Page 59 of Beautiful Sinner

It’s a threat, that much is obvious to me.

Connor winks and lets out a whistle as he walks past me. I still can’t seem to say anything.

My life is happening before my very eyes and I can’t do anything about it.

Chapter Ten

Julia

“Ithink you look beautiful,” Inessa tells me as I look at myself in the wedding dress. Since the wedding is pushed up, I have to find a dress fast. The current one I have on is a mermaid style that doesn’t fit me at all.

“It’s not me, Inessa.”

She sighs. “You’re right. But we’ll keep looking.”

I’m getting married in just a couple of days. Viktor promised he’d pay extra to make sure I get the wedding of my dreams in such a short amount of time. I asked him if he was sure about the decision to marry me to Connor sooner and he asked me if I had any reason to not marry Connor sooner. Since myreason includes Matteo, I couldn’t tell Viktor that and he said the wedding was happening.

“I don’t even care to look beautiful,” I admit. “I just want to get this over with.”

“I know you’re not happy about Connor but this is still your wedding and this is your chance to choose a dress you love. Take it.”

Inessa’s right. This will be my only chance at a wedding. Bratva men don’t believe in divorce and I’m sure it’s the same for Irish mobsters. Once you’re tied together in this world, you’re tied forever.

I try on a handful of dresses and none of them make sense for me. Either too poofy or too tight or too lacy until I find the perfect dress.

It’s a simple satin, no lace to it, with long sleeves and a bodice that sits straight across my chest with a skirt that flows around my legs but overall hugs my body. It’s like something out of the 1950s but updated. It’s me.

“That’s the one,” Inessa says, squeezing my arm.

The dress may be right but the choice of husband isn’t. Matteo is the one I need and he’s the one I need to talk to so when I return home after dress shopping, I immediately call him.

He doesn’t answer. Probably busy with work but I can’t wait. I need to talk to him now. I need to tell him that the wedding has been pushed up and that he needs to kill Connor before then. It will hurt my brother’s power in the war but I’m being selfish right now and I’m never like that.

I keep calling and calling and calling until Matteo finally answers after a few hours.

“Julia?” He sounds breathless. “I didn’t get your calls. I was working on something.”

“I figured.” And I know better than to ask. “Matteo, the wedding has been pushed up. It’s happening this weekend.”

“Your wedding? To Connor?”

“Yes.”

He falls silent for a moment. “I just need to kill him before then.”

“Yes.”

“Do you know where he is? Knowing his location will help.”

“I don’t. I’m sorry. Connor has never shared his address with me. But… Viktor might know. I can check. I’ll call you back.”

Viktor is not in his office so it’s the perfect time to sneak in and see if I can find Connor’s home address. I could just ask Viktor for it but I don’t want him wondering why I’m asking so many questions.

I start going through his desk when I hear someone clear their throat. With a gasp, I look up and there’s Viktor, standing in the doorway, looking at me as I go through his desk. Damn it. I rip my hands away from the drawer like I was burned.

“What are you doing?” he asks.

“Uh…”

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