Page 47 of Dancing with the Devil

I still felt unsure, but after the package I received, I needed to get out of my house.

“Good. If I’m only doing this once, then I might as well do it right,” I sighed, getting up.

He was reluctant to speak. “You don’t sound happy about it.

“Yeah, well, I’m practically selling my life away,” I shrugged my shoulders. “When do you want to do this?” I rested my hands on my hips, and I could tell he was carefully deciding on his next few words.

“You are aware that I’m not forcing you to do this.”

“I know,” I confirmed. “How would this work, exactly?”

We went over the basics, and he seemed surprisingly keen to proceed with this agreement. He didn’t hold back, and neither did I—with my questions, of course.

“We can discuss details on Friday after you’re settled in.”

“Settled in as in…?”

“After you’ve moved into my house.”

My eyes grew wide. “Moved into your what?”

“I’m starting to think you don’t really know how marriages work.”

“No, I know; I just—nothing. Never mind,” I shook my head. “But do I have to move in before the wedding?”

“Yes. And we will be expected to follow some family traditions as well.”

“Youfollow traditions?” I couldn’t help but snicker, and he nodded. A mischievous grin spread across my face. “Well, sincewe’re following tradition and all,” I slowly said. “It would only be right that you kneel and ask me to marry you.”

He raised a brow at me. “I don’tkneelfor anyone,” he said as though the word repulsed him.

My heart thumped in my chest when I picked up on the intensity of his voice.

Something flickered behind his green eyes, drawing me in. I didn’t like it.Maybe Silvia was right.

“It was worth the try,” I shrugged my right shoulder. “And by the way,” I said, throwing the rag over my shoulder, standing in front of him. “The package you sent. Not very funny. At all.”

“Package?” he asked, genuinely confused, and I nodded.

“Yeah. The one you sent me earlier. I’m guessing it was to scare me or something, but it was just weird and creepy.”

“I did no such thing,” he shook his head.

“You’re kidding,right?” I hopefully asked. It had to be him because if it wasn’t, then it simply meant that someone else was out to get me, and I’d be completely vulnerable. I had no clue who it could be.

“No, Nirah, I’m not,” he sternly said, and from the tone in his voice, I could hear how serious he was being.

I frowned. “Oh.”

“What was the package?” he asked, and my head snapped up.

“Uh, no—nothing,” I shook my head. “Forget I said anything.”

“What was it, Nirah?”

I swallowed hard. “It was…” I reluctantly trailed off, looking down. “A human eye,” I thrilled. “With three needles in the pupil.”

I didn’t look up at him—too embarrassed by the accusation itself. I felt guilty, almost. Ever since I met him, he had done nothing but help me, yet here I was, accusing him of such cruel actions.