Sinful: A Dark Asylum Bully Romance (The Boys of Chapel Crest Book 5)
Sinful: Chapter 19

Church was gone when I woke.

A tear rolled down my cheek. Knowing he was doing this for me hurt my heart. I didn’t want anyone to suffer on my behalf. He’d told me he had no problem doing it because he loved me.

It should be me.

The thought had been going through my head since last night when he announced he was going to help his father. All of this was because I lost it. Because I’d let the darkness out of me. Being constantly poked and prodded by people made me so frustrated, though. Even the normal side of me felt it. I dealt with it better with the lighter part of me. I was more logical and was a critical thinker. The other part of me, the part I assumed was just fed up and had been lurking deep inside my mind for a long time now, was the opposite of everything I was outwardly.

It terrified me, but at the same time, it brought me a sense of relief. It was like I could separate from that part of myself.

I wasn’t sure exactly what was happening to me, but I assumed that’s what it was. Two parts to the same soul. The sweet part and the fed-up part.

“Don’t cry,” Ashes whispered, thumbing my tears away. I hadn’t realized he’d woken, but clearly, he had because now he was wiping away my tears, his voice strained with concern and sadness.

I took his hand in mine and shakily wrote on his palm

This is my fault.

“Oh, Sirena.” He sighed. “It’s not your fault. Yeah, you let go a little bit, but we all do. That bitch had no business pushing you around like that. I’ve wanted to knock her ass out for years, but you beat me to it. If it wouldn’t have been you, it would have been us. So don’t be sad it happened. It was meant to. She brought it on herself with her shitty attitude. She’s twisted and foul, like the rest of them here.”

I traced more words onto his palm.

I’m worried about what’s happening to me. I’m worried about Church.

“Baby, you are my perfect girl. You will always be,” he said gently. “Everyone gets fed-up sometimes. This was just your breaking point. You’ve been through so much. You’re so strong. You’re OK. I promise. And Church will be too. He grew up in the Underground. He learned to fight there. He learned to survive. He’s going to be fine,” his voice trembled with his words.

I scrawled more words onto his palm.

Why don’t I believe you?

“Trust me. It’s scary. I get it. It’s even more scary when you’ve survived the shit the monsters are capable of, but Sirena.” He paused and traced his thumb along my bottom lip. “I hate to say it, but Church is a monster too. So are me and Stitches. Sin. Asylum. We’re monsters. It’s why we’re here.”

I wrote quickly.

I’m a monster too.

“You are too pretty to be a monster.” He lightly kissed my lips. “If anything, you’re a righteous angel sent to save us all.”

I smiled a little at his sweet words.

He took my hand in his and kissed my knuckles. “Let’s get Stitches up. We’ll eat. We’ll build a snowman. Do some online shopping and hope it can get delivered despite all the snow. Watch movies. Make cookies?”

I kissed him again, really liking his ideas.

“Then it’s settled,” he murmured. “A day of fun. Maybe you can paint for us later. I love watching you paint.”

I nodded, liking that idea too.

“Good.” He kissed the tip of my nose before he got out of bed. “Stitches. Hey. Stitches!”

Stitches grumbled in his sleep and rolled over but didn’t open his eyes. Instead, he let out a soft little snore.

Ashes shook his head.

I rolled over and rested my head on Stitches’s chest. His arm immediately wound around me and hugged me to his hard body. Gently, I ran my fingers along the plane of taut muscles on his abdomen before moving to the tattoos he had covering his torso. He mumbled in his sleep as I traced a cross near his belly button.

“Malachi,” Ashes said, moving to stand on Stitches’s side of the bed. “You hungry?”

Stitches’s eyes snapped open. “I could eat.”

I smiled at that, knowing he needed more food in his body. He’d lost weight like I had while locked away in the facility.

I kissed his cheek before straddling him to take Ashes’s hand. Stitches was quick to put his hands on my waist and hold me over his impressive, hard length.

