Page 52 of Sin

Manipulate.

Outsmart.

She was a master of her craft. If she could build an entire empire because of it, surely I could handle a few grumpy immortals. But how?

“Hmm,” I mused, tapping my index finger to my chin. “What would Lilith do?”

Releasing a determined breath, I stood and popped my hands on my hips. I wasn’t going to get anywhere allowing these men to continue thinking they were the ones in charge. I might have to live in their house, but they were going to start playing by my rules.

Out of sight, out of mind seemed to be the name of their game. So I’d simply have to flip the script. I was about to be all up in their business every moment possible.

I adjusted my tits so they were at their most perky and tempting, then opened my door with one particular silver fox in mind. Or should I say crosshairs.

Operation Make The Horsemen My Bitches was about to begin.

Chapter

Fourteen

GRIM

“There we are, my beauties. A bit of water, and you’ll be right as rain,” I murmured as I misted liquid sunshine onto the last of my sadly neglected plants. “Hel and her nefarious plans nearly killed you all.”

Anger burned through my veins at yet another reminder of what that bitch had stolen from me. My rooftop garden, and more specifically the blooms in this greenhouse, were one of the few things I’d ever truly cared about. Here, I didn’t have to be a threat to living things. Quite the opposite. So long as I kept my gloves on, I could experience what it was to help something thrive. Watching these plants grow from seedlings, their stalks unfurling with each passing day, bright blooms opening under my care, gave me the one thing I never had in any other facet of my existence.

Hope.

Satisfied with my night’s work, I’d just set my mister back in its rack when I heard the whisper of the balcony door sliding open.

If Malice thought he was going to come in here and send disease through my plants like he had the last time he was inmy penthouse, he was about to learn a very painful lesson. I’d toss him over the side of the building with nary a single thread of remorse. Sure enough, the greenhouse door opened, letting in a burst of winter air. Readying myself for conflict, I tensed, but every ounce of defensive energy vanished at the very soft, veryfemininegasp that filled the air.

Merri.

She couldn’t be here.

This floor, these flowers, were my sanctuary. I didn’t want her to sully any of it with her presence.

Filthy liar.

I ignored the voice crooning in my ear, choosing instead to wrap myself in shadow and spy on my own would-be voyeur. What’s good for the goose...

“Oh my God, Daddy has a green thumb. Who would’ve thought?” she murmured, moving deeper into the small space.

Her fingers trailed across leaves I’d just taken care to wipe down, and I hated the rush of jealousy I felt as the plants were gifted her touch.

She was a vision in moonlight, the silvery glow lending her an ethereal quality that was as sensual as it was innocent. But I was coming to learn that dichotomy was inherently Merri. She was both temptress and ingenue. A walking contradiction that left me aching for reasons I couldn’t begin to explain. I’d felt the stirrings of lust few times in my long years, but nothing compared with my reaction to this little succubus.

Or, as I’d started silently referring to her, this little wildflower.

She was beauty amidst chaos. Untamed. Stubborn. Resilient.

My hands balled into fists at my sides as I immediately scolded myself for thinking of her in such a way.

She was a job. Nothing more.

My ward.

My responsibility.

---