Page 77 of Where Sinners Repent

Ash doesn’t explode, and that in itself makes me nervous.

Harvey shakes his head softly, leaning back in his chair. “I’ve been in this game a long time, kid. Sat in this same chair while wars were fought outside. Long enough to recognise a losing side.”

Ash’s voice is dangerously quiet. “So you’ve decided it’s ours?”

“I’ve decided it isn’t going to be my brothers.”

Harvey pushes to his feet, his expression turning hard. “For what it’s worth... I hope you prove me wrong.”

Ash stares at him for a slow second before grabbing the chair and setting it upright.

“When this is over,” he says, ice-cold, “I’ll remember who stood beside us.”

A sad smile curves onto Harvey’s lips. Like he already knows the outcome. With a grunt, Ash storms out the door without looking back.

I follow, the future of the Devils heavy on our shoulders.

Chapter 20

Roxy

With a groan, I throw my pillow at my phone, hoping the thing will finally shut up.

Funnily enough, the loud ringing stops as soon as my pillow connects with it, and I slump back into the bed with relief.

I’ve spent the last two days drawing and designing tattoos, a new wave of motivation hitting me knowing my studio has been repaired and paid off for the next year. I swear my eyes were only shut for three seconds before my phone started screaming at me.

As soon as I start to fall back asleep, the thing screams again. The ringtone blaring through the quiet space.

“Fuck,” I groan, rolling onto my side to reach for the damn thing.

My eyebrows draw when I see it’s Maddy’s fifth call.

Answering it, I barely get the thing to my ear before the sounds of her panicked breathing find me.

“Roxy? You’re awake?”

It sounds like she’s trying to sound calm, but there is no hiding the high-pitched lilt to her voice.

“Am now, Maddy baby,” I croak. “What’s wrong?”

“Oh, nothing...” I can practically hear her twirling her hair around her finger, pretending to be calm. “Just seeing what you are up to.”

I snort. “I was up to watching the backs of my eyelids, girl. But I’d much rather be speaking to you.”

Her laugh comes out forced, as if her throat is tight and her breathing is uneven.

“What if I tempted you to a drink? Say, at the club?”

A drink is the last thing I want right now, though it’s clear my friend needs me. Propping the phone to my ear with my shoulder, I swing my legs from the cozy, warm bed, turning back to mourn the comfort for a split second before stretching my stiff body.

“What’s the dress code? Are ratty pyjamas okay?”

Looking down at myself, I’m wearing the same thing I always wear to bed. The grey trackies and hoodie I found at a second-hand store that are far too big for me and swallow my body like the warmest hug.

“Ratty pyjamas are a must,” she sighs, before adding, “Thank you, Roxy.”

“See you soon,” I mumble, hanging up the phone.