“Good morning, angel,” he said, smiling at me.

My face heated beneath his stare.

“Let’s make breakfast and get her fed before we do any of that,” Ashes interjected. “Church is gone.”

Stitches released my waist, and Ashes helped me to stand.

“I know. I was awake when he left.” Stitches sat up and rubbed his eyes. “It was around five this morning. He hauled ass out of here quickly. Said he didn’t want a prolonged goodbye because those hurt more.” A look of despair washed over Stitches’s face. “He drove to the airport and left his car there.”

“I assume he took his father’s private jet out?” Ashes asked, kissing my temple.

“I guess. Sounds like that’s how he sent for him.” Stitches stood and adjusted himself in his boxers. He winked at me when he caught me looking, making my face heat again.

Quickly, he put his fingers beneath my chin and tilted my head up so we were staring into each other’s eyes.

“Don’t be embarrassed about wanting what you want, angel. I have no issue with it. It’s yours to take.”

I gave him a bashful smile, which he ate up before he pressed his lips against mine. It was easy to fall into the guys’ kisses, and I wasted no time doing it with him. His hard length pressed against my belly, letting me know exactly what he thought about it.

“Come on,” Ashes urged. “I’m hungry.”

“We can spread her legs and eat her pussy on the table,” Stitches murmured against my lips. His words sent a thrill through my body. “She’s the perfect meal.”

“I’m not opposed to that.” Ashes dragged me away from Stitches, and they both helped me to dress before they led me downstairs.

“I want you to sit and relax,” Ashes said, handing me the remote. “I’m going to make breakfast. Stitches is going to —”

“Start eating now,” Stitches said, his dark eyes roving over me.

I squirmed beneath his gaze.

The doorbell rang, making him scowl.

“Stitches is going to answer the door while I make breakfast.” Ashes let out a laugh and went to the kitchen.

“Hold that thought, angel. Let me deal with this,” Stitches said, getting to his feet and going to the door. I watched him open it and groan.

“Fucking hell, Cady. Really?”

“Out of the way, stranglehold. I’m here with stolen waffles and to see my sister.”

“And you brought Bryce?” Stitches let out a sigh. “You’re lucky Church isn’t here. This wouldn’t go over well.”

“Long hair, don’t care.” Cady pushed past Stitches and came straight for me, a bag in her hands I assumed housed stolen waffles.

“I heard Church left,” she said, hugging me.

“How did you hear that?” Ashes asked from the kitchen.

“He texted me.” She looked at me, her eyes rounded. “He said I’m supposed to let you assrods handle things, but he said I could come to stay the night if I wanted to. So here I am.”

“What about you?” Stitches asked as Bryce stepped into the house. Stitches closed the door behind him. “Why are you here? I’m surprised you’re even able to walk.”

I frowned at his words, unsure about what they meant. I hadn’t seen Bryce on campus. Rumor had it he was sick. He definitely looked pale and in pain. My plan was to go see him this week. I just hadn’t known how to address it with the guys. We had so much we needed to air out.

I got to my feet to go to him, but Stitches moved forward and captured me in his arms before I could get to my destination.

“What are you doing, angel?” he cooed in my ear.

I looked up at him to see a muscle thrumming along his jaw. I reached out and brushed my fingers against it. His expression softened, and I untangled myself from him and went to Bryce.

“Hey,” Bryce greeted me softly, his voice holding a slight tremble to it. The last time we’d spoken, he’d told me his feelings. How much he cared for me. I’d been trying to process them along with everything else.

I reached out and took his hand, then gave it a squeeze.

“Sirena,” he whispered, his eyes glassy.

My heart broke looking at him.

He wasn’t OK. Something was wrong, and there was no way I could just ask him. I tried to get the words to come out, but they were stuck, making me frustrated.

He must have taken notice because he squeezed my hand back. “We’ll talk about it later, OK?” His voice was so low I had to lean in to hear him.

