Page 51 of Heartless Sinner

By day, Anton works under the façade of a respectable nightclub owner in Phoenix. By night, he’s a black-market weapons trader.

My guess is Scarlett got the daytime side of him. I doubt she discovered his true face until it was too late. But what do I know?

For all I know, she could be one of those girls who are attracted to danger.

Wasn’t she with me?

I’m probably the most dangerous person she’s ever met, and she trusted me enough to spend the night with me.

The crazy thing about this is, I shouldn’t give a fuck.

The shit with the Nexxus and the dynasty my father is so desperate to preserve is all Ishouldcare about. Instead, I'm out here in the darkness, watching a waitress like some lovesick teenager.

I let Scarlett and her father go. That’s unheard of for me. People who cross me the way they did either leave in body bags or pieces. Not intact with medical treatment. And they certainly don’t get my personal protection either.

Not they.Her.

It’s worrying me that I have to choose a wife in the next few days, but I can’t seem to bleed Scarlett James from my mind. I can’t get her out of my head.

The forest whispers around me as I approach my car. More dead leaves crunch beneath my boots and as I look back at Scarlett's house, all I can see is the outline mixed in with the shadowy trees.

When I slide into my car, my phone buzzes with a message.

It’s Brahm. The first message says.

Don’t tell me you’re at her house again.

I type back:

What do you want?

Brahm:Your father’s trying to reach you.

I sigh and rest my head on the head rest. I already know my father’s trying to reach me. I’ve just been dodging him.

Yesterday, I messaged, letting him know about the Nexxus and that I’d be staying in Colorado for the next few days to investigate. But I know he wants to talk about Eloise. I knew he wanted me at the fundraiser yesterday so I could getreacquaintedwith her. That’s the last thing I want to do.

Me:He wants to talk about Eloise. I don’t.

Brahm:Here’s a list of potential brides. Food for thought. You only have to be married for a year to claim the empire. So, pick a bride and suck it up for a year.

He follows that with a Dropbox link that takes me to a list of supermodel women who all have the same plastic picture-perfect look as Eloise.

Sure, they’re all beautiful, but none of them interest me. Not the way Scarlett James does.

I already know all the marriage clauses and terms and conditions. I just never thought I’d have to use them. At this rate and with time slipping away from me, I’ll probably have to take Brahm’s advice.

The blue dots on my phone start jumping, then another message comes through from Brahm.

As for Scarlett James, don't let her beauty blind you.

Beauty has nothing to do with it. But something I can’t put my finger on is at work on my mind and my dick.

Maybe I still think she’s mine. I don’t fucking know. All I know is I haven’t suddenly grown a heart for a beautiful face.

I type back: Thanks for the list. I’ll call my father so he can stop bothering you.

Brahm:Much appreciated. See you later.

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