Page 56 of Where Sinners Repent

Ugh. What is happening to my brain?

“I’ve got to go,” I mumble, sliding off the stool. Leaning over, I kiss Maddy’s cheek, patting her on top of her head. “Bye, Maddy Baby.”

“Sure you don’t want a pancake?” Ash drawls.

I fake a gag, looking at yet another pancake with smoke wafting off it.

“I’d rather tattoo your dick!” I call out, making my way towards the door. “Oh wait, I already did that!”

The door shuts down his outraged gasp and Maddy’s giggle.

All the fire that burned inside me on the way up has slowed to a dull spark. My feet move slowly down the stairs. I’m exhausted. Every muscle aches like I’ve just finished Arnold Schwarzenegger’s full body workout. Shoulders burning and thighs that cramp with every step.

The club grow louder the closer I get. Rough wood rests under my palm as I freeze behind the door.

Is he out there right now? Sorry... They. Are they out there?

I give the door a shove and the yellow glow of the club, mixed with red from the neon sign blaring through the window, spills out.

Scanning the area, I don’t see them. My shoulders sag just a little, and I shake my head at myself.

Roxy girl, c’mon.

What I do see, is Leon in a booth with his laptop shining in his face, an amber liquid in his glass. Another man sits next to him, and Leon smiles seductively when he speaks.

With a smirk, I stride over to them, stopping at the table. His green eyes flick to me.

“Gosh, you’re a sight for sore eyes,” he murmurs, eyes sliding down my body before shooting back up.

Rolling my eyes, I scoff. “When you're done being a massive man whore, can we hang out? I need a friend.”

His smile is so boyish.

“What did you have in mind, babe?” he drawls, closing his laptop.

I can feel the glare from the man next to him, who I obviously just cockblocked.

“Hmm,” I hum, because I hadn’t quite gotten to that yet. Suddenly, an idea pops into my head. “You can paint my nails and I’ll tell you about my outrageous sex life.”

His eyes flare, head tipping back on a raspy laugh. “Oh, you are so on.”

Leon’s apartment is weirdly nice for a guy in his early twenties, who also happens to be a motorcycle club member. Not a single overhead light is on. Like seriously. Yum.

Sitting on his white fluffy carpet, he slides the black coat over my now pointed nails.

If that deranged twin wants to call me black cat, I’ll come with claws next time.

“I don’t even know the other twin’s name!”

For some reason, I told Leon the whole story. Everything. Starting with me pouncing on Kai and finishing with me panting, tied to a cross with fresh piercings.

None of seemed to phase him.

Instead, he bit his lip and almost purred like a damn house cat. No one will ever replace Maddy, but I knew if I told her what really happened, she’d freak out. Which a real friend should totally do. Fuck, I’m freaked out.

But right now, I need a little bit of ignorance. And damn, does he do a good manicure.

“So, you’ve got Kai, who you already know,” Leon murmurs, eyes flicking up to me. “Then you have Kaleb. Equally terrifying. Equally messed up.”