Page 21 of Sinful Scars

Pyotr is sittingat the kitchen table when I arrive back at the cabin. He glances my way and rolls his eyes as he takes in my bloody hands and shirt.

“You’re free to go.”

I swear he chuckles as I walk straight past him and into the bathroom to wash off the coppery smell that clings to my skin.

The scalding hot water turns my skin raw as I wash away all the blood. The water eventually runs clear, but I’m still left feeling unclean.

If Elle wasn’t here, I would spend another hour standing underneath the water, even after it turned cold, washing my skin over and over until it was red raw.

But I need to get Elle back to her apartment before the sun comes up. Now that the men behind her kidnapping have been taken care of, there is no reason for her to stay at the cabin, and keeping her locked up for my own satisfaction isn’t an option.

She has a life to live. One without me in it.

Elle isquiet on the drive back to the city. I can’t tell if it’s because she’s upset or just lost in her own thoughts.

The quiet suits me well, but I can’t help but miss the sound of her voice.

I should be grateful to even be this close to her, even if it’s just for a short time, but I want more.

I always want more.

Elle doesn’t ask how I know where she lives or why I’m leading her up the fire escape toward her small balcony. Still, she remains quiet, and I’m starting to feel uneasy.

Though that soon turns to frustration when I find the window off her balcony is wide open.

“You shouldn’t leave this window unlocked.”

“It’s in case of emergencies.” She struggles to get her legs over the ledge. “I need to get the spare key for the door anyway, seeing as my purse is long gone, as well as my phone.”

“It’s not safe to keep your window open.” I get anxious at the thought of leaving Elle. “Anyone could just climb up your fire escape.”

“Like you?”

I say nothing, and the corners of her lips twitch.

“Nothing is safe if you really think about it. I could choke on a piece of sushi, or I could trip on the sidewalk and crack my head open.”

I bristle at her words, at the images she’s putting in my head, but I choose to stay quiet as I lead her over to her bed where she perches on the edge.

So many times, I’ve imagined crawling into bed beside her, wrapping her in my arms and listening to the soft sounds of her breathing as she sleeps soundly.

Clearing my throat, I turn toward the window, my chest tightening at the thought of leaving.

Before she starts asking more questions I can’t answer.

“I should go.”

“Wait.”

I freeze, my senses on high alert as Elle gets to her feet.

Glancing over my shoulder, I see her wobble in place, the lack of sight knocking her off balance.

I’m reaching for her before I have a chance to stop myself.

My hands gently grip her shoulders, holding her still as she regains her balance.

“I’m clumsy at the best of times…” she mumbles. “I just… I wanted to…”

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