Page 101 of Sweet Animosity

Wait.

Could that be it?

Var had all but admitted that he mixed in the art world to launder money. Had he lied about not wanting me to create any more forgeries? Could he be trying to trap me into marriage to force me to paint exclusively for him?

No.

That was not possible.

Marriage was an intense, permanent solution to a temporary problem.

Unless it wouldn’t be permanent for him…

My gaze moved over his face. Anger radiated off him like heat. It was no secret he’d committed violence in his career with the mafia. Just because he promised not to kill me then, when he found me in the warehouse, didn’t mean he promised never to kill me.

His lips thinned as a muscle in his cheek twitched. He clenched his jaw so tightly, I swore I heard a tooth crack from the pressure. “You think we’re playing a fucking game, Viv?”

He shifted my wrists to one hand and ran his free hand over the side of my face, to my neck. “Fine. Then let me explain the rules to you.”

CHAPTER 35

VAR

Violent men do violent things.

My life was soaked in violence.

It was how I solved problems.

And right now, Vivian was a problem.

Twisting my fist into the flimsy fabric of her hospital gown, I tore it off her.

Before she could move, I cupped her pussy. “Let me explain so you will understand.”

My middle two fingers moved between her lips as I teased her clit with my thumb.

She inhaled sharply as her hips rose.

With a shift of my hips, I placed my right knee against her inner thigh, pinning her legs open.

“You have direct knowledge about three murders my syndicate covered up.”

I pushed a single finger inside her tight pussy.

Her eyes widened as she vigorously shook her head. “That was just a stupid threat. I would never, ever go to the police about what I know. You have to believe me, Var.”

My head tilted to the side as I studied her through hooded eyes. “I believe you, beautiful.”

Her body visibly relaxed.

“But that doesn’t mean the other men in my organization will.”

Her limbs stiffened.

I continued. “Which makes you a liability. If I were honest, they were less than thrilled to learn you hadn’t taken me up on my offer to leave the country.”

Her lower lip trembled. “I’ll leave now. The moment they discharge me, I’ll get on an airplane like you asked. You’ll never see me again.”

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