Branded (Sinners, #1)

“Baby, please. This is about you and me tonight—not anyone else. I need to hold you, and I know you need that too. Come here.” He begs with his eyes, and I can’t refuse him.

I take his hand, forgetting everything around me, and follow him onto the floor. He holds me close as we dance. I press my head against his chest to keep from talking or looking at him. Just being this close is enough. Just feeling his heartbeat is enough. His hands rest on my lower back, and my skin burns at his touch.

“When we get out, I’m not leaving you no matter what you think is best for me. Without you, I’m already dead, and each day I get to be with you is one more day we didn’t have yesterday. It’s my choice and I choose to be with you—no matter what the consequences. I’ll fight for us because nothing else brings me happiness except loving you,” he whispers in my ear.

“I love you too. And I couldn’t agree more.”

“You’re the most extraordinary person I’ve ever known.” He takes my face in his hands. “Without a doubt, I’ll die to protect you, but you have to promise me something.”

“Stop. Don’t talk like that.”

“This is something you need to hear. We all aren’t going to make it out of this alive.” I shake my head, trying to fling away the words, but he presses on. “If I don’t make it, you owe me and you owe it to yourself to live your life the best way possible. Now I know you don’t want to hear this part, and believe me, it kills me to say it, but I have to. I want you to fall in love again, but only if he loves you as much as I do. Get married, have kids.”

“Stop! Don’t talk like that. Please, just dance with me. Don’t ruin this.” The lights around us glow and blur as tears fill my eyes.

He remains silent, as if agreeing with me. I glance up at his sharp jawline and his full lips. How I want to kiss the scar that runs through his lip. I reach up and touch his face, and he leans down, breathless. I begin to pull him in, my heart beating faster, and the music stops.

“I hope everyone’s enjoying the party. This could very well be our last night together. I want to thank all of you who have joined the revolt… Do you remember the first party we had? Our force was so small, smelly, and Sutton helped me to the toilet because I barfed all over the—”

The loudspeaker cuts off, and no one dances anymore.

“I do believe Keegan’s wasted,” I hear someone say.

I see Keegan pushing his way through the crowd with a different girl on his arm. I push Cole away, shaking my head. He looks confused and hurt, but I can’t think about that. Keegan stumbles up and grabs my shoulder.

“Are you hanging out with him?”

Sensing danger, I step between them and put my hand on Keegan’s chest. “No, I’m not. Calm down, okay? We just ran into each other and started talking. He was just leaving.” I feel instantly sober, like someone threw a glass of cold water into my face.

His eyes squint, and he leans left into the girl, who laughs. We stand opposite, and I wait for a fight to break out, but Keegan abruptly turns away. After I’m sure he’s gone, I turn back to Cole.

“You should probably go,” I say while glancing at the floor. I don’t want him to go, but the last thing we need is another fight to break out between them. Plus, alcohol makes Keegan even less predictable than before.

“Look at me, I’m just as much a part of this group as he is, and I’m risking my life as well,” he says while grabbing my hand.

The very thought makes me sick. “That’s not what I meant. Of course you can be here. I just think it’s best for both of us if you don’t hang around me.”

The comment stings him, and he pulls me in. “Please don’t do this. If something happens to you—”

“I don’t want to argue. Not tonight. You never asked me why, but I’m going to tell you anyway. I need to do this for myself, for my father, and for us. Not once in my life was I given the opportunity to fight for anything I believed in. Now here I stand, ready to break free.” I pull away my hand, regardless of how much I want him to hold it. “Just promise me you won’t die, because losing you would—”

“Shh. Baby, I’m not going anywhere. I’ll fight with everything I have to make it out of here alive, with you by my side.”

My heart breaks into tiny pieces. It’s hard to even imagine what life would be like without him. “I love you. I still have a brother to think about. I don’t want to lose him again.”

“I only respect your brother because I love you. No matter what.” He kisses my forehead and then leans down to my awaiting lips.

“Dude, we’ve gotta bounce.” Bruno places a hand on Cole’s shoulder, interrupting our moment. “Sorry, man, I’ll give you a minute.” Bruno winks at me and I smile.

Before I know it, Cole’s lips press against mine as he pulls my body against him like it’s our last time. And it might be.

“I don’t want to let you go,” he says.

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