Page 93 of Taint My Soul

“Do you want to make a wish now?” He asks.

“Yes.”

“Tell me.”

“I wish things were different, so I can give myself to you without fear of ever losing you.”

“But I’m here.”

“It’s not that simple, baby.” His breath softens when I call him baby. He waits for my words. “I wish our worlds weren’t so different. I wish I weren’t such a fuck up, so I could give you what you need. But I’ll taint your soul because that’s all I have done. I’ve always destroyed anything I touched.”

“That’s not true.”

I don’t speak. I don’t hang up either. Because I can’t bring myself to.

“Saint, we’ll meet on Monday. Can you wait until then?”

“Yes, yes, I can.”

“Good.” He sighs.

“Please don’t hang up.”

“I won’t unless you tell me to.” He promises.

CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

MASON

Ilook at myself in the mirror and adjust the tie of my suit, then I pick up my black messenger bag and head out of my apartment. As I shut the door behind me, I glance over my shoulder and look at the ajar door of David’s place. I hadn’t been home until this morning, and I checked into a motel just to be far away from him. I can’t stand to look at him, can’t stand the fear that clutches my soul when he’s around me. God, I can’t even stand the level of rage he makes me feel.

I hate him.

And being this close to him reminds me every single minute why he’s here.

I slide my keys into my pocket and walk toward the elevator, exhaling sharply as I enter the enclosed space. Outside the building, my ride’s waiting on the other side of the street. Halfway across the asphalt, my phone beeps with a message. I stare at the screen, and a palpitating sigh drills out of my lungs. I turn on my heel and stride toward the alley. Looking over my shoulder, I slip into the space and meet Neo leaning against the wall in a leather jacket. He crosses his arms on his chest, mirroring the smug look on his face.

“Good morning.”

My jaw hardens as I regard him with an irritated stare. “What do you want?”

“I just wanted to pass a message along.”

“And?”

“Vincent’s coming to collect this weekend. Make sure you have something concrete for him.” He steps closer, and my body flinches on instinct, but that doesn’t stop him from laying his hand on my shoulder. “This is an opportunity, Mason. Don’t fuck it up.” He slaps my shoulder. He walks past me and leaves me in the quiet alley.

Throughout the drive to the company, my mind races with questions. What am I going to do? How do I get myself out of this mess? Is this ever going to be over? I have to deal with my uncle living so close to me. I also have to be in the perfect headspace, so I’ll get something worth Vincent’s time.

And I’d spent the entire weekend avoiding that apartment like the plague. Staying far away from him the same way I’ve steered clear for the past seven years, and somehow, he’s back again.

By the time I arrive at the office, I’m already exhausted. Saint’s not here yet, so I take my time setting things up and hope he never makes it work. Because I can’t bear to look him in the eyes and lie one more time. As I settle in, the door clinks ahead of me, and Saint walks into the space. It reminds me of the first day at the office, but it’s so much different now.

The cold and controlled look is gone, replaced by a simple smile that reaches his eyes.

It’s different.

And I hate that it is. I wish we hadn’t gotten trapped in that prison. All my feelings started the moment he held me through the pain, and every time I look at the scars on my skin it reminds me how much we went through together.