Page 31 of Remorseless Sinner

“Must have been someone else on the ground about to get thrown into the forest, then.”

I looked away.

“I don’t understand why that happened.”

“Because they’re greedy men, Gracie. All they care about is money and power.”

“You—you’ve never been a believer. You’ve always been a blasphemer. I don’t know how you were able to fool them.”

“Money and power, Gracie.”

My hands around the key felt slick and wet.

I didn’t want to think about Saul getting thrown into the forest.

I hadn’t known that would happen. But I did want him away from me. In jail.

“You don’t have to worry about them anymore,” Saul said. "I’m here to protect you now.”

“Just let me go,” I cried, my voice almost cracking. “It’s been seven years! Why won’t you godsdamnlet me go?”

“No,” he said, and I saw those big tanned fingers curl around the bars. “Remember the day we met? That was the moment I knew you were the only one for me. And you feel the same way too.”

“I do not!” I insisted.

“Yes, you do. I know who you are, little sister. I know who you are deep down.”

No, it wasn’t true. . .

“Now come over here and unlock this door.”

“Unlock the door?” I laughed incredulously. “I’m not going to do that.”

“I might get hurt in here,” he countered.

“You’re the size of a grizzly bear,” I snapped. “You’ll be fine.”

And my fucking psychotic husband took out a lighter from his pocket and flicked it on.

CHAPTER 10

Gracie

“Come get me,” he said as flames began to lick the ground under his boots.

“No!” I cried. “If you want to set yourself on fire, I don’t care!”

“All right,” he said, and then he stood there, his arms crossed over his massive chest.

I made a little scream, the key tightening so hard my knuckles were white all around it.

Of course then I had to remember senior year.

Late at night

After Homecoming Game

A much lankier, skinnier Saul on the ground, surrounded by the boys who had tormented me for following the Eye of Nimhe ever since kindergarten.

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