Saint: A Dark Romance (Saint and Sinners Book 1) Read online

  Brutal laughed. Mercer’s sniggering wasn’t much softer.

  Adeline snatched up the lingerie and flung it in the trash.

  “Just so you know,” I said. “Every day you’re out of uniform, I’ll have to dock your pay.”

  “Just so you know, every day you piss me off, I’ll spit in your food.”

  Brutal’s laughter came to an abrupt stop.

  “Oops,” I crowed. “Shouldn’t have made that joke.” I backed toward the stairs. “We leave in an hour. Don’t care what you serve these pricks, but I expect fried eggs and bacon on my plate in thirty minutes.”

  An eyeroll was her reply.

  An hour later, my breakfast was consumed and the two of us were standing before the front door. I unlocked it through our phone app, and swung it open for Adeline to step outside for the first time in almost a week.

  “Black truck,” I said.

  Three cars sat in the lot. One down from Cash’s convertible. I expected him to be MIA as he worked out the details of our suicide mission against the Kings.

  I slid a look to Adeline climbing onto the passenger seat. A mission where she’ll be instrumental.

  I didn’t talk on the drive to her old apartment. This didn’t slow her down.

  “Mercer says you’re in and out all day, and up to who-knows-what at night, so I’m thinking I’ll prep a bunch of make-ahead lunches on Saturdays and put that in the fridge. I’ll make a hot meal for dinner, and if you don’t want to eat it out of Tupperware, you’ll be home by eight to eat it fresh. Consider this my part to play in keeping the Merchants off the streets.”

  I swerved at the sight of brake lights. “You talk a lot,” I remarked.

  “You drive too fast,” she said. “Slow down, Saint. We’re in a school zone.”

  “Are you refusing to call me Sinjin because you think it will get a rise out of me?” My tone was curious.

  She made a noise in her throat. “I’m not that petty. I will only call you Saint or St. John, and my reasons are both psychological and self-serving.”

  “I gotta hear this.”

  “There was once a sweet, innocent boy whose parents named him after a saint. Somewhere along the way, he became what you are now. Sinjin. Every time you’re with me, I’ll remind you of who you used to be.”

  “Interesting. Does your theory take into account that most sweet, innocent boys become men like me because their childhoods aren’t worth remembering? Every time you call me Saint, may just flay another strip off a twisted mind.”

  “Am I?”

  Smiling, I winked at her. “Another excellent attempt to manipulate me, but you haven’t been playing at my level for long enough, sweetheart. I won’t tell you anything about my past.”

  “You’ve already told me your name, agreed to an outrageous salary, and gave me early release from my cell. I suspect I’ll get a lot more out of you than you think.”

  I grinned ear to ear. “Touché, Bunny. Here’s a tip to play fair, walk around in that maid costume and I’ll spill my blood, give you all my account numbers, and recount every single day in the life of St. John.”

  “I put that uniform down the garbage disposal and that’s the last we’re talking about it.” Adeline continued over my chuckling. “After we pick up my stuff, we’ll swing by Waterford Organic Produce. It’s next to the mall.”

  “That matters because...”

  “I need a few cooking essentials. A mandolin, fish spatula, potato ricer, melon-baller, immersion blender—”

  “Aren’t I driving you to your fucking place to get all of that?”

  “I don’t have that stuff. I couldn’t afford it, and your kitchen is lacking quite a few things. We’ll outfit me to do my job in one afternoon.”

  “It all comes out of your pay, Bunny, so go wild.”

  I caught her look out of the corner of my eye. “Do you call me bunny to get a rise out of me?”

  “I call you bunny because you like it. Makes you feel like you’re all mine.”

  “I— You— Where the fuck do you get this shit?” she snapped.

  “Am I wrong? Because I’m picturing a pert, red bottom and quivering thighs that says I’m not.” I was picturing it, and my cock hardened at the vision.

  She flapped her hands. “You’ve fooled yourself into thinking adrenaline, stress, and placating equals attraction.”

  “None of that applies now. Let’s pull over and see who is fooling themselves.”

  “This is sexual harassment.”

