He clearly wants to get this over and done with as soon as possible, which suits me just fine. I have a surprise planned for my husband to celebrate this win.

William looks at his son, Josh, who is seated next to him as I lay down the contract. “Are we ready to sign gentlemen?”

“Not quite,” Josh says. Igor looks up from his phone. I keep a smile on my face.

“Why’s that?” I ask.

“You’re too eager to buy. You could make a lot of money from this venture. We want to renegotiate the amount.” Josh crosses his arms defiantly.

I have never liked this little weasel.

“William,” I turn to look at him. “We have a deal to bail you out of what has been a complete failure of a business venture for ten million. We’re not giving you more than that.”

“I…” he starts to say.

“Then we’re not selling,” Josh says, standing up and buttoning his cheap suit. He’s trying to look important. “And quite frankly, why are you talking and not Igor? It’s his money you’re spending.”

“I am Mr. Sidorov’s real estate agent,” I say calmly. “And I handle all his real estate transactions.”

“I’m sure you’re more than that,” Josh says mockingly. “Come, Dad, we’ll find someone else to buy.”

“She is more than that,” Igor says, snapping his fingers. Matvey walks around the table and punches Josh in the face before he slams him into the table and holds him there.

Igor leans forward. “You are insulting my wife.”

Josh tries to pull away. “You can’t do this. I’ll sue you.”

Igor looks at William. “Your son is about to have his kneecaps fucking broken because he’s gotten cocky with the wrong person. I will give you fifteen million dollars if you give me the property, and I can kill your son. Or you can take the offer for ten million, and I won’t kill you both.”

William shakes his head. “He’s a fool. I should never have let him convince me to try to renegotiate. Ten million is fine.” The old man takes the pen I offer him and signs the contract in all the places I indicate.

“It was a pleasure doing business with you. You can expect the payment within one working day.” I take the contract and the pen.

Josh tries to say something, but William quickly talks over him, “Shut it. I told you this was a bad idea.”

Igor gets up and offers to shake William’s hand, which the old man does. “Matvey will see you out,” he says.

He walks out with me, and we head toward his office. I stop him just outside the door. “Come up to the suite for a drink with me.”

Igor looks down at me. “We have work.”

“You’re the boss,” I say quietly, fixing his tie. “I’m going upstairs. Be up in ten minutes or miss out.”

“Hmm,” Igor hums. “Okay.”

I walk away, the click of my heels on the tiled floor resonating down the corridor.

I take the elevator up and hurry into our bedroom, where a waitress's outfit waits for me in my size. I slide out of my clothes and get dressed as quickly as I can.

As I’m buttoning up the top, I hear the door open. “Arina?”

“Sit on the armchair and don’t touch anything.”

I hear him chuckle and flop down onto the armchair ungracefully.

I put my high heels back on and tie my hair in a high pony. I check my makeup and walk out. His back is turned to me.

“Hello, Mr. Sidorov. Can I get you a drink?”