Sinner's Revenge (Sinner's Creed MC #2)(83)

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DIEM CRIES IN my arms all the way back home. I carry her inside and she cries in my arms while we lay in my bed. Then she cries all through the night and into the morning. I just hold her and rub her and tell her over and over that I love her. That I’ll protect her. And I promise that this life is over, and I’ll spend the rest of my days building her a new one.

Eventually, she cries herself to sleep. When she does, the only comfort I find is in the peace that is her slow, steady breathing. It calms my heart and my racing mind to know that as long as she’s asleep, she can escape from reality.

I refuse sleep even though my body begs for it. I won’t waste one moment of her needing me and me not being here for her. If she sleeps for days, I’ll still be awake—waiting for her to open her eyes so I can promise her again that I’m going to take care of everything.

It’s after nine in the morning when she stirs. It’s takes a minute to remember where she is and how she got here, but I can tell the minute realization dawns on her. As the memories come flooding back, I see them weighing heavy on her with every new one her mind processes.

Laying her head back on my chest, she sighs. “Do you think I’m weak?”

I almost laugh. “No. You’re the strongest person I know.” She has the strength of Dirk.

“Are you disappointed in me?”

“I’m proud of you. It takes a helluva lot more strength to walk away than it does to stay.” Tilting her head so she looks up at me, I give her a sad smile. “I was too weak to do it myself.”

“Walk away?”

I nod. “We all have a choice, Diem. I chose power and evil over a life that could have been a f*ck of a lot more than the one I’ve made.”

“It’s never too late,” she whispers, begging me with her eyes to give up something I’ve already decided to let go of.

“I know.” I refuse to say anything else until I’m sure I can deliver on my promise. Sinner’s Creed wasn’t something you just walked away from. But for her, I was going to do everything in my power to make it happen.

“I’ve got to pee,” she says, breaking the thick tension in the room. I’ve never been so grateful for her bladder or her bluntness. Getting up, she drags her feet to the bathroom, and I take the moment to go outside and piss too before I explode.

The shower is running when I return. Opening the bathroom door, I see her clothes strewn across the floor. “You okay?” I ask, rolling my eyes at my own stupid question.

“I’d be better if you were in here.” At her answer I’m stripping. Moments later, I’m lathering her body with soap. “Did you mean what you said? About finding me a way out?” she asks, keeping her eyes closed as my fingers massage shampoo into her scalp.

“Every word.” I reassure her by pressing my lips against her forehead—a gesture I know makes her feel wanted and safe.

I’m shampooing her hair for the second time, her request, when she asks, “How?”

“Do you trust me?” Cracking one eye open, she tells me she does without hesitation. “Then let me worry about that. I promised I’d take care of you and I will.”

“What about you?” She looks down at our feet, mindlessly washing the same part of my stomach over and over. “Who’s going to take care of you?” This time, she meets my eyes, searching for an answer.

“Rookie,” I shrug, smirking.

She cocks her head to the side, a concerned look on her face. “Seriously, Shady.”

Pushing the wet strands of hair back from her head, I grab the back of her neck. Staring into her eyes, I tell her the truth. “I can take care of both of us. So promise me that you’ll let me handle this.” It takes her a minute, but finally she finds something in my eyes that makes her believe that what I’m saying is the truth.

“Okay. I promise.”

I smile. “Good. Now, unless you’re trying to remove my skin, try washing me somewhere else.”


*

While Diem attempts to cook something that I swear I’m not going to bitch about, I sneak away to call Rookie. “I need you to come over and stay with Diem while I handle a few things,” I tell him as soon as he answers.

“Want me to bring Carrie?” I think about that a moment. Either way, it had its pros and cons. But four eyes on Diem were better than two.

“Yeah. But Rookie,” I say, lowering my tone with warning. “Do not let her out of your sight. I mean it. I’m trusting you.”

“Who the hell has you so paranoid? I’ll shoot her in the foot if I have to, but I give you my word she won’t leave my sight.” The sad part about that is he’s telling the truth. I am paranoid. And he would shoot her if he had to. I just hope it doesn’t come to that.


*

“Something smells good,” I lie, walking back into the kitchen.

“It’s a f*cking sandwich, Shady.” Good to see she hasn’t lost her attitude.

I scan the counter looking for mine. “You make me one?” I ask, my eyes still searching.

“One time. One time I lose my shit.” She glares at me. “I had an emotional breakdown. Not amnesia. I still remember who I am, and the last time I checked I didn’t make you sandwiches.”