Branded (Sinners, #1)

“Sorry, I only have one towel. I’ll get more later.”


But I wave it off. He tries not to watch as I dry myself. It’s silent except for our breathing. Even Zeus senses a change and lays still. I feel a strange tingling inside that I’ve never had before.

“Do you mind?” I ask quietly, holding up my new shirt.

“Oh… um… yeah, I’ll turn around, sorry,” he mumbles as he turns.

I peel off my top layer, dry off again, and quickly pull on the new one. Dang. He forgot to give me a bra, and I’m not about to ask him for one. I’ve given up enough privacy already. It takes me longer to get my wet pants off. I kick them to the floor and pull the new ones up. Every muscle aches and I’m exhausted. Who knew a shower would take such a physical and mental toll?

I lie down again, fresh and clean. It’s a relief to wipe away the dirt, the blood, and the invisible, violating handprints all over me. Except his hands left new, soothing ones. I still feel them tangled in my hair; I still see his face.

He pulls a new shirt over his broad back and turns. Rational behavior escapes me when I think too much about him. I don’t recognize this feeling, but its all-consuming power disturbs me.

I have to stop, but my mind fights against me. Do his feelings go beyond this too? I thought I felt a connection beyond what should be there. What’s wrong with me? He’s forbidden fruit. Yet, as I lie in bed, my mind replays the shower with him, over and over.



Night again. Waiting for the inevitable. Praying it doesn’t happen. The moon is full. Light glimmers through my curtains. I lie in my bed, hoping tonight is one of the nights he doesn’t show up, since work sometimes keeps him occupied.

“Your mother has been difficult as of late,” he whispers as he lifts the sheet. “I think we’ll have to do something about that.” I swallow the fear rising in my throat. He wraps his right arm over mine and sighs. “Work was tough today. I can’t always stay focused. I have certain weaknesses that cripple me.” I feel my nails digging into my palms. “Beauty, for example, is a weakness for me. It’s such a shame you’re so young. We could do amazing things together,” he says. I want to scream, but I don’t.

“My mother is beautiful,” I blurt.

He places his hand on my face. “Hmm, she was when she was young, but she’s lost her youth with the unfortunate death of your father.” Cruelty lies behind his words. I push him away. He rolls his body over me, pinning me down. My eyes snap open, and the face staring at me is the face of the guard who attacked me. I scream and he slaps me. My head is dizzy. He grabs my face and kisses me with passion.

“Get off of me!” I scream, trying to push him off, but he’s dead weight. He doesn’t budge. He crushes my chest and my ribs crack one by one. My lungs deflate. I have no air to breathe. Everything turns black. I’m dead.



My eyes flip open like switches and my heart pounds in my ears. It was just another nightmare. But more vivid than before. A dream crafted from my sick reality.

My pillow is soaked. I look around and it takes me a moment to realize I’m still in Cole’s room. I take deep breaths to calm my racing heart and panicked nerves. My chest aches with the reminder of my injuries. Inhale. Exhale. I lie down on my side and grunt as stabbing pains shoot through me.

Zeus takes up a lot of room, so I move toward the wall. I reach for my sheet. Where is the sheet? I feel around for it, knowing I’m starting to make too much noise. My fingers find the edge and I pull. It’s stuck. Great. I roll over and gasp. Cole’s face is next to me… in bed.

“What are you doing?” I freak out.

His eyes jump open. “It’s not how it looks. Please let me explain!”

“I think you better!” I yell in anger.

“You were screaming in your sleep.” He sits up and turns. I hear a click and the room lights up. I groan, wondering what happened in the room that I missed. The sheet looks like confetti thrown all over the floor. Zeus has slivers stuck to his chin.

“Zeus pulled your sheet off and ripped it to shreds. I’m guessing he thought it was attacking you. You scared the hell out of me. I tried waking you, but you kept screaming. I thought maybe if I held you it would help. I didn’t know what else to do.” He leans away from me with both hands in the air as if pleading his innocence. “I swear, Lexi. I’d never ever take advantage of you.” Zeus starts howling. “Shut up, you idiot!” He throws my pillow at Zeus, hitting him in the head. Zeus picks it up and whips his head left and right while growling. “Now it’s the pillow’s fault,” Cole says, throwing his arms in the air.

“Stop!” I sit up. “Don’t be mad at Zeus. Look, I had a bad dream. I’m not mad at you. I just freaked out when I opened my eyes and your face was an inch away.” Whew. His jaw loosens as he flips around to face me. I don’t move. He looks at me and hesitates.

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