Page 73 of Sinner

Without hesitation, I ripped off the fucking bowtie, tossing it aside and snapping off my cufflinks. All the while she was staring not into my eyes, but at the ring that never left my finger.

“There’s blood on your ring,” she muttered as if reading my mind. She laughed as if knowing the reason behind the obsidian stone.

“Yes, there is.” I unbuttoned my sleeves and a few buttons on the front.

“Not unusual, I take it?”

I jerked off my shirt from the back, instantly pressing it against her leg gash.

She sucked in her breath, but not because I’d caused her pain. Because she didn’t want me to touch her.

“Is that what you’re curious about, Jessica? If I’ve injured or killed dozens of people including your sister?”

“Well, have you? And she has a name, but you can’t say it. Can you?”

I couldn’t help but notice she’d allowed her expression to drift into something other than fear and hatred. Now her eyes were illuminated by flashes of hunger. “Shanna. Of course she has a name. I’ve done several things some might consider despicable in my life, but hurting your sister was never intentional. Does it bother you I’ve been forced to use violence during some interactions in my life?”

Jessica frowned. “Not necessarily.”

“Except you still believe what your father told you.”

She dropped her gaze and I could tell she was having doubts. “I don’t know any longer what to believe. He told me you’d come for me.”

“When did he say that?”

“During his last phone call a couple days ago. He insists you’re the devil.”

“Maybe I am.”

The way she shook her head led me to believe she was doubting her father. “So much hate.”

“Sadly, you’re right.” The words hung in the room. I wasn’t the kind of man to deliver comfort to anyone any longer. The single time in my life I’d cared about something I’d almost lost myself. “You’re a lot like me,” I told her as I rubbed her leg gently.

“I don’t think so.”

When I pulled my shirt away, I shook my head. “I need to clean your wound.”

“I’m fine.”

“You’re going to do what I tell you to do.”

“Or what?”

“Or… I’ll need to punish you.”

Her laugh was as delightful as always. “That’s so like you. Positively in control of everything and everyone around you. Is that what Shanna saw in you?”

I stood and her gaze followed me to my standing position.

“It’s necessary in the profession I’m in and my relationship with your sister was something I…”

She nodded. “Regret.”

“Yes, but not for the reason you’re determined to believe.”

“Then what?”

I hesitated as a wave of pain from the memory skewered my chest. “That I couldn’t save her. I didn’t have the power.”

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