Page 37 of Preferential Treatment

She grinned.

I’ll give you stock, he added. A gift.

That sounds illegal.

It’s not.

She had no idea how much Domovoy stock was worth right now. But if she sold any shares he gifted her, maybe she could give money to the shelter Anna was trying to save. It sounded excessively convoluted when she had a much simpler option.

I don’t want stock. I want you to donate 60k to a nonprofit I care about.

Mikhail didn’t respond right away. After a few minutes, his message finally came in. That’s a lot of money.

Time to bring the domme out. I wasn’t asking you, I was telling you. I’d do it with the credit card, but it’s less complicated for me if you just donate the funds directly.

60k???

She smiled. She’d made the impression she’d wanted to. That’s nothing to you. You’re worth over fifty billion.

His reply was fast: The vast majority of my net worth is tied to the value of my shares of Domovoy. It’s not cash in hand.

What happened to the rich man who couldn’t be bankrupted by little old me, Kate demanded. I’ll take the credit card and buy the convertible Maserati I’ve had my eye on. You’ll be wishing you hadn’t mouthed back about the donation.

I would rather you bought the Maserati.

Kate hesitated, confused. The Maserati costs over 100k.

Get it.

Realization dawned on her. He didn’t care about dropping sixty thousand dollars. He cared that he wasn’t dropping it on Kate. I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but you are in for a serious punishment when you get back.

Why?

Talking back. Ignoring commands.

What command?

I want that 60k donation. You don’t get to come until it’s made.

A long pause. Finally, Where is the donation going?

Margaret’s Arms Women’s Shelter in Chicago.

Give me a minute.

Kate’s heart seemed to swell. She held her breath, waiting for her phone screen to light up again.

It’s taken care of, Mikhail finally replied.

A wide, crazy smile stretched across her face. She whooped with excitement, spiking her phone against her bed like a football.

“Are you okay?” Naomi called from her own bedroom.

“Fine,” Kate called back, embarrassed. To Mikhail, she sent, That’s much better. Doesn’t it feel good to do as you’re told?

Yes, knyazhna.

You’re still in for a punishment.

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