Page 76 of Beautiful Sinner

“Well…” I can’t help but blush. “My first kiss.”

His eyes darken. “And?”

“And the first man to see me naked and do all the things you’ve done to me.”

“And?”

“And… and my first love. Because I know I love you, Matteo. There’s no point in pretending I don’t. I love you. And I do want to be with you. I do want to marry you.”

“You’ll marry me?” His voice is both sweet and yet breathless sounding, like he’s nervous. I never knew a man like him could get nervous.

“Yes. I will marry you.”

“Even though you haven’t had the chance to talk to your brother?”

“Viktor, even though I love him, will just try to control my life. He always has. I know it comes from a place of love. I know he just wants to protect me after our parents were murdered. Henever wants to see me get hurt. It was a rival Bratva member who killed them and Viktor was always paranoid about that happening to me. I completely understand that but it also meant I was locked away for most of my life. I never blamed him for it though. I was just lonely a lot and now I get the chance to be happy. I want to take it.”

“Viktor will try to stop us, you know.”

“Oh, I know.” I trail my fingers down Matteo’s cheek. “But if we got married without him knowing, he can’t stop it.”

“You really want to get married without your brother there? I know you, Julia. You want your family there.”

“I know. But he’ll never approve of us being together. This will be our only way. You just shared something so personal with me. You trusted me with that. I know you didn’t mean to attack my wedding. I know you never meant to put me in harm’s way.”

“I never want to hurt you.”

“I know.” I give him a small kiss. It’s nice to just effortlessly kiss him like it’s as normal as breathing.

“You really want to do this? Get married?”

“Yes.” I don’t even hesitate. What’s the point of living if I’m going to be miserable all the time? This is my chance for happiness and I have to take it, even if Viktor will be upset. I just have to hope that in time, he’ll understand. That is if Dante or Erik don’t kill him first.

“The only thing I need to hear from you,” I say, “is that you’ll promise to never kill Viktor. You won’t give Dante any information about my brother that could hurt him.”

“You’re asking me to go against my friend and boss.”

“I know. But if we’re going to be married, then I’ll be your wife. I need to know that you’re on my side no matter what. And I can’t lose my brother.”

“And I can’t lose Dante. What if I learn of something Viktor is going to do that could hurt Dante? I’m not supposed to say anything?”

I sigh and press my forehead to his. “You already told Dante information about my wedding day when you didn’t have to. Viktor could have been killed. I could have been killed. Please do this for me, Matteo. I need to know that I can trust you one hundred percent. I need to know that my brother will not die because of you. If Dante manages to kill Viktor of his own accord, then I won’t blame you. All I’m asking is that you’re not a part of it.”

His hands tighten on my hips as he looks me in the eye. Slowly, he nods. “Ok. I can promise that. But if I know Dante is in danger, I’ll do whatever I can to make sure he’s not killed. But I won’t try to hurt Viktor. I promise you that.”

I sag in relief. “Thank you. That means the world to me. We can figure this out, Matteo. I believe it.”

And I have to since there’s no other alternative that gives me both Matteo and my family at the same time.

Viktor

Inessa tries talking to me but I shut her out. It’s wrong of me but I need time to process what she told me. Julia is in love with Matteo. Julia betrayed me to be with Matteo. Did she plan the attack on her wedding day so she could run away with Matteo?

She’s not here for me to ask but I have to assume she had a part to play. There’s no other way Dante and Matteo found out about the wedding. No other way.

I trust my sister, I remind myself. Julia has never given me any reason to doubt her. Until now.

Now, I don’t know what the fuck to believe.

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