Page 170 of Sinner's Salvation

“Wanna look on the inside too?”

She flinches. I can’t have her so close to me. The mix of emotions wreaks havoc through me. I warred with myself to fly to her and get her back. And every time, I stopped myself because it was apparent she didn’t want me there. So, I sent some trusted men to Vegas instead, even though I knew Cato would keep her safe.

She wraps her fingers around my forearm, helping me get up.

“I’ll take it from here.”

I still have energy left, and I’ll keep hitting the bag until I can’t any longer.

For someone as small as Violet, she exudes strength, especially when she looks at me, daring me not to leave this room with her.

I’m so damn exhausted, I give in. We go upstairs, only for Marie to stop at the sight of me. She has seen me in many situations, but never this broken.

“Cam.” Her motherly voice undoes me, and I grin hollowly.

“You should see the boxing bag.”

“I have him,” Violet assures her. I would have laughed if my body wasn’t screaming in agony with every movement. But it was that or kill one of my best friends and that fucking boy who kissed my wife.

Continuing up the stairs to our bedroom, every muscle in my body rebels.

I plop down on the edge of the bed while Violet rushes around preparing a bath. I can’t have her touch me again, or I might do something stupid, like cut my meeting short to return to her, only to find her gone. Not even a minute after discovering her betrayal, Kieran had come into the room, trying to calm me down as I watched her tracker.

“Violet is heading to Las Vegas with Cato.”

Like I didn’t know that already.

Kieran grips my shoulder; I’ve never contemplated hitting my best friend and brother until now.

“Are you going to stop me?”

“Women always find a way to do as they please.”

“You should know.”

His lips thin, jaw set. “That’s why I am telling you this, asshole. Learn from my mistakes. Let her have this moment while that wig and glasses still protect her. Afterward, you know her freedom will be limited. There’s always another player looking to play the power game.”

“You don’t get it.”

He waves me off and walks into my dressing room, knowing each other’s house as if they were our own. He comes back with two whiskey glasses and a bottle.

“What? She lied to your face and now you question everything?”

I empty the glass with one swallow. So maybe he does know.

“She could have said something.”

“Maybe ask yourself why she needed to leave.”

“Did you learn your lesson?” I ask.

He pins me with a severe stare, edging on arrogance. “Ask my wife who she trusts most in her life. I bet my life it’s me.”

“Why is this shit worth it?”

“You’re hurt. I get that, but I won’t let you do something stupid.”

“Are you going to babysit me?”

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