Chapter 33

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• Tempted by Sin   What Could Go Wrong?

  Paetyn’s POVI’ve grown to despise this city. Where I used to find joy in the small things, like the hustle of people rushing by, the scent of street cart hotdogs, and the anonymity of being among thousands of people who don’t know my name or story, now I can’t stand it. The people have become too much to handle, setting my nerves on edge, and the stench of hotdogs and mustard makes my stomach twist painfully. And I’m no longer entirely invisible after the scandal with Liam. It doesn’t help that I’ve been desperate to stay under the radar so my ex-boyfriend doesn’t find me. I hate New York City. The spring air melts into the exposed skin of my arms. I’m glad winter has left the chat. Spring has brought with it warmer nights and no need to carry around multiple layers so I don’t freeze to death. It’s been a welcome change. Sighing, I step off the sidewalk and through the front door of a run-down apartment building. The red brick has seen better days, and the strong stench of bleach

• Tempted by Sin   He's Going to Regret It

  Ace’s POV*1 month later* I can’t fucking find her.And it’s driving me to the point of near insanity.The moment Paetyn walked through the front door four weeks ago, it was as if she disappeared into thin air. I don’t know who called her that night, but I do know she left because she wanted to protect me. It’s the only explanation I can think of. She wanted to keep me from choosing her, preventing me from having to face Enzo’s wrath, which could see me in a body bag.Because of the injuries I sustained in the beating from Amos, I didn’t have the strength to jump in my car and chase after her. All I could do was call her like a pathetic idiot, hoping she would pick up the phone and come back to me. I wanted to talk about this with her and discuss our options, but she chose for me. For us.It took her less than two hours to switch off her phone, sending my calls to voicemail. I remember seeing red and punching a hole through the wall in my bedroom. The pain in my knuckles went away qu

• Tempted by Sin   Because I Love You

  Paetyn’s POVJust when I thought I had been hit with the most gut-wrenching news that my boyfriend was given the ultimatum to leave me or be killed for loving me, hearing my mother doesn’t have long left to live is the cherry on top of an already shit cake. My vision blurs at the edges, and I’m unable to focus on the words coming out of Dr. Barney’s mouth through the phone. But I catch glimpses of sentences, allowing me to put two and two together. Your mother… no longer… to the treatment. We don’t… long… she has… live.This can’t be happening. The last time I saw her, she was responding well to the chemo. She had the most skilled team in the hospital taking care of her, providing her with the best care and treatment possible. For the first time in a long while, hope shone in her eyes, mirroring what I had been holding on to since the moment she was diagnosed all those years ago. I held on to the idea that, with time, she would get better. If I threw whatever money I could at the

• Tempted by Sin   Can't Choose Me

  Paetyn’s POVI’ve been bedridden at home for twenty-four hours, and I’m already losing my damn mind. Who knew sitting in bed all day would actually be so bat shit boring? Sure, I love a relaxing day as much as the next person, but when it’s forced upon me, and I get no say in what I do, I can’t stand it. The quiet throughout the house besides the voices coming from whatever TV show I threw on is growing increasingly more unnerving. My gaze sweeps across the duvet to the book on the bedside table, bookmark nestled between the pages. Not even reading a new bestseller has diminshed any of the boredom I’m experiencing. No amount of distractions has helped me to relax. It doesn’t help that I’m worried about Ace. When he got into bed last night, I could tell something was off. Whatever happened in his office while I was on the phone with Clarissa rattled him to the point that he could barely speak. I didn’t push him on the topic because I had a feeling it was related to Enzo and the Gambi

• Tempted by Sin   Accept the Punishment

  Ace’s POVI’m so fucked. I knew it the moment I took the call from Amos last night.When I sat down at my desk, intent on catching up on emails and texts, my phone rang. I was close to not answering the call from Amos because I had been ignoring him and Enzo all week, too busy at the hospital with Paetyn, so why connect now? But I knew I couldn’t avoid this conversation for much longer. “Boss wants to see you in his office tomorrow morning,” Amos said, voice gruff. I fought the urge to roll my eyes. “And what’s this about?”“You’ll find out when you get here. Ten A.M. Don’t be late.”The call ended as quick as it started, and I was left staring at my desktop, ice filling my veins to the point I was almost suffocating. I knew what Enzo wanted to see me about and knew it wouldn't end well for me. Walking out on a job last week and ignoring him since had clearly landed me in scalding water. All I could do was face the music and accept the punishment I knew would be coming my way. Sit

• Tempted by Sin   Trouble Comes in Threes

  Paetyn’s POV“Now, are you sure you’re okay, Pae?”I turn in the front seat, eyes lingering on the curve of Ace’s jaw. His knuckles are pale as they hold the steering wheel in what I’m sure is a death grip. Even beneath the leather jacket he’s wearing, I see the tension rippling through his muscles. Since the attack seven days ago, Ace has hardly left my side. Unless it was to grab coffee, food, or use the bathroom, he’s been glued to the chair beside my bed, holding my hand. I hadn’t expected him to do so since I knew he had his own business to deal with and work he needed to do, but he reassured me that he wasn’t going anyway unless it was to take me home once I was discharged. I don’t remember much about the attack. All I know is I blacked out after taking a boot to the side of the head—which I’m thankful for. If I was conscious throughout the entire ordeal, I can’t imagine how much more pain I would’ve suffered. The doctors and nurses said I was lucky to be alive because of how