Monster A Dark Arranged Marriage Romance - Vanessa Waltz Page 0,78

me, didn’t he?”

My heart wrenched.

It was too much to take. My brain filled in the gaps with mounting horror. How many deals had I unintentionally helped? A pain fractured within me, stabbing deep like steel growing in my veins. The club girls—were they there by choice? Where did they go after they left? Where did the MC keep these captured women?

How many had I condemned?

I lost it, sobbing. I fell on my hands and knees, misery cleaving my body. Rotten feelings twisted up inside me. On some level, I’d suspected this. It made no sense why Dad rubbed elbows with traffickers unless he did business with them.

Tony dragged me into his embrace. I sagged into the wall of muscle. I shoved my face into the crook of his neck, making a mess of his shirt.

My life was a lie.

All of it.

“Evie, what can I do? Please…tell me what I can do.” He stroked my hair, the warmth from his gesture cutting me.

“I thought you were the monster. Turns out I am.”

“No, honey. You’re not.”

“I am.”

I pushed him away and staggered into the bedroom. A Harley-Davidson tank top draped the chair. I’d put it there months ago to fuck with him. Now my stomach turned at the cruelty of that taunt.

He must hate me.

Tony stood at the threshold, pale-faced.

I pressed my palms into my eyes, shaking. “I’m so sorry, Tony. God. I am such an idiot. I had no idea. It’s like you said. I was wrapped up in my problems.”

“Evie, I was angry and jealous. I regret everything I said that night. It’s not a crime to seek happiness.” Tony’s voice tightened as he wiped my cheeks. “You are nothing like your father. If you need any proof, look in the mirror. The fact that you feel this pain makes all the difference.”

“I should have known!”

“And I should’ve been the CEO of a tech company. Instead I became—”

“A man who fights for others, never himself?” I caressed his bronzed cheek, tracing his jaw line. “I wish you could see what I see.”

Softness dulled his gaze like black satin.

My swell of agony was beyond tears. I felt sick and out of control.

“Why do you want me? I’m one of them.”

“Don’t care.”

“I’m too biker to fit in at your high-society dinners. I’ll never be able to tell between champagne and prosecco. I can’t speak Italian.”

“Evie, look at me.”

When I didn’t, he lifted my chin. Concern furrowed his brows.

“I am crazy about my biker wife. I can’t tell you why, because there are too many things I admire about you. You’re talented, Evie. I don’t think you hear that enough, but you are. One day, I’ll be on the sidelines while you’re designing jewelry for celebrities, and I can’t wait for it. I like that you’re so compassionate, even when it’s inconvenient for me, because I know you’ll go easy on me when I screw up. I love that you want me for me. You’re perfect. I wouldn’t change a damned thing.”

Sunshine parted the clouds, his words chasing out the gloom. Perfect and talented. Coming from Tony, that was…huge. Not the I-love-you I needed, but close.

I love him so much.

My heart burst with sweet pain as Tony kissed my cheek. His mouth burned a trail down, pressing into my jaw, my chin, melting tension everywhere, and then he found my lips.

I clutched him tighter.

He was so insanely gorgeous that I caught myself leaning forward. His ruggedness was a vital power wetting my tongue. At first glance, indistinguishable from outlaws, but was making this city a better place.

A lump stuck in my throat.

Groaning, he licked the curve of my smile. Then he angled his head to deepen the kiss. My senses blazed as his soft lips caught mine with an unbearable tenderness.

Tony.

I rose on my tiptoes, hungry for more. Every stroke dragged me from the cliff and submerged me into a warm pool. Euphoria tingled my skin at his closeness, never so strong. I dug into his back. I needed more assurance.

I pulled away, eyes burning. “Tony, do you forgive me?”

“There’s nothing to forgive.”

“I need you to say it.”

“Evie, I’m the opposite of a priest. I can’t offer you absolution.” Tony pushed me toward the bed, darkening. “But I can give you a hell of a distraction.”

The mattress hit my knees.

I sank, dizzy.

Tony climbed in after me. His body settled beside mine. We kissed, his fingers teasing my shirt over my body.

My breasts tumbled free, and he let out an appreciative groan. He dragged