Page 16 of Betrayed By Sin

I can’t blame him.

Because as I heard the rattle of my father’s last breath through the phone, the only thing I could think of was revenge.

But the only vengeance I have is towards Salvatore Donati.

Sin’s father.

FOUR

Istare at the note, my fingerstightening around the edge of the paper.

Curiosity gnaws at me,outweighing the caution screaming in my mind.

Sin’s handwriting ismessy, rushed, but unmistakable. I can almosthear his voice in the words, low and firm, filled with somethingdangerous and urgent.

I know I shouldn’t do this.I know better.

But against my better judgment, I reach for my phone,my pulse hammering beneath my skin as I add in his number I memorized.

My fingers hover over the keyboard for only a moment before I type out a single text message, knowing I shouldn’t.

Magnolia: Why did you send him?

The response comes almost instantly.

Sin: Not safe on the phone. Meet me at the park. Bring Axle.

Not safe.

Something about those two words makes my chest feeltight, constricted.Like a warning curling around my ribs.

I shouldn’t go.I should ignore this.

I should rip the note apart, erase the message, pretend like I never saw it.

But curiosity has always been my weakness.

I need to know how to keep my family safe. If Sin is planning something, I need to know.

And so, I find myself sneaking out with Axle in the dead of night, walking towards my past.

The park is quiet at this hour, bathed in moonlight.Shadows stretch across the pavement, the leaves rustling with the soft breeze.

Axle tugs at his leash, his tailwagging with excitement, oblivious to the storm brewing inside me.

I see him before he sees me.

Sin stands near the fountain, hands in his pockets, his stancedeceptively relaxed.The orange light of the sunsetcasts a glow over his sharp features, softening them in a way that almost makes me forget everything.

Almost.

My grip tightens on the leash.I shouldn’t be here.I shouldn’t want to see him, shouldn’t let the ache in my chest take root.

But then Axlelets out an excited bark and bolts forward, nearly yanking the leash from my grasp.

Sin looks up at the sound, and for a fleeting moment,something flickers across his face.

Relief.