Page 31 of Merciless Sinner

I make my way through the hall, glancing at each piece. I saw them earlier when Eden, Virgo’s custodian, showed me around, but they’re all the kind of masterpieces that you’re tempted to stare at forever.

All things aside, the house is impressive. It’s a manor in the suburbs with eight bedrooms, two living rooms, extensive grounds with a pool, and an 18th century French Provençal style that would be more suited to an older person than Virgo. He who seems like he’d be more at home in a penthouse, a bachelor pad in the city. I guess it shows how much I don’t know him, and looks aren’t always what they seem.

When I step out onto the wide balcony, I walk up to the stone wall. It overlooks the lake that runs right through to the woods.

Eden—who I apparently know quite well—told me how I used to love talking walks on the grounds of the property, and she’d often join me.

I saw the angst in her face as she spoke to me. It looked like it was hard for her to accept that I couldn’t remember her, or any of the beautiful memories she shared.

I felt bad, but it also made me aware of how much time I must have spent here with Virgo.

Everything has been strange to me. Strange being in a home I’ve been in before and can’t remember, strange talking to people who know my face but I can’t remember theirs.

It’s been even harder with Virgo.

He’s allowed me my space while we’ve been sorting things out and traveling back here, but whenever I look at him, I see the same look he gave me just before he kissed me. It’s the same look he gave me before he graciously schooled me on just how well he knew me. Knew me in every sense of the word.

I wonder how I felt about him. Was I in love with him?

I think I was. It sounds like I was.

But I’m not that girl anymore. I feel like I don’t fit the skin I’m wearing, or the place I’m in, or the man I’m supposed to be marrying.

I don’t know how any of this is going to work for me. I hardly trust my own shadow.

And there’s one thing I haven’t mentioned to anyone, mainly because I’m ashamed to look like a coward. Virgo and Seamus both want to get the truth and find who was responsible for killing my family, but I just want to protect myself.

The one thing that was certain from all that’s happened is that my family was trying to escape trouble.

Speaking with Seamus about who my father was made me worry even more. If my father was so powerful, why would he run?

Why would an Irish mafia boss run from trouble?

Then he got caught and killed.

I carry the secrets of that time locked away in my head. If it was indeed an inside job, that person isn’t going to want me to remember anything. And even if I don’t remember, they still won’t want me around.

So, what does that mean for me in the grand scheme of things?

The only thing I know for certain right now is that I don’t want to life my life in danger. Even if this problem is resolved, I don’t want to be part of the mafia life.

The door behind me opens, and I turn to see him walking through it as if he just manifested from my mind.

He’s wearing business-like clothes today, but full black. A black button-down shirt and black slacks. They darken his presence even more.

As he comes closer, I gear myself up for another round with him.

ChapterNine

Olivia

This is the first I’m seeing him since we arrived at the house earlier. It’s almost five in the afternoon now.

He walks right up to me, his gaze fixed on mine.

When he stops before me, my nerves tingle because he’s too close. A kiss away.

“I’m heading out to the club now,” he states. “I have to take care of a few things that might take a while, so I won’t be back until quite late. I just wanted to check in on you before I leave.”

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