Page 68 of The Sinner’s Desire (The Sinner’s Touch #1)

Amos’s voice sounds so far away, and my mind feels numb as I try to understand what’s happening.

I’m dizzy and can’t make sense of why Ester keeps trying to force me to stay on the couch.

I told her the coffee tasted strange and that I didn’t want to drink it anymore, but she seemed irritated and insisted.

What really triggered my alarm was the sudden shift in her posture.

Her back was no longer hunched, and she didn’t look like the frail old lady I’d run into in the elevator.

There was also something in her gaze that made me instantly aware—I needed to get out of there.

My instincts took too long to kick in, but when they did, I knew I was in danger.

“Lilly?” I hear Amos’s voice calling, and I want to ask him for help, but my throat feels closed, and no matter how hard I try, no sound comes out.

I try to get up again, but my legs won’t hold me.

A heavy lethargy takes over my body, but I know I can’t fall asleep.

“You’re not going anywhere, you bitch.”

It’s not the words themselves but the hatred that drips from the old woman’s voice that truly terrifies me.

Amos calls my name again, and this time, the survival instinct pushes me to respond.

It seems to enrage her, because Ester slaps my face, and everything around me begins to darken.

I know I can’t close my eyes, but my head is pounding.

Afraid of being hit again, I stay still so she thinks I’m worse off than I actually am. The pain is nearly unbearable, but the certainty that I have to keep fighting is stronger.

“Stay the fuck on that couch or I’ll blow your brains out,” she yells, and only then do I realize she hit me with the barrel of a gun.

Suddenly, all the puzzle pieces fall into place. She’s not just a neighbor. Her name isn’t Ester. She can only be...

“Maria?” I ask, even though I already know.

“Took you long enough, you dumb blonde. Are you always this slow?”

A crash distracts her for a moment, and with the little awareness I have left, I think of the man I love and the sweet boy I want as my son, waiting for me.

I don’t want to die.

“Lilly!”

I realize the door has been broken down, and Amos is here.

More terrifying than this whole nightmare is the desperation on his face.

“You stupid girl. You ruined everything!” she snarls at me. “We would’ve been out of here already! You’re useless. Can’t even stay unconscious!”

“What the fuck do you think you’re doing, you psycho?” I hear him growl.

“One more step and she’s dead,” she threatens.

“Tell me something, sweetheart. All those years you spent hunting me down, did you ever regret not obeying our orders that last day? Because no matter how hard you try to play the gallant hero now, we both know how twisted you really are. Admit it. You enjoyed every second of beating me.”

What?

Amos goes pale, frozen like he’s been poisoned.

“Oh, so you didn’t tell your little whore the truth?” she sneers. “Didn’t tell her how many times we filmed you hitting me?”

“Lilly . . .” I can hear the anguish in his voice.

She brushes my bloody hair aside with the barrel of the gun so she can look me in the eyes.

Even though it’s only the cold metal touching me, I recoil in disgust. That seems to piss her off, because she slaps me again.

“You’re not going anywhere, slut. We’re leaving together. We’d already be gone if that idiot helper of mine hadn’t been late.”

“You really think you’ll get away with this?” Amos asks. “You’re wanted everywhere.”

“I’m sure I will. I’ve been off the radar for years and would’ve stayed that way if it weren’t for your interference.

I should’ve killed you when I had the chance.

But no, I listened to that bastard Jonathan.

He thought you had potential. Weak, yes, but I can’t deny you were always a good-looking kid.

I think he had plans for you. He always had a thing for tanned skin. ”

Her insinuation turns my stomach, and I can see Amos’s eyes darken. I know him too well. He’s barely holding himself together—for my sake.

“Drop the gun,” I hear her command. “On the floor. Now. Or she dies.”

My instinct tells me to close my eyes and pretend I’ve passed out again.

“You don’t have to do this. I’ll go with you,” I hear him offer.

“You think I’m stupid? You’d escape easily. Now do as I said, push the fucking gun over here.”

Through my barely open eyes, I can see the hesitation on his face. I want to tell him not to do it, that she’ll hurt him next, but I can’t let her know I’m still conscious.

After another glance at me, he finally obeys. She laughs.

It’s not joy—it’s the confident laugh of someone who thinks she’s won.

She turns toward me, and I force myself to stay still, barely breathing. After seeming to hesitate for a moment, she drops her own weapon on the couch and bends to grab his from the floor.

Deep down, I still hoped she just wanted to take me as a hostage, but when she points the gun at Amos, I know she intends to kill him.

The thought of seeing him hurt is terrifying, and my body floods with adrenaline.

“You’re really stupid. Always have been,” she hisses. “Can’t you see that generous heart of yours only brings trouble? Did you think you’d just walk away from this?”

“I don’t care about me. Just let Lilly go.”

I would never leave without him. I won’t let this monster hurt him. I won’t let Amos sacrifice himself for me.

Just the thought of that wretched woman trying to steal our future makes me hate her in a way I never thought I could hate anyone. I stop paying attention to what they’re saying because I need to focus on what must be done. I have to act, or it will be the end for both of us.

Slowly, I try to remember those times Ethan took me to the shooting range.

I focus on staying silent as I crawl toward the gun.

Just a little more . . . I just need to reach a little farther…

Finally, my fingers brush it. Even without knowing whether I can do it, I stand and point the gun at her back.

I know Amos can see me, but he doesn’t let a flicker of expression show.

My body wavers, and I bump the coffee table.

Maria spins toward me. “What do you think you’re doing, bitch?” Her fury shifts back to me, but she’s still pointing the gun at Amos.

From the corner of my eye, I see him move too, but I can’t afford to look at him now.

“Drop the gun,” I say, praying my voice doesn’t reveal how groggy I still feel.

“Oh please, Barbie . You really think you’ve got the guts to shoot me? I did my homework on you. You’re practically a nun, sweetheart. Save us both the time and put the damn gun down.”

“You think you know me?” I ask.

“Sweetheart, I’ve dealt with dozens of little whores like you. You’re just a pampered brat. All you’ve ever done is snap your fingers and get your way.”

“If you shoot him, you won’t leave here alive.”

“Oh yeah? And what are you gonna do? Shoot me?”

Before I can answer, she pulls the trigger.

Everything happens in a flash.

Instinctively, I shoot back.

The bullet hits her in the arm.

Almost simultaneously, she doubles over, clutching her right thigh, but not before swinging the gun toward me.

I fire again. This time, the shot hits her abdomen—and I see the blood spreading across her shirt.

“You shot me!” she cries, stunned.

My heart races as I see Amos stumble near the door with a loud thud.

“Yes. And I’ll do it again if I have to. Maybe I am all those things you said, but you have no idea how far I’d go to protect him.”

“I’m gonna kill you,” she snarls, trying to steady her hand, but I can see her strength fading.

She looks down at her bleeding stomach, then back at me.

She seems to want to say something—then all the color drains from her face and I know the nightmare is over when her body finally collapses.

Amos is bleeding, but he’s on his feet, and with effort, he comes to me.

And I know, without a doubt, that he will always come for me, no matter what.

“Lilly, my love . . .”

“It’s over. She’ll never hurt you again,” I whisper, and finally, I allow myself to give in to sleep.

The monster is gone.

Amos is safe. And that’s all that matters.