Page 21 of Stained In Sin (The Twisted Trilogy #1)

Evelyn

I lay in Dante’s bed feeling euphoric. I didn’t think I would actually give in. I thought I had more control. He somehow finds a way to bend me until I break. I can’t stay away. You don’t want to stay away. He made me feel free from judgment.

I never want this feeling to go away. He makes me forget everything fucked up in my life. I know that after traumatic experiences, people make irrational decisions, but this one wasn’t. I wanted him from the moment I met him. Did you?

He lies next to me, holding me close to him. His breathing is calm and quiet. He is quiet. He keeps telling me that I am beautiful. That I am perfect. For a man so cold, he can be so warm.

I look out the window at the night sky. I am so glad he saved me. I wanted him to care, and he did. I close my eyes as I let the darkness welcome me with open arms.

* * *

I slowly open my eyes, adjusting to the light coming in through the window. For a moment, panic grips my chest as I startle to a seated positi on. I’m not chained to the concrete wall. I breathe a sigh of relief. I’m in Dante’s room.

I roll over to see that Dante isn’t in bed anymore. When I roll over, I feel soreness between my legs. The reminder fills my mind— we had sex. I wanted him. He wanted me. I smile to myself, feeling no regrets about what happened between us.

I reach for my phone, which rests on the nightstand. Dante must have put it on the charger for me. He cares about you.

I unlock my phone to see that it’s 11:00 A.M. Astra sent me a text, wanting to grab lunch.

I need to talk to her. I’ve been avoiding her messages for the past 24 hours.

Well, technically, the last five days, if you include the time I was held against my will.

At least I can relax knowing my captors are all dead.

Hey girl, I’ll be there. Let me know what time. I’m starving.

I stand up and head into the bathroom to shower and get ready for lunch. Astra is going to have a fucking heart attack when I tell her. Then don’t tell her. I have to tell her.

* * *

I feel so refreshed after my shower. I’m thankful Dante was such a good stalker. He has all of the things I use at home. He even had the perfume that I use.

I am wearing a pair of leggings and an oversized sweatshirt. He must have gone by my house, too, because a lot of my clothes just so happen to make their way into his closet.

I walk towards the elevator and step inside, heading to the main floor.

“Dante?”

No answer.

I walk over to the island and see a note card folded on the island.

Good morning, princess.

I didn’t want to wake you up. Have some shit to handle today. Your car is out front. I’ll see you tonight.

—D

I roll my eyes. Why didn’t he just text me? I swipe my keys off the island and walk out the front door.

My phone pings on my way to my car. Astra.

Let’s say 12?

Perfect. I get in my car and speed to the restaurant. I have so much to tell her.

* * *

I sit on the heated patio across from Astra.

The smell of pizza fills the air, mixing with the scent of fall—a deliciously warm and intoxicating mixture.

I gaze out onto the sidewalk that is filling up with people going out for lunch.

The main street is lined with restaurants.

It has always been our favorite place to people-watch.

She stares at me as if I am certifiably insane, considering I cannot help the smile that is permanently fixed on my face.

“Are you good?” Her brows are pinched together.

“I am more than good.”

She crosses her arms in front of her chest. Arching a brow at me.

“What did you do?”

“I gave him a chance….” I fiddle with the paper from my straw in front of me.

“Did you sleep with him?” She leans forward and speaks quietly.

I nod my head, keeping my eyes down on my hands in front of me.

“And….?”

“And it was great. Perfect, actually….”

She sits back in her chair, not believing this to be true.

“Are you sure he didn’t take advantage of you while you were in a vulnerable position? You were just fucking kidnapped, Evelyn.”

“I wanted him before that….”

“I’m just making sure you are okay….”

“I am. I promise.” I lift my eyes and smile at her. She just cares about you.

Our food arrives, and we talk about what happened when I was being held captive.

I made sure to leave the part out about Dante murdering the captors.

She, of course, told me that she wanted to track them down.

I told her not to worry about it. She seemed a bit uneasy from my confident response, but she accepted it anyway.

“What are you doing later?”

“I think Dante was planning on doing something, I’m not sure what though. What about you?”

My eyes rise from the table and meet hers when she doesn’t answer me. She is staring across the street like she is about to go on a killing spree. I turn my attention to what she is looking at. Not what. Who. Dante.

Dante stands across the street, outside a Mediterranean restaurant. He’s not alone, though. Next to him is a woman. I’m seeing fucking red. Is this what he had to take care of today? Another woman? He used you. You’re nothing to him now.

