Page 33 of Stained In Sin (The Twisted Trilogy #1)

Evelyn

My bags are almost unpacked. He gave me plenty of space in his closet, although I offered to live out of suitcases, he insisted. I took a shower and I feel a little bit better.

I’m glad I asked him about it, rather than letting it simmer. I don’t need anything else weighing on my conscience more than I already have. You still doubt him. You know what you saw.

Walking into the kitchen, I am hit with the aroma of coffee.

I glance at the island to find that he has made coffee and an omelet for me.

He can be caring when he wants to be. He has a way of expressing himself that can be horrible at times.

He has never known love, I don’t think. He never talks about his family. I need to get him to open up to me.

I sit at the island and eat my breakfast, enjoying the quiet. I hear footsteps approaching. I swivel in my barstool to face the hall.

“How was your shower?”

I give him a thumbs up, since my mouth is full.

He shakes his head, smiling to himself as he walks towards the refrigerator. He is wearing his boxers, which fit him snugly.

“What do you want to do today?”

I hesitate. What do I want to do? Nothing comes to mind.

“I don’t know.”

“Let me know when you figure it out. I’ll be upstairs in my office.”

He walks back to the elevator and goes to work. At the same time, I stare out the windows that wrap around the house.

I think I’ll read my book today on the patio. I could really use the time to clear my head and figure out how to convince my parents to talk to me—and Astra, for that matter.

I go into Dante’s room and sift through my book collection, which I brought. I have a handful of thrillers and a few romances. I like to use them as a reset when my brain needs a break from all of the madness in the other ones.

I grab my book and head down to the patio. I walk through the sliding glass door and I am met with the smell of pine. I close my eyes and inhale a deep breath of the cool air.

The patio is made of dark wood, and patio furniture is spread out on the large deck. It overlooks the mountainside. I turn on the patio heaters and curl up on the outdoor sofa with my blanket. The air is pretty cold, but I’m used to it. I’ve lived in the mountains my entire life.

My thoughts drift back to Amara. She was someone who always understood my intentions. I always wanted to do the right thing. As soon as I did the wrong thing, my perfect world began to crumble.

The voices in my head feel weaker. They aren’t swarming around me and sucking me under. He makes them go away. That means he isn’t wrong. He is right. He feels right.

I pull out my phone and send Astra a text.

I’m sorry. I will always be here for you. I’m done pretending. I know who I am now. I love you. Please talk to me .

Xoxo- Ev

I lock my phone, knowing I probably won’t get a response. I set it aside and begin reading my book. Dracula . It was secretly Amara’s favorite. I’m the only one who knows that.

* * *

The pews are filled with people wearing all black. The sobs carry through the air like a haunting melody. I stand in the back, looking up towards the casket. My body moves towards the casket.

The sobs silence as I walk towards the dead. Everyone stares at me, and their faces are blurry. I don’t recognize them. I approach the casket, and I see Amara lying down. Her eyes closed, and her expression was soft. She looks peaceful.

I close my eyes and place my hand on hers.

“I’m so sorry. I wish I could have saved you…. You were my sister….. I love you.”

A tear rolls down my cheek as I open my eyes.

Amara isn’t the one in the casket. It’s me. I’m naked. Everyone sees me.

I stumble back, looking at myself lying dead in the casket. My heart races in my chest. No. No…..It’s not me… it can’t be me.

I turn to bolt out of the funeral home, but I am stopped. My parents block the exit.

My father looks at me with a sad expression, “We told you this would end badly.”

My heart races through my chest as I jump up.

It was just a nightmare. I feel my skin and pull at my hair. The sting is there. I’m alive.

I close the book and set it aside. I must have been sleeping for a while. The clouds have rolled in, and it looks like it could storm.

I turn off the heaters and grab my stuff, heading back inside.

What the Hell kind of nightmare was that? I’ve never seen myself in a n ightmare before. It was eerie—the image of my pale. sunken in skin, lying stiff in the coffin, flash inside my head. Unease settles deep in my stomach.

I slam the door shut. I toss my blanket down on the couch and my book on the table. I turn around to get some water and jump when I run into Dante.

“Hey. Is everything okay?”

I don’t realize I’m shaking. The nightmare has me feeling out of sorts.

I nod, taking in a shaky breath.

He eyes me up and down and steps to the side, letting me pass him. I grab the water from the fridge and take a long gulp. I place my hands flat on the island, trying to calm my upset stomach.

“Are you sure your good?”

He stands behind me and snaking his hands around my waist. The way his body molds to mine makes me melt. You aren’t the only one he holds in this way.

My stomach turns at the thought.

“I talked to Lucien.”

I push off the island to face him.

“He convinced Astra to let you come over.”

Tears prick my eyes. He cares. No, she cares.

“O-okay..”

“I can take you to her.”

I nod.

Seeing Astra would alleviate some of the pain, at least temporarily.

* * *

Dante pulls up to the front of Astra’s house and ushers me to the door. I am greeted with the smell of lavender when I walk through the door. Lavend er was Amara’s favorite scent.

