Page 14 of Sinful Lies

“Trust me, it benefits us both equally.”

“I’m not having sex with you either.”

“Get your mind out of the gutter, Mullens.” He scoffs.

I raise my own eyebrows in challenge.

He shakes his head. “I’m not asking you for sex.”

“Now I’m really intrigued.”

His eyes search my face for a moment.

My cheeks heat from the intensity of his gaze, but I force myself not to look away. I don’t think I’ve ever seen him so serious.

Dimitri lets out a long breath. “I think we should get married.”

I blink. “Sorry, what?”

“I think we should get married.”

“Yeah, no, I heard you the first time. I’m just failing to understand the logichere.”

Dimitri runs his hands through his hair, messing up the soft curls.

“My dear brother has decided to betroth me, and I need an out. You have a creepy boss who apparently doesn’t see a boyfriend as enough of a reason to leave you alone. Perhaps if you had a ring on your finger, he might finally take the hint.”

“You’rebetrothed?”

He sighs. “Apparently.”

“To whom?”

Dimitri narrows his eyes at me. “Why do you care? Not jealous, are we?”

“No.”

Dimitri’s lips twitch as he takes in my flushed cheeks.

“It’s to a daughter of a family we’re currently in…disagreement with. I’ve never met the girl, and I don’t plan on it.”

I don’t ask for more details. I’m no stranger to the sort of business the Koslovs get caught up in after my close call with Mario Gilanto, so I can only imagine the sort ofdisagreementhe’s referring to.

He clears his throat. “So, what do you think?”

“It’s an insane idea.”

Dimitri shrugs. “Perhaps.”

“There’s no guarantee it will even work! I mean, you met Giovanni. I don’t think a ring and a piece of paper is going to stop him.”

“Zara…” Dimitri sighs. “He’s well aware of who I am. I saw it on his face the moment you introduced me. If you’re legally tied to me, he would be asking for a bullet in his skull if he so much as looked at you the wrong way. It buys you not only my protection, but my family’s protection.”

“You would honestly do that for me?” I bite my lip.

“Yes.” No hesitation. “But in return, you will be my wife until Massimo finds another suitable husband for his daughter.”

“That could take years.”

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