Chapter 17: The alliance

I slowly let go of Sin, then took a step backward, my eyes lifting to meet his. He was looking at me already, his lips slightly parted, a small, dark furrow in his brows. He gave me a once-over, then turned away, clearing his throat.

"Why? Is there a clause in the contract that says I can't touch you?"

"None," he said, letting out a small breath. "But... maybe there should be."

"Are you scared?"

"Of what?"

"Being touched," I said, moving a little closer. "Are you scared?"

His eyes thinned a little, and he met my eyes, his lips thinning into a defiant straight line. "You are way too comfortable for someone who had no option but to come here this morning."

I shrugged. "I can see why you hate Larissa." My eyes darted to the door. She was gone now. "If I had met her, even without you, I am sure I would hated her."

"Is that your only reason?"

I cleared my throat. "I don't think anyone who has had to live my life would say no to five months of opulence and wealth. "

Sin gave a wicked smile. "Money is beautiful, isn't it?"

"It is," I said, my eyes darting across both of his. "It really is."

He moved away and, without a word, dropped his gun. I watched as he leaned to the drawer, then pulled a briefcase under it. My lips parted as he put it on the bed behind me and opened it up.

"That is for impressing me. If you continue this way, and if you take care of my angel, I will make sure that rather than being the thief, you become the target."

I blinked. "Is that... a million dollars?"

"In cash. Ruin the auction tonight, and your next gift will come in a safe."

I nodded. This is even better than I thought. I was now worth a million dollars. From being the girl who had to let her father die because of the lack of money to having a million dollars of my own. If I had to burn Larissa alive, I would do it.

"Thank you," I said, turning to him. "Being married to you isn't as bad as I thought."

Sin gave a smile. The sort that told me that he knew he had bought me over completely.

"Can I ask you something, though?"

He raised a brow. "Yes?"

"Do you... see yourself ever going back to her? I need to know just in case it happens, and I end up looking like the fool."

He gave a small chuckle. "No. Whatever I felt for her died the moment she walked out of my door pregnant and aborted that child. I am a father, Annalise. There isn't a bed game good enough for me to forget that."

I swallowed. "I am sorry. I am sorry for your loss."

"Oh, you should be sorry for Larissa. Five months, Annalise. Watch the worst revenge there ever will be."

I nodded, my lips parting. "With pleasure."

He seemed really pleased by what I said as he turned away, a faint smile on his lips. "Your stylists will be here soon. I will be here throughout."

I nodded again as he slowly moved away, then occupied one of the seats on the table. He was still shirtless, and a cigar lodged between his lips, unlit.

I slowly sat next to the open briefcase, my eyes filling with tears as I ran my fingers over the money. It was real, warm under my fingers, and it belonged to me. All of it.

What if this had been four years ago? What if I had been able to pay for my father's heart surgery? What if he was still alive with me?

Maybe I would never know. But I wish I could. I really wish I could.

Time passed by quite quickly, and soon enough, the sun started to set. Sin was now right beside me in bed, his eyes closed, his hair falling all over them. It was crazy how he still looked very capable of ending a man even in his sleep.

I moved, daring myself to go further. I leaned slowly towards him, my eyes thinning. He had a small mark across his right brow and a small, unnoticeable tattoo right beneath his earlobe.

It said simply, on life.

I wondered if it had been for Larissa, or perhaps the other man. Dante. I did wonder what had happened to him.

A knock came on the door, startling me a little. I turned, and Sin was stirring, his brows furrowed. I immediately got out of bed and went to the door.

As Sin had said, the crew of stylists were right outside, and they held a lot more boxes this time.

Angela gave me a big smile. "Are you ready?"

I nodded and moved away from the door. "I will take a bath."

She nodded, then walked in with her crew. Sin had gone back to sleep, and I went to the bathroom to wash up. The thought of the auction sent ripples to my spine, and I hastened the shower up, then went out, a clean robe around me.

Sin was now on his phone, and judging from the smile on his face, he was with his daughter. It was astonishing to see him crack for his daughter. And very beautiful too.

I sat in front of the mirror, my eyes catching Sin right behind me. He was looking away now, his eyes thin, so only the colors filled them, and the beam of the setting sun, his hair disheveled from sleep.

I sighed, my eyes trained on him. Would I see him this way for five months? Can I be a good mother to that child?

He suddenly turned, his eyes meeting mine in the mirror. I started to turn away, but them remembered, and I kept my eyes fixed on his gaze, my chest lightly heaving.

I so badly wanted to know what was going on in his head. What he felt, what he saw.

Slowly, he turned away, and I gave a small smile, my eyes leaving the spot too. He was a tough nut to crack. I liked it.