Page 62 of For I Have Sinned

Inhaling a deep breath, I let the smile fade because I don’t feel like lying. I already did enough of that during my meeting with Sister Alice.

“Even if I wanted to, I couldn’t. Did you know the door is locked?”

He shakes his head, looking from me then to the door. “I didn’t.”

“So when you leave the convent to get a coffee, the door is always unlocked?”

“Yeah,” he answers. “But I haven’t ventured out lately, so I hadn’t realized the door was locked.”

“Is there a reason you haven’t left?” I tilt my head and lean back on the door. “Maybe because you are stuck babysitting me, and the chance of you leaving the convent for a little while could result in my escaping?”

“I’m not babysitting you, Celine.”

“Could have fooled me.” I grin. “Stalker.”

His tongue pokes the inside of his cheek while trying to hide a grin. “Not a stalker either.”

“Oh, really? Then do you care to explain why you snuck up on me?”

“I was going to my office to get some work done when I heard someone messing with the door handle.” He takes a step forward. “Don’t you have somewhere to be?”

“The library.” I sigh. “Would you like to walk me to make sure I don’t get into any more trouble?”

“I might as well.” He steps aside, giving me a path to the hall.

I push off the door and pass him, entering the hall. I only make it a couple of steps down before I stop in front of Father Keaton’s office.

Behind me, I can feel the warmth of Father Alexander’s body against my back. His breathing is even, but I can feel his confusion wrap around me like a blanket.

“Why did you stop?”

“Have you ever wanted to snoop around his office?”

“No,” he responds immediately.

I glance over my shoulder at him, having to crane my neck to meet his gaze since he is standing directly behind me. “Not even after finding out he is having sex with Joanna?”

Father Alexander’s eyes dip to my mouth, his throat bobbing as he swallows. “Why would I even think about snooping through his stuff? It’s not right.”

“For evidence,” I say. “What he is doing is not right, Father Alexander. Don’t you want to have something to blackmail him if need be?”

His amber eyes meet mine. “No.”

I groan. “Well, I do.”

Facing the office again, I step inside and round Father Keaton’s desk. His laptop is closed, and when I open it, I’m prompted to enter a password.

“Celine.” Father Alexander seethes through his teeth.

“What do you think his password is?” I ignore his warning.

“I don’t know, and don’t you dare try to type anything in,” he warns in a harsh tone that sends chills through my body.

“You’re no fun.” I pout and shut the laptop. With my luck, I would keep guessing his password until it locked me out.

Scanning the contents on the top of his desk, I only find boring paperwork. With an annoyed sigh, I begin opening his drawers when Father Alexander repeats my name, this time with more anger.

I stand straight, narrowing my eyes at him. “If you don’t want to witness me doing this, then leave. Pretend like you never saw me here.”