  “Take it up with your boss.”

  Adeline turned her head, and I couldn’t confirm if that quick quirk of the lips was a smile.

  “We’re almost there,” she said. “Turn on Canal Street. It’s faster.”

  I slid too fast into the right lane and earned another squawk. “There was an old homeless man lurking around when Cash and I went to get your stuff,” I mused. “He explained in graphic detail how he wanted his dick sucked and the positions in which he’d fuck me. My payment was to be a go on his couch.”

  “I would’ve paid good money to see you go up against Captain.”

  “I’m sure you can picture it,” I replied. “He tried to climb in the car with us, so I killed him.”

  “You did what?” she cried.

  “Shot him in the head and hid his body behind that blessed couch.”

  “He was a sick, old man! Harmless! How could you?”

  Adeline continued in the same vein for the rest of the drive—ranting and yelling at me. I parked on the side street next to her building and climbed out. She was out and running up on me before I shut the door.

  “Is this what you do?” she demanded. “Hurt people because you can?”

  “Sounds about right.”

  “I swear, Saint, if you don’t—”

  “Addy!” Someone rushed out of the alley. “Knew you’d be back, gorgeous, and you brought someone. I’ve got more than enough for the both of you.”

  Adeline took one look at her apparent best shelter-deprived friend, and gave me a withering glare.

  “I’m confused by your anger, Bunny. Are you mad I lied, or mad he’s not dead?”

  She turned her back on me and walked off.

  ADELINE

  Sinjin fell in step with me. Captain was a few steps behind, telling our backs the sexual favors he’d like for free.

  “Was that your idea of a joke?” I asked. “Do you get your kicks from shocking people?”

  “It was amus—”

  Sinjin jerked, eyes bugging. He whipped around on a smirking Captain whose outstretched pinchers revealed what he’d done. Sinjin shot to his waistband and the knife holster concealed beneath his jacket.

  “Whoa.” I jumped on his arm, wrestling it down. “Calm down, cowboy. Captain is going to be on his way, or find himself with a face full of pepper spray.”

  Captain winked. “Meet me ’round back in twenty minutes.”

  He went one way and I dragged Sinjin the other.

  “Decrepit little shit!”

  “Bet that’s the first time in years someone’s p-pinched your ass.” I bit hard on my lip, fighting to keep it in.

  “You think that’s funny?”

  A snort burst out, and then I couldn’t stop. Howling, I clung to Sinjin’s arm, unable to hold myself up. “Seeing karma hit you with your sexual-harassing payback so soon after my prayers? It was priceless.” Tears ran down my cheeks. “The look on your face!”

  Sinjin grunted something. His irritation came off him in waves. The arm keeping me up slipped out of my hold, and went around my waist. I pressed into his silk shirt, laughing myself breathless. Every struggle for air parting the hole between buttons, and peeking the hard, rippled body I licked clean only days ago.

  Awareness hit with a cold bucket to the face, waking me up to a wayward finger tracing slow circles on the small of my back.

  I looked up at him. That wasn’t irritation he was radiating.

  It was satisfaction.
r />   I shot away like he burned.

  “Let’s go,” I snapped—suddenly pissed. “We’ve got other things to do today.”

  Sinjin strode by my side into my building and up the stairs, lips curled into his cheeks.

  “Stop it,” I said.

  “Stop what?”

  “You know what. Stop reading into things.”

  “I’m not reading into anything. I have the exact measure of this situation.”

  The smooth, easy answer only served to heat my blood. I stomped across the landing, banging on my old door. “You have just as much chance with me as Captain does with you.”

  His grin widened.

  “Ugh.”

  “Alright, I’m coming,” Corinne said through the door. “Calm down.”

  My former roommate opened up in an old shirt and panties, looking like she just rolled out of bed despite the fact it was pushing noon and she worked on Wednesdays.

  “Addy? What are you doing here?”

  “Came for the rest of my things.”

  She made no move to let me in. “We gave your things to your boyfriend. Where did you pick him up, by the way?” She licked her lips. “Blue hair and all, he is hot as hell. I’d ride that dick till it fell off...” Corinne trailed off as a presence pressed in behind me.

