Page 1 of Liberated By Sin

1

Past

Wildflower – Billie Eilish

I draggedmy teeth across my bottom lip as a tingle of nerves traveled up my spine. After months of sneaking around, fleeting touches and kisses, and late nights on the phone, Ezra and I would finally be together for the first time.

Myfirst time.

We knew the risks. If Ronan found out, he’d have his nephew’s head. But I wasn’t a child anymore. I hadn’t been one for a very long time. And outside of my brothers, no one had shown me love, comfort, and understanding the way Ezra had. He was a few years older than Derek, but despite our age difference, we were perfect for each other. We lived and breathed this life. No secrets. No hiding. I convinced myself that, eventually, Ronan would understand. They all would. They’d have to.

“What are you doing in here by yourself, birthdaygirl?” Kai slid onto the stool beside me and grabbed my drink, downing the liquid in one swallow.

“I needed some quiet,” I said, stealing back my glass. Neither one of us was legally old enough to drink, but that didn’t matter when we’d been trained to snipe a man from 400 yards—then go home, make a sandwich, and watch the news coverage as if it was just another Tuesday.

And it truly was for Kai and Derek. Maybe for me, too, up until six months ago.

But after meeting Ezra, I realized I wanted more out of life: a family, kids someday, andlove.

“Most of the guests are gone, and Derek and I are heading out. You want to join us?” he asked, shoulder-checking me. “A little after-party.”

Peering at the time, I shook my head and smiled. I couldn’t tell my brothers about Ezra yet. They were too protective of me that I didn’t trust they wouldn’t make my boyfriend disappear.

“I feel a headache coming on. I think I’ll stay in and get some sleep.”

“Sleep?” We whirled around to the sound of Derek’s voice. With a drink in one hand and the other in his pocket, he leaned against the entryway. “On your birthday? Unacceptable.”

My boys.

I didn’t know where I’d be without them. Eight years ago, I was nearly dragged onto a plane, taken against my will from the bloodied hands of my mother and father, and brought here. Too young to understand what was happening, all I could do was cry and hope to die the way my family had. Until the night Kai brought me a chocolate chip muffin and a wad of rolled-up tissue from his back pocket.

I still laughed at the thought because it was such aKaithing to do. Meanwhile, Derek watched by the door, his expression stoic and almost bored. Not much had changed with those two, except now we were as close as any blood-related siblings. However, nothing about our relationship was conventional.

Trauma-bonding was a bitch.

“I doubt you’ll find the solution to your headache at the bottom ofthat glass,” Derek teased as he pried the refilled drink from my hand. “Let’s get you something to eat, and then Kai and I will give you your birthday gift.”

“So you didn’t forget about me, after all.”

“Oh, come on, blue! We bought you cake,” Kai said, sliding my stool away from the counter and tugging on my arm until I stood.

With a sigh, I relented. Ezra wouldn’t be by for another two hours anyway, so it couldn’t hurt. And turning down free food and a birthday present was sure to raise alarms.

“Fine. But I want tacos from that food truck on 5th Ave.”

I poked Derek’s chest and sent him a wink because I knew how he felt about street vendors. Kai and I had a bet going that he’d had tainted food once and was forever traumatized by whatever unholy transgressions followed. But we knew he’d take that secret to the grave.

“Fuck, Athena. Really?”

“It’s my birthday. You can’t say no,” I quipped, walking backward out of the kitchen, only to collide with what felt like a brick wall.

As I twisted around, the scent of Ronan’s cologne registered before his face came into view. Call it vibes or intuition; his presence had always sent my heart racing in all the worst ways. But luckily, I’d be out of here for good in just a few short weeks.

“There you are,” he said in a sing-song tone that was equally unnerving as it was cringe-worthy. “I’ve been waiting all night to catch you alone and finally give you your gift, but you’ve been the center of attention.” He cast a glance down my body that I hadn’t missed. “And rightly so.”

Stepping back into my boys' protective circle, I forced a smile. “It looks like you’ll have to wait just a little longer. Derek, Kai, and I were heading out,” I said, swinging around and jumping onto Kai’s back.

“It will just take a moment.” Despite his smile, I caught the twitch in his left eye. It was a tick of his, a reaction to frustration.