Page 69 of Sinning for Santa

“I prefer to keep my beliefs and worship to myself. There’s no need to rub it in others’ faces. And I sure as shit don’t want them rubbing their beliefs in my face either.” He starts pacingagain. “There are a few other reasons why public practise of religion isn’t a good idea, but I’ve answered the main one.”

“Funny how you chose that question and not the ones surrounding how sick you are.”

I expect his infuriating chuckle, but instead, a frown contorts his face.

Guilt pangs in my gut, and I wish it away, needing to remind the good samaritan in me that this man is a monster, but it doesn’t work.

My words have upset him.

“Whatever it is that you think is going on here,” he turns his harsh glare in my direction, and I sink back in the cushions, wishing I could hide, “you are fucking wrong. I know I haven’t given you any reason to trust me, other than keeping my word and not killing you, but I’m not the monster you think I am.”

Standing taller, as if that is even possible, he rolls his shoulders back and glares. “But I can be that monster if that’ll help you paint the picture you have in your head. I can be your worst fucking nightmare if you want to be right so fucking badly.”

I flinch, feeling like ten year old me being scolded for calling the monster out and having it turned on me.

“I don’t want you to be that monster,” I whisper, and he lurches forward, gripping my jaw and angling my head up roughly so he can stare into my eyes.

“Why not?” he asks, and all I do is whimper. “I’ll tell you why you don’t want me to be that monster, little mouse. It’s because you secretly like it. You fucking love how I make you feel. You fucking love that no matter how crazy you get, wielding a fucking knife and trying to stab me, won’t scare me away.” He leans closer, hovering his lips over mine. “You fucking love how right I make your depravities feel.”

A tear I didn’t know had formed pops from one eye as I try to swallow the lump in my throat.

“As soon as you start being honest with me, I’ll be honest with you and answer your questions.” He stands talland shoves my face away harshly before striding across the room. “Until then, keep pretending you hate me all you like. I’ll be back in a few hours to get you for confession.”

Swinging the door wide, I leap up about to protest as he steps out into the hall and stares back at me. “I’ll have Mabel bring a tray up for dinner.”

Frowning at his words, he pulls the door closed, and then I hear it. The snip of the lock as he locks me in.

Chapter fourteen

Devon

With Jaxcen’s phone on my desk, I open it knowing Dom has already disabled the pin code, and I start getting to know my guest better by opening her messages first.

There’s one fromDarmal (work)asking why her fiancé keeps calling their boss, looking for her.

There’s another fromAndrea (work- boss), asking why she hasn’t shown up at work, and then there’s a whole bunch more from Eddie.

Thirty three to be exact.

His messages pretty much repeat the same questions.

Where are you?

Why won’t you answer my call?

But then there are some that just stick out, making me murderous.

Eddie

I was expecting your call this morning. I don’t appreciate being kept waiting.

Eddie

I expect you have a good reason to be ignoring my calls, Jaxcen.

Do we need to go over your expected duties as my wife again?

Eddie

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