  “Please, stop. You’re making me blush.”

  Corinne was the one blushing. She lit up like a traffic light, hands flying to her messy bun. She glanced down at her half-dressed state and took off running.

  Shaking my head, I went inside and made the two steps into the kitchen. I wasted no time opening the cabinets and taking down the cooking tools Corinne forgot to pass off in their sweep. To be fair, without my contributions, the three of them were down to one frying pan and the egg timer we found when we moved in.

  “The brown armchair,” I said. “The two of us should be able to get it downstairs.”

  “I’ve got it.”

  He disappeared into the living room. I heard Corinne’s return.

  “Can’t believe she’s got you doing the heavy lifting by yourself.”

  “What kind of man would I be if I let beautiful ladies lift a finger?”

  Giggle. Giggle.

  “I’m happy to help. You get that side.”

  They carried the chair past me. Corinne had ditched the stained shirt for a flowy white dress and her hair was combed and falling in waves down her back. Sinjin flirted with her all the way down the hall.

  Unplugging my rice cooker, I slammed it on the tabletop.

  Why should I be annoyed? I hope Corinne does ride him till his dick falls off. Saves me the trouble of cutting off the damn thing and shoving it down his slick-talking throat.

  The two returned laughing about something.

  “I know,” I spoke up. “It was hilarious when Captain felt him up. His eyes popped out of his head and rolled down the sidewalk.”

  Corine scoffed. “That guy is a menace, Addy. It’s not cool how he drools and chases people down the street. Someone should do something about him.” She squeezed his bicep. “I hope he doesn’t keep you away. See you soon, Sinjin.”

  She went off wiggling her fingers goodbye.

  “Is she?” I asked. “Are you meeting her in two hours to drizzle some chocolate?”

  Sinjin leaned against the door, letting his knowing smile speak for him.

  “What? It’s not like I care,” I said. “Let her be your new obsession. Maybe then I can get back to my life— Stop fucking smirking!”

  Peeling himself off the door, Sinjin moved behind me. I stiffened at his body pressing on my back. He gripped my thighs, rocking me on his middle, and my breath stopped.

  “You’re a possessive little bunny, aren’t you?” He licked the shell of my ear, and electricity singed my nerve endings from head to toe. “You realize you let a perfect chance slip away? You could’ve run out of here while I was hauling that thing down the stairs, and never been seen again.”

  My lips parted, shock stealing away my reply.

  He was right. I could’ve run, and it didn’t even cross my mind.

  “But you didn’t,” he whispered. “Because that would’ve meant leaving me alone with the lovely Corinne, and you won’t stand for me to have another woman.”

  Hands slipped under my shirt, drawing the hem over my breasts. Sinjin traced the lace of my C-cups, brushed over the sensitive flesh. I bit hard on my lip.

  “If anyone is going to ride my dick, it’ll be you. Right, Bunny?” His teeth clamped on my earlobe, making me cry out. “Now I am going to blush.”

  My shaky knees gave out on me and I bore down on his erection.

  “Say it.” He ground into me, squeezing harder on mounds that fit treacherously right in his hands.

  “No,” I forced out.

  “Say it.”

  “No.” I clamped down on his wrists, but didn’t put in the strength needed to pull him away. “I don’t care who you fuck. Corinne is probably buck-naked and waiting for you to knock on her door. Go ahead. I’ll melt the chocolate myself.”

  He traveled up my straps and inched them off my shoulder. This was the part where I shoved him off. Reminded him of his promise. Cursed him till his ears lit on fire. Kneed the cock rubbing against me.

  I tightened on his wrists. This is your chance.

  “Doesn’t bother you at all, huh?” His lips burned a trail to my throat and pressed a light kiss. All too late, I realized he was once again feeling my pulse. “You’re lying.”

  The accusation quickened my heart—which further gave me away.

  “You lie to me. Stopped me teaching that old pervert a lesson. And got your kicks laughing and spreading his disrespect around.” Sinjin licked my throat. “What should your punishment be for this list of offenses?”

  “Nothing,” I rasped.

