Page 21 of Betrayed By Sin

I shake my head, “No, I just want to get some sleep now.”

He ponders my response and tips his glass, “Goodnight then.”

FIVE

Igrip the coffee mug in my hands, letting the warmth seep into my fingers as I sit across from Cameron in the sunlit dining room. The morning air is thick with tension,as it always seems to be these days.

“This is a bad idea,” Cameron says, leaning forward, his forearms resting against the edge of the table. “It’s past the treaty line, you know that.”

I take a sip of my coffee, unbothered. “And?”

His eyes darken.“And that means it’s not safe, Magnolia.”

I sigh, setting my mug down with a dull clink. “We talked about this last night, besides Sin wouldn’t hurt me.”

Cameron scoffs. “You sure about that?”

I lift my chin.“Yes.” Sin may havelied to me, kept secrets, played a game I never agreed to, but he never raised a hand to me. The other night broke my heart all over again. I went to him so vulnerable, raw with the betrayal, and he destroyed me. I need a since of normalcy back in my life. I need to belong somewhere. “I don’t care about your invisible lines.”

Cameron drags a hand down his face, clearlyfrustrated. “You’ve been back for five minutes, and you’re already testing boundaries.”

“I’m just going to work.”

“You don’t need to work.”

I exhale slowly.I knew this conversation would happen, and I knew he wouldn’t understand. “That’s not the point,” I say carefully. “Alice in Brewland is normal. It’s books and coffee and a boss who doesn’t look at me like I should be someone I’m not. I need that.”

Cameron studies me, his jaw flexing, but before he can say anything else, my mother steps into the room.

“She’s right.” She tells him.

We both turn to her.

She leans against the doorway, arms crossed, her expression unreadable. “She needs something outside of this house.” Her gaze flickers to me, softening. “And I’ll watch Axle while she’s gone.”

“Good morning, Mother.” He says with a clipped tone.

“Morning my two darlings.” She grins. “Cameron quit bothering your sister, you already talked to the Caputo’s.”

He groans. “I did. You’re safe there, Bria is safe meeting you on either side. I just don’t want you to go.”

I playfully punch his arm, the excitement of knowing Bria and I can see each other outweighing his dramatics.

Cameron looks between us, clearly outnumbered. His lips press into a tight line, and after a long moment, he exhales sharply. “Have a good day at work.” he mutters. “But Maxwell is driving you.”

I smilesweetly. “Wouldn’t have it any other way.”

While getting ready, I decide to break the ice with Bria.

Me: Hi.

She replies instantly.

Bria: Hi.

Me: How are you?

Bria: Good, you?