Page 84 of Crossed

Cade

IAM A DEPRAVED MAN, AND I FEAR THERE IS NO CURE.

And Amaya Paquette is a woman who has far more wickedness in her than the average person. She tempts and torments and teases, and then she smiles and makes me forget why I’m supposed to stay away.

Now here she is in my church, taunting me with more. Granted, I came looking for her, knowing the school is rehearsing in the youth center down the hall.

But when webarelymiss being caught by someone, reality crashes back in.

I take another giant step back, anxiety stringing up my nerves like Christmas lights, wrapping around me so tight my stomach hurts.

Thisobsessionwill end, and we can both move on one way or another. I’ve already known for quite some time that my monster can’t kill her— he’s as obsessed as I am. But the other idea I had takes root fully.

I’ll request that Bishop Lamont transfer me somewhere else. And if he argues, then maybe I’ll figure out somewhere else to go, something else to do. They never needed me here anyway. Not really.

Corruption is rife in the church. Parker’s moneymaking choices pour from Bishop Lamont’s mouth, and I want no part of it.

Besides, if a simple woman can bewitch me so easily, maybe I need more internal reflection than I realized. As if stalking the streets and murdering a man out of jealousy wasn’t reason enough.

The acts may sate the monster, but they leave the man inside bloody and torn.

I don’t regret it though. Would do it a thousand times over again if given the chance. Although I am surprised they haven’t found his body yet, and I wonder if he’s still rotting away in the dumpster behind her work.

The work that she wasn’t at last night when I went to watch her.

After realizing I wouldn’t find her, I forced myself to head back home instead of her house, because I was terrified she’d be there inviting me in. I had set a boundary of us becomingfriends, and I knew our secret meetings in the window would blast it apart to bits.

Clearly, being around her at all does the same.

Florence walks closer and she glances between us, her eyes softening when she sees me.

“Father Cade.” She reaches out to grip my arm.

I paste a smile on my face and nod my hello.

“Amaya.” Her smile drops. “Sad to hear I was taken off your defense.”

My spine straightens.

Defense?

Amaya laughs. “I’m sure you’re devastated.”

Florence’s gaze drops down to Amaya’s hands, and mine follows, my breath whooshing from my chest when I see the giant diamond glinting from her finger.

A claim.

From someone who isn’t me.

I knew it was happening, but this makes it feel more real.

Florence smirks. “I see you’ve grown resourceful. Who’s the unfortunate guy?”

Amaya’s chin lifts, a bit of haughtiness coming into her features, like she’s happy to be able to rub this in Florence’s face.

Like she’s proud to be Parker’s.

Something burns in my middle as I see the change.