Page 87 of Solemn Vow

“He said he knew about the blackmail. He’d only found out on Friday, and he assured me he would put a stop to it.”

“So, you didn’t have to show him the recording. He already knew.” There’s that tightness again.

He shakes his head. “He made no mention of Jimmy working with Donato, and I said nothing. I don’t know if he knows about that or not.” He pauses. “I did not go behind your back, Marlena. He brought up what he knew and assured me he would take care of it.”

He’s holding something back.

“What else did he say?”

“I was clear on the fact that he was to stay away from you as well.” He puts a hand up before I can think to argue. “I know, I jumped in the middle, but enough trouble has been caused because of him and your history with him. I told him the past was the past and he needed to stay there.”

I can’t fault him for that much. It’s not something I would have the guts to say to Michael on my own.

“That’s when he told me.” He arches a brow. “I won’t go through the whole conversation. He wants to meet with you, to explain everything. I told him it was up to you, and you would reach out to him if you wanted that. He’s not to contact you.”

I let everything sink in.

“Okay,” I finally say and make my way back to the chair, letting him help me back into it. He drags the ottoman from by the bed to sit in front of me, holding my hands in his.

“Okay what?”

“Okay, I believe you,” I say. “I’m sorry I’ve caused so much trouble.”

He brushes the back of his knuckles across my cheek, wiping away the tear drying on my skin.

“You’re no trouble,” he says softly.

“When I left the wedding yesterday, I was so happy.” I squeeze his hand. “I was coming home to tell you something very important, and then Jimmy ruined everything.”

His expression stiffens. “Tell me what?”

“It’s so stupid now, but I was coming home to tell you that I wanted to be with you.”

His brows knit together.

“How is that news? I already told you we were together.”

I laugh. How can I not? This man, this arrogant, arrogant man still won’t consider that I didn’t want him.

“I’m not going to marry you though.” I pull my hand free of his grasp so I can point it at him.

“Oh? No?” Both eyebrows dart up.

“Not yet. We have to get to know each other better. It’s too soon.”

He wraps his hand around my finger, pulls it to his mouth and kisses the tip.

“A compromise then. We won’t be engaged yet. But we’ll live together.”

“I live at my own apartment some of the time,” I offer.

He squishes his lips together. “A better apartment,” he counters.

“If I don’t lose my job, I can agree to that.” I nod. “But when I’m there, you can’t spend the night. It’s my alone time.”

“Alone time?” His left eyebrow peaks. “Two nights a week you can have this alone time, but you’ll call me, and I’ll call you. No ignoring my texts either.” He’s driving a hard bargain.

“Okay, two nights a week I’m at my own apartment, alone—unless I invite you over,” I throw in, because a girl needs room to change her mind. “But no radio silence on those days. I can agree to that.” I put my hand out to shake, and he looks like I’ve just tried to shove a knife into his ribs.

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