Page 93 of Where Sinners Repent

A slow smile curls on her face, dotted with crimson. My eyes drop to the blood-covered knife still in her hand. With slow movements, she folds the blade closed. The click slicing through the quiet.

Her fingers tighten around the purple handle before she blinks up at me through her lashes.

“I’m keeping this,” she purrs.

I don’t know what I expected when I brought her here, but this wasn’t it. Not even fucking close.

Without another word, I turn and walk away. Kai steps into my path as I reach the door, and our eyes meet for the briefest moment.

And then I’m gone.

Chapter 23

Roxy

Turns out killing people takes its toll on the body. I’m pretty sure it’s been two days since that... moment.

Time seems to be moving weirdly these past few weeks. Not working, and keeping to my usual schedule makes the days and hours squish together until I can’t quite differentiate them. My hands ache to wrap around a tattoo machine and paint on someone’s skin, and gain that little sense of normalcy. Which is ridiculous because normalcy flew out of the window long ago.

Slowly, I work up the courage to shower and dress. My body still hurts, but all my wounds are healing nicely. Kai returned me to the apartment afterwards and dressed them all with the precision of a doctor. Like he’s done it a thousand times.

I brush the tangles out of my hair and wash every inch of my body until I feel human again. I even put some makeup on, and thankfully it makes me feel slightly put together. That and the black long sleeve shirt, the black tights, and my platform Docs. I could almost pass for my old self, looking in the mirror. Even though I know that girl doesn’t exist anymore.

Something snapped two days ago. And the worst part is that I’m not sure if I miss the girl from before.

She was scared. A little lonely. A little weak.

Right now, I don’t feel weak.

I certainly don’t feel lonely, because I’m ninety-nine percent sure that if I walk out of this bedroom, I’ll find Kai keeping watch. He hasn’t left since that night.

And I don’t want him to.

A thought slides into my mind, and the corner of my mouth lifts. Seeing the unopened tattoo machine where I left it, I collect everything I need and all but sprint to the lounge.

Maddy’s apartment is so stunning that it takes my breath away every time I walk around. The huge open windows bleed sunlight into the pristine room, decorated with fuzzy blankets and deep white couches.

Kai watches me from the kitchen, but I don’t look in his direction. Not yet.

I set the case on the coffee table, flipping the latches open. The familiar scent of disinfectant and ink settles around me as I lay everything out in neat rows. The stunning machine. The ink caps. Cartridges. All my muscles relax as I fall into the routine of setting up, my hands moving without thought as I slide the cartridge in. When I test it, a soft buzz fills the apartment for a quick second, feeling the vibration hum through my fingertips.

It's a sound that will always ground me. As much as the act of getting lost in the creation.

“Kai,” I singsong, settling on one of the comfy lounges.

I hear his slow footsteps. When my eyes slide up his body and land on his eyes, his expression is blank as ever. He waits.

I pat the cushion beside me with enthusiasm, but he just cocks his head.

Sticking my bottom lip out in a fake pout, I blink at him. “Do you want me to beg?”

A soft growl forms in his throat, and I take it as a yes.

“Please, baby,” I murmur, blinking up at him. “Let me draw on you. I promise I’ll make it feel so, so good for you.”

His nostrils flare and I can’t help but giggle.

Without another word, he sits. Back ramrod straight, hands on thighs, making sure not to touch me.