Branded (Sinners, #1)

I blink away the smell of his heavy cologne and stand. “Wilson, what a pleasure.”


“Don’t patronize me, girl. I have news for you. Bad news,” he says. He narrows his eyes and places his hand on the hilt of his gun. “It must be genetic, you know. The fact that you can complicate things when already complicated.”

“I’m not sure what you’re talking about.” My mouth turns down in a puzzled expression. I feel so vulnerable without Cole here.

“You’ve been accused—again,” he says. “Tell me something—do you honestly find pleasure being a whore?” Wilson whips out his gun and presses it to my forehead in one quick motion. “Are you trying to make me look like a fool in front of my men—in front of everyone? If you think for one minute I won’t pull this trigger because you think I need you, you’re wrong. I’m quite capable of finding another way to get to Keegan.” As he holds the gun to my head, he scans the room, taking in the drawings and finally resting on my ring.

I want to scream and beg but can barely breathe with the cold metal digging into my brow. How is it possible to be accused, not once, but twice? I’ve been so careful not to flaunt my love for Cole. I just don’t understand.

He lowers his pistol and then suddenly hits me across the face with it.

I crumple to the floor, holding my cheek and crying. “I don’t know what you’re talking about! I’ve done nothing wrong!” I’m lying. But there’s no way he could possibly know about us—right?

“You know exactly what I’m talking about. You’re a slut!” Wilson screams into my face.

Bruno walks in the door after hearing the commotion, his face a mask of confusion and horror. But he can do nothing but stand by and watch.

Blood trickles down my face from a cut in my cheekbone. I can already feel it swelling through my agony. My hands shake. My body tremors with fear.

“Any other sinner would be executed for what you’ve done!” Wilson pulls me up by my hair and pushes me against the wall. “But I can’t do that. The commander ordered me to give you one more chance. He seems to believe you’re the only one who can bring us Keegan.” His hot breath and heavy cologne coupled with my injury make my head pound with a ferocious headache. His eyes search mine with an evil glint and a wicked smile. Then his opposite hand puts away his gun and touches me. He kisses my neck and slobbers on my collarbone. He moans with delight as he runs his hands over my shirt and I close my eyes. My insides crawl with disgust and humiliation.

“If you fail, you’re all mine… and trust me—I will take it slow. Really slow.” His eyes undress me. Then he pulls back sharply and lets go. “Oh, and don’t forget. If you die, Cole dies. If it happens again, you’ll both die. Together—on stage!”

I slide down the wall, shock overtaking me. My heart thunders with adrenaline, and my brain feels like it’s bleeding from the inside. I put my hands on my face, feeling the swelling where the gun connected with my skull. Worst of all, he knows about Cole… but how? And I just want to disappear into a tiny million pieces. My worst fear, of all fears, has come to fruition.

“Okay.” As I reply, my eyes meet Bruno’s. He stands still as a statue in the doorway. He just witnessed the deal being made and my humiliation with it. I bow my head into my arms in defeat.

“See, Bruno, that’s how you get things done.” Wilson turns on his heel and smacks Bruno on the back, pulling him into Cole’s room.

I’ve got to get out of here. I’ve got to protect Keegan and warn Cole that Wilson knows. I’ve got to make Bruno promise he won’t tell a soul about what just happened. My brain feels overloaded and I sit, pressed against the wall, for what feels like hours. All I want is for Cole to wrap his arms around me and tell me it’s going to be okay. This is so confusing. My head swirls, feeling foggy from the impact of his gun.

Bruno storms into my room, practically sending me into cardiac arrest. “He’s gone. You’re coming with me.”

“Wh…what?” I blink, feeling the pain shoot across my jaw from where Wilson pistol-whipped me. My hand runs over my cheek, feeling the swelling get worse by the minute.

“Screw the lockdown. We’re going to Sutton—now!” Bruno starts throwing his stuff into his bag and pulling on his boots.

“No! He could kill you.” I stand up, teetering against the wall.

“Lexi, stand up and start walking—now!” He opens my door to the dark hallway and gestures me to follow him.

“What about the checkpoint?” I ask.

“Shh.” He whispers, “We’re not going out that way. Try to keep up.”

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