and when he waited at the street, blinker ticking dully, he gripped the steering wheel and let that long, tense breath sidle out of him.

Stella yipped from inside the gift box.

They were free.

* * *

TO:[email protected]

FROM:[email protected]

SUBJECT: Forgive me?

Hey Genny. It’s me, Cobra. I went to your house yesterday to drop off some surprises but you weren’t there. Sophie told me what’s going on. I’m really proud of you. Sorta wished I could ask for your forgiveness in person but this will have to do.

I’m sorry. For everything.

Let me know if you got this.

Cobra

TO:[email protected]

FROM:[email protected]

SUBJECT: Forgive me? Part 2

Hey Genny,

You haven’t written back yet but also who the fuck knows where you are. You might be on the top of the Eiffel tower by now. Sophie wouldn’t tell me anything about your trip so I guess I just have to imagine it or wait until you write back or maybe never speak to me again. Until one of those things happens I’ll just picture you eating stir fry in China.

Things are going okay. They’d be a lot better if you were here.

But I’ll be fine.

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