Total pages in book: 187
Estimated words: 177397 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 887(@200wpm)___ 710(@250wpm)___ 591(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 177397 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 887(@200wpm)___ 710(@250wpm)___ 591(@300wpm)
“Will you say something? This is meant to be a negotiation, not a fucking shakedown.”
Andrik appears as shocked by his confession as I am. It exposes he was unaware of the third man’s inclusion. He merely hid his bewilderment better than I did.
Since I am no longer fighting him, too stunned by the similarities between the three men to continue fighting, Andrik frees me from his grip before he moves to a bar at the side of the massive living area.
Even knowing he’s a cheating asshole won’t stop me from admitting he has a sexy walk. It’s full of arrogance, as cocky as his leering eyes when I don’t immediately race for the door the instant he turns his back to me.
He’s watching me in the glass feature wall on the far side of the dining table.
That’s why I don’t bolt.
I can feel the heat of his covetousness even on the coldest day.
That, and the fact the man I assume is his father is blocking the only exit. His jacket is too bulky to reveal if he is carrying a weapon, and I don’t feel like going home with a bullet wound today.
Nikita has enough on her plate. I don’t want to add more drama to the overflowing dish.
Andrik takes a hefty gulp of whiskey before spinning to face me. A mask has slipped over his eyes. It is the same one he summoned two seconds too late in the elevator.
“How much?” he asks, his voice flat. I’m lost but am not given the chance to announce my confusion. “Discretion comes at a cost, so I need to know how much it will take to secure yours.”
Confusion juts my words. “You want to pay me to keep quiet?”
“Yes,” he answers matter-of-factly.
An expression I don’t know how to read crosses his face when I say, “You don’t need to pay me to keep my mouth shut. I won’t tell a soul about what happened between us.” I should leave it there. It would be the smart thing to do. But playing it safe is boring, and my life needs some color. “Also, it’s a little late to negotiate after the deed has been done.” I lock my eyes with Andrik’s and sneer. “If you were too quick off the mark to get your money’s worth, that’s not my issue.”
Mikhail laughs at the same time the man I assume is his father asks, “You’re a prostitute?”
After flicking my narrowed eyes to a pair identical to Mikhail’s in every way, I wave my hand at his eldest son, who stands frozen.
Andrik isn’t humored like his little brother.
He’s angry.
Good.
“Did you miss what he said? He’s offering to pay me—”
“For your discretion,” Andrik spits out, his anger rising along with his voice. “Not because you had sex with me.”
“For my discretion?” I drag my hand across my chest that is thrusting so hard I’m on the verge of a heart attack. “I don’t need to be discreet. I’m as free as a bird. Single and ready to mingle.” Andrik looks seconds from blowing his top, yet I continue to push. “So this must be more about you than me. Who do you need to be discreet for, Andrik? Your colleagues? Your family? Your—”
“His wife,” says the man who suddenly appears nowhere near as worried as he was moments ago. “He’s married.”
I drop my jaw. My shocked act is worthy of an Oscar. “You’re married!”
The buzz of multiple orgasms circles the drain when Andrik keeps his answer short and to the point. “Yes.”
There are no pledges that his wife will never have him the way I’ve had him or falsities that promise his marital status is hours from changing.
He hits me with the honesty he should have awarded me last night, even though I’m skeptical it would have changed the outcome.
I didn’t look for a ring last night because I didn’t want to find one.
My shameful act in the elevator mere minutes ago is proof of this.
With my wounds not deep enough to scar, I dig the blade in more profoundly, ensuring a lesson will be learned from my stupidity. “Ten thousand should do it.”
“What?” Mikhail blurts out his shock instead of keeping it deeply buried like his older brother does.
“That’s about the going rate, isn’t it? Five thousand per… indiscretion.” When his father’s brows furrow, I lose all my scruples. “Last night was technically two indiscretions, but I’m happy to offer a discount since the elevator romp on the way up was a little quick-winded.”
Mikhail’s expression is back to humored.
His father’s is a cross between frustrated and disgusted.
Andrik’s remains unchanged.
He’s still pissed as fuck.
So, naturally, I pour salt over his wounds. “I’d rather cash, but if that isn’t available, I can take a check.”
When Mikhail’s father’s eyes shoot to him, wide and with shock, he says, “I have around six or seven K in the safe. I could probably rustle up another three or four from last night’s takings at Brody’s.”