Page 7 of Cherished By the Sinners

Chapter Three

Mason

Mason watched Darlenewalk back into the Japanese guests’ suite, uncertainty rolling in his gut.He’d lived for hundreds of years, but this was the first time he could ever remember feeling so unsettled, unsure, and uneasy.

Normally, when he and his brother interacted with a woman, they didn’t have to do much to indicate their interest.They’d sit or stand next to her and make strong eye contact.They didn’t have to say much.The woman usually understood and either ran from them or invited them up to her room.

Darlene was different.She kept asking them questions, likewhat do you want?Is there a problem with one of the rooms I cleaned?Or did you want to talk to me about something?

What they wanted was to fuck her, feed her, and keep her safe in their private suite for the rest of her life.If they told her that, she’d probably run away, then he and his brother would be in an awkward position.Because they would follow her.

He and his brother were sure.Darlene was someone who, despite all the shit done to her, was kind, generous with her care, and carried an air of innocence.She’d been horribly abused by everyone in her life.From what Samantha had told them, that included her family—and after she’d escaped that nightmare—everyone she’d met on the street.She’d been assaulted by a serial killer, injured, and had come too close to death.

Yet, she went about her work as a housekeeper at the hotel with an attitude of joy and gratitude.

He and Magnus had no idea how to talk to her, what to say, or what to do.They wanted her, and not just in bed.Her smile was the most beautiful thing he’d ever seen in his long wicked life.He would do anything to be the person she smiled at.

But he and his brother were big men, scary looking, and had carefully cultivated brutal reputations on the street.It kept stupid people from making stupid decisions.It also kept them from making their desires known.

If they told her, or showed her, how much they wanted her, she’d be frightened.She might try to leave the hotel.Magnus was certain of it, and Mason agreed with his twin.

They were trying to get her used to them being around by crossing paths with her several times a day.They were always polite, didn’t crowd her, and asked how she was feeling every morning.

One of them watched her on the security feed while she was working, to ensure she was safe even when they weren’t close by.But that had backfired on them today.

She’d been angry.At him.At his brother.For a moment, she looked like she was going to either hit him again or kiss him.She hadn’t, she’d smacked his chest with an open palm, then her anger deflated like a burst balloon.Her last smile had been sad.

He didn’t understand what caused her to be unhappy.

He’d need to talk to his brother, figure out what was going on in her head.

Perhaps they were going about this all wrong.

Mason walked into the security office to find his brother watching the wall of security feeds from all over the hotel.

Magnus turned to look at his brother.“What happened?”

“She figured out that we watch her,” Mason said.“She got angry.”

Magnus studied him for a moment, then grunted.“And the Japanese?”

“He came out to tell me how good a job Darlene is doing.”Mason said.“But I think he did it because he felt protective.”