Page 43 of Scarred Heir

ELEVEN

Milo

My business wasone match strike away from igniting. Missing cars, enemies swooping in, and now I’ve added the complication of Sable and her unpredictable brother to the mix.

I stood in the doorway of the dressing room of the posh boutique as the co-owner, Camila Rossi, dressed Sable in expensive designer clothes. The other women I’d brought here had brimmed with excitement over such a shopping spree. But to my disappointment, Sable appeared distant and out of place.

Why is she so difficult to figure out?It was almost as if she threw up a shield when it came to me. Like she didn’t want me to understand her. It was fucking frustrating, especially after last night.

“This dress is perfect.” Camila spun Sable to face me. “Don’t you think so, Milo?”

Sable gazed down at her feet as I took in the gold, silkdress with a plunging neckline. I particularly liked the slit that went all the way to her hip, showing off her long, slender leg.

“She’s stunning.” I strolled toward Sable and took her hand. “Do you like it?”

She nodded.

What the fuck?A fifteen-thousand-dollar dress didn’t warrant a verbal response?

“Camila,” I said. “Bring us a few more dresses while I have a moment with Sable.”

“Of course.” Camila touched my shoulder. “I know exactly what you like.”

When I ignored her not-so-subtle flirting, she took the cue and did what I told her to do. Once she was out of the room, I focused my attention on Sable.

“What’s the problem?” I took her chin between my fingers. “If you don’t like the dress, just tell her and she’ll find you something else. That’s her job. Her feelings won’t be hurt.”

“The dress is beautiful,” she said. “Everything I’ve tried on is perfect.”

“Then what’s the problem?”

“It’s too much.”

“It isn’t.”

“I’m overwhelmed.” She stared in the mirror and motioned toward her reflection. “I don’t recognize her.”

“You’re going to have to get used to her.” I brought her closer to the large mirror that showed her from every angle. “You belong in dresses like this. I can give them to you.”

“I don’t need them.”

It was ten in the morning and I needed a fucking drink. I should be at the dealership fixing the mess the missingcars had caused, but instead I found myself here trying to do something nice. No good deed…

“If you’re going to be with me, you need to look the part.” I stood behind her, gripping her forearms. “I want you in clothes like this.”

She locked her gaze with mine through the glass. The boldness in her eyes intrigued me. Was she going to challenge me? Because I would show her which one of us was in control.

“I owed you,” she said.

“And I told you last night, your debt is paid. Whatever happens between us now is because it’s what we both want.”

“We can figure out what we want without you spending thousands of dollars on me.” She pressed her hand to her stomach. “Don’t you see that will still put me in your debt?”

“You don’t like owing me?”Smart girl.“You put yourself in this position.” Because of the situation she created, I couldn’t relent. I wanted her, and now I had to show her what belonging to me meant.

I went over to the silver bar cart in the corner of the room and poured her a glass of lemon-infused water.

“I just don’t think all of this is necessary.”