Page 60 of Sinner's Malice

Leaning against a tree, I watched her from afar, keeping my distance. I was good at watching. A pro. She would never know I was there unless I showed myself.

Mainly, I just wanted to see what she would do next.

She never truly understood me.

She never understood my compulsion.

There was something about her that called to me. It was so strong that sometimes it felt like I didn’t have any other choice in the matter. Almost as if some unforeseen force drew me to her.

It was unnerving, and I hated it.

I hated being anything where she was concerned.

I hated she was now mine. That she had this hold over me, I couldn’t shake.

Mostly, I hated her.

“Here.” Montana walked over, holding out a hotdog.

Looking at it, then at him, I said nothing, and I turned back to her.

“Fine, starve to death. I don’t care,” the annoying fucker said, right before he shoved half the damn hotdog into his pie hole.

“Why are we standing here with our thumbs up our asses watching her like some perv? Why not walk over there and drag her ass back home?”

Growling, I shook my head.

Fucking neanderthal.

Of course he would do that.

Fucker never thought about anything but his own wants and needs. Didn’t he understand Arianwen was her own person? Even though I hated it, she had the right to privacy and from what I was seeing, that was all she wanted right now.

She wanted time to herself.

Time to think.

“Gentlemen.”

Growling again, I hung my head and sighed.

Of course he would be here too.

What was it about my woman that had every fucking man in the city coming out in droves?

“What the fuck are you doing here, asshole?” Montana sneered.

“It’s a beautiful day. Thought I’d enjoy the warm sun on my face.” Maxim Fedorov smiled and took a bite of the large pretzel in his hand.

“Liar. You’re being fucking nosey, as usual,” Montana clipped. “But since you’re here, does the name Iris Hughes mean anything to you?”

Maxim grinned. “Should it?”

“Don’t fuck with me, Maxim. I’m not in the mood.”

“I know. A little birdy told me that your bartender is full of surprises.”

“And how the hell did you find that out?”