“Sirena,” Stitches called out, the tension evident in his voice.

I tugged Bryce forward, and he came along easily. His movements were slow, though, and I took note of the wincing he was doing when he sat on the couch.

Stitches quickly dragged me to his lap on the L part of the wraparound and nuzzled into my neck, his words a warm brush along my skin.

“We’re mad at him, Sirena. We can talk about it later, OK?”

I crinkled my brows at him in confusion, but I gave him a nod anyway because I wanted to know what had happened. Judging by the uneasy looks Bryce was casting Stitches, I wasn’t going to like it.

The smell of Ashes’s cooking met my nose, and my stomach gave an audible grumble. My face heated when Stitches chuckled.

“Rina, do you want to do some online shopping today? I found a website that has loads of discounted clothes.” Cady looked to me with excitement in her eyes.

I smiled at her, letting her know I’d like to do that.

“Hell yeah,” she said, giving Stitches the finger when he shook his head at her. Bryce remained quiet on the couch, focusing on his hands in his lap. Even more concern washed over me.

The doorbell rang once more.

“What now?” Stitches grumbled, sliding me onto the cushion and getting to his feet. He stomped to the door and pulled it open.

“Morning,” a familiar voice rang out. I knew that voice.

Immediately, I got to my feet, my heart in my throat as I watched him come through the door.

I wasted no time in rushing to him. I was so fast that Stitches couldn’t catch me. Mirage opened his arms for me, and I fell easily into them.

“Rinny,” he murmured in my ear as he hugged me against his hard body. I took note of his rabbit mask in place.

“What the hell, Asylum?” Stitches snagged me back, and I scowled at him. “Why are you wearing that damn mask?” Tension radiated from him. “What the fuck is going on?”

Mirage offered him a quick smile that didn’t quite reach his blue eyes. “I’m Mirage. I’m wearing the mask because I’m a rabbit. Sirena loves rabbits.”

“A rabbit hurt her.” Stitches frowned at him. “You didn’t…”

“I would never,” Mirage said fiercely. “I’m not who you seek. I’m who she seeks. That is all.”

“So you were the one meeting her in the woods?” Ashes called out.

“To help her. She needed a way to relieve some stress. Nothing more. Nothing less. I was just a friendly rabbit who was able to help.”

“I get it,” Stitches murmured. “You were meeting up with her as a…rabbit. The one who hurt her knew that. That’s a clue. Something to go on then. Right?” Stitches looked to Ashes then to Mirage. “It’s something, right?”

“It is,” Mirage said with a nod. “It’s just not much. We’ll get there though.”

“Well, you don’t need to wear that damn mask here,” Stitches continued. “It’s fucking weird, dude.”

“It doesn’t come off.”

“Asylum.” Stitches sighed.

“Mirage. I’m Mirage. A rabbit.”

Stitches rolled his eyes. “You’re crazier than I thought.”

“No, you thought right.” Mirage grinned at him. “I’m living up to the thought.”

“Right, well, what’s going on? Why are you guys here? Also, Church may lose it when he learns you were the damn rabbit the whole time,” Stitches continued, narrowing his eyes at him.

Mirage waved him off. “He won’t. And if he does, he’ll get over it and see it for what it is. A friend helping a friend. Again.”

Stitches grunted as I watched the exchange, grateful Mirage came out and said who he was. I didn’t like keeping the secret.

“To answer your other question though, we stopped in today to see how things were going. Figured it might be nice to get a jump on everything.”

“Everything?” Ashes called out from the kitchen. “What’s everything?”

Mirage shrugged. “Church is gone. I think strength in numbers is a good thing.” His blue eyes moved to Cady and Bryce. “It’s good to see you, Bryce.”

Bryce grunted a reply.

“I don’t really think you’re needed,” Cady said, her eyes narrowed. “We’re here. We have it covered. Go back to your padded room, you nutsack.”