I walk towards her room, opening her door cautiously as Dante follows closely behind.

She sits curled up on Lucien’s lap as he strokes her hair softly.

This may be the gentlest I have ever seen him.

Her eyes are bloodshot, and she produces fresh tears.

We don’t say anything, but we both stand and pull ourselves together for a hug.

I start crying again as Astra shakes while she sobs into my shoulder.

“Don’t ever fucking ignore me again.” Her words are filled with anger.

“I didn’t mean to… I swear.. I would never do that to you…” I cry into her shoulder as she does to mine.

“She was so young, Ev. She was kind to everyone. Who would do this?”

She sobs harder. I pat her back, allowing her to vent to me safely.

“I don’t know who would kill an innocent woman, Astra, but we will find out who did it, and we will make them pay.”

“She was shot… in the fucking head.” She cries harder.

My throat constricts, trying to hold myself together.

She releases me from our hug, and she cuddles back onto Lucien’s lap. I take a seat on Dante’s lap in a nearby chair.

“Do you think you can figure out who did this to Amara?” I stare at Dante, the man who I know is capable of tracking people down.

“It would be a waste of time. If the police found nothing, I won’t either.”

I stare at him in disbelief.

“Seriously? You won’t even try?” My tears stream down my face, taken aback by his nonchalance.

“I could try. I’m just saying—no leads or known enemies, there is nowhere to start. Especially if nothing was recovered from the scene.”

“She did have an enemy,” Lucien states in a collected demeanor.

Ev eryone shifts their attention to Lucien, but I don’t miss the way that Dante flexes his jaw in the confession. He knows. He knows something.

“Do tell,” Dante responds, as if he is agitated.

“Last summer, Amara went to a party to collect Astra. Ended up staying late and hooked up with one of my cousins. My cousin was pretty pissed off, saying she used him and she owed him money for some pills she took. I didn’t buy it.

In all the time I’ve known her, she never used drugs.

He swears on it, though. He thinks she used him and then ghosted him. ”

The tension in the room smothers us in a thick pressure, coiled and ready to snap like a loaded trigger.

“She would never do that,” Astra says, her voice wavering.

“IF she did do that, then your cousin would be the one to do it. Are we done here?” Dante’s comment is clipped.

“That’s the problem, Dante. My cousin was killed six months ago.”

My brain is trying to connect all of the pieces. It feels like one minute we have nothing, and now we have all of the pieces, but we can’t fit them together.

“Will you guys please stop. She wouldn’t have done that. There is no way that is the reason she was killed yesterday.” Astra tries her best to remain calm, but the arguing is getting to her.

Dante stands and storms out the door, and Lucien follows him.

I join Astra on her bed, watching her as she picks at her fingernails.

“Hey…..”

She looks up at me, and her lashes are clumped together. She’s a mess.

“I am so sorry. She didn’t deserve what happened. We will figure out who did this. Even if they aren’t going to help us.”

She nods and leans forward, allowing me to comfort her.

“I’m sorry, Ev… I shouldn’t have blown up on you.. I was just…”

“I know….”

She peels her head off of me, wiping away her tears with the sleeve of her shirt.

“So… are you guys officially…together….”

My throat constricts at her question. I don’t know how to answer it. Show her. Show her that you belong to him.

I lift the clothing that covers my scar, unable to meet her eyes.

She covers her mouth in shock, and her eyes go wide.

“Oh my god….” she whispers.

The pressure builds behind my eyes.

“I can’t escape him…”

She pulls me into her, allowing me to cry against her, and I break down.

“M-my parents saw it… I had to move out… I- I’ve moved some of my stuff into his house. I just… I don’t understand…”

I catch my breath between sobs as I continue, “I got a text from someone.. I-it was a picture.” Bile rises to my throat. “He was sleeping with someone else… He told me he isn’t… I don’t trust him…”

She squeezes me tighter.

“I-I told him I loved him… h-he didn’t say it back.”

I cry into her shoulder, knowing she has always been my safe place. I thought I knew who I was, but I don’t. I want to hate him, but I love him.

“You know you can always stay with me.”

She hugs me tightly.

“Thank you,” I whisper. Don’t leave him. You are his, remember. He has never lied to you.

* * *

Having Astra back on my side feels good.

I felt like I was bursting at the seams. We sat and cried for a good while after I had a mental breakdown.

Now, I have to go back to reality. I told her I needed more time before I could move in with her.

The voice inside my head is reminding me that so far, he hasn’t lied to me.

I know one thing— I need to know why he stormed out of the room.

I get into the car, and Dante slams his door shut.

“Why are you so mad that we are trying to figure out who killed Amara?” My tone is soft.

“You shouldn’t be asking questions. If you find out something you aren’t supposed to, you’ll end up just like Amara.”

The edge in his voice has the sharpness of a dagger.

“How would you know? It could have been anyone?”

His jaw tenses again, and this time he exhales a long breath.

“Just drop it, okay. Amara’s death doesn’t concern you.”

I nod. I can’t let it go, though. She deserves closure.

He knows something. He knows whoever it was has no remorse. They will kill anyone.