Page 11 of Sinful Lies

How can Alexei do this to me?

I’m well aware that my family isn’t on the best terms with the Conti’s, but is marriage really the only answer?

There has to be a way out of this. And I have to find it fast.

I have to be careful not to insult the Don of a rival mafia family by rejecting his proposal because it could result in an all-out war. I can’t risk my family like that. Which means I’m going to need a hell of a good reason not to marry his spoiled princess of a daughter.

I head down the final flight of stairs and across the foyer toward the kitchen to grab something to eat and a coffee for the drive back to the city.

It’s going to be a long night as I try to sort through my options, so I don’t see sleep in my future anytime soon.

The door is half open, and Bianca’s voice echoes through, causing me to halt in my tracks. “Is he still bothering you?”

There’s silence for a moment, and my body tenses up as I realize what they’re discussing.

“Zara,” Bianca presses.

“Sort of…”

I grind my teeth together, fighting the urge to storm into the kitchen and demand Zara let me take care of the bastard who doesn’t seem to take no for an answer.

“I thought the whole ‘pretending Dimitri is your boyfriend’ worked?”

“It did for like a day, but you’ve not met the guy, B. When he wants something, he stops at nothing to get it.”

“Zara, you shouldn’t have to put up with this. Can’t you talk to HR?”

“And say what? He’s technically not crossed any lines.”

“Yet,” I mutter under my breath.

Bianca sounds almost sad. “Maybe it’s time you start looking for another job.”

“I can’t give him the satisfaction.”

“I hate seeing you like this,” Bianca whispers, her voice cracking. “You need to quit, Zara. You can’t be around this guy all day, every day, worried that he might do something.”

“I can’t quit,” Zara states. “I’ve worked too hard to get where I am, and I’m not going to let some asshole ruin my career. I won’t give him the satisfaction.”

“No one would think any less of you for walking away?—”

“Iwould. Besides, I’m not even sure that would stop him. It’s like he’s obsessed with me.”

“Then maybe you should go to the police.”

“I-I can’t.”

My chest tightens at the hopelessness in Zara’s voice. This isn’t like her at all.

“Honestly, B. I can handle him. It’s really not as bad as I’m making it out to be. You know what I’m like, I can be a bit of a drama queen.” She laughs, though the sound is anything but light.

“Perhaps, but you shouldn’t have to fake having a boyfriend just to get your boss to stop hitting on you.”

“Maybe I should have called Dimitri my husband.Perhaps a boyfriend seems too disposable which is why he refuses to leave me alone.”

“Because Dimitri Koslov is such husband material.”

I should have called Dimitri my husband…

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