Stolen by a Sinner (Sinners #3)(27)

I nod again, feeling awkward. I’m also worried out of my mind about Gabriel and what he’ll do because I interacted with his grandmother.

It’s only then her words start to sink in, and I realize she’s Mrs. Demir. There’s no wife. Not that it matters, because I still broke the rule even though it wasn’t my fault.

Nisa places the glasses of tea down and takes a seat. “I’ve taught Lara Hanim how to bake. She’s a quick learner,” she says with pride in her voice.

Mrs. Demir lifts an eyebrow. “That’s good to hear.” She turns her gaze to me. “Do you have any hobbies?”

I shake my head. “But I love baking.”

“You should spend tomorrow afternoon with me, and I’ll teach you how to knit. It’s a wonderful way to pass the time.”

Gabriel will definitely wring my neck right off if I did that.

Instead of answering, I keep quiet and sip on the tea, hoping it will help ease the headache still throbbing behind my eyes.

Nisa and Mrs. Demir talk about a pattern Mrs. Demir is currently knitting, and by the time they’re done with their tea and we get to return to work, I feel sick from all the worry.

My throat aches from the strain, and my chest is starting to burn.

My mind is filled with worry, not knowing when Gabriel will drag me to the study to lay into me because I talked to his grandmother.

Every time Murat peeks into the kitchen, my heart lurches to my throat.

After dinner, which was tasteless for the first time since I started working here, I retire to my bedroom.

I shower quickly and change into a pair of leggings and a t-shirt. Eyeing the bed, I just want to crawl beneath the covers and hide from all the worry, but instead, I take a seat at the table and stare out the window.

Every couple of seconds, I clear my scratchy throat, and by the time it’s time for bed, the headache is so bad I know I won’t close an eye.

I glance at the door, wondering if Nisa has any painkillers. Getting up from the chair, the world spins a little as I walk to the door and open it. I glance up and down the hallway, then step out of my bedroom.

I quickly walk to Nisa’s room and knock on the door. When there’s no answer, I knock again.

“She’s probably sleeping,” Gabriel suddenly says.

My head snaps in his direction, where he’s walking toward me. My heart plummets to my feet, the pounding in my head instantly increasing tenfold.

I hunch my shoulders and press close to the wall as I quickly dart back to my door, but before I can open it, Gabriel reaches me.

“About my grandmother…”

I keep my head down, pinching my eyes shut.

I can feel his gaze on my face, and it makes my anxiety spike to unhealthy levels. My head spins again, and I rock on my feet.

Gabriel raises his arm, and I instinctively flinch, bracing myself for the hit. Instead of punching me, his cool hand settles over my forehead. I flinch again, an icy tremble shuddering through me.

“Jesus,” he mutters, sounding upset. He throws my door open, then his arm wraps around my lower back, and I’m ushered into my bedroom. “Get in bed,” he orders, and not wanting to upset him more, I quickly obey.

Before I have the covers pulled over me, Gabriel rushes out of the room, leaving the door wide open. I sit awkwardly, wishing I could rest my throbbing head on the pillow.

I close my eyes again and startle when I hear Gabriel come back into the room. He’s carrying a tray with a glass of water and other things on it. Only when he sets it down on the bedside table, do I see there’s medicine.

“Take the pills for your fever and get some sleep.” His tone is still harsh.

I pick up the medicine and quickly swallow it down.

“We’ll talk in the morning,” he instructs.

Feeling more confused than ever, I cautiously lie down.

Without another word, Gabriel leaves the bedroom, drawing the door shut behind him.

He gave me medicine?

Does that mean he’s not as angry with me as I thought?

I don’t get to worry about things for too long before exhaustion drags me into a restless sleep and feverish dreams.





Chapter 18


Gabriel



Guilt creeps into my chest as I walk away from Lara’s bedroom. She probably got sick because I scared the living shit out of her.

I’ve never second-guessed my actions until two days ago when I lost my temper with Lara. I regret how I handled the situation, and since then, it’s clear Lara’s frightened of her own shadow again.

I hate how she flinches and cowers away from me. It makes me feel like shit.

Ignoring the guilt, I head to the east wing. When I enter my grandmother’s private sitting room, she tells me, “I’m going to teach Lara how to knit.”

I drop down in one of the plush armchairs and meet her eyes. “I think it’s too early for you to interact with her.”

“Allah Allah,” she huffs. “She’s been here a month, Gabriel! I’m tired of staying in the east wing, and Nisa loves her. You and Emre are in and out all day, busy with work. You know I get lonely, right? I need fresh company. Lara doesn’t look like she could hurt a fly. Don’t make the poor young woman pay for Mazur’s sins. Nisa tells me Lara has suffered a great deal.”

Christ, give me strength.