The Sinners of Saint Amos - Logan Fox Page 0,27

infiltrate my mind.

“So, uh, I hope you don’t mind, but I took some more initiative today.”

“Hmm?” Gabriel says, his eyes still locked on the flames.

“You know my roommate, Jasper?”

Gabriel’s head snaps to the side. His vague smile is frozen on his face, but there’s no mirth in his eyes. “What about him?”

My tongue tangles.

What the hell?

“Oh, he…I mean…I was tutoring him. English. We had our first lesson today.”

Gabriel’s eyes flicker over my face. Why do I get the feeling he’s trying to catch me out in a lie? I take another sip of soda. “That’s…that’s okay, right? You said—”

“Oh, of course, child.” His smile thaws and even spreads a little wider. “I just hadn’t expected you to begin so soon.”

“Should I stop?”

“Not at all.” Gabriel turns back to the fire. “That boy could use a positive influence in his life. You’ll do him a world of good.”

Just what the hell did Jasper do? I’ve got to get it out of him. Maybe Perry knows.

There’s a faint knock from the hallway. I’m not surprised Father Gabriel didn’t hear the first two—the sound is so muffled it could be lost in the crackle of a burning log.

“That would be our supper,” Gabriel says, sounding downright cheery at the concept. He stands and extends an arm as he calls out, “Come!”

I know I shouldn’t stare. I know it’s wrong to even have a single thought about Gabriel’s body. But it’s impossible not to.

For one, I hadn’t expected him to be so well built. His biceps strain against his shirt sleeves, and his forearms are corded with muscles. Now his hands look proportional—his meaty palms and thick fingers a testament to a strong, fit man.

I hurry over to the table, desperate to keep my curiosity in check. Gabriel follows. I hesitate about which of the two seats to take until Gabriel pulls one out for me.

Why does this feel like a date? Then again I wouldn’t know what a date was if it hit me on the head.

I thump into the seat, and drag it under the table. With my hands on my lap and my head down, I feel like I’m waiting for him to start a sermon.

Instead of cracking open a bible, Gabriel takes his seat opposite me and lays his serviette over his lap.

The antechamber’s door opens. I turn on automatic.

When I see who’s standing in the doorway, my blood runs cold.

Chapter Fourteen

Trinity

Reuben enters Father Gabriel’s apartment with a large, covered tray in his burly arms. At first he stares at something only he can see, but as soon as he notices me, it’s like I’m the only person left in the entire world.

I’ve never had someone look at me like this before.

It’s unnerving.

And provocative.

Every nerve ending in my body switches on.

That look must only last a second, but it feels like an eternity that Reuben and I lock eyes. Then he drops his gaze, and it’s as if I’ve ceased to exist.

“Thank you, child,” Gabriel says as Reuben sets down the tray between us.

Reuben lifts the lid and goes to put it down on the counter in the dinette area. “Do you need anything else, Father?” he asks in his deep, melodic voice.

Gabriel waves at him. “That’ll be all for now, child. Come back later to collect the dishes.”

Reuben turns to leave, and Gabriel stands to dish up food from the set of small dishes on the tray. I’m watching Reuben’s back so I don’t notice at first Gabriel is dishing up for me.

“You’re looking a little thin, Trinity,” Gabriel says. “Though I’m sure the past month has played havoc with your appetite.”

“What?” I look down at my plate. There isn’t room for another pea. “Wow…that’s a lot of food.”

“Your mother used to lose weight whenever she was upset. I can’t remember how many pies I brought to your house, hoping to get her appetite started.”

I don’t remember any pies.

Reuben’s walking even slower than before, as if he’s listening to our conversation. It makes me want to yell at Gabriel to shut up. I don’t want Reuben to know anything about me. He made it clear he thinks I’m up to no good. He’ll use anything he can against me.

Even my dead parents.

“My first class was a success,” I rattle out.

It was the first thing I could think of, and the worst choice of words. Today was the furthest from a success. Hopefully Gabriel isn’t exactly going to interview Jasper about my teaching skills any time soon.

“Is that so?” Gabriel