Page 44 of Priestly Sins

“A real one. Do you or do you not want to be free?”

“Of course I do—”

I break that sentence off with a harsh kiss. “Then trust me. I’ll make you safe. Clara will never be in danger. If you want to be free, I’m offering you a life preserver.”

She stares until she slowly nods once. Her resolve must be solidifying because with that she takes off to Clara’s room and I hear her moving about.

“Pictures,” I holler as I continue my tasks. “And recipes. Whatever says ‘home’ to you.”

She continues on, her sniffles audible, but she continues nonetheless.

A knock has me on high alert. I reach into my pocket and palm my knife. Sirona simply walks right past me and removes the chain, throwing the door wide while an already-in-conversation Clara strides right on in, continuing her verbal onslaught.

Sirona thanks Gwen and gives her a hug. Must be unusual because Gwen starts before slowly hugging back. Sirona tells Sarah how darling she is and thanks Gwen again before shutting the door, throwing the lock and rehooking the chain.

“Poppa Sean!” Clara bounds up to and flings herself into my arms.

“I came to the shop today to see if you’d share a cupcake with me, but you were on a playdate.”

“Which flavor did you get?”

“I didn’t have anyone to share with, so I skipped it. Another night?”

“Yes!”

“Clara, bath time. Think you can get your back if I let you do it by yourself?”

“Yes!”

“Okay. I’ll run the water while you pick out pajamas and brush your teeth.”

“Okay!” Off she runs, dropping her backpack on the floor at my feet, whirling out of the room.

“Does she always have this much energy?”

Sirona hesitates before nodding. “Unless she gets sugar, in which case, she has more.”

I turn my head up and smile at her. “How many times have I thrown you under the sugar bus now?”

“A fair few.” She smiles, genuine this time, and goes back to run Clara’s bathwater.

When she returns, she compiles a few goodies that must have sentimental meaning and checks on Clara. She puts her down for the night and comes back out. She looks tired.

I’m finishing up my to-do list and shoot a quick text to Bobby telling him to check his email in the morning. He replies with a thumbs-up. Clara has a ton of energy. Bobby has that in a boy plus an infant. I need to give him a raise.

“What’s next?

“You got the pictures, recipes, mementos. Do you have everything else you need?”

She nods. “Will have it all done.”

“You’re not going to like this part,” I start.

Her wariness is palpable. She shuffles to the table where I sit and slides into the chair across from me.

“There are already so many parts I don’t like. Which one is this?”

“This is where I tell you that Clara needs to stay with me and you need to go alone.”