Page 47 of Merciless Sinner

That look stays there until he walks away.

I know why I’m wary of him, especially after last night, and the anticipation of what he’s cooking up for me later, but did she react that way because everyone else is like that with him, or is it something else?

We spoke about the wedding earlier and a few other things about Virgo, but nothing too intense for me. I didn’t tell her the reason for the wedding or my reservations. I think she can assume quite rightly, though, that our marriage is based on business. Even if Virgo and I have a past.

She looks back at me and drags in a breath.

“You’re cautious around him.” I decide to cut to the chase.

“Everyone is like that with him.” She chuckles.

“I noticed, but you seemed extra wary.”

“No. It’s just been a while since I’ve seen him, and things are different with him being one of the leaders in the Bratva. He’s no longer the boy I used to know.”

She explained that her family are in the same brotherhood Virgo leads with his father. Her father is one of the head brigadiers—part of the working unit in the Bratva.

“But at least he’s not like his father.” Disdain ripples through her voice at the mention of Virgo’s father. Seamus was like that, too.

“I take it his father isn’t very nice?”

“His father is an asshole. Like literally, so please don’t be offended if heoffendsyou. Virgo’s mother isn’t that much different either. But his sister, Piper, is an absolute angel. She was friends with us, and we went to school with her. But her parents became controlling after the feud. She lives in Russia now with her husband, but I’m sure she’ll fly back for the wedding.”

“Wow, I guess it will be nice to see his sister, but his parents sound like work.”

“Don’t waste your time with them. My family had to fall in line, but we all hated the feud and the way Virgo’s father treated yours.”

The moment she says that, I wonder if Virgo’s father could have been involved in my parents’ death. He sounds like an enemy who would do that.

“I know what you’re thinking,” she surmises. “We all thought it. That he had something to do with your family’s disappearance, and it was investigated by Virgo himself. He must have found enough evidence to excuse his father, but he believed it more than anyone. And so did Cillian.”

“Is that why they don’t speak?” That was something else Seamus told me.

“No, that happened long before because of the feud. Virgo’s father sought to destroy your family after they fell out. Cillian believed Virgo supported his father’s actions.”

“Did he?”

“It might have seemed that way because there was nothing he could do to stop him. But that was understandable. Andreas Antonov is not a man to be trifled with. There’s very little you can do when you’re his eighteen-year-old son and you have to do as you’re told. But Cillian kind of blew things out of proportion. It was sad because he, Virgo, and Dante were the best of friends. As close as you and I.”

“That sounds awful.”

“It was, and of course, Cillian went ape shit when he found out Virgo was seeing you and that you two had been together for years when he found out.”

“How did he find out?” It’s best I know things like these. I’m guessing when Cillian comes back, he’s not going to be overly fond of the idea of me marrying Virgo.

Amelia bites the inside of her lip. “He caught you in bed with him when he went to visit you at college.”

My eyes snap wide. “Oh God, really?”

She nods. “Sorry, sweetie.”

“There’s so much to take in.”

“I know. It’s a lot to come back to. We’re already living it, so we’re used to it. But remember, this is all in the past. You still have a future to look forward to, so please try not to let anything get to you.”

I smirk. “Virgo gets to me.” I pause for a beat to think before continuing. “I don’t know how to take him. It’s difficult not remembering him when I know we had this deep relationship.”

“That’s understandable. If it’s any consolation, the one constant with Virgo Antonov is that he’s always been in love with you. Even when he tried not to be.”

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