Page 55 of Cherished By the Sinners

“I can only judge by their actions.”

“And if they’ve left some things out?Omitted some important information?”

She shrugged.“They’re a family with a lot of businesses.I’m sure I don’t know everything, and I don’t expect to.If they’ve left things out, I’ll find out when it’s time or I won’t.”

“And if they have a medical condition, one that affects their health?”

“Is it contagious?”

“No.”

“Then it’s none of my business until they decide to tell me.”

The man drummed the fingers of one hand on his thigh while he studied her.“You are a peculiar woman.”

“Thank you.”

“It is not a compliment.”

She shrugged again.“I considered the source.Coming from a rich, arrogant asshole, itisa compliment.”

He stared at her for several seconds, then leaned forward and lowered his voice.“If you behave like this with my uncle, he will do as you suggest, kill you and taunt the twins with your body.”

She tilted her head to one side.“Why are you telling me this?”

“Because, you’re different.Interesting.And...”His voice trailed off.“Perhaps I see why they like you, a little bit.”

“So, now you want to help me?”

He grunted.“I don’t want to see you die.”

“Okay.How do you suggest I behave in order to stay alive?”

“Say as little as possible, and don’t make eye contact.Anything else he will interpret as a challenge to his authority.”

Not much different than dealing with a dangerous john, who may or may not try to kill you.“I can do that.”

“Your scars...”

“What about them?”

“They are still healing?”

“Yes.Some of them got infected.Some worse than others.”She met his gaze again.“I would have died if the Brezniks hadn’t helped me.They didn’t have to.Do you understand?”

“I understand more than you do.They are different...wearedifferentthan most other people.”

“People are the same in all the ways that count.”

“Are you sure about that?”

She sighed.“I have seen people at their worst.I have been treated like garbage.”She huffed out a laugh.“Hell, I should be dead right now, but a friend found me on the street, and Yvgeny Breznik was with her.He gave me a job, a place to live, and my dignity back.”

The man stared at her with the oddest expression on his face.He wasn’t angry, or disgusted, like he’d been at the beginning.He wasn’t afraid or surprised either.

He looked...like someone stuck between hope and despair.

“My name is Eli,” he said finally.“I will try to help you as much as I can, but my uncle is angry and he wants the Brezniks to pay.”