Page 23 of Taken By Sin

“I got hot,” I say, avoiding a glance at my hand to keep from seeing the blood.

“I’m dead.” Max inhales, looking a little nervous. Whether that be from me getting hurt or fear of when Sin sees me being hurt, I'm unsure. “Let’s get you cleaned up.”

Aside from the cut on my face, it was an uneventful day. Dave had a large first aid kit and I was cleaned and bandaged quickly, afterwards, we grabbed a bite to eat and then strolled the city until the late afternoon.

The closer we get to Sin’s, the more my feet ache from all of the walking we did. Max is steadily keeping my slow stride, which I’m thankful for. I need to get into better shape.

Inside, it’s quiet. Max follows me into the kitchen, where I catch sight of Sin and quickly turn my head. He’s wearing a pair of basketball shorts but nothing else. Sweat gleams from his tanned skin.

He’s on me in seconds, cupping my face and forcing me to peer upward, my neck strains to look up a literal foot above me to his worried face. “What the fuck happened?” he sneers at Max.

Sin’s black hair is wet with sweat, and you would imagine after such a strenuous workout that he would smell bad, but he doesn’t. Damn him, he smells amazing.

“We went to Dave’s.” Max shrugs.

In a moment, fast as lightning, Sin slowly releases me and charges at Max, pinning him against the wall.

If I thought Max was strong at Dave’s, I wouldn’t want to see Sin smashing anything. His muscles are tense, and his breathing grows wild. He towers over Max in every way possible.

“You’re supposed to fucking protect her,” Sin growls, bulging veins wrapping his neck like fingers. “No harm is to come to her. That is your only fucking reason to breathe.If you cannot do your fucking job, I will end you and find another replacement."

Max doesn’t talk back, he doesn’t argue. He almost seems a little frightened by the intensity of Sin’s stare. “Yes, sir. I’m sorry; it won't happen again.”

“It wasn’t a big deal,” I start, but Max shakes his head.

“Sin is right, it was too risky.”

The moment Sin's eyes gaze at me again, the violent rage that seeps behind his ghost eyes melts. “Do you need anything?”

“I’m okay.” I smile, looking at Max. “Thank you for today. It was really nice.”

This only seems to irritate Sin more. He narrows his harsh gaze at Max but directs his words at me, “Go upstairs. I’ve laid out your outfit. Dinner is in two hours.”

“You know,” I say, walking away, “for eighteen years I’ve been okay. You don’t have to freak out about a cut.”

Sin approaches, his hand on my shoulder. The strong aroma of amber and lime overwhelms my senses, leaving me lightheaded. “That was before you were with me.”

With me.

My knees nearly buckle upon hearing those words leave his lips. “Then why take me from somewhere safe?” I counter, searching for a morsel of truth.

His voice lowers, wanting this conversation to stay between us. “You were leaving anyways, going to some halfway house that I’m sure wouldn’t have been as safe as your little countryside castle. I’m done with this conversation. Go upstairs.”

I want to protest, simply because he’s telling me what todo, but then he gently rubs one knuckle down my face from brow to chin and I melt again, suddenly remembering how tired I am from the day.

“Please, Mags.”

As I head up the stairs alone, a blanket of comfort swallows me whole.

I sink into the cloud that is my mattress, my feet stretching from the comfort of removing my shoes. Axle barrels in, hopping up beside me.

Sin was so protective just now, and it made me feel safe. Although Max did absolutely nothing wrong, the fact that a simple cut could make Sin act the way he did tells me something.

He cares about me.

As I drift off for a quick nap before dinner, memories of last night flood back to when Sin quietly entered my room, thinking I was asleep.

I will ruin you.

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