Page 10 of Sins and Virtue

Even with my feet throbbing, my tight chest, and my cheeks flustered hot, I proceeded forward. Following right behind her as she passed the first few cells, which just had inmates sleeping or reading, and on the fourth cell she pivoted her foot, stopping straight in front of metallic bars. Where there was a man kneeling, his back to us as he recited a specific prayer meant for the season of Lent, also known as Easter.

“Amen,” Reverend Mother repeated with him, finishing the prayer and making the cross.

The man who carried salt n’ pepper hair turned around with an enigmatic expression before ease surrounded the creases of his eyes. “Sister Francis, welcome back. How are you doing?”

She gave one of her rare smiles. “It’s nice to see you keeping your promises and acting on your faith, Tomaso.”

“Faith is a beautiful thing when you turn your heart over to God completely. He saves us all even if we’re from different paths. Even if we don’t know that we need it— when we don’t deserve it. But he never gives up on you.” Tomaso’s wisdom was touching. To see a man like him who, although he was a criminal, sought to right his wrongs and make amends.

Sister Francis tilted her head in acknowledgment of his words. “That you are right about. That’s what I’m trying to show our newest member, Blair.”

“Hello,” I waved at him.

“Hello. Let me tell you, Blair, you look like you can inspire and change many hearts. Especially like the guy down there.”

“What’s wrong with him?” Reverend Mother and I simultaneously asked, side-eyeing each other afterwards.

He shrugged, standing up from his place and walking over to the bars. Pointing to the last cell at the end of the hall. “Not really sure. Though ever since he arrived, he hasn’t spoken a word. Lost in the chaos of his mind. Never letting anyone in.”

Poor guy, he must be praying to be free of this torment.

Sister Francis narrowed her eyes, her gaze stagnant as she hummed. “Go and talk to that one.” She instructed, tilting her head down the hall.

What? This old hag—Blair, be obedient.It wouldn’t hurt anyone to try and convince him to talk a little.

Right?

Right.

“O- okay,” I replied, slowly pacing myself, not comfortable doing this whole “Jesus loves you and can save you” yet because of my lack of experience and speaking finesse. But I would have to get used to it. It wasn’t like I could have said “no” otherwise.

The room itself seemed dark and cramped, without a living thing inside, when suddenly something twitched from within the shadows. A leg shifted on the bed, bending upwards, appearing in an orange uniform, and then the other leg did the same until it formed a human shape, and a man sat up on the top bunk.

“What do you want?” A long drawl with an intonation resonated from within the cell. The accent was rough, cold, and laced with dark seduction. Drawing out the temptation to the surface.

Oddly, it made my chest flutter with nerves and unsteadiness. My cheeks were even warmer than before.

“Nothing,” I suspired deeply, not allowing him to faze me.

“Then go away.” He didn’t want to be bothered.

I cocked my brow, never taking orders from anyone, much less a man— trust me, I had a track record for a reason. “What if I don’t want to go?”

He jumped off the bed, his physique larger than any man I’ve seen as he stayed in the darkness. His massive shadow was the only thing my eyes focused on. The eerie temptation was stirring undesirable things in my mind. “You want to play with the devil, sister?” The harshness in his words was as bitter yet pulsating as the tension between us.

“If playing with him means I get to speak to you, then yes. Whatever it takes to save you.”

I was willing to play any game if he was involved.

“Who says I wanted to be saved?”

“It’s common sense. No one willing would be locked up in this piece of shit— I mean, place.”

A deep amused sound rumbled from his lips, making heat swirl in my lower stomach.

“You use that mouth to pray?”

“I can do a lot more than just talk.” I taunted, my words holding a double entendre as I grabbed onto the railings and pressed my front and face to it. Hoping to get more than a glimpse of him.