Vicious (Sinners of Saint, #1)

by L.J. Shen

In Japanese culture, the significance of the cherry blossom tree dates back hundreds of years. The cherry blossom represents the fragility and magnificence of life. It’s a reminder of how beautiful life is, almost overwhelmingly so, but that it is also heartbreakingly short. As are relationships. Be wise. Let your heart lead the way. And when you find someone who’s worth it—never let them go.

Because moments like these reminded me that my life was hard, but not bad. There was a difference between the two.

A hard life equaled a life full of obstacles and challenging moments but also full of people you loved and cared about. A bad life equaled an empty life. One that wasn’t necessarily hard or challenging but was devoid of the people you loved and cared about.

Spending time with my staff reminded me why humans were my least favorite creatures.

How could you not want to fuck this chick? Of course I was hard. She looked like a rainbow.

You were so clean, and I was filthy. I guess I wanted to dirty you up.

She was a fantasy, and like all fantasies, she was meant to be savored, cherished, and treated with caution and respect.

He was toxic, poison, and he was going to kill everything beautiful in my life if I let him. He was the storm to my cherry blossoms.

Lust is when you want the person to make you feel good. Love is when you want to make the other person feel good.

You were always mine. —Black

“I want you,” he said simply. “Just you. Nothing else. Only ever you,” he breathed out in pain, closing his eyes. “Fuck, Emilia. You.”