Chapter 7 Sterling

Three days.

Seventy-two hours.

That's how long Daniel had been living in my house without really being there. He was like a ghost, never in the same room, never making a sound, just traces of his presence around the house. A clean dish, a bed that looked like it belonged in a furniture catalog, a door that stayed locked.

I told myself it was fine. Better than fighting. Better than last time. But it was driving me crazy. I had already calmed down, and I wasn't pissed off anymore about what happened when he left.

Maggie leaned against the bar during a slow shift and raised an eyebrow.

"So, what's the priest's latest trick? Silent treatment?"

"Silent treatment would imply some kind of treatment," I muttered, scrubbing harder than I needed to. "This is like living with a damn shadow. He's up at five, gone before I can say good morning, and locks himself away when I get home. I don't even know if he's praying or plotting murder, because I sure as hell don't wanna die soon."

"A hot shadow," she said with a smirk.

" Really? That's what you pulled out from everything I've told you?" I gave her a look.

"Try living with someone who stares at you like you're the root of all evil and tell me how hot it is."

"Some men stare like that because they don't know what else to do." Clearly, he does because he's currently not even breathing the same air I am.

Before I could respond, the bar door swung open.

Father O'Leary walked in, his face grim looking like someone had offered him cheap beer. Beside him was a stranger...a tall man in an expensive black suit, silver at the temples, eyes sharp so slim that they seemed closed from afar. He looked around the place like he'd stumbled into a dump, his gaze landed on me, and it felt like he was peeling back layers of skin.

"Elena," Father O'Leary said formally. "This is Mr. Sterling. From the diocesan review board. He's here to oversee Father Moretti's reintegration."

"Reintegration?" I repeated. "What is he, a malfunctioning robot?"

The stranger didn't smile. He stepped forward, hand held behind his back. "Ms. Petrova. A pleasure. I understand Father Moretti has been residing with you."

"It's called a roof," I said. "His fell in. Somebody had to give him one and yes he's staying with me. Any problem?"

His lips curved, but it wasn't a real smile. "We're aware. We're also aware of... certain incidents that led to Father Moretti's temporary absence. For his sake and the Church's he will be under observation. That includes where he lives and who he lives with."

So that was it. He wasn't just here for Daniel. He was here to keep an eye on me too.

That night, I came home to find Sterling already in my living room. He was examining the room like he owned the place. I haven't known him for up to 24 hours but I definitely know he's a dick. Daniel sat on the couch, hands folded, posture rigid.

I stopped in the doorway. "Am I supposed to offer you a drink, or are you just here to redecorate?"

Sterling slowly turned towards me taking his precious time before he properly acknowledged me. "Simply ensuring Father Moretti's accommodations are... appropriate."

"It's a house. Four walls, a roof. Very appropriate. So I ask again, what do you want? Or are you here to redecorate?"

His eyes flicked over me. Jeans, t-shirt from the bar. He made me feel like a bug under glass, ignoring the hostility in my eyes. "Boundaries must be maintained. For the sake of reputation."

Daniel didn't say a word. Didn't even look at me.

I smiled, all teeth. "Oh, we've got boundaries. He's on one side, I'm on the other. We've even got a safe word if the temptation to read Psalms gets too wild."

Daniel's neck flushed. Sterling's gaze turned colder. "This is not a joke, Ms. Petrova. A priest's vocation is delicate. It must be shielded from corrosive influences."

I froze. He meant me.

"Corrosive? You must be fucking kidding me, Mr Sterling."

Daniel's jaw tightened, but still he said nothing.

"If it's such a concern," Daniel finally muttered, "maybe the diocese should fix the rectory faster."

"All in due time," Sterling said smoothly. "Until then, I'll be a frequent presence. Consider me your guide."

Your warden. This man can't be serious right now.

He left not long after, but the damage remained.

The second the door shut, I turned on Daniel. "You let him talk to me like that? Like I'm poison? You just sat there."

Daniel finally looked at me. His eyes were dark, tired, filled with something I couldn't read. "What would you have me do? Hit him? Yell? That would prove him right."

"He called me a corrosive influence," I snapped.

"And what do you want me to do about it?" His voice broke, anger spilling through the cracks. "My life isn't mine. Hasn't been for a long time. Men like him decide if I stay, if I go, if I breathe. If I fight, I lose. If I keep quiet, maybe I will survive."

"Survive?" I asked. "That's what this is? Survival? What is it he's holding against you, Daniel? That you'll let him walk all over you?"

He turned away, like he couldn't stand the sight of me. "Stay out of his way, Elena."

And with that he walked off, his door clicking shut again.

I stood there, shaking, too angry to cry.

The next night, Sterling was back. He sat at my kitchen table like it was his own, sipping water, asking questions that weren't questions. Daniel stood stiff by the wall. I leaned against the counter, arms crossed.

"The parish is concerned," Sterling said. "They see Father Moretti here. Living under the same roof as you. They talk."

"There's nothing to talk about," Daniel said flatly.

"Perception is reality, Father" Sterling replied. His eyes slid to me. "And the perception is that a woman with... your history... is a distraction. An obstacle."

I felt my stomach knot. He'd done his homework.

Daniel's hand twitched at his side, but his voice stayed steady. "My focus is fine."

"Is it? Mrs. Henderson mentioned you cut confession short yesterday. A young woman was speaking of... impure thoughts. You dismissed her. Abruptly."

Daniel's jaw flexed. "I was tired."

"Tired? Or tempted?"

The word landed like a grenade.

Daniel went still. Silent.

Sterling smiled, like he'd won. "Purity of mind. Purity of body. That is your shield, Father. Remember that."

And then he left, smooth as always, leaving the poison behind.

The silence after was unbearable. Daniel stood rigid, staring at nothing.

"Daniel, look....."

"Don't." His voice cracked. He turned, and the pain in his eyes knocked the wind out of me.

"Don't. Please. I don't want to talk about it."

And then he walked out, straight into the night, leaving me alone with Sterling's words still echoing in the air.

I leaned against the counter, shaking. For the first time, I wasn't just angry at Daniel's silence. I was scared of it. Scared of what Sterling knew, what he held over him. Scared of what Daniel might do to himself trying to live up to rules written by men who enjoyed watching him break.

And I realized something else. I wasn't the corrosive influence. Sterling was.

And if Daniel kept letting him in, he'd destroy him and drag me along... like hell I'll let that happen.