I shot her a look, wanting her to be quiet. She caught my eye and sighed before looking away, clearly annoyed at Mirage’s presence.

“It’s fine,” Ashes said, coming closer with his spatula in hand and a yellow apron on. “I like the idea of strength in numbers. Sirena seems happy to see him and Bryce, so I say, let’s roll with it. Weird mask and all. Mirage.” He gave him a nod. Mirage inclined his head back, seemingly good with it all.

Stitches rolled his eyes and steered me back to the couch.

“Sin, it’s nice to see you,” Ashes said.

I knew he felt awkward. Sin gave him a quick nod before toeing his boots off and hanging his jacket next to Mirage’s in the closet.

“So, Asylum, you look weird today,” Stitches said when Asylum sat on the couch next to Sin.

“Do I?” Mirage raised his brows at Stitches. “How so?”

“I don’t know.” Stitches studied him, his hand on my thigh. “Almost like you had a good night’s sleep and combed your hair. Plus, that stupid mask.”

Mirage chuckled at that. “I’m the same, yet different. It’s who I am.”

Tell him who you are. Who you really are.

Mirage winked at me and pressed his finger to his lips like he was keeping a secret. I frowned at that. I didn’t know why it mattered, but it wasn’t my place to tell. Maybe he would.

“You even sound weird.” Stitches frowned at him. “You OK?”

“I’m fine. I assure you. Excited to be here. I’m just…Mirage.”

Stitches rolled his eyes at him. “Whatever. No need to be sarcastic about it.”

“I do like being here. You know that, Malachi.” Mirage’s gaze was fixed on me.

“Well, we were planning something a little more exciting than entertaining guests,” Stitches continued.

I placed my hand on his thigh and gave it a little squeeze.

Cady laughed. “Ah, I see. You guys were going to get dirty before breakfast.”

“During, actually,” Stitches said. “But then you showed up with Bryce and ruined it.”

“Glad to hear I wasn’t the cause of ruination,” Mirage piped up.

“You already know you are. You’re the icing on top of the bad company cake these fucks made.” Stitches pointed to Cady and Bryce.

“No fighting. We have enough problems. We’re going to eat and have a good day. It’s Saturday. We can hang out. Watch some TV. Play some games. Let’s just chill,” Ashes said, placing a steaming pile of pancakes on the table next to the stolen waffles.

“I’m glad you aren’t kicking me and Sinclair out,” Mirage said. “Or Bryce, for that matter, considering everything.”

“Not now,” Stitches snapped.

Mirage held his hands up in a surrender motion.

“I agree,” Mirage said. “I was merely pointing it out. But soon, Malachi. It’s only right we divulge that little tidbit of truth.”

I glanced from Mirage to Stitches to Bryce, confused about what they were talking about.

“It’s not a big deal. I’m over it,” Bryce said. “Sirena, the guys thought I was getting too close, so they came and talked to me. That’s all. You don’t need to worry about anything. I’ve learned my place.”

“Have you?” Sin asked, snorting.

“Yes. For now.” Bryce openly glared at Sin, a move which surprised me. He was usually pretty withdrawn around the watchers. And Sin. And even Asylum. So, to hear him stand up for himself made me happy.

“For now.” Sin shook his head. “You’re as bad as I am, aren’t you?”

“Let’s eat,” Ashes called out. “Forget all this shit. Good food. Good times.”

I got up, agreeing with Ashes, and went to my spot at the table. Ashes had added a leaf, and Stitches went and got more chairs from the basement. We all settled around the table awkwardly. It was the first time we’d all been together.

I missed Church being with us, though. He completed the little family I’d gotten since arriving here.

Quickly, I cast a look to Sin sitting across from me. He was staring right back at me with those penetrating gray eyes.

I wasn’t quite sure what to call Sin, but I knew it probably wasn’t my enemy.

At least, I really hoped not.

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