Page 11 of Merciless Sinner

Run?

Really? Do I really believe I could run away fromhim? He’s so big and strong and foreboding, I’m certain he could catch me with the tip of his finger before I could take one step.

“What do you want?” My voice is low and as unsteady as the rest of my body.

“You heard me?” The fire behind his blue gaze intensifies the longer he stares at me.

“That’s none of your concern.” I steel my spine and level him a hard stare. It’s probably a weak attempt at portraying a confidence I don’t feel, but I refuse to look weak. I’ve survived on my own for years. The parents I can’t remember died protecting me, so I can’t be weak now. “This meeting of ours is no coincidence, is it?”

“No.”

His honesty tightens my body with the sensation to flee, but once again, I know I can’t run. The only other route of escape is over the balcony. That is not an option.

“Neither was this morning at the café. You were watching me?”

“I was.” A ruthless smile tugs at the corners of his full, sensual lips, revealing dimples that highlight his chiseled beauty. If I weren’t so terrified at his confirmation, it would almost be fascinating to watch the balance of darkness and light in him.

“What do you want with me?”

“I’m not going to hurt you.” Something softens in his expression, but I don’t trust it. I can’t.

“Whatdo you want with me?” I repeat the question with more force in my tone.

“I’m here to take you home,Olivia.”

Olivia.

Oh my God. That was the name the man from the other day called me.

I was right. I was actually right. This is all related.

It’s all part of the same thing.

Shit, I’m so stupid. How could I have had a heads-up days ago and not follow it through?

But how could I have done anything to protect myself when I had Tulio and his cartel friends on my heels about the fucking debt?

My throat tightens and panic seizes my nerves, clouding mind like an overcast of smoke.

“I’m not Olivia.” That’s all I can think to say. Denying who I could be is the only defense I can think of even though it failed me the other day. “My name is Alice.” My voice comes out higher than I expected.

“It’s not Alice. You had an accident, and you can’t remember who you are. Or who I am to you.”

“And whoareyouto me?”

“Everything.”

My eyes widen with shock from the fervor in his words. “What… do you mean by everything?”

His searching eyes scan my face, then soften. “In the world where you’re from, we belonged to each other.”

My heart beats faster. My lungs squeeze. My skin heats.

We belonged to each other? As in, we were together?

Him and me.

I try to process the thought. This possible fact.

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