Page 28 of Beautiful Sinner

“But it can be rebuilt. If you married me to… say, someone like Matteo, then -,”

“No.” His bluntness makes my mouth drop open.

“No?”

“Not Matteo. He killed Sergei Belov. He’s Dante’s most loyal man. I would never trust you with him. He would use you to hurt me.”

“But it’s a smart deal. He is Dante’s number one. What’s better than that? It could ensure peace between all of us. Dante wouldnever go against you if I was married to his second in command and Erik would respect it. It’s a good idea.”

“No. I will not entertain it. And besides, if you’re worried about marrying Connor because you barely know him, then why in the world would you want to marry Matteo? You know him even less.”

I hesitate and Viktor narrows his eyes and gently grips the end of my face, forcing me to look at him.

“Do you know something that I don’t?”

“No,” I squeak out. It’s hard to lie to my brother right to his face but I have to. My gut is telling me I have to. “I just met Matteo the one time he was over here.”

“You what?” He lets my chin go and steps back. “I never knew this.”

“I accidently bumped into him in the hall. You never told me anyone was here so I didn’t know to avoid your office. Matteo and I spoke for a brief moment. But he was nice. Surprisingly nice.”

“And… because of that one conversation, you now want to marry him?”

“No. I’m just saying that I have technically met him. He wasn’t awful to me. It’s something that could work.”

His eyes narrow even further. “Do you like him?”

“No. I barely know him.” It’s scary how easy the lie escapes my lips.

“But you find him handsome, don’t you?”

I can’t stop the blush from crossing my face. “No.”

“Don’t lie to me, Julia.”

“Ok. Fine. Maybe I find him a little handsome. But this has nothing to do with it. It’s a smart idea to marry me to him. It could ensure peace between all of us. You wouldn’t be at risk of losing any more money or men. Neither would they. Everyone could be happy. We’d all work together to stay in power.”

“Fine. I’ll admit. It’s not a terrible idea. But it’s not happening. I don’t trust any of Dante’s men and I especially don’t trust them with you. The only reason Matteo was nice to you was because he was in my home with no weapon. Otherwise he would have hurt you. I know it. How can I trust a man like that with my one sister? I raised you, Julia. I won’t just trust any man with you.”

“And I appreciate how protective you are. I really do. But I think you’re wrong. I think Matteo was nice to me because that’s who he is.”

He scoffs. “How do you know? You spoke to him once. You don’t know him, Julia. Don’t develop a crush on him. You are not marrying him.”

“I don’t have a crush.”

“Good. So, with all that being said, I think you should get to know Connor better.”

The sudden turn in conversation makes my head spin. “Why?”

“Because you claim the reason you don’t want to marry him is because you barely know him. So get to know him. Talk to him. Now’s a good chance. He’s still here.”

“And if I get to know him and still don’t want to marry him?”

“Unless Connor crosses any line with you, I’m afraid to say that he’s a good candidate for your hand in marriage.”

“And if he does cross a line?”

“Then I won’t make you marry him. But no lies, Julia. It has to be something he’s really done. I know you. Don’t lie to me.”

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