Page 37 of Betrayed By Sin
“Same,” I whisper. “Even if it’s complicated.”
“Everything’s complicated now,” she says, then glances at me. “But I’d still choose this. Us.”
It’s quiet again, but not awkward. Not like before. “Do you ever talk to Sin?” She asks after a beat. Something is hidden in the question, worry for me, or him?
“I’ve texted him a few times.” I admit, looking down at my drink. “He doesn’t respond.”
She nods, “I think he’s wanting to keep safe.”
“I don’t care about safety.” I admit. “I love him.”
Bria looks out over the quiet park, eyes distant. “You and Sin…” She trails off, then leans forward, elbows on her knees, voice low. “It’s not just complicated anymore, Magnolia. It’s dangerous.”
I stiffen. “I know it’s complicated. That’s kind of the point.”
“No,” she says, turning toward me, eyes sharp now. “Youdon’tknow. Not really. You’ve been sheltered from everything, not just at the orphanage but how our world really is. Cameron may be giving you space, but make no mistake, he’s watching. Everyone is.”
“Everyone?” I ask.
“Our families are the head of the mafia in New York, we may have two distinct sides but make no mistake, there are dozens of families who would take any slice of weakness on either side to take control. The Caputo’s for instance, they don’t have the want for control, that’s why they run negotiations between all families.” She rolls her manicured nail in a circle. “We may be on top now, but one wrong move and someone else will be running this city. She continues with a haunted expression. “And Sin? He’s being watched too. By everyone. Nobody trusts him right now. They think he’s slipping.”
My heart tightens. I think of the way Sin looked in the park that night. Tired, haunted, like he hadn’t slept in days. Like the weight of the city was crushing him.
“Heisslipping,” I whisper.
Bria nods. “Because of you. Because he doesn’t know how to separate his heart from the war anymore. And the second they figure out just how deep it runs between you two…”
She doesn’t have to finish. I know what happens next. “They’ll kill him,” I say, the words flat, dead.
Bria’s expression softens. “Or you. Or both of you. Mags, this isn’t just a romance. This is politics. This is bloodlines and territory and control. There are people who would rather see the city burn than let a Donati and a Rusco fall in love.”
I lean back on the bench, trying to breathe around the truth of her words. The air feels thicker now.
“But it’sus,” I say quietly. “He and I… it was real, Bria. Maybe the only real thing I’ve had my entire life.”
“I know,” she says. Her voice breaks a little, and when I glance at her, her eyes are glossy. “I know, Mags. Iwasthere, remember? I saw how he looked at you. I saw how you softened around him. You make him better.”
“Then why are you telling me to stay away from him?”
“Because love doesn’t always save people. Sometimes it gets them killed.”
The silence between us stretches, broken only by the wind rustling through the trees and the faint sound of children laughing somewhere far away.
“I hate this,” I admit. “I hate that we have to choose between each other and survival.”
“I know,” Bria says. “But that’s what war does. It steals the good things. It makes you question everything you thought was safe.”
I blink away the burn behind my eyes. “So what? I just pretend we never happened?”
Bria swallows hard. “No. You don’t have to pretend. Just… be careful. Besmart. Meet in the shadows if you have to. Keep it quiet. Keep it safe. But don’t let anyone see.”
She reaches out, sliding her hand over mine. Her grip is firm.
“I’m not telling you to stop loving him,” she says. “I’m telling you to survive it.” She says this as if she’s realizing it for herself too. She wants Sin to be happy, but the fear behind her eyes tells me she would sleep better knowing he was far away from me.
The wind picks up again, sending leaves scattering across the path. I look at her, really look at her, and realize how much fear she’s been holding. Not just for me, but for Sin. For all of us.
“We’ll figure it out,” I say, squeezing her hand. “We have to.”