  “Wrong answer.”

  The world blurred.

  I looked up at the faded buttons of my rice cooker. My face was shoved onto the tabletop. A firm grip around my throat.

  Sinjin ripped my jeans down around my shins. “Say it,” he growled.

  “No.”

  The first slap arched my back. The second I rose to meet.

  “Do it, Adeline.” In his voice, I heard the tenuous threads of his self-control snapping. “Admit it. Beg for it.”

  “You beg.”

  Thwap!

  A moan mixed with my cry. Reaching behind me, I wiggled my boy shorts down, catching his sharp intake of breath. The hold on my neck tightened.

  “Don’t take that as an invitation,” I gasped. “We’ll make this a rule, Saint. I won’t admit, give, or beg for a thing unless you ask nicely. Put a please on top. Get on your knees if you’re feeling generous. Want those fantasies to come true? Then you’ll fucking earn it.”

  “Here’s what you need to know. The only way to win a game against me... is to be holding all the cards.”

  Thwap! Thwap!

  “Ahh.” My eyes rolled up in my head, blinking the rolling pin out of sight.

  All I had to do was grab it. Smash him over the head, yank my panties up, and take the opportunity I missed earlier.

  There was no locked door. Three beautiful, dangerous men weren’t waiting to intercept me. I could run from this deranged man who demanded my submission like a dog is ordered to sit and shake.

  “Say it.”

  “You first.”

  I was playing a dangerous game. Knew it as surely as the wetness slicking my folds that I had taken a wrong turn. I was hurtling headfirst into my destruction, and there was no way back.

  Sweat beaded my feverish skin. I’d stuck my finger in that light socket and my entire body was alive and aflame like it had never been. In the deepest, darkest recesses of my mind, I imagined the man who’d take without asking. Dominate without apology. Find my clit without aid of a porno.

  But that man is not him, my sense screamed. It can’t be.

  Sinjin spanked me again, and shoved the pin away, se
nding it crashing to the floor. I grabbed the table edge, digging deep grooves into my palm. Anchoring on my toes, I raised my ass to give him better access.

  Whoever the fuck he is, I was getting that orgasm.

  Thwap. Thwap. Thwap.

  My cries were reaching a crescendo, likely that’s why I didn’t notice she was there until I opened my eyes.

  Corinne gaped at us, eyes huge. The crash no doubt bringing her running out of her room.

  I opened to say something.

  Tell Sinjin to stop. Shout at her to leave.

  I hadn’t decided which when the sound of his zipper drawing down penetrated.

  “Beg, sweet bunny.”

  “No.”

  His spankings began anew. Harder. Faster. Zinging equal mixes of pain and pleasure up my core and throughout my body.

  Corinne drew her dress up, slipping her hand down her underwear.

  “Last chance,” Sinjin whispered.

  “If you stop—” My words came out as ragged pants. “—I will kill you.”

  He chuckled deep in his chest and I had to ask myself who in this situation was holding the cards.

  The smack landed square on my raw right cheek. My legs crossed in an X, straining to hold in what I just demanded.

  Thwap. Thwap.

  Choking on a scream, my body seized. I came hard—jerking and flopping on the table in a way that couldn’t possibly have been sexy. Seconds later, Sinjin grunted and warm, sticky wetness covered my backside.

  He bent over me, kissed my cheek, and just like that, released my throat.

  Stunned, I slid to the floor. Eye level with Sinjin’s cock, my jaw worked as he tucked his impressive length in his pants over the sound of Corinne’s moans.

  What. Just. Happened?

  How had I ended up half-naked on the floor, butt stinging and covered with his cum?

  Sinjin held out his hand. “Shall we go again, or do you need me to get on my knees and say please first?”

  I scrambled to my feet, yanking up my pants. I grabbed the first thing within reach and bolted for the door.

  “Wait,” Corinne called. “You don’t have to go yet. Alisha and Sage won’t be back for hours.”

  I broke into an all-out sprint. I heard Sinjin say something to her and then his trailing footsteps.

  My ankle twisted on the third step, and I pitched forward. I grabbed the rail, stopped, and took a breath.