Eyes widening, the man let out a soft laugh that turned into a sob. “More lies.” Roth was almost behind Cecil now.
Taking another step, Sin began to plead with him once again, when Cecil brought the knife to his throat. His stomach dropped—no!
“No! Cecil don’t!” Sin yelled.
“Stay back,” Cecil warned, his words slurring. The man’s swaying had worsened.
Tensing at the sound of sirens, Sin saw the moment that Cecil decided. It was the same moment that Roth moved. Roth grabbed Cecil and wrestled the knife away from him.
Sin rushed toward them as Cecil released a frustrated cry. The man futilely tried to break Roth’s hold.
When Cecil passed out, his body going slack and his head lolling, Roth laid him on the ground. Dropping to his knees, Sin grabbed Cecil’s wrists and squeezed tightly tostaunch the flow of blood. Sin’s mind screamed at him that he was too late, that Cecil had lost too much.
He jerked when Roth wrapped an arm around his shoulder.
“He’s going tae make it. Help is comin’,” Roth promised him hoarsely.
Sin just let his tears come, sobbing hard. He felt helpless. And he was. All Sin could do now was wait, crying as the sirens grew louder while Cecil’s warm blood coated his hands and soaked into his pants.
The minute he opened his eyes, Cecil’s head spun and began to throb. He had no clue where he was, but a man Cecil had never expected to see again was sitting by his bed—Sin. His eyes were closed, but they were puffy and red, like he had been crying.
What was Sin doing here? Peering around, he discovered he was in a hospital room. Cecil attempted to move, but panicked when he found he couldn’t. There were restraints around him.
He caught a glimpse of the white bandages around his wrist, and all the memories flooded back. Tearing up, Cecil started to struggle. “Why?” he wailed.
Sin’s eyes snapped open. “Cecil, stop! You’ll hurt yourself!” Sin jumped from his chair and gripped Cecil’s shoulders. The man looked as lost as he felt.
“You didn’t want me! You never did! I wasn’t good enough, I wasn’t perfect enough. Just a dirty thief!” he screamed, letting everything out. It hurt, life hurt so much, and he wastired…so tired.
“I’m so sorry, Cecil. Please, give me a chance. I’m sorr—” Sin’s voice faltered.
“Everyone left me. My own mother didn’t even want me! I’m all alone…” Cecil sobbed. “I’m all alone…”
“Your mother didn’t leave, Cecil. She died trying to take you with her.”
“LIES!” he screamed, frantically trying to break free from the bindings. They started to cut into his arms as he blindly fought for his freedom.
Then suddenly, the bonds were gone and he was in Sin’s arms—Sin had cut through them. Cecil scratched and pushed, trying to get free of the man’s grasp.
But his strength faded quickly and he gave up. Collapsing against the vampire, Cecil cried silently. Sin held and gently rocked him, softly repeating that he was sorry. A wet spot formed on Cecil’s shoulder where Sin’s face was buried.
“For what?” he couldn’t help but ask.
“For letting you go.”
“Liar!” Cecil snapped vehemently, crushing any hope that tried to bubble up.
Unfortunately, there was still a little voice nagging him.Sin had come back, Sin had come back,that traitorous voice repeated.
“I love you.”
“Liar,” he said again, this time with less conviction.
“I love you.”
Cecil didn’t respond, he just closed his eyes and let his exhaustion take over.
Sin ran his hand through Cecil’s pure white hair. He looked down when he felt movement and found Cecil staring at him. Sin gave him a weak smile.
