Page 76 of Heartless Sinner

"Already done."

“We need to keep an eye on Scarlett’s father, too. He’s the only person Anton has to speak to. Him and Johnny.”

“There’s no sign of Johnny yet. The men are still looking. I have a few things I need to check out so I’ll report back later.”

“Thanks. And thanks for the heads-up.”

“No worries. That’s what I do.”

We hang up, and I rest my hand on the wall, seething. That bastard Anton. I knew I’d have trouble with him. I’m ready for it, but I know he’ll come up with something big to try and attack me. That’s the part I’m not looking forward to.

I lift my head and stare at my hazy reflection in the window. There's something in my eyes that wasn't there before I met Scarlett.

I’m different. I know I’m different. Because of her.

The man I was before she walked into my life with her haunted eyes and fiery soul changed the moment she first smiled at me.

The difference in me would burn the world to keep her safe. To keep her mine.

So, let Anton come. Let him try to take her from me.

I've killed for less and I'll do much worse to keep her.

I'm the worst kind of monster he could meet.

I’m the kind who loves.

Chapter Eighteen

Micah

Jaxon and I sit opposite each other on the terrace of his manor. We each have a crystal tumbler filled with Scotch from his hundred-year-old collection.

I just arrived and have a ton to tell him. Then I’m meeting with my father to discuss my marriage and my plans. Seeing Jaxon now will at least provide a buffer for whatever clash I expect to have with my father. I guess that depends on what Jaxon thinks of Scarlett. He doesn’t know about her yet.

The last time he saw me, I was heading out to Denver to find her, except I didn’t know her name. All I had at that point was the business card from the Ever After Agency.

It was only hours before I saw Jaxon that Brahm and I had watched the video of her stealing the chip from the hotel. Jaxon doesn’t know what happened next. All he knows is that I went to Denver to chase a nameless girl, but he doesn’t know why. He also doesn’t know Anton has anything to do with her. When I called Jaxon to ask about Anton, I left those parts out.

We’re the kind of friends who tell each other everything. I’ve known him my whole life, and he’s valued my friendship somuch that he made me a business partner in his ventures and asked me to be his advisor in his Bratva. Yet I haven’t told him about Scarlett, probably because his opinion matters to me and I wanted to do it in person.

Jaxon tucks his shoulder-length black hair behind his ear and swirls his drink around the tumbler looking like he’s gearing up to dive into a marathon of questions. He’s about to speak when the glass doors on our left open and out comes his wife, Gabriella. She’s carrying a tray with a cheese platter and a pitcher of fresh lemonade.

Instantly, I watch my best friend turn into an ogling teenaged boy who can’t take his eyes off the girl he likes. It’s strange to seehim—a tall, hulking man people call the Beast—gawking at his wife in such a way. But it’s good. It shows how far he’s come. It shows his deep love for her. It shows she’s the only woman for him and he wants the world to know.

Dressed in a little summer dress with her long dark waves floating in the wind, she steals Jaxon’s undivided attention.

“Krasota,” he says, endearing her in the same way I do when I call Scarlett bellezza. Both words meanbeautiful.

Gabriella smiles, giving him the same look of love. “I thought you guys would like some refreshments.”

“Thank you, Gabriella.” I greet her with a smile. “Good to see you.”

“You too, Micah.” She sets the tray down on the table between us, and Jaxon can’t take his eyes off her.

“Isn’t my wife the absolute best?” He glances at me then pulls Gabriella in for a quick kiss.

“Yes, she sure is,” I agree, but I doubt either of them hear me. They’re too busy staring at each other with that mesmerized newlywed look. They’ve been married for a little over six months now and are obsessed with each other

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