Page 35 of Sinful Lies

“A deal? Why the hell would you make a deal to get married?”

“I… I…” I can’t seem to find the words to explain. I choke back a sob at the look on Emily’s face, at the betrayal in her eyes.

“Zara, are you in trouble? Is that what this is about?”

I lower my eyes, fiddling with the ring on my finger as I try to decide how much to tell my sister.

“My boss has been harrassing me, and it’s getting out of control.”

“What do you mean harrassing?”

“It’s not important…”

“Zara.”

“Emily, please. You don’t need to know all the details, but I needed a way to get himoff my back.”

“So, faking a marriage was the answer?” Emily shakes her head. “What happened to emailing HR or…”

“You don’t know this man, Emily. He’s powerful.”

“So, leave!” Emily runs her hands through her hair. “Does it have to be so extreme?”

“Being married to Dimitri, being aKoslov… It means something.”

“What does Dimitri get out of this? Surely, he’s not just doing this because you’re nice to look at.”

“He has his reasons for needing to get married…”

“Let me guess, you can’t tell me.”

“I’msorry.” I reach for her hand.

Emily’s eyes well with tears as she looks at me, but she doesn’t pull away from me this time.

“Do Mom and Dad know?” Her voice wobbles.

“No, and you can’t tell them, Emily. I’m serious.”

Emily’s shoulders slump as she looks down at her food.

I thought telling her the truth would lighten the weight on my shoulders, but it seems to have only made things worse.

“I’m so sorry for lying, Emily.”

“I just hope you know what you’re doing.” She lets go of my hand.

So do I.

9

DIMITRI

“How dopeople tie these fucking things.” I tug at my bow tie.

The collar of my shirt feels too tight, and the two glasses of vodka I’ve already knocked back have done little to calm my nerves.

I’m getting married today.

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