Page 60 of Beautiful Sinner

“Julia, why are you going through my desk?”

“I was looking for Connor’s address.” Might as well come clean. About this at least.

He frowns. “Why?”

“Because he’s going to be my husband this weekend. I might as well know where he lives.”

“Ok… but you could have just asked me.”

“You are… right.” God, why was I being so stupid? I’m so used to lying to Viktor that sneaking around has become my normal.

“And I would have told you that I don’t have Connor’s personal address.”

“Why not?”

“He always comes here. I never saw the point. But you’ll live with him after you’re married, so we’ll get his address then.”

“Of course. You’re right.” I quickly walk away from the desk. “What was I thinking?”

He stops me before I can leave the office. “Are you ok?”

“Yes,” I say too quickly.

“Julia, I said it before. If you have any reason why you don’t want to marry Connor, tell me now.”

“I don’t like him.”

“I need more. Has he hurt you?”

“No,” I whisper, hiding my hands behind my back. I don’t need to flaunt my wrist in front of him. It’s not as swollen but it’s still bruised. “Sorry. I should have just asked you. I guess I’m just nervous with all this wedding stuff.”

His eyes soften. “I get that. And you know I’m here for you. If there’s something on your mind, just tell me.”

I want to be honest with Viktor. I want to trust that if I told him about Matteo, he’d let me be with him and not kill him. But I also know my brother and I know how stubborn he can be and how he doesn’t do well when people mess with the people he loves. It’s better just to stay quiet and hope that Matteo can handle this for me.

“I’m fine. But thank you for asking.” I leave his office before he can ask me anything more.

Once I’m back in my room, I call Matteo. “I don’t know Connor’s address. I’m sorry. I won’t know until after I’m married to him.”

“Damn it,” he mutters.

“Matteo?”

“Yes?”

“Are you ok?”

He laughs a little but there’s no humor to it. “I should be asking you that.”

“Can you stop Connor from marrying me?”

“I’m going to try. When exactly is the wedding happening?”

“On Saturday at the catholic church on 5thavenue. It’s at two in the afternoon.”

“Ok. I’ll make sure I kill Connor before then. I will save you, Julia.”

And I believe Matteo with all my heart that he will.

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