Page 55 of Heartless Sinner

I catch the scent of his woodland musk and recognize it as some Tom Ford fragrance. It’s a juxtaposition to my greasy burger and cheap coffee smell.

My mind is so fractured with worry, exhaustion, and fear, I can’t even be embarrassed or do the Cinderella comparison again. Since Cinderella was always cleaning, I imagine she would have smelled way better than me.

“Scarlett, what is going on here?” Robbie’s demanding voice comes from behind me.

I turn to see him marching toward us with his high and mighty attitude, his lanky body looking more gangly in contrast to Micah’s muscular stature.

We don’t have many people like Micah coming in here, but Robbie likes to assert his dominance as the manager whenever he sees anyone who looks remotely wealthy. It’s a complex because he regrets not being able to go to college.

I get it, but Micah is not the kind of person you assert dominance to.

“We have a full house, and the tables need to be cleaned, yet you’re here talking it up with a friend. You can kiss today’s pay goodbye if you don’t get your ass moving.” Robbie also likes to embarrass and talk down to me in particular when he’s on his high horse becauseIwent to college.

“She’s not going anywhere,” Micah answers for me before I can say anything.

“Excuse me?” Robbie folds his arms over his chest and gives Micah a stern stare.

“You heard me.Youclean the fucking place yourself. And don’t ever speak to Scarlett like that again.”

“What the fuck?” The words rip from Robbie’s throat as his hands curl at his sides.

Micah stares him down and I can see exactly what’s going to happen next, so I step between them. “Robbie, please give me a minute. I just need a moment to talk to my friend and then?—”

“Shut up.” Robbie steps forward, closer to Micah. “Who the hell do you think you?—”

Micah presses one finger into Robbie’s shoulder, stopping him in his tracks. Then he gets up in his face and clamps his hand over Robbie’s shoulder, squeezing until Robbie winces in pain.

“Believe me, you don’t want trouble with me,Robbie,” Micah rasps in a rough voice. “Either go back to your office or clean your tables before I rip your tongue out and the skin off your fucking face.”

“Okay, okay, sorry, man.” Robbie holds up his hands, his eyes suddenly wide and his body shuddering. “Let me…gooo.” He tries to keep his voice down because everyone is watching.

Micah releases him, then surprises me by shoving my cleaning rag into Robbie’s hands. I didn’t even remember he still had it.

He takes my hand as if this is what we always do and leads me out the door. My stomach twists as I follow him, torn between worrying about losing my job

and being with Micah.

I should be more worried about the job because I need that money later, but the thought of refusing Micah Delarosa terrifies me more.

My heart hammers as he takes me to the narrow alley behind the diner.

Steam billows from a nearby vent, creating a dreamlike haze, but this is a nightmare.

Finally, we stop at the end of the alley.

"Are you trying to get me fired?" I snap, yanking my hand away from his.

“Would that be such a bad thing?” He walks me back into the rough brick wall then cages me in with one arm beside my head. “What the hell are you doing in a fucking place like this, Scarlett?”

I lift my chin, trying to hold on to the last shreds of my pride despite his proximity. "Not all of us were born with silver spoons and trust funds."

His dark smirk sends shivers down my spine. "I’m sure youknowyou can do better than this shithole.”

“You have no right to say shit like that to me. Don’t you think I’d do better if I could?”

“I certainly hope so.”

I try to duck under his arm, to escape, but his hand catches my hip and pins me in place.

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