Chapter 23
TWENTY-THREE
L ast night was… magic.
The twinkling lights outside have been replaced with a ray of sunshine cascading over the city. I’m wrapped in Sin’s arm, the little spoon, as his inked arm is draped over my naked body.
I never would have thought something so sinful could feel so natural, so purely human. The way my body fits into his, the way he fit into me…
He stirs, kissing my bare shoulder, which makes my tender skin prickle with goosebumps.
“Good morning, Bella.” His accent coats me, and I turn to face him.
“Good morning.” I trace the sleepy lines on his features, running the tip of my fingertip along the scar that cuts his face. He closes his eyes as I draw it across his eyelid and down to his cheek.
“How did this happen?” I ask .
I don’t expect an answer, I never do. “You know how I told you about that treaty last night?” he replies.
“I don’t know any details, but yes.”
“This was during one of my run ins with that family.”
“They did that to you?” Suddenly, one of my favorite parts about his face is encased in trauma. “I’m so sorry.”
“That’s not all they did.” He sighs. “Should we step on the patio?”
I nod, getting up. I’m so ready to learn more about him. About this rivalry that he won’t even allow Bria to speak of. We head onto the balcony after slipping on some clothes. The morning is calm, surprisingly relaxed for the city but we are forty floors above it all.
“It’s why I try to protect Bria from getting involved in anything that has to do with them. She knows this, but is as stubborn as I am.” He laughs without humor. “The Rusco family is our rivals, they killed our mother.”
A gasp escapes me. “Sin, I’m so sorry.”
“It’s why I can’t risk Bria near them… they have no empathy. They’re fucking vile. We have a treaty, a clear strip down the city that is ours and theirs.”
Realization dawns on me, and I stiffen. Sin drapes his hand over me, knowingly. “No need to rush, what’s done is done.”
“If you’re so calm, it must not be that bad right?” I attempt to soften at his touch. But if these people killed his mother, we can’t be safe here.
“It is that bad, Mags. But I’m hoping since we’re still a block away from their base that we’ll be able to come to an agreement. ”
“I’m so sorry,” I whisper into the morning air.
He shrugs. “I wouldn’t have expected you to stay after seeing what you saw last night. I was trying to keep you safe, but I see now that honesty would have avoided this mess. Will you give me another chance? Fully embed yourself in my world although you’re way too fucking good for it?”
A sly grin crosses my face. “Will you do what you did to me last night again?”
He lifts me off my feet, wrapping my legs around him. “A thousand times a day, if you’ll let me.”
“Ready to go home?” Sin asks after he checks us out of the hotel, eyes darting back and forth through the lobby. We’re in disguises. Well, not me, but he is. A gray ball cap pulled over his head, hiding his luscious black hair. He’s also wearing jeans and a t-shirt, a very casual look. Sunglasses cover his ghost eyes from view.
A driver I don’t recognize waits for us out front, opening the door of a silver SUV. It’s discreet enough but doesn’t have the signature Donati sleekness that would be obvious.
Once we’re safely in the back, Sin introduces me to the woman driving named Larissa. She’s kind, serious looking. I’m assuming any secret times Sin sneaks onto this side of the city, this is who brings him. “We’re going to wait for news of any sightings at home. I have some people inside that will alert if they caught our presence. Thank God you booked the room with your name and not Bria’s. I’m going to kill her by the way, do you know that?”
“Is she how you found me?”
He shakes his head. “Max followed you to the treaty line, then my men inside told me.”
“So, I wasn’t as slick as I thought I was.”
“No,” he laughs, “but it was a good effort.”
We switch cars once we’re on the west, back to Rollins. He sends me a smirk. “Glad to have you back, Magnolia.”
I sigh, already feeling better knowing were in the not fully safe, but safer side of the city. “Glad to be back.”
Sin sits beside me with a prideful look as we ride in silence, then pull into the garage. Hand in hand we walk to the front of the house, and my breath is taken from me by the new addition.
An arch of fresh, blooming magnolias
Rollins steps inside to give us a moment alone. “Do you like them?”
I touch the soft pedals with my fingertips. “I adore them,” I say quietly, relishing in the moment. “What if I wouldn’t have come back?”
He shakes his head, as if to clear that thought away. “These flowers remind me that everyday no matter how strong I can be, I am softened by you.”
That is quite possibly the sweetest thing I’ve ever heard.
I’m looking at him with so much adoration that it genuinely hurts to imagine not being with him. I’m too attached, he’s my perfect accompaniment .
We step inside, greeted by a grinning Bria. She wraps me in her arms. “I’m sorry my brother is such a fucking douche!”
I laugh as he playfully pushes her. “I’ll kill you next time if you don’t call me.”
“Next time?” Bria and I say in unison.
He rolls his eyes. “Can you two not like each other? It’s annoying. Come, Mags.”
I give her a grin and follow him upstairs. “I think you should move into my room. It makes no sense you staying in there. And to be honest, I’m growing tired of Axle abandoning me,” he says this so casually, as if this isn’t a huge deal.
As if me moving into a man’s room isn’t like the biggest deal ever. “I’ll think about it.” I don’t know if I’m ready for that.
He holds in his irritation, kissing me instead. “At least let me get you an I’m sorry gift.”
“Like what?” I raise a brow.
“I want to get you a car, as it will give you more freedom.”
My eyes widen. “Seriously? My work is a walk away.” I look at my phone. “Speaking of that, I’ll need to be there in an hour. That’s really sweet, Sin, but there’s no way I’m letting you buy me a car.”
He throws his head back, “Damnit I forgot about that. When do you get off? I’ll pick you up.”
“Did you hear me? We’re not going to buy a car, Sin.”
“Okay, fine. I’ll still pick you up.” His fingertips graze my arm. “Take you on a date?”
I wrap my arms around him with a grin. “That would be lovely!”