Page 102 of Brutal Legacy

Her eyes flew to my hand, and it didn’t take a genius to see how she searched for a ring. I still didn’t have one. A fact that would have to be remedied.

“Thank you.” I nodded dismissively at her.

She didn’t go, however. She lingered. I cast an irritated glance in her direction.

“Your girlfriend is a lucky woman to have a shopping spree with a man like you,” the assistant continued.

A man like you?I wondered if she meant the killer part, or the mafioso, or the PTSD war veteran.

“You mean rich?” I proposed instead.

She tittered, covering her mouth in a way that she seemed to find demure.

“No, I mean, well, honestly, look at you. Money and good looks… your girlfriend has all the luck.”

“She’s not my girlfriend,” I announced, casual, and turned the page of the newspaper.

Georgia swiveled from the mirror, my words catching her attention.

“She’s not?” the assistant asked, her voice breathy and smile hopeful.

“No,” I answered coolly. My eyes flickered to Georgia’s. “She’s my wife.”

Silence met that statement, and there was a flicker of something that passed over Georgia’s lips. Like the ghost of a smile. I couldn’t turn away.

“Oh, well, she’s even luckier then,” the assistant rushed out.

“Hmm, tell her that,” I drawled and set the paper down. “Cara, if you’re finished, I think we should go.”

Georgia’s eyes widened at the nickname, but she nodded and cast a curious glance at the assistant as she ducked into the changing room again.

“I apologize, that was inappropriate. I don’t know what came over me.”

She was standing too fucking close. I stood and set down the paper. Then I took a few steps back from the unwelcome interruption.

“No need to apologize,” I told her, firm.

Her face softened, and she drifted closer.

“No need to apologize because I don’t care. I don’t care about anyone except her.” The words left me unexpectedly and immediately, I knew them to be true. Two days into this unwanted arranged marriage, and I was losing my head.

Two days in, and I didn’t care.

29

GEORGIA

When we came out of the shop into the afternoon light, I couldn’t bear the thought of being locked back up in that creepy old mansion again.

I whirled to Elio and clutched his hand with my free one. The wrist closest to him was already handcuffed to his. The psycho.

“Can we take a walk?”

He shook his head. “I’ve got work to do.”

“Please, just a little… We could eat something.” I hated the plea in my voice, but I couldn’t stop it. I was close to getting on my knees and begging.

He shook his head again, and something inside me snapped.

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