Page 55 of Betrayed By Sin

Cameron is waiting for me.

He stands near the staircase, arms crossed, his expressionunreadable.The dim glow from the chandeliercasts shadows along his sharp features, making him look severe.

His eyes land on me,flicking over my windblown hair, my wrinkled coat that’s concealing a ripped dress, the flush still lingering on my face.

“Where were you?”His voice is calm, too calm.

I swallow hard. “Out.”

Cameron exhales through his nose, tilting his head slightly.“Out where?”

I lift my chin.“I don’t owe you an answer.”

A muscle ticks in his jaw.“I think you do.” He doesn’t raise his voice. He doesn’t need to. The weight ofauthoritysettles over his words effortlessly.

I’ve noticed it before, how everyone listens when Cameron speaks, how his presence alone demands attention.It’s not just because he’s the head of this family. It’s because he carries that responsibility withan unshakable certainty.

I shift on my feet,avoiding his gaze.“I just needed some air.”

“And you happened to find that air with Sin Donati?”

My eyessnap to his, but I don’t say anything.There’s no point in denying it.

Cameron lets out a slow breath,rubbing the back of his neck.When he speaks again, his voice is quieter, butfirmer. “I didn’t want to do this, Magnolia. I wanted to give you space, to let you come to terms with things at your own pace. But you’re making choices that could get you hurt.”

“I can take care of myself.”The words come outsharper than I intend.

His brows lift slightly, like he’samused at my defiance but too exhausted to argue.“Really? Because sneaking off to meet with a man who has every reason to manipulate you doesn’t sound like taking care of yourself.”

I flinch.“You don’t know him.”

“I know enough,”Cameron says, fingers trailing a marble statue on the foyer.“I know that Sin will do whatever it takes to keep his power. I know that if he wanted to, he could twist you into something you don’t even recognize.”

He exhales, rubbing a hand over his face.“I also know that he’s dangerous, Magnolia. And that’s what worries me the most.”

“He wouldn’t hurt me.”

Cameron studies me for a long moment, then sighs.“I believe you.” His voicelowers.“But that doesn’t mean he won’t let someone else do it for him.”

Silence settles between us,heavy and suffocating.I don’t know what to say to that.

He shifts slightly, his tonesoftening just enough to sound like an older brother rather than a mafia boss.

“You’re my sister, Magnolia. You might not have grown up with us, but that doesn’t change the fact that I would do anything to keep you safe. And right now, I need you to trust me when I say that being around Sin is a risk.”

A lumpforms in my throat, but I force myself to hold his gaze. “And what about Bria?”I ask.

His expressionflickers with something unreadable.“No Donati is safe.”

“She’s my best friend.”

“She’s also one of them…” He exhales, shaking his head slightly.“Look, I get it. I’m not asking you to stop caring about her. But you need to start thinking strategically. We’re not just people, Magnolia. We’re pieces on a board, whether we like it or not.”

I swallow hard.“And what am I? Some pawn to be moved around?”

His expression tightens, something almost likeregret flickering in his eyes.“No. You’re a queen.”

I don’t know why, butthe way he says it sends a shiver down my spine.