Page 106 of For I Have Sinned

“Well, I trust her,” she says, her chin lifting in defiance. “And if you trust me as much as you say you do, then you have nothing to worry about.”

I study her face for a moment, really taking in her beauty. Those stunning green eyes that send me into a trance. Those lips that I can taste for hours and never get tired of. And right now, that is all I want to do. I want to grab her by the waist, bring her to me, and stake my claim, but I can’t.

“If you trust her, then okay.” She grins at my words. “We need to talk, though.”

A serious expression takes over her face because she knows what I mean. With a slight nod, she steps around me and walks down the hall. Scanning my surroundings, I notice the women have dispersed, leaving only two who are talking with one another. Turning on my heel, I walk with my hands behind my back, following behind Celine to where she steps into the chapel.

Her movements pause as she stares ahead to the altar and the fresh sheet draped over it. Her head then turns to look where a new bowl filled with holy water sits on its pedestal.

A smirk tugs at my lips as I remember the events that took place on it and desperately want it to happen again. Even if it isn’t on the altar, anywhere else would do. I just am dying to be inside of her again.

She clears her throat, and without a glance in my direction, she steps into the confessional booth. I enter my side and sit down.

“Smart of you to choose to have this conversation in here,” I say once I get situated. “I figured you would have picked the library.”

“Sister Greta is most likely in there,” she points out. “So what’s going on? Did you come up with something?”

“Sort of.”

I hear Celine shift, and when I look at the partition between us, she is facing my direction.

“What do you mean, sort of?”

Inhaling a deep breath, I shift in my seat to face her. “I want Father Keaton to pay for what he is doing to those women.”

“Me too…” she says with confusion. “Should we sneak back into his office and try to gain access to his laptop?”

I think back to that day and the stress it caused me. “No. You are going to do nothing. I have somewhat of a plan, but I can’t carry it out with you still here.”

“Wha—I’m sorry.” A puzzled laugh leaves her. “I don’t understand. What does my needing to leave have to do with your plan?”

Now is the time to tell her. “I’ve decided to leave the church.”

Under the dim light, I can see Celine narrow her eyes. “Because of what is happening here? Are you going to find a new church to go to?”

“The things that are happening here are somewhat of the reason why I’m leaving,” I admit. “And, no, I won’t be going to another church.”

“Then that means—” I allow her time to come to the realization, and when she does, her brows shoot up. “You’re not going to be a priest anymore?”

“Correct.”

“I did not think that was going to be part of your plan.”

“It originally wasn’t, but now, knowing all that I do, it is actually the perfect timing for me to have this epiphany.”

“What epiphany?”

“That I don’t want this to be my life anymore. Being a priest was a good idea at the time of my life when I needed a sense of direction. Now that I’ve escaped the darkness, I want to live my life. I will still have a relationship with God outside of here, but I just—this isn’t the life I want anymore.”

Celine’s head drops, her eyes staring at the floor while she takes in the information. “You said that the stuff that Father Keaton is doing is part of the reason you want to leave. What’s the other?”

I stay quiet, thoughts speeding around in my head as I try to find the right words to say. Me telling her that I have feelings for her could be disastrous, but after last night, I have some hope.

“You.”

Her eyes drift up to mine. “Me?”

“Being with you has made me realize how much I missed my life outside of this place.”