Page 34 of Sweet Sinners
“I hate being in that fucking living room,” I admit, the words scraping out of me. “I know it's clean. Sterile. But when I walk in there, I can still see her blood. Still smell it.” My jaw tightens until it aches, tension coiling through my muscles. “It never leaves.”
Cali doesn’t say anything at first. She just sits there, letting my words linger, heavy and raw in the silence.
Then, quietly, “I’m sorry.”
I snort bitterly, shaking my head. “Don’t pityme.”
“I don’t,” she says evenly, her voice softer but certain. “I just can’t imagine carrying that kind of pain every single day.”
Fuck, somehow that hits deeper than anything else she could’ve said.
We fall quiet again, the only sounds now the faint scrape of cutlery and the distant, muted hum of the city beyond the mansion’s walls. My eyes drift toward the greenhouse, lingering on the place that’s somehow become the only corner of this massive house that doesn’t feel like a mausoleum.
“I think I might replace the glass with stained glass,” I say suddenly, the idea taking shape as soon as it hits the air. “Could be a good project.”
Cali raises an eyebrow, skeptical amusement flickering in her eyes. “Should I be trusting you with welding tools?”
I smirk, leaning back slightly. “I promise to only use them under careful supervision. Besides, it’d brighten the place up, add some color. You might actually enjoy reading there again.”
Her expression falters briefly, something shadowed slipping behind her gaze. I’ve seen her avoid that spot ever since my careless joke, ever since I threw words at her that she didn’t deserve, just because I wanted a reaction—any reaction. Instead, she’d given me silence, choosing distance over confrontation.
Part of me wishes she’d yell, scream—anything to stop her from swallowing every emotion, burying it down until she has no choice but to drown it in alcohol. She thinks I don’t see it, but I do.
After a moment, she sets down her slice, considering. “Actually…that might not be your worst idea.”
“High praise,” I deadpan.
She snorts, gaze shifting toward the sprawling estate around us, thoughtful and distant.
Silence wraps around us again, but this time, it feels lighter. Easier. Comfortable, in a way neither of us expected.
For tonight, at least, it’s enough.
Chapter seventeen
Cali
"Youactuallysleptlastnight," Anna notes casually, eyeing me with a quiet smirk. "Good. I was starting to worry about you."
"The embezzlement issue needed immediate attention," I reply, keeping my tone even. "But I think the board and I finally have it under control." I pause, glancing at her carefully. "You never made it for drinks last night, everything okay?"
Anna sinks into the chair across from me, crossing her legs with practiced ease. "Yes, all good now. I'm sorry, I had a last-minute family thing." She waves it off lightly. "But like I said, you're a natural. I bet you handled the board perfectly." Her eyes brighten a bit too much. "I would've killed to be a fly on that wall, especially when Dean showedup. He’s something, isn’t he? Word around the office is you two have been sneaking lunches together."
I exhale slowly, shaking my head. "One lunch. And strictly professional. He's been briefing me, that’s all."
Anna hums quietly, gaze drifting somewhere beyond me like she’s picturing something more vivid than just business talk.
I lean forward, capturing her attention again. "You know, you should go for it."
Her eyes widen, startled. "Wait, really?"
"Dean would have to be blind not to notice you," I tell her honestly. "You’re incredible."
A flush creeps across her cheeks, excitement bubbling to the surface. "You really think so? Would you put in a good word?"
Before I can respond, Anna launches into a flurry of gushing descriptions, Dean’s smile, his voice, how he always holds doors open. I let her go on for a moment, the corners of my mouth lifting slightly, before I gently interrupt. "Okay, okay, Anna, my schedule?"
She blinks, coming back down to earth. "Oh, right! I sent it over earlier."
