But I can’t let that show. Not yet.
“Give me ten minutes.”
I hang up before I can second-guess myself.
The park isempty when I arrive, the air crisp with the promise of an approaching storm.
The streetlights castgolden halos on the pavement, flickering slightly in the breeze. It’s so odd to meet him here, at this little park by my house. Sin Donati on the Rusco side.
Sin standsnear a sprawling tree, hands in his pockets, his expression unreadable.
For a moment,we just look at each other.
Then,without thinking, I take a step forward.
“You shouldn’t have called,”I say quietly.
His lipstwitch in something that isn’t quite a smile.“And yet, you’re here.”
I hate that he’s right.
Iwrap my arms around myself.“What do you want?”
Sin exhales,looking up at the sky for a moment before locking his gaze on mine. “You.”
The wordknocks the air from my lungs.
But before I can respond, he continues, his voicerough.
“I know you don’t trust me right now. I know you think I had those blueprints for a nefarious reason.”
Hesteps closer, his dark eyes searching mine.
“But Magnolia, I swear to you, everything I did was to keep you safe.”
Ishake my head.“I don’t need you to protect me, Sin. I need you to be honest with me.”
Hisjaw tightens.“Then listen to me carefully.”
I do.
Andwhat he says changes everything.
FIFTEEN
Sin’s words settle into the cold night air between us,unspoken but heavy.
I don’t realize I’mholding my breathuntil I feel the ache in my ribs.
“Say it.”My voice is barely a whisper, but it feels like a demand.
His gazeburns into me.
“I had those blueprints to get you out.”
A laugh bellows from my chest, “There’s no fucking reason to get me out. I’m so sick of this…”
He cuts me off. “Your family is arranging something for you.”
