Chapter 53: Den

"Mum!" came the blood-curdling sound of my own scream, my chest heaving.

My eyes closed, and tears started to fill my eyes, my body trembling. The day came back to me like a cracking black-and-white TV, but I could see the blood on the thin mattress. Mine. My father's. I could see the way that bastard leaned away and zipped up. I could see the way he pushed my mother out of the way right after forcing his tongue down her throat.

"Ma'am?"

I jumped, my eyes widening as I turned to the person. It was the same man that had been with Sin earlier.

"Y... y.. yes?"

He let his eyes take my face in. "Are you alright? Do you want me to get you something?"

I turned, my hand coming to my chest. I felt tight inside, and I could feel my heart beating wildly in my chest. I looked up, hoping to find out that it was all in my head, that this was one of those days where I had a violent recollection of that day and broke apart into pieces.

But it wasn't. I could see his face in the crowd, sifting through, walking around, and predatory. I could see him preying on me, that damned smile reflecting everywhere.

"Where is Sin?" I blurted out, turning to the man who seemed a little confused now.

"What? Uh, Sin is with..."

"He asked me to run to him," I said, not minding if the man got it or he didn't. "He asked me to go, so take me to him right now. Please."

My voice was shaky by the time I managed to say the last word, and the man seemed to understand the urgency.

"Come with me."

I stood up, my body swaying a little from the dizziness I felt. I grabbed onto the couch, my eyes closing, but I still pushed forward, determined, more than anything to get away from here. To get away from this.

"Can I..."

"No," I said, moving away before he could grab my arm.

He stepped away, and I didn't even stop to process anything and just stumbled forward. He led me to the stairs, and I grabbed the railings, my eyes closing as my eyes filled with even more tears.

For the first time, I was wondering how someone else would feel if they found out. How would Sin react when he found out? How would Sin change if he ever knew?

We soon got to the top of the stairs, and I followed the man to a firmly closed door. He got to the door and knocked on it, and I stood behind him, waiting, my hands wrapped around me like I had been that night, my eyes darting around to make sure he wasn't close.

Why was he here? Did he know Sin? Did he come here for me?

The man knocked on the door again, then leaned close. "Sin, I..."

"Leave," Sin's voice came from inside, and I saw the man immediately nod and step back.

I shook my head and went forward, grabbing the knob. It was locked, and I swallowed, looking up.

"Sin?" I said, hating how shaky and teary my voice was. I sounded weak, like I never grew from the girl that man had ruined.

There was no answer, and I felt tears fill my eyes even faster.

"Ma'am, we should leave. We don't want to risk the..."

The door swung open, and Sin was behind it, his brows furrowed with worry. I swallowed, and without a word, closed the distance, throwing myself into his arms.

His hands wrapped around me, and he slowly leaned to my ear.

"What is happening?"

I swallowed, tears streaming down my cheeks even faster now. My chest was heaving, and I grabbed his jacket even tighter, my face burying deeper into him.

His fingers slowly laced in my hair, and without a word, he pulled me in with him, closing the door behind us.

"Talk to me, Annalise."

I looked up, my hand resting on his, but immediately caught sight of our surroundings.

There was a massive round table, and a few seats were empty, including the one that seemed to have been previously occupied by Sin. The table held briefcases, and the only open one was filled with what seemed to be diamonds.

I swallowed, taking a small step back as I looked at all the men. None of them were looking at me, but I could feel that this wasn't the place for a woman. A naive, helpless woman at that.

"I told you, Annalise," Sin's voice came, cutting through my apparent fear. "Look at only me. Now talk to me. Who did this to you?"

I met his eyes, then swallowed, blinking hard as he cupped my face, then brought me even closer, his eyes darting across both of mine.

"I... I am scared, Sin. I am scared of... down there and even here, I am... I feel like I ran up to a den."

He said nothing for a while, his thumb running along my cheeks.

"Are you sure no one so much as looked at you in a bad way?"

I shook my head. He didn't just look at me. He ruined my life. And now, I am too scared to admit it. I am too scared to show those scars or to tell Sin.

"Come with me, then."

I swallowed, sniffing hard as he led me away towards the empty seat at the head of the table. Without a word, he made me sit on it, his fingers wiping the tears off my face.

I turned to him as he gently walked to my side, then leaned, his hand resting on the table, his eyes fixed on a file that was open in front of him.

"So, gentlemen. Where were we?"

There was silence for the first five minutes before one cleared his throat.

"Shall we go over the shipment proposal again, Sin?"

"Sure," he said, nodding. "Proceed with it."

I bit down on my lips, my body immediately achieving a calm that I had forgotten how to feel. I closed my eyes briefly, letting the face of that man diminish slowly.

Maybe I could forget. But what if Sin found out? Would he still treat me the same way?

I shook my head. I had only four months now. I don't think Sin and I would have the sort of relationship where he would need to know that.

I turned slowly to him, my lips parting lightly as I watched him. I really did want it to happen, however. I really wanted to get there with him.