Page 23 of A Sinner's Truth

What I should be asking myself is: Why the fuck do I want to see that? And why is the thought of her going off on me making my dick hard?

And there’s that rush of guilt again. I need to get a hold of myself. I can’t tarnish Shelli’s memory like this. And certainly not because I can’t keep my dick under control.

“Seemed the best way to get the word out.” I lift a shoulder into a half shrug. “Are you finished? We should go. We have a lot to do today.”

“Like what?” she questions nervously.

“First, we’re going to your apartment so you can pack a bag. Then we’ll go and see your father and let him know whatever deal he had in the works, it’s no longer happening. Then I’mtaking you home to meet your new family.” I smile. She has no idea what sort of crazy she’s just married into.

Aria’s an only child. She’s not prepared for the four brothers and four sisters I’ve just instantly given her. Most days, they’re too much for me to fucking deal with. But they’re family, and in ours, that means a fucking lot. There’s nothing I wouldn’t do for my brothers or their wives.

“We don’t need to stop at my apartment. I can run back later. Let’s just get the rest of this shitshow over with first,” Aria suggests.

“What’s at your apartment that you don’t want me to see?” I ask her.

“How do you know I don’t want you to see something?” she counters.

“You have a tic in your left eye when you’re nervous.” I point to her face. It’s a tiny tell, but I’ve noticed it.

“Fine. I don’t want you to run into Drew. He’s my best friend, my only friend, and I don’t want an altercation between the two of you,” she says.

“You’re wrong, you know.” I stand and tuck my chair against the table. Aria follows suit.

“Wrong about what?” she asks me.

“That he’s your only friend. He’s not, because now you have me.” I smile at her.

“We don’t even know each other.” She laughs.

“We’re married. Pretty sure that makes us at the very least friends.”

“My father’s been married six times, not counting my mother, and he has never once been friends with any of his wives,” she says.

“That’s why those marriages didn’t work. Every great marriage starts with a great friendship,” I tell her, and I mean that. Shelli was my best friend. The one person I felt like I couldconfide in no matter what. Sure, I had my brothers. But I always felt like I had to be strong for them. With Shelli, I could be myself. “How are you supposed to spend the rest of your life with someone you don’t even like to be around?”

“One year, not the rest of our lives,” Aria is quick to correct me.

“I’m sure by the end of that year, you and me are going to be the best of friends.” I open the passenger-side door for her.

“You don’t have to open my door. It’s weird,” she says.

“Yes, I do.” What kind of life has she been living that she thinks it’s weird for me to open doors for her?

Chapter Twelve

It’s odd that Santo drives to my father’s house without me having to tell him the address. If I weren’t already filled with nerves, then I’d probably think to question him. But I can’t focus on that right now. I need to find the strength to face my father.

This whole plan was a lot bloody easier in my head. Not so much now that I’m in the midst of it. I’m sitting in Santo’s car,staring up at my childhood home. It wasn’t always bad here. I have some of the best memories in this house.

“You okay?” Santo asks.

“What if this was a mistake? This might stop me from having to marry Oliver, but my father could still take away my trust. I know it seems stupid to do all this for a piece of jewellery. But I need that necklace.” I turn to him. I wish I could syphon a little bit of his calmness.

“That’s not going to happen. I promise. Besides, if he tries to take away your trust, you’re married to a professional criminal, darling. I’m sure I can find a way to get you into that safe deposit box.” Santo smirks.

I should bring up the fact that he’s just all but admitted what his family does. Instead, I say, “I don’t want you breaking laws for me, Santo.” Something about having him sit in a jail cell because of me doesn’t sit right with my conscience.

“Let’s do this. It’s going to be okay.” Santo nods in my direction. “I’ve got you,” he adds as he slides out of the car.

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