Page 47 of Betrayed By Sin
I didn’t mean to. But he’s right. Somehow, I did.
“I don’t know what to believe anymore,” I admit. “Maybe I never did.”
He nods once, solemn. Then, without a word, he swings into a drive-thru lane.
“What are you doing?”
“Saving you from your own spiral. Chocolate or vanilla?”
I blink at him.
“What?”
He turns to the speaker. “One strawberry milkshake,” he says, and I shoot him a look.
“I didn’t say.”
“You hesitated. That means you like strawberry.”
He orders another and fries, and minutes later, the car fills with the comforting scent of grease and ice cream. He hands me the milkshake like it’s nothing. Like I didn’t just cry my soul out on his shirt.
The first sip cools my throat. The sweetness hits. My hands stop shaking.
He drives again, slowly now, like the city’s breathing around us.
“Here.” He hands me a black duffel bag. “They’re clean, was headed to the gym.”
“Yes. Change. You’re going to catch a cold.”
I laugh, that is the least of my problems. “Can you?” I gesture to the road.
“Eyes forward, I got it.” He chuckles.
He keeps his word. As I change into his warm, oversized clothes and pull my hair into a messy bun, he never glances my way. “Thank you.”
Now he looks, smiling. “I like your hair like that.”
“I look like a hot mess.”
“No.” He shakes his head, Brushing a knuckle against my cheek. “You don’t.”
“Is it safe to talk to you?” I ask, watching the headlights blur against the rain. “I know you work with everyone.”
He doesn’t look at me, just nods. “Always. I don’t sell intel.”
I study him. “Even if it’s about mine? Even if Sin’s planning something?”
His hands tighten on the steering wheel. Just slightly. Just enough for me to notice.
“Even then,” he says. But I don’t believe him. Not yet.
I pick at a fry, not meeting his eyes.
“You don’t have to tell me anything,” he says. “But I will tell you something.”
I glance at him.
“I know Sin better than most. You deserve better than to be strung along like a pawn on someone’s chessboard. You’re not property, Magnolia. Whatever he did tonight, it wasn’t love.”
