Page 19 of Beautiful Sinner

“Well, I told you about Dante, didn’t I?”

“Yes.”

“Did you tell your brother or did you keep it a secret?”

“I kept it a secret,” I say like it’s obvious.

“So, I’ll do the same. I won’t tell Dante that Viktor is struggling financially. If he happens to find out, then I can’t stop that but I won’t be the one to tell him.”

I stare at Matteo for a long moment. “You would do that? Why?”

“Because I can tell it would bother you for Dante to know, so I won’t. This bit of information doesn’t really change anything anyway. Your brother and Dante are still at war with each other. That won’t change.”

“I guess not. It’s just surprising that you wouldn’t tell your boss everything you had on my brother.”

“Guess I’m full of surprises. Just like you are.”

I can’t help but smile and blush at the same time. Matteo has that effect on me.

“So, is marriage something you’re interested in?” he asks, not looking at me but instead at the people passing by us. We’re not sitting close but it still feels taboo like we could be caught any second talking to each other.

“With who? Grigori?”

“Is that his name? The old man.”

“Yes. And no, I’m not interested in marriage with him.”

He clears his throat. “I meant in general.”

“I mean… marriage is something I would like in the future. But… I don’t have any other marriage prospects.” Matteo cannot be one of those prospects. He just can’t be. “What about you? Is marriage something you’re interested in?”

“I’ve considered it in the past but I’m so busy with work. I wouldn’t have the time.”

“And yet, you have the time to talk to me on this park bench. Maybe you’d have the time for your wife if you didn’t go for walks.”

“Maybe. But then if I hadn’t gone for this walk at this exact time, I never would have ran into you.”

Our eyes meet and we stare at each other again. There’s that electricity I felt once before. The urge to lean into him is strong. It would be so easy to let him just kiss me.

But the second I think that, I back away. “Someone could see us.”

“You’re right. I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be sorry. My brother will be wondering where I am. I need to head back.” I walk away before Matteo can say anything to make me stay.

I sneak back into my house and hear voices coming from the foyer. Walking on tiptoes, I peek my head around the corner and see that Viktor is talking to a man.

But not just any man.

Connor Barry.

Chapter Four

Julia

Igo still when I see Connor in my house.

Viktor has his back to me but Connor is facing my direction. He catches my eye before I can sneak away.