Page 58 of Heartless Sinner

“I’m heading back to New York tomorrow.” His voice cuts into the silence between us.

Hearing he’s leaving grips me more than it should. “You’re leaving?”

“I’m leaving, but I want you to come with me.”

My eyes snap wide and I stare back at him, studying his face to check I heard right. “What?”

“I have an offer for you.”

“What… kind of offer?”

“The kind I want you to accept.”

“What’s the offer?”

“To marry me.”

My lungs freeze mid-breath and the diner’s dim lighting suddenly feels too bright.

"What? You want me to… what?" My voice is barely a whisper.

“Marry me.”

Marriage. The word echoes in my head like a gunshot, and time slows right down as my brain processes what he just said.

Micah's eyes lock onto mine with that predatory focus that makes my skin prickle. He doesn't repeat himself. He doesn't need to.

"You can't be serious." My voice trembles.

A cruel smile plays at the corners of his mouth. "I don’t joke, bellezza. I need to get married to take over my family’s empire.”

“So you’re asking me?” I point to myself.

“Yes, I’m asking you. Be my wife for a year. If you agree, I’ll pay your debt to Anton and I’ll give you a million dollars. Half now and half at the end of the time.”

My lungs lock and my fingers dig into my sides, my knuckles turning white. “Oh my God, what?” There’s no way he just said what I thought he said. He’ll pay Anton and give meone million dollars?

“You heard me.”

“But that’s crazy.” My hands shake, then a tremor ripples through me, constricting my chest with each ragged breath.

Micah leans in close and inhales me. “What’s crazy would be leaving you here. You and I both know this isn’t over.” His words cut through my question like a blade. “I keep seeing us together in that mirror, bellezza.”

Warmth spreads through me, awakening the person I was in New York when I was with him. I see us in the mirror, too, lost to passion, real passion. Passion I’ve never felt with anyone but him. I actually didn’t know it existed until that night. Until him. Until he touched me.

Micah inches away, breaking the spell. “If you accept my offer, meet me at the airport in the morning. My jet takes off at midday.”

“This is crazy.”

“Maybe so, but the way I see it, either you come to New York with me and be my wife or you go on the run. Just so you know,if you run, I’ll find you and I won’t stop chasing you. So, coming with me is easier.”

My God…he’s serious.

With a slight dip of his head, he inches away, and I don’t breathe again until he turns to go.

I watch him, feeling like I’m falling and flying then falling again.

He disappears around the corner, and I can’t see him anymore. Then I’m left to my thoughts.

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