Page 61 of The Sinner’s Desire (The Sinner’s Touch #1)

Somewhere in the center of the United States

“I don’t know anything else! I swear to God, fuck! Where’s your mercy?” Jonathan begs.

Or what’s left of him—because he’s been crying and begging me to kill him for the past six hours.

“There is no mercy for pieces of shit like you. Now say it one more time: what were you planning to do to Lilly?”

“She was supposed to be a message to you, but it had nothing to do with the organization. They’d never authorize something like that.

The only thing that matters to them is money, not personal shit,” he says, spitting blood.

“It was me and that woman you knew as Maria; we planned it all as soon as we found out you, one of our boys, was betraying us. We were going to . . . break her, have our fun, and then kill her. Make a true work of art so you’d never forget that you can’t fight us. Maria is still hunting the girl.”

Even half-dead, he still manages to smile when he says it.

I push aside what he just said about Lilly and focus on him, while promising myself that I’ll never let them touch her.

I’d decided to put a bullet between his eyes because I’m sick of the rotten stench of death. But after what he just said, I grab a pair of pliers and step closer again.

I crush the last two fingers he had left intact until I hear the bones crack. His screams don’t move me in the slightest.

“I never belonged to you. Like all the other kids, I was kidnapped. And the only traitor here is you, motherfucker—for abusing our trust and need. Say hello to the devil for me.”

I press the barrel of my gun to his temple and, with a single shot, put an end to his worthless existence.

What just happened should’ve been the end—if Maria were dead inside that hellhole along with her accomplice. But despite moving heaven and earth, we still have no fucking clue where she is.

Until the very last second, I resisted—hoped there was another way besides putting Ethan’s plan in motion.

But after what Jonathan revealed—and I’m damn sure he told me the truth, because not even a soulless bastard like him could have withstood the methods I used to get what I wanted—I know we’ll have to go through with it.

There’s no other way Lilly will let me go.

It’s been forty-eight hours since I left her apartment—when I went to her one last time like a final breath of light in my darkness, surrendering to the love I feel. I haven’t contacted her since.

Strangely, as if she senses something is wrong, she hasn’t called or messaged either.

I left while she was still asleep—because I wouldn’t have been able to do it looking into her eyes.

I board the private plane waiting for me and head straight to the bathroom. Even though I’m no longer wearing the clothes from the days I kept Jonathan alive, I still feel filthy.

Ten minutes later, at least physically clean, I return to my seat as the pilot announces takeoff.

I barely fasten my seatbelt when my phone rings.

Lilly.

“Hey,” I answer, forcing indifference into my voice.

She takes a moment before speaking. “Are you okay, Amos?”

I know she’s trying to sound casual—yeah, she’s trying, because this isn’t my Lilly. There’s nothing distant about my woman. Every cell of hers is warm and welcoming.

“Yeah. Just busy.”

“Hunting monsters?”

“Among other things.”

“Bruno asked about you.”

I squeeze my eyes shut, acid burning me from the inside. “I don’t want him getting attached to me.” You two belong to me.

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“It means he doesn’t deserve another disappointment. I’m just passing through his life.”

“This is how you operate, isn’t it?” she says, now angry.

“What exactly are you talking about, Lilly?”

“About feeling, Amos. You’d rather turn your back than risk living something real.”

“Are we talking about us or about Bruno?”There’s tension in my question.

“About everything.”

I clench my jaw, pain hitting me like a punch as I brace to land the final blow. “Grow up, Lillyana. The world doesn’t revolve around you. I’ve got bigger problems to deal with.”

“So our last time together was a goodbye? I don’t believe you!

If you think you can make me stop loving you with a few words, you don’t know me at all.

No matter what you tell yourself, what we have isn’t going to end, Amos.

I get that you’re in the middle of chaos, and what happened when Jonathan shot Theo shook you.

It shook me too. But I’m not a quitter. If you want to end things with me, fine, do your worst. But you’ll do it looking me in the eyes. Until then, I’ll stay out of your way.”

“Lilly—”

Her pain is a thousand times worse than anything I could ever inflict on myself.

“Don’t say anything else. I’m not stupid; I know what you’re doing.

If you really want me to walk away for good, you’ll have to say it outright.

But I don’t think that’s the case. You’re trying to protect me.

And if you really don’t want me, say it to my face.

No more games between us. If this is the end, you’ll have to prove it to me. Until then, I’ll keep my distance.”

She hangs up without saying goodbye.

I don’t know what I expected—but it sure as hell wasn’t the words she just said.

I set the phone down and stare blankly out the window.

