Page 3 of The Rise of Saint (The Sins of Saint 1)

As I stepped in next to Brad, he introduced me to the mysterious Mr. Saint, who sat on that leather couch like it was his throne, like he owned everything in this entire goddamn world—including me. Whether it was a bold move, or a complete lack in judgement, I extended my hand. A second passed where he merely gazed at me unamused, as if I insulted him by wanting to shake his hand. I was sure he would show me the same disdain he showed Brad by refusing to shake his hand, but to my surprise, he eased forward and took my hand in his. The second his palm pressed against mine, I sealed my lips together, afraid I would gasp out loud, his touch cold as his stare. It was like ice against my skin, a complete contradiction to the warm light and ambience created by the riches that surrounded us.

He sat back, and an amused grin tugged at the corners of his mouth, an enticing cupid’s bow complimented by a thick bottom lip. This man had a textbook perfect mouth, lips that were made to tempt and seduce. But there was something in the way he looked at me, how he stared like he knew me. It was unsettling, to say the least. I was so entranced by the man sitting in front of me I hardly paid any attention to the conversation that followed…until Brad mentioned my name like it was important. Like it had become the subject of their conversation. There was a tingle of warning that slowly swept down my spine, and only then did I notice how odd Brad behaved around Mr. Saint. Like he was trying to be on his best behavior—respectful, even. And I knew Brad. He had the tendency to deny any type of respect whenever it was demanded, yet here he was, acting like he was in the presence of the goddamn president.

I leaned closer, trying to be as inconspicuous as possible. “Brad, what’s going on here?”

“Mila,” he snapped, and a sudden chill filled my gut. Something wasn’t right. I could feel the warning knock at the back of my skull. Shifting from one foot to the other, I tried my best to ignore the way my stomach felt heavier with each passing second.

Mr. Saint lifted his chin, his eyes showing nothing but sheer annoyance. “I suppose you’re expecting payment for your delivery.”

Brad nodded. “Anything will be appreciated, Mr. Saint.”

With a nod, he placed his glass down on the side table, and I remained frozen as he straightened from his seat. My heart pounded, and I swallowed hard as I kept my gaze on him. The navy suit he wore clung to him like a second skin, his broad shoulders adding to his already intimidating demeanor.

Adrenaline surged through my veins, my instincts hyperaware of the threat his large frame exuded.

He reached inside his jacket pocket, a wicked grin tugging at his lips. “It’s a pleasure doing business with you, Brad.”

2

Mila

I caughta glimpse of silver followed by a deafening crack splitting through my eardrums. There was a rush of air as I gasped, and my eyes snapped shut. In a moment, a flash of a second, I dropped to the ground, instinct taking control of every muscle in my body as I covered my head with my arms.

The ringing in my ears was deafening, replacing every sound, the world around me cast in an eerie silence.

I knew I shouldn’t open my eyes. Something told me to keep them shut for as long as I could while my forehead pressed against the plush carpet. Once I opened them, my worst nightmare would be in plain sight and there would be no going back. There was a reason everyone knew curiosity always killed the cat, but the unknown had a knack for grating its claws against every bone in your body, and it forced me to open my eyes. It was an action I regretted instantly when all I saw was red, streaks of crimson soaking into the fibers of the carpet. Blood. Brad’s blood.

“Jesus.” My voice was nothing but a rush of air. I shuddered uncontrollably as tears started to burn grooves down my cheeks. “Brad?”

Two hands grabbed my shoulders, yanking me from the nightmare while pulling me from the floor.

“Please.” My lips trembled, fear making it impossible for me to keep my legs straight while I felt a hard fist grip the hair behind my head. Instinctively, I started pleading through the panic and tears. “Please don’t hurt me. I didn’t—”

“You shouldn’t have gotten into that elevator, Mila.” Ice cold fingers grabbed my jaw, forcing me to look up.

“I didn’t know…I don’t know—” My trembling lips made it almost impossible to speak, and I swallowed hard. “He was only supposed to drop off a package. I didn’t know—”

“Of course, you didn’t.” He leaned his head to the side, studying me with intent, a slight curve at the corner of his lips. “How could you have known when so many people went to such extraordinary lengths to hide it from you? Or rather, to hide you from me.”

I stilled, my eyes narrowed as every thought froze. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. I just came here with a friend—”

“To deliver a package?”

“Yes.” My bottom lip wouldn’t stop trembling as I looked him in the eye. I forced myself not to look away out of fear I might look down at my friend’s dead body and his blood which stained the expensive luxury carpet.

He twisted his fingers, tightening his hold at the back of my head. A shudder wracked through my already trembling body when I felt his thumb wipe at my tears. “Dear, innocent Mila.” His voice dipped low as amusement colored his every word. “Youarethe package.”

His words exploded into fragments my mind couldn’t possibly piece together. I was too scared, too numb to even try. The light blue color of his eyes was a deceptive contradiction against the darkness that radiated from him. While his fingers dug into my cheeks, his hand gripping my hair to a point where my scalp started to burn, every instinct I had screamed at me to try to run. But my legs were too weak, the icy tentacles of terror tightly wrapped around them.

“What are you talking about?”

“Shhh.” He dragged a finger down and past my lips. “Do not ask questions you’re not ready to hear the answers to.”

“I don’t understand.”

“I don’t expect you to. What I do expect of you is to not fight me, and to do exactly as you are told.”

“Why would I do that?”

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