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As he nuzzled against my neck, a knot formed in my stomach. “What do you want?”
“Many things, but as I said, I’ll make a deal with you. First, I need to know why you risked everything tonight. I find that fascinating since you’ve tried to better yourself by getting a wonderful education.”
“Fuck you!” He’d checked me out. I hadn’t been safe at all. My mind reeled from what he was saying. I’d met my boss only once, but it had been enough to know I hadn’t ever wanted to cross him. The Russian and his family owned almost all of Miami, controlling dozens of businesses. I knew I’d taken a risk in working for him. I’d heard stories, horrible ones about employees disappearing. Oh, God.
“I assure you that fucking will be on the agenda. Now, tell me why.”
His eyes pierced mine, holding my attention. All I could hear was the hard thumping of my heart. My stomach lurched as I debated what to do. “My mother died. She owed a lot of money. The bastard threatened me. He had me followed. He called me on the phone several times, threatening to kill me. I had no choice.”
His nostrils flared, his jaw clenching. “Who?”
“What does it matter? Why would you give a shit?”
“Tell me.” He crushed me against his chest, digging his fingers into my skin.
“Fast Eddie. I don’t know his real name. I don’t care.”
After taking a deep breath, he loosened his hold. “We need each other, Jade. I will handle every problem, freeing you of debt while providing you with a substantial bank account.”
What the hell was he offering?
“In exchange for what?” I was a smart girl. The prosecution had reopened the case. I was the trump card, providing the possibility that he could be put away for a long time. If proven right, that meant I had leverage.
“Your hand in marriage, as well as providing me with an heir.”
The wind was knocked out of me, the entire moment as if I was standing in the middle of someone else’s dream. The bastard actually thought I’d have a child with him? He was sick, a fucked-up man with an ego the size of a continent. “The belief that I can’t testify against you is bullshit.”
“Perhaps to some but imagine how the press will handle the news of our upcoming nuptials.” He brushed my hair away from my shoulders, his eyes never leaving me as he bent his head, dragging his tongue down the side of my neck. When he swirled the tip around my pulse of life, I took the gesture as a subtle threat.
He had my life in his hands. With one snap of his wrist or a single bullet, he could end my life.
“You’re crazy. I could never care about you,” I whispered, the sound more strangled than before.
His breath tickled my skin as he laughed. “I couldn’t care less about whether or not you find me attractive or enjoy the circumstances. What I’m offering you is a one-time deal. The choice is up to you. If you agree, you will be made a very wealthy woman. If you don’t, then unfortunately, I’ll have to leave you to whatever fate Maxim has in store for you.”
There was no choice. None. Unless I could escape his clutches. My mother hadn’t raised an idiot or a pansy. I could protect myself. Even though I was filled with terror, I refused to play house with a horrible monster. That wasn’t what I was made of.
“You have five seconds to provide your decision,” he growled.
Hissing, I tried to jerk away from him, but all I was doing was grinding my bottom against him, creating friction that added to the toxicity of the moment. It also added to the desire burning deep within. I was sick to my stomach, hating myself for allowing a single lurid thought.
“Four,” he whispered, staring at me with hooded eyes.
Fuck. Fuck. What was I going to do? My skin crawled, my heart racing.
“Three.”
Just agree. Then get away.
Was I doing the right thing? Fight or flight. That was all I could think about. I’d do both.
“Two.” His voice was growing impatient.
“Fine. I’ll accept your deal.” Oh, my God. What did I just do? No.Pretend. Just pretend.My mind was an ugly blur, yet my heart was racing from anxiety as well as the scorching heat tearing through me from his touch.
“I’ll take you at your word. Do you understand what that means? Do you realize that as of now, you’ll be sequestered in my world?”
Even though his tone was seductive, his touch igniting a fire that I hadn’t known existed, I could barely stand the thought of being around him. But I’d give him what he needed until I found a way out of his kingdom.
