Page 72 of Sinner

“Damn you!”

“I assure you I’m already damned.”

“Just like you should be. And do you want to know why? Do you want to know why I hate you so goddamn much?”

“Why?”

She sputtered, her entire face highlighting a moment of sheer agony that had nothing to do with her injuries.

“Tell me, Jessica. Why?”

“Because you killed my sister.”

CHAPTER 21

Xander

The words hit me harder than any had in my adult life.

Jessica immediately turned her head away, but I could see the tears in her eyes. That was the length of bullshit Michael had gone to? Was he terrified I’d come back to collect Jessica when I’d known her as a gangly teenager and nothing more?

There were so many emotions of my own that I couldn’t respond. Not that anything I’d say would do any good. She’d spent years believing the lie, which had in turn festered into hatred and a hunger for revenge. Everything about her desires made sense.

“Go ahead. Deny it. And let me down.” Her tone was demanding.

“I don’t plan on doing that until I have you in a more comfortable spot and away from the broken shards.” I was forced to let go of her hand and she continued fighting me, struggling to the point she almost pitched herself from my hold.

Her mouth continued to twist, her eyes full of the fiery fury I’d seen and cherished on several occasions. I shouldn’t be this openly attracted to her, certainly not while attempting to maintain my real personality. I was also concerned the monster I’d carefully concealed from the public eye would rear its ugly head after being challenged by something I considered my possession.

But at some point, she’d learn everything, including just how powerful I’d become.

Maybe in turn, I’d learn exactly what Michael had told her.

I took long strides into the living room, ignoring her pleas to be let go. Perhaps she had no understanding I’d become not just her protector but her owner.

She wouldn’t be able to embrace the totality of my possession of her until after the event. I owed her that much and in being truthful with myself, I couldn’t wait to engage in a night of carnal depravity.

The thought made salivating over her that much more electrifying.

She gritted her teeth, her eyes now pinpricks of hatred. As I eased her down into one of my leather chairs in front of the stone fireplace, I expected her to react quickly, attempting to race away. But she sat quietly, her chest rising and falling. I also wondered what the fuck had her father told her about why we were no longer friends. It obviously wasn’t that he’d forbidden me from seeing his dying daughter, threatening to have me arrested for various deeds the two of us had been involved in.

Michael had the same twisted streak I did, which was one reason we’d become friends in the first place. He was as dark anddemented even though he’d turned to a life of healing after our years of creating havoc in the streets.

We’d been like brothers long before I’d found my biological ones. After the change in my life, we’d stayed close. But things happened over distance and time.

Things became complicated. Then they became deplorable. The hatred spewed the last time we’d seen each other had turned into blows, both of us ending up bloodied yet unsatisfied.

Then he’d threatened me that one day he’d destroy me.

Maybe he’d sent his daughter to do just that. I should be angry. If this was anyone else, I’d enjoy every minute of punishing her, including her pleas of innocence and mercy.

But she wasn’t just anyone. She was special.

And she was her father’s daughter. Why hadn’t I noticed the resemblance? Was I that far gone in my mind I couldn’t detect she had his strength and resilience? What he likely didn’t know is that she’d also inherited his affinity for fulfilling primal needs.

I wiped the liquid from my face, rubbing it on my trousers. She’d seemed quite pleased with herself for fighting me.

When she winced again, I moved in front of her, crouching down. The slit in her dress allowed me to see the light trickle of blood from the deep scratch she’d received. Blood was running down her leg in three different streams.

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