Page 46 of Entombed In Sin

I’m almost relieved when Sagan shakes his head.

“Until you know how to wield one with confidence, no. You’ll just end up hurting yourself or get it taken from you by your victim.”

“I’ll get you one,” Knox whispers conspiratorially, winking at me before his eyes close again.

I wonder if he’ll be so inclined to help me get my own weapon with what I have in store for him.

15

THATCHER

“Good morning.”

I look up from my phone and watch as Beatrix flits into the room with a small, shy smile. Showered, with her hair re-braided, and dressed in a simple back dress, she’s ready for work. I study her face, wondering if she has any regrets from the night before. She looks a little tired—we got home late and now she’s up early as always—but other than that, she looks serene. Our eyes meet before hers dart away.

This seems to be typical behavior for her. She’s a skittish young woman that lacks confidence but there’s something…offthis morning.

“Good morning,” I greet, as she moves around the kitchen. There’s a nervous energy about her, making her movements short and jerky. My eyes narrow on her further. She grabs a mug from the cupboard then reaches for the coffee maker. “Sleep well?”

“Yes. My dreams were very colorful though. It was weird, it must’ve been from all the lights at the club or something. I’m so used to—” She chuckles and shakes her head as she cuts herself off.

I lean back in the kitchen chair, watching as she grabs the sugar and pours it into the drink.

“What are you used to, Little Sister?” I probe, honestly curious.

She smiles but this one is distracted. Her eyes dart to the threshold of the kitchen, then to me, then down into her mug.

“My dreams are usually black and white, literally.” She licks her lips, a nervous tick.

“Huh, I’ve never heard of that.” My fingers strum on the tabletop as I study the way her shoulders are slightly hunched and the grip on her cup is tight. “Everything all right?”

Beatrix’s eyes jump up to my face. “Yeah, why wouldn’t it be?”

Her answer pisses me off. Why won’t she just give me a straight answer? It’s been two days since the pastor came and confessed his sins to our sister. And it’s been two days that she’s kept it to herself. Iknowit must be bothering her. The agony in that recorded scream has been etched into my soul. Pain, of any kind, is a catalyst for trouble. It leads to unpredictability, and we can’t have that. Not with what we do. We always need to be on the same page with one another.

I’ve beentryingto be patient, hoping she’ll talk to one of us. My brother, for all his broodiness, is always straightforward with me about his feelings, as I am with him and Knox. And Knox never lets us not know what he’s feeling. When we head out to have a bit of fun, I know where each of their headspaces are. And because I know them so well, and they me, I know what to expect. Always. Beatrix is the unknown in our new dynamics. We need her to confide in us more now than ever.

And she’s failing to do so.

She’s breaking a serious rule.

“I don’t know, you tell me.” I smile but it feels a little tight. “Did Knox kick you in his sleep? He’s annoyingly fidgety after going out dancing.”

I know that’s not it. With how much Knox drank last night, he was probably as still as the dead. But hehadinsisted that Beatrix come up to his room so he could show her his knife collection once we got home. It didn’t matter that they were both exhausted and intoxicated, Knox wouldn’t be deterred.

Confusion flickers across her pretty face before understanding brightens her eyes. She shakes her head.

“No, I ended up going to sleep in my room. Knox collapsed on the bed and he was out mid-sentence,” she says with a one-shoulder shrug. “I thought about falling asleep up there with him but…” She swallows hard, wincing as she does. “I didn’t want to accidentally touch him while he slept.”

I wave my other hand in the air. “He's a heavy sleeper. If you’re going to touch him, that’s the time to do it.”

Another flicker of guilt crosses her face but she holds my gaze. “Even if that was the case, I didn’t… you know, ask you guys if you would be comfortable with that. With me, um, sharing the same bed with Knox. I mean, we weren’t going to do anything but… I, ah, just wasn’t sure…”

Her response takes me by surprise. Isthiswhy she’s acting funny? I laugh out loud at the absurdity.

“We’re family, Little Sister. If you want to sleep with or fuck our boyfriend, we’re happy to share,” I assure her with a grin.

“Who’s fucking our boyfriend?” Sagan asks, strolling into the room.

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