Dark Wish (House of Sin 1)

I swallow away the nerves as I watch some guys pass me by, and I quickly go inside the building I call home. With sweat drops rolling down my back, I step into the elevator and blow out a breath when the doors close.

Momentary safety from a turbulent world.

Just like the books I like to bury myself in.

It’s such a shame they don’t have more work for me at the library so I could spend all my time there instead of a mere few hours. But I guess that comes with doing what you love. You have to make sacrifices. And my sacrifice is that I have to work two jobs. One being my dream job while the other is a way to pay the bills.

When the elevator dings, I exit onto my floor and saunter to my apartment. I’m really looking forward to ditching these clothes and hopping into the shower. Just the thought brings a moderate smile to my face as I stick the keys into the lock and open my apartment door.

As I step inside, I expect the television to blast me away, but it’s not turned on. Chris doesn’t appear to be home even though it’s late at night. Where could he be?

Going into the bedroom, I quickly rid myself of this outfit sticking to my skin and throw it in a corner. It’s only then that I notice I forgot to close the curtains. I squeal and rush to the windows, covering my boobs. But as I briefly peer outside, my stomach drops, and I completely forget my own nudity.

Chris is right there in front of the building … kissing another woman.

I swallow as tears form in my eyes. I can’t stop staring at the way he wraps his arms around her and gazes at her with passion in his eyes. How heavy the pang of jealousy hits me … even harder than the soul-crushing pain of losing your love to another.

The kiss he shares with her is passionate, greedy. A kiss I never dared to dream of.

The way his hands palm her back so sweetly yet so warmly, as though he wishes for nothing more than to pull her closer, makes me clutch the curtains and sigh.

This is the man I wanted but could never have.

The man he promised to be for me.

Given to another.

A scowl forms on my face, and I slam open the wardrobe and tear out the hottest dress I can find, putting it on along with sky-high heels. Then I grab the reddest lipstick from my makeup drawer and purse my lips in front of the mirror, rolling the lipstick over my own salty, teared-up lips. And after glancing at the broken woman in the mirror one final time, I throw my keys, phone, and wallet in my purse and march out the door, slamming it shut behind me.

Tears stream down my face, but he won’t find me here.

Eli

I wait in my car and stare at the couple making out on the pavement. I’m surprised they didn’t even make it to the apartment. Most people would be apprehensive to do these things in broad daylight, but not him, it seems.

I clamp a cigar between my teeth and light it, taking a big whiff before rolling down my window to take a closer look. The two just can’t seem to get enough of each other, and the obscenity of their act almost makes me want to go over there and tear them apart.

Someone should teach that guy a lesson. And I think I will … after I’m done with her.

I blow out some of the smoke and stare at them until he finally notices me.

I cock my head at the dude as he pulls his tongue out of the woman’s mouth and proceeds to stare me down in a threatening manner. But no man can easily intimidate me, especially not the likes of a disgusting pig like him.

The guy’s grip on her waist softens, and he mouths something at her. She turns her head to me. The look in her eyes doesn’t change one bit. I wink. She nods.

“Go,” I tell the driver, and I throw the cigar onto the street.

As I roll up the window, the two stare me down until the car has long driven away. But it doesn’t matter how far I drive …

Everyone will eventually catch up with their sins.

Chapter 3

Amelia

Sixteen years ago

I can only hold one of my grandmother’s hands because my other is locked tightly in a sling. The tears flow freely down my cheeks as I look at the casket being rolled out onto the streets. Six men shove it into a black car while we watch from a distance.

Everyone thought I’d be afraid of cars after what happened, but I’m not. It’s not the car’s fault that the road was too narrow at the bend and that we fell off a deep cliff.