The Lilly who just spoke to me isn’t the insecure girl who came into my life. It’s like she’s bloomed, fully become a woman.

Every word we exchanged felt like a knife twisting in my heart.

I wish I could forget this fucking nightmare and give her the love she deserves. But I know the risks that would bring to her safety.

When this is all finally over, will she forgive me? Will there be a chance for us?

I have to believe there will be—or I’ll lose my mind.

I’ve built a full-blown war operation to ensure her and Bruno’s safety. Both are under the protection of a ten-man team, and I won’t lower my guard until I know they’re completely safe. Meanwhile, I have to hunt down the last missing link in this chain of hell.

Maria has to be eliminated.

I go straight from the plane to the office.

I haven’t slept in over three days, and my head feels like it’s about to explode.

The door to my office opens, and Ethan sits down across from me.

I don’t want to see him—or talk to him.

I never thought I’d feel this way, but for the first time, I just want him out of my way.

As much as I know everything he planned was for his sister’s sake, I can’t stop the bitterness from creeping in.

Even though I understand his reasons, I’m not sure things between us will ever go back to the way they were.

I’ve already decided to start looking for an apartment to buy.

I’ll sell him my share. It’s time for each of us to go our own way.

“I heard it’s over,” he says, but I’m not in the mood for small talk.

“Any news?” I ask because that would be the only reason he’d be here. Since our last conversation, we’ve barely spoken more than a few words to each other.

“Some. But none of it is good.”

“Maria.” I assume it’s about her because as far as we know, she’s the only member of the organization still around. The others have fled to countries with no extradition treaties.

“She’s like a viper. She knows how to blend in and go unnoticed. But that’s not why I’m here.”

Fuck—I’m tired of his circling. “Just say it, Ethan.”

He pauses for a moment, like something’s bothering him. “Have you talked to her? Tried the simplest solution?”

“Yeah, I did. And as expected, Lilly got fucking pissed, but she didn’t believe me. You need to stop underestimating your sister. What she lacks in experience, she more than makes up for in intuition and strength.”

“I’m not underestimating her. I’m trying to protect her.”

“Keep telling yourself that.”

“What do you expect me to do? If you two stay together, the risk will be even greater.”

“We’ve already had this conversation. I’m not going over it again. So tell me what you came here for, then leave me the fuck alone.”

“Amos—”

“No. Don’t even try to justify it. I’m trusting that you see the big picture better than I do. And since we both want to protect her, I agreed to be part of your fucked-up plan. But don’t expect me to hurt my woman with a smile on my face.”

“They tried to break into her place.”

“What?”

“While she was out yesterday, someone tried to get in. Before Lilly got back from visiting the kid, I had one of our guys check, and there were signs of forced entry.”

“Fuck!” I roar, half-mad. “And the cameras?”

“They didn’t catch anything, just other residents,” he replies, sounding frustrated.

“Whoever it was knew what they were doing. They only failed because of the special lock I had installed when I got back. I know you probably hate me right now, but my sister’s safety is the only thing that matters to me.

That’s why I want to send her away. If my plan works, maybe she can spend some time in Paris with the Oviedo girl. They’re close.”

“You’re wasting your time. She won’t go. Not with Theo still recovering—and because she made a promise to Bruno.”

“Then we need to talk to the Greek. He has to convince her he wants her company for a few days. My gut tells me Maria is close, and we both know what rats do when they’re cornered.”

“They attack.”

He nods in agreement. “And that’s why we need to make the breakup between you two look final. Whoever’s watching needs to believe she no longer matters to you.”

I know he’s saying it with full knowledge that not a single word of it is true—but just the thought of Lilly believing she’s not the center of my world makes me physically sick.

“What do you have in mind?”

“It’s all set. You might not like the solution, but it’ll make her give up on you for good.

First, though, we need to talk to Theodoro.

Even if everything goes as planned and Lilly turns her back on you, I don’t trust her living alone until Maria is caught.

That monster only needs one moment of distraction and that could cost my sister her life. ”

“It won’t happen. I won’t allow it.”

“Good. We’ve got a few hours to set everything in motion. The plan is already underway.”

“How can you be sure taking out Maria will be enough? That we won’t have to take down the entire organization?”

“Because they’re merchants. It’s not personal,” he says, almost repeating what Jonathan told me.

“They don’t give a fuck about your history with Maria.

There’s no hatred or revenge involved. They just want to keep making money.

Once she’s out of the picture, we’ll hand over everything we have to the police and let them handle it. ”

“Tell me about the plan,” I say, even though I already feel like I’m making a huge mistake.