Page 53 of Buried Beneath Sin

“We’re not.” Leaning down, I growl into her ear, “You are ours now, Little Viper. You couldn’t escape us even if you tried.”

Thatcher nods. “He’s right, so don’t try and run. And as for what’s in here? It’s a little gift. A bit impromptu, but I think you’ll appreciate it.”

Together, we enter the large garage space. It’s significantly warmer in here, by fifteen or twenty degrees, no doubt due to the furnace being on. On the floor lay Beatrix’s tormentors. A violent rage rattles up from my core at the sight of the two unconscious men. I suck in a sharp breath. If Thatcher hadn’t stepped in, they’d both be dead already. I’m glad he stopped me, though. Bringing them here for Beatrix was a much better solution. The redhead is bound, but the other, I left free. I almost want him to wake and try to run—giving chase is all part of the fun.

Beatrix freezes at the sight of both men. A choked off squeak of surprise slips past her lips before she slaps her hand over her mouth. Immediately, I let my arm slide off her shoulders to grip the back of her neck once more. This time, I’m more careful how I hold her—the touch is to settle not to keep her from escaping.

On the ground, the one called Trevor groans. His unbound hands twitch as he begins to stir. Beneath my touch, I can feel my pet swallow hard.

“What are they doing here?” she asks.

Thatcher flashes her a grin. “We’re here to start our life with you, Little Sister, but before we do that, I thought we could clean house of the men who thought they could fuck with you and get away with it.”

“What? But I didn’t ask?—”

“You didn’t have to, Little Viper,” I assure her, cutting off her breathless confusion. “You’re one of us now, and we protect one another.”

My thumb strokes my pet’s frantic pulse. Feeling it settles something inside of me. For months I’ve desired, I’ve craved, I’vecoveted,and now? Beatrix Starr is here at my side.

“One of you?” she repeats. The soft skin between her brows puckers with confusion.

“A killer,” Thatcher explains.

Beatrix shakes her head. “I’m not?—”

“Oh but you absolutelyare, Little Sister! You solidified your killer status the moment you hung that scarf from your window. You might as well have killed Patrick and Lauren yourself,” Thatcher interrupts gleefully. His smile widens as his excitement flutters through our bond. “It’s why we changed our minds about killing you. You’ve shown us you’reworthyof being a part of our family.”

She watches as Trevor tries to sit up. His arms tremble and fail to lift the rest of his body. He lets out a soft groan of frustration and pain.

“He’s going to be so pissed,” she murmurs to no one in particular as she stares down at him.

“Not for long,” Knox chuckles as he walks over to the rolling tables that house Lauren Starr and our father in their cardboard boxes. He pulls himself up and sits on the edge, facing us. “He can’t be madanddead.”

Trevor stirs again, this time pushing, and making it, up onto his forearms. He breathes heavily, as if the movement had been a chore. After a second, he lifts his head and looks up at us.

“W-what… What’s going on? Who the hell are you people?” His eyes land on my pet and I stiffen as his pupils narrow possessively “Trix or Treats? What the fuck is this?”

Trix or Treats…? The nickname is like sandpaper against my brain. I can almost hear the taunt in his voice despite his wary confusion. I itch to step forward, pull out my knife, and cut out his tongue. Under my fingers, Beatrix’s pulse spikes. I pull her closer. My pet surprises me by leaning into my body. The motion is telling. She’s more afraid of the man on the floor than she is of me.

Thatwon’t do.

“You asked if we’re taking everything from you, Beatrix,” Thatcher says, gaining her attention. “While legally we are, we want you to feel included. You’ll stay here with us and be a part of our family. We’ll help run the business with you and bring it back to life?—”

“Which is ironic given the business is all about death,” Knox jokes.

“—and in return, you’ll never be, or feel, alone again, Little Sister,” my brother continues. “We are besotted with you. Let us shower you with the attention and care you deserve.”

“Ah,” Knox raises a hand like he’s in a classroom. “I’m just going to interject here and say that I’mnotbesotted, but I’ve accepted that I have to tolerate your presence.”

My body trembles as I chuckle. Knox might not be a fan of Beatrix yet, but I have a sinking suspicion that they might be quite good for one another.

Trevor looks between us with a dumb look of befuddlement and worry before he looks back at my pet.

“Don’t buy into this shit, Trix,” Trevor says as he gets to his feet. “These guys jumped me and Sebastian—” The boy stops talking to look over at his friend. “Wait, what the fuck? Why is he tied up? Beatrix, what the fuck is going on?!”

Knox’s loud sigh is paired with his famous exasperated eye roll. “Aren’t you listening? We’re in the middle of initiation. Now be a good sacrifice and shut up.”

Beatrix shifts to look up at me. Hope is a small ember flickering in the depths of her eyes. This is what she wants. For as long as I’ve been watching her, my pet has been alone to suffer at life’s cruel hands. She wants to belong somewhere, and we’re giving her that. She won’t fight this. I feel it in my bones. Nervously, Beatrix licks her bottom lip and slowly nods in acceptance of her fate.

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