Sinful King (Mafia Misfits #7)

1. Blair Phillips

ONE

blair phillips

13 YEARS OLD

SEAN (14 YEARS OLD)

There wasn’t much Godly about Five Points Community Baptist Church; if anything, it was the devil’s den—a place for the weak to be preyed upon. And right now, I was the prey.

My sneakers slapped against the church floor, the sound echoing in the empty halls as I ran as fast as I could. Thankfully, I knew this building, and every possible hiding place played in my mind as my body moved toward the closest one.

The door clicked shut behind me when I slipped into a room meant for storage and pressed myself against it, thinking I was safe for at least a moment until I saw them—four boys with their eyes fixed on me.

My stomach dropped but recognizing them as the O’Sullivan brothers helped me keep my composure. I’d seen Sean, Finnegan, Cian, and Rían while spying from the hidden passageway in my father’s study, but only when he talked business with their father, Darragh—the head of the Irish Mob. He made my dad, Nathaniel “Steel” Phillips, look tame.

I should’ve turned around and left immediately, but I was safer with them than Caden, whose voice echoed down the hall, closer this time.

“She looks scared,” Rían said, the frown on his face catching me off guard.

He was no more than eight or nine but had the poise of someone much older.

“Not afraid,” I said quickly, forcing the words out even though my chest felt like it was caving in. “Outweighed in strength.”

It wasn’t a lie; I wasn’t scared of fighting.

But this wasn’t just a fight, it was survival. My mom always said to choose my battles wisely. She told me it was okay to run if it meant staying safe.

The sound of door handles rattling got closer and closer, forcing me to shake my inner thoughts away. Knowing I would need to face Caden eventually, I turned to get it over with but never got the chance.

Sean’s movements were quick, and in a blink, he had me tucked behind his back.

He opened the door as if he had all the time in the world and a sense of security washed over me, a feeling I only got when at my grandma’s in Harlem.

“Whatever you’re looking for, ain’t here,” Sean said, his voice calm and cool.

Why was he protecting me?

I peeked around his shoulder to get a good look at my cousin.

Caden had been touching me since I was ten, and tonight, I finally fought back. Something in me snapped when I realized his plan to go further, to take more than he already had from me.

But he was bigger and stronger and the fight didn’t last long before I had to bolt, using the only advantage I had—speed.

“O’Sullivan,” Caden spat, the word dripping with disgust. His gaze shifted and met mine, but only for a second. “Stay out of family business.”

“Your family business is my business,” Sean said smoothly.

His tone was so steady, but there was something about the way he stood there, completely at ease, while toying with the danger Caden carried like a second skin. He glanced back at Finnegan, who stepped forward slightly on cue.

“I could let Finn here use your face as a punching bag,” he went on, almost conversational, “or you could turn around and walk away and pretend you never saw us.”

I had no idea what to make of him or his brothers, who stood quietly, as if waiting for the signal to attack. They were in complete sync and it made me sad for some reason.

Because you don’t have that with your brother.

Caden’s nostrils flared and I could see the muscles in his jaw working overtime to keep cool. Even his hands twitched like he was deciding whether to stay and fight or listen to Sean.

“I’ll see you at home, Blair,” he mused, the threat as obvious as his decision to retreat.

As soon as the door closed, the adrenaline left my body all at once. My knees buckled, and I hit the floor as the sob I didn’t know was there broke free. It felt pathetic as every ounce of pride I had pooled on the floor at my feet.

No one had ever stood up for me like they had, like Sean had.

Not my father or brother or mother, who had no real power. How could I blame her for not being strong enough to get us out? She was doing the best she could and sometimes I had to suffer. Sometimes I had to take one for the team.

“Stand up,” Sean ordered firmly, not in an unkind way but enough to make me listen. He crouched down and slipped a hand under my elbow to help me. “Whatever that was about, you’ll have to face it at some point.”

“I’m aware,” I mumbled, staring at the floor. I felt his gaze on me but couldn’t bring myself to look at him. “I’m not afraid.”

“Liar,” Finnegan tried to mutter, but it was loud enough for me to hear.

“I’m not!” I snapped, hands flying in frustration. “But he’s bigger than me! Forget it. You wouldn’t understand, anyway.”

I went to leave, ready to put as much distance between myself, them and this room as possible. But as I went to open the door, Sean’s hand pressed against it and held it closed. Startled, I spun around to him looking down at me with that same unreadable expression.

His light brown eyes seemed to search mine, like he was trying to pull the truth out of me.

