Saint And Sinners Read Online Free Page B

take him.” Xenia cut through the silence like a heated knife through butter
     as she thrust her arms out, giving a few tense chuckles so as to soften her desperate
     appearance. No one was fooled.
    “Oh, yes, of course.” Lawrence gingerly handed his son to Xenia and, in a nervous
     motion, shoved his fingers in his pockets, uncertain what to do with himself. He settled
     on folding his hands under his pits.
    “We’ll take good care of him,” Saint reassured. “No worries, man.”
    “No, I’ve heard of how you take care of the kids, Saint.” Lawrence grimaced, not hiding
     his sudden disapproval.
    Saint warmed with embarrassment and shot Xenia a threatening glare, but the woman
     was paying him no mind as she coddled and cooed, talking in baby language to the young
     boy.
    “I feel much better knowing that Xenia will be on the clock.” And the man kept a poker
     face as he added his extra zinger to the mix.
    “What?!” Saint threw his arms up, somewhat amused and properly pissed at the same
     time. It was more than obvious that Xenia had been running her mouth to Donna again,
     spilling out their personal business like free cookie samples at the mall. She’d no
     doubt shared the wall climbing story and the three-layered cake for breakfast fiasco.
     The woman was smearing his reputation, crushing him like rubble, making a fool of
     him, stomping him down into the dastardly dirt. Besmirching his good name. He wouldn’t
     have it.
    “I’ll have you know.” He stood a bit taller and pointed at Lawrence, his eyes narrowed
     on the man. “I take very good care of my children when Xenia isn’t around.”
    “I’m sure you do,” Lawrence said insincerely, and was saved when the front door swung
     completely open and Donna entered in a frazzle with a blue and sage paisley bag swinging
     wildly from her shoulder. She was dressed to the mothafuckin’ nines, number eight
     was looking on in awe and number seven stared in wonder. Saint slowly scanned her,
     pleased that the grating woman could put some shit together that showed that she in
     fact was female, and not a shell covering a heartless soul. A damn shame, actually. She was
     quite attractive, but her notorious bad attitude tripped her, got in the way. Her
     reputation was built on the bricks and mortar of being defensive… Simply put, Donna
     was known to be unsavory and brusque. Nevertheless, the past was the past, and he
     reached out to give her a loose yet neighborly hug.
    “Hello, Donna. I hope you and Lawrence have a good time tonight.”
    “Yes, I’m looking forward to it.” She stood there stiffly, as if she had been cut
     out of paper, starched and pressed.
    “Where are you two going?” Xenia asked, not taking her eyes off Tyler who was quiet
     as could be as he looked longingly into Xenia’s eyes. The little guy seemed to be
     taking it all in, unaware that his parents were about to run off into the setting
     sunset and leave him with strange people, one of which would barely allow him room
     to breathe.
    “Providence. I’ve been dying to try their Norwegian cod,” Donna explained.
    “It’s delicious!” Xenia nodded, knowing the full menu all too well. It was one of
     her favorite spots, and it seemed to make her even happier knowing that not only would
     the couple have a much needed night on the town, but they’d have great food, too.
     “You all are going to have a wonderful night and look, take your time.” Xenia waved
     her hand at them, as if to say, ‘Go on! Stay out forever!’
    No! Don’t take your time! I need y’all back here in two hours, you hear me? Two damn
     hours, two and a half, tops!
    Saint screamed at Lawrence telepathically. He would’ve stomped his foot at the end
     of the declaration, if he was certain it wouldn’t draw him undue attention.
    Lawrence glared back at him, a look of total revulsion and disenchantment etched on
     his face.
    Saint, you selfish prick. I know what this is about. You want to