Page 84 of Sinner's Perdition

In the basement, he offers one to me and teaches me how to shoot. Round after round, I take targets down, grinning whenever I hit the mark.

“I beat you. I beat you.” It only took me a hundred tries, but on the last target, I did better.

I jump into his arms, and he catches me, stumbling back.

“I knew my little firecracker would like this.”

An entire life filled with meaning passes before my eyes. And if it were possible, I’d freeze time. But, no. There is no future for us.

Chapter 22

In the shower, my hands imprint on every inch of her skin. The entire day, I’ve contemplated whether the change in Chiara has anything to do with wanting to fool me. I can’t shake the feeling it’s a ploy. But if she thinks she can win this, she’s wrong. Chiara will be mine, and one fucking day we can smile about our failed attempts to escape each other. She wants sincerity, even though she feeds me lies with a golden spoon.

I’m in bed when she steps inside the room from the bathroom, wearing only a towel around her, her long hair dangling over her back. She slides next to me, naked, and I play with her wet curls.

“I love it like this. Wild. Free. You.”

There is something about her that calls to me, and I’d follow the calls from the abyss without sparing another thought.

She traces my bracelet. “I did this thinking of you.”

I knew it.

“It looks better on your wrist than in my collection,” she says wistfully.

“You have a collection?”

“I have been creating pieces for four years. Of course, I have a collection.”

“Where?”

“In a box in the closet.”

“Show me.”

She points at the walk-in closet, and I get on my knees, rummaging through it.

I peel it open and find dozens of pieces, all of them unique.

I stare at her in complete awe, and she blushes.

“You’re not hiding them anymore.”

I grab my phone and dial Lauren.

“Stop calling me in the middle of the night.”

“I want you here at my place at 7 a.m.”

“You’re not paying me enough.”

“That penthouse, cars, and accessories would say otherwise.”

“Whatever. I will be there.”

“What are you doing?” Chiara asks when I hang up.

“Fulfilling your dreams.”

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