“Help us understand,” he said, his voice quieter now. “Maybe we can help.”

“No one can really help me but me,” I said, my voice matching his. “But thanks for stepping in today.”

I opened the door and moved into the hallway, grateful he hadn’t tried to stop me again.

Maybe if I told my dad, he’d at least send Caden back to Baltimore to save face with the congregation.

Or he’ll blame you like he had before.

What happened in the church, stayed in the church, right?

It felt nasty thinking those thoughts.

Even though I believe in God, I’m not sure I believe in his followers. This was supposed to be a safe place but it wasn’t and I hated being part of it.

“Blair!” one of the church mothers whisper yelled as she approached from the left side of the sanctuary. “Your father wants to see you.”

So much for hiding out in here until it was time to go home.

“Did I do something?” I asked, tugging my arm back after she gripped it a little tight. “I can walk on my own.”

Why would I want the woman my father slept with behind my mom’s back touching me?

“That mouth is going to get you in trouble one day,” she mumbled as we walked up a flight of stairs to my father’s study.

My heart dropped when she pushed the door open and eight sets of eyes met mine.

Sean and his brothers were standing near their dad, who watched me closely as I trudged inside.

My dad sat behind his desk with Caden and Blake flanking both sides. I only caught eyes with Caden for a second but knew he’d been the one to orchestrate this.

“Tell him what you were doing when I found you,” Caden said. “It’s better to be truth—”

“You’re the liar,” Cian blurted, arms crossed. “We already said it wasn’t true. And don’t look at our dad, he’ll always believe us first.”

I could barely think straight, let alone understand what was happening, but somehow a kid younger and smaller had the strength to speak up.

And their father stood by without saying a word because what Cian said was true, he believed them.

“Can I know what I did?” I asked, looking around the room but avoiding my father’s angry eyes.

“Your cousin says he saw you alone with the oldest one over there,” my dad said. “They say you only stumbled across them.”

He sounded calm but I knew better.

My eyes slowly met Sean’s and it was hard to look away. It’s like he was silently asking me something and knowing what had suddenly become important to me.

Was he asking if I’m okay?

Or if he could help?

“I…” My father’s throat clearing stole my attention but internally I was still looking at Sean. “I didn’t do anything wrong. Caden… He—”

My dad stood and I felt my legs step back before the move registered. He’d only ever hit me once or twice but had done damage and I didn’t want that kind of embarrassment, not after earlier.

“Sounds like you need to discuss some important things with your kids…” Darragh flicked his gaze to Caden. “And nephew?”

Why did it sound like a question?

“We can finish our talk another day,” he went on. “But, I said what I meant. Take it or leave it.”

I didn’t want him to leave and followed Sean’s footsteps until they stopped. Our eyes met when I lifted my gaze and he tipped his head.

Another question?

Or was he trying to figure me out? Figure my situation out?

I looked away.

He shouldn’t worry about that because like I’d said, no one can save me but me.

“Is there something I need to know?” my father asked, walking toward me with his brows hiked. “Do you think I missed that exchange?”

“It’s not like that, dad,” I said, deciding to speak up for myself. “Caden is a liar and you never believe me! Even he…” I pointed to the door in reference to Darragh since they were gone. “…believes his sons. I’m your daughter and he’s only your nephew. Why don’t you ever believe me!”

I could feel myself breaking down but held my ground as all six-foot-four of him loomed over me. His response was delayed but the strike came hard and fast and knocked me to the floor.

Of course, he didn’t feel anything for what I said. He didn’t have a protective bone in his body, not when it came to his only daughter.

Had he ever? I wondered, wiping blood from my lip.

“No matter how hard you punish me, the truth is the truth. Caden is a liar and…” I swallowed. “… he’s been touching me.”

I looked up as silence loomed for too long but his eyes were on Caden.

My mom rushed into the office a second later, over to where I sat on the floor and pulled me into a standing position.

“I told you about putting your hands on her. We’re leaving!” she yelled. “Blake let’s go!”

And as always, my brother didn’t move.

But she waited a breath for him anyway before ushering me away in defeat.

“We’ll finish this discussion at home,” I heard my dad say before the door shut behind us.

“What have I told you about provoking your father?” my mom asked the minute she’d pushed me into the front seat of her car.

It wasn’t really a question, just an excuse not to take the blame.

“We’ll go to your grandma’s for now.”

I sighed and turned toward the window, watching the church disappear as she pulled away.

We’d be back; she always brought us back.