I watch them as my blood boils. I’m going to fucking ki—

“Hey! What are you guys doing out? Omg, are you okay, Ev? I heard what h appened…”

Nicolette comes up to the table and plops down next to me, tearing my attention off of the asshole across the street. Harmony sits down next to Astra. Why the fuck are they hanging out together? I thought they hated each other.

“Yeah. I’m great.”

She glances up to where Astra still stares.

“Oh, Ev… You didn’t fall for him, did you?” She fucking condescending. I clench my fist beneath the table.

“Stop. I’m fine.” You’re not fine.

“It’s okay… Mistakes happen…”

I turn to face her. My vision feels blurry and distorted. I glance back to see Dante left, and the girl is gone too. I return my focus to her, and I want to punch her in the face. Do it. She deserves it.

No. I can’t.

I stand to leave. Astra stands up with me.

“We’ll catch up later,” she says, hurrying out, following me as I storm out of the restaurant patio.

“Ev, wait up.”

“I need to go home.”

“Let me come with. I don’t have anything to do tonight.”

I nod, letting her follow me home. I need to do something. Something fucking reckless. I don’t know what.

* * *

Astra has been over, watching the Real Housewives with me, and we have drunk an entire bottle of wine so far. I feel like an idiot. How did I not see this coming? Of course, he would have some other women. He is the bad boy that women dream about.

Ever since Dante, I have found myself becoming increasingly reckle ss. He has pulled me into this world of sin, and unfortunately for me, I don’t want a life without the excitement. Nothing has made me feel more free. Nothing has made me feel so alive.

At first, I felt out of place, but I don’t think I knew the first thing about loving myself.

I’m not ashamed, I don’t want to be innocent if it means going back to my boring life and my monotonous routine.

I want to feel the adrenaline I felt in his presence.

The rush I got from knowing he was always watching.

That he might attack at any moment. Get revenge. Show him what he lost.

I always judged Astra for being adventurous, and now I realize what I was missing. I don’t think she’s a whore for having fun. Not anymore. Now I just feel like I missed out on some incredible experiences. Ones that you should make up for.

I’m sure there are tons of men willing to indulge in my dark desires. One’s that won’t need to have multiple women. I should have known. He is friends with Lucien, who is notorious for cheating. Astra didn’t give me a hard time. Because she has been there.

“Hey, I’m going to get more wine from the cellar, do you want anything?”

“I have an idea, “I say to Astra.

She raises her brow at me.

“We aren’t going to kill her, Ev—”

“No, it’s not about that,” I say, cutting her off.

“Oh.. well, I’m listening.” She smiles at me, sitting back down on my king-size bed.

“What if we go out for the night. We can go to Club Muse, it’s safe. Silas is always working, and I know they have surveillance and bouncers on site.”

She stares at me, mouth agape in disbelief.

“You were literally just kidnapped. Are you sure you haven’t had too many drinks today?” she questions with a laugh.

“No, I’m being serious. Come on. I’m tired of being stuck at home. I want to forget about him. And the club is safe. We will have Sergio take us.”

She arches her brow at me, not fully convinced.

“Aaaaaand I promise not to accept drinks from unknown bartenders or leave with strange men.”

“Alright…. let’s get ready then, shall we?” She gives me a wink and a sympathetic smile. She doesn’t want to go, but she knows I will go one way or another.

I get up out of my bed and go into my closet, and Astra follows behind me. We are about the same size, so we can both find something to wear that suits us. I have a plan, and Astra is probably going to kill me, but I don’t care.

I rake through my dresses to find the one I’m looking for. I pull it from the rack, and Astra nods in approval. I knew she would. She loves to wear revealing dresses; it’s her thing.

I undress completely since the dress has an open back, and is form-fitting enough that you can see the outline of my thong. The dress is white and is made of satin. It drapes low, reaching the bottom of my lower back, and it sits just above mid-thigh.

“Wow, being modest, are we?” Astra jokes.

“Go ahead, pick one out,” I nod to the rack and slip on my dress.

“I’m thinking red.”

She pulls out a strapless mini dress with a high slit on the thigh.

“I think it’s perfect!”

We both rummage through my shoes and find a pair of heels that complement our dresses well. I select a pair of red heels that are both simple and elegant. Astra chooses a pair that is thigh-high, black, and made of leather. She has a thing for thigh-high boots.

We make our way to the bathroom, curl our hair, and do our make-up. I finish my make-up with a red lip to complement my heels.

“Ready,” I ask, spinning towards her.

“Ready.” She smiles in agreement.

We grab a couple of masks I’ve stashed in my closet from a few masquerade parties we’ve attended. We both have black lace masks that are dainty and delicate. We tuck them into Astra’s purse, I grab my clutch, and we are on our way. Fuck him.