Page 35 of Scarred Sins

I hang up the phone before he can get another word in, laughing to myself. He’s always like this. He loves me; he’d give his life for me. But the moment Mom told him he came after Aria and me, I became his rival.

It doesn’t bother me. I’m happy he loves Mom the way she deserves to be loved.

I’ll be the same, even better for my butterfly. Someone she can depend on entirely, someone who will be her forever home, her safe space. Someone she can trust with her heart and vulnerabilities.

Once I return to the bedroom, I pull the chair and sit next to the bed, watching her closely. Her soft hair falls over her face, covering the beautiful beauty mark that is right next to her lips. It’s small, almost too small to be noticed.

But I notice it all the damn time.

How can I not?

She’s the prettiest woman alive. No one even comes close to her. She has this goddess beauty, yet sharp enough to slice through flesh. A poisonous, dangerous kind. If getting poisoned by her means keeping her by my side, then I’m more than willing to taste her poison.

After all, we all crave a little danger.

I shift uncomfortably in the chair, my arms folded in front of my chest. A small sigh comes from me, my eyes closed. For the most part, Blair is sleeping peacefully. The small lamp on the bedside table is turned on because she can’t sleep without at least some light on.

On the other hand, I cannot sleep with anything on.

But if sacrificing my sleep is what I need to do in order to ensure her comfort, it’s a small price. There’s not a thing I wouldn’t do to make her feel comfortable and safe. I’ll just survive on coffee and nicotine, and it’ll be fine.

Instinctively, I raise a hand in front of my face, just in time to catch the soft object that’s thrown at me. With a frown, I set it aside, only to see Blair staring at me, sitting up in the bed, eyes still groggy from sleep.

“There was no reason to throw the pillow at me,’’ I grumble.

“I’m sorry. It just sort of happened.’’

“Don’t apologize.’’

A sullen look is on her face, and she yawns, covering her mouth with one hand. She starts stretching, straightening her back, and a small crack can be heard. Blair cocks her head to the side, studying me.

“I want to leave,’’ she announces.

My heart picks up the pace, anxiety washing over me and panic setting in. She can’t leave. In fact, she can do literally anything elseexceptleave me. Her safety is something I’m not willing to risk. I want her to feel safe and be safe. It’s been less than two days since I brought her here, yet I’m already used to having her around.

Blair belongs here.

However, telling her no and not listening to her is something I can’t do, either. I take a deep breath, trying to calm myself down.

“How about you stay here until I’ve managed to resolve the Simmons issue? If you want, I’ll leave and stay elsewhere. You stay put.’’

Her brows narrow.

“Simmons thinks I’m dead.’’

“For now,’’ I nod. “Now that he’s helping Adams run for mayor, I’m guessing his next step is to run for president next year. He’ll have eyes and ears everywhere. Someone could recognize you.’’

“I’m not stupid,’’ she defends herself, folding her arms in front of her chest. “I’ll figure it out.’’

“Let me help you.’’ I’m a second away from getting on my knees and begging. “I’ve been keeping you safe for a while now, and I’ll continue to do so. Please?”

A lightbulb seems to appear above her head, a moment of realization washing over her. Her eyes widen a fraction, but it’s not shocking at what I’ve done – it’s the factor of surprise that I’m admitting to it so easily.

“Those men in Long Grove,’’ she lifts a brow. “You killed them?”

“Yes.’’

Blair sucks in a deep breath. “Is that what you do? Kill people?”