Page 74 of Sin

I’m so sorry, Cole. I’m here. I was super sick with food poisoning and couldn’t get out of bed.

I was such a fucking liar, but what else could I say? I’ve been taken by the four horsemen and am being held hostage while they protect me from some big bad who wants to use me to get back at my aunt for trying to ruin the apocalypse. It was a little wordy.

There was no icon next to his name to show he was online, but I was still disappointed when my message remained unread.

I still needed to set things right with Andi, though, so I closed out of the app and returned to my text messages. I was about to type out a reply when I realized that this was not a text situation. This was a hit-the-call-button situation.

My heart lodged itself in my throat as I listened to the rings.

“Please, please, please,” I chanted, about to give up hope when the fifth ring was interrupted by Andi’s dry, unamused voice.

“Does this mean you’ve gotten enough space?”

“Andi,” I breathed, my relief that she’d answered so intense I was lightheaded.

“I was worried about you, you know? And thenthat’show you respond? You need space.”

I could hear the air quotes on the last word in her tone. “I’m sorry. Really. I didn’t mean to hurt your feelings, I just...”

Once again, I couldn’t reveal the actual truth, and I was pretty sure the food poisoning excuse was out, so all I could do was stay as close as possible to the truth and apologize. Even though I wasn’t the one to do it, she still had gotten hurt. And for that, I really was sorry.

“I’m really sorry. There was a break-in at my place and I had to lay low for a few days. I wasn’t allowed to talk to anyone while they were... investigating.”

“Oh my God! Are you okay? Did they hurt you?”

“No, no. I’m fine. Promise. Just some damage to the place. And with what we do, I had to make sure there weren’t any rogue clients after me.”

I squeezed my eyes shut, hating the lies pouring out of my mouth even though they weren’t that far from the truth.

“Ugh, fucking stalkers. I get it. I had one once. He thought he was God’s gift to the world. Do you need somewhere to stay? I can make up my couch.”

“No, I’m okay. Staying with some local friends for the time being.” Andi didn’t know I was in London and now didn’t really seem like the time to mention it.

“Are they hot friends? Male friends? Big, strong, strapping protective types?”

If we were on a video call—which sheloathed—I knew I’d see her brows waggling.

I let out a little laugh. “How did you know?”

“Because the first thing I’d do after a break-in is find myself a bodyguard or two.”

I almost said,how about four, but heavy footsteps in the hall stopped me. “Oh, call waiting! It might be the investigator. Call you later!”

Hanging up before she could get another word out, I shoved my phone into the pocket of my hoodie and stood, trying and failing to look innocent as the door swung open.

Chaos stood in the doorway, a scowl on his ruggedly handsome face. I was so busted. But at least it wasn’t Malice staring me down right now.

The horseman crossed his arms over his chest and leveled his gaze on me. “Start talking, Red.”

Chapter

Twenty-One

CHAOS

It had been far too long since I’d felt this degree of calm deep in my bones. I’d pummeled more than my share of opponents tonight, finally releasing all that pent-up violence within me, and it was good. Real fucking good, if I was being honest. For the first time in who knows how long, it felt like I could breathe easy.

I shifted my duffel bag, hoisting it up higher on my shoulder as I prowled through the foyer, eager for a shower and my bed. I might actually sleep tonight. What a novel concept. It had been nothing but fitful nights filled with restless limbs, tangled sheets, and racing thoughts.

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