Page 101 of Sinner

“By beating the crap out of him.”

After coughing, she took a deep breath and looked away. “Wow. I don’t know what to say. You like him.”

“Dorn the asshole or Xander?”

“Don’t joke about this. Dorn hit you and who knows what else because you’re not being forthright at this point. Thank God Xander was there. I don’t trust that guy at all, yet it’s obvious you adore the man. I know you like him, but he gave me the darkest vibes.”

The ones I found sexy.

“What is it you came here to tell me that you couldn’t over the phone?” Friend or no friend, she was pushing too hard.

Stephanie turned away, acting as if she wasn’t certain what to tell me. “I could tell you liked him. I asked my dad about the brothers. I just made the conversation nonchalant. Dad doesn’t have a clue you’re considering working for them.”

I wanted to be angry with her for jumping into my business, but I knew she was worried. Hell, I was worried and I honestly couldn’t put my finger on why. Admitting I had cravings for Xander was one thing. Confessing to my sins would get me locked in a mental institution. How could I tell her anything at this point?

“My father says there is serious mystery surrounding all three brothers,” she started.

“That much I knew already. They are private people. That doesn’t mean anything. In this day and age, people will use any information against you. They’re wise to be cautious.”

“I know that. So does my father, but he swears they are dangerous.”

I laughed. “You mean ruthless.”

“I mean dangerous. They grew up in foster care.”

“Oh, and that’s a prelude to them becoming violent men?” I laughed sarcastically.

She gave me a hateful look. “I didn’t mean that. He said they didn’t have a happy upbringing.”

How in the fuck would her father know about that? And why would he care? “Were they kept together? What happened to their parents?”

“That’s the thing. No one knows about their birth parents. They were a family then they weren’t. Dad didn’t know but so much. But the kids didn’t get to stay together.”

No wonder Xander was such a loner. “Growing up in foster care doesn’t just make anyone dangerous.”

“Maybe not, but…”

“Just spill it, Stephanie. I have an intense headache.”

“Not unless several of the people in the dozens of families the three stayed with either disappeared or were murdered.”

A single cold chill trickled down my spine.

CHAPTER 29

Jessica

“Run, little lamb. Run. But remember, I will find you and when I do, you will be mine.”

I continued running, hearing his footsteps as he rushed through the dense forest. A laugh bubbled to the surface, my heart soaring from the intense feeling of freedom.

“You’ll never catch me,” I called out.

After there was sudden silence, I stopped to catch my breath, spinning around in a circle.

Then I felt his presence as I always did.

“I already have, my perfect little lamb.”

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