Page 71 of Heartless Sinner

Micah smirks. “It’s actually small in comparison to other family weddings. Or what was expected for me. You can invite anyone you want. Of course, I’ll send for your father, so he’ll be here the night before.”

“Thank you. I’ll probably only have him and Lucy. I don’t really have anyone else. Which is fine. It’s less to worry about.” Besides, no one else I know would understand the short notice. I’d invite my uncle and his family, but I know he and Dad would clash. That would be a nightmare.

“We have dinner at my parents’ house on Tuesday night. My father will use it as a sort of engagement party, so there will be quite a few people there.”

Dinner at his parents’.What is that going to be like? Micah’s father is the current don of the family. If I was scared of Micah, how am I going to be around his father? “What do your parents think of me? I’m sure they’ll find it strange that we have this arrangement.”

“That’s the part we need to talk about.”

That doesn’t sound good. “Oh.” I bring my hands together and grip the edge of my T-shirt. “What do I need to know?”

“They don’t know about our arrangement, and I want to keep it that way. I haven’t told them much, but they think we’ve known each other for six months. Of course, they don’t know about the chip or any of that stuff.”

God, I wasn’t even thinking about that. “Won’t they ask me questions?”

“They will.” He grins. “But I figure we have more than enough to tell them to keep them occupied. Like that we met at the hotel and I followed you all the way to Denver.”

I bite back a nervous smile, but I see where he’s going. “I guess that’s a good enough story.”

“It’ll be fine. Trust me. The only person who knows about our arrangement is my cousin Brahm.”

They’re cousins. I was wondering about that too. Brahm flew back on the jet with us and didn’t seem overly fond of me. It was understandable given it was he who chained me to the wall when Dad and I were captured.

“What about him?”

“His lips are sealed.”

“Do you know who else will be at the dinner?”

“Knowing my parents, there will be quite a few people.”

“People from the mafia?” I ask the question in a tentative voice, hoping I don’t sound rude. “I just want to know who else I need to be aware of.”

“You don’t have to be aware of anyone. But to answer your question, everyone there will either be part of the Delarosa family or have some connection to us. You don’t have to be afraid.”

“I’m… not. I’m just…” My voice trails off as I think of what to say.

“Being careful?”

“Yes. Being careful.” As I gaze at him, I wonder if I can really pull this off. I think I’m miles different to the women people are used to seeing on his arm. What if his parents don’t approve of me? I don’t exactly have a glowing record.

I’m a fish out of water on the wrong side of the tracks, and Micah and I couldn’t be more opposite to each other.

"What if I can't be what you need me to be?” Our eyes meet and butterflies dance in my stomach as I take in his curious expression. “Not that I’m not grateful for all your help and the money, but I’m sure you had better choices than me.”

He rises and closes the space between us, then he picks me up and places me to sit on the table.

I gasp then smile when he sets his hands on either side of me and crushes his mouth to mine. "I wanted you, so there is no one else.”

“But you don’t know me and –”

He cuts off my words with more kisses. “I know everything I need to know about you.”

The declaration sends a chill down my spine, and I wonder if he knows about the drugs and my rehab stay. “Everything?” I speak against his lips, and he inches away.

“Everything.”

“Then you know I’m kind of a mess and I really do have a habit of getting myself in trouble.”