Page 6 of Unbreakable Vow

“Leskov!” I blurt out, nearly launching myself from my chair. “He was talking about something having to do with the Leskov family, too.”

His eyebrows flicker, but he catches himself before he reacts to what I’ve said. It has to be worth something.

“But you still have no name for me.”

“No, but you have something to go on now,” I point out.

“This information isn’t worth ten thousand dollars.”

“You said it had to be useful. You didn’t say how useful,” I point out.

Now his expression tightens. “Are you talking back to me?”

“Talking back? No. I’m standing my ground.” I jerk my chin down. “You said…”

“I know what I said,” he cuts me off. “If you have a name, then it’s useful. We’re careful about who in our family knows things so these things aren’t an issue. And the fact that you’ve said another Russian name doesn’t tell me anything either. You’ve given me nothing.”

“That’s not true!” I’m losing here.

He sits back, thinking.

How hard do I push? I’m so close to getting what I need.

He stands up and walks around the desk until he’s standing right in front of me. “I have an offer. One that will be helpful to us both.”

“Oh?” I lean back in my chair as he bends over me, his hands pressing into the arms of my chair.

“You may not like it, but I’ll pay you the fifteen thousand you asked for.”

Fifteen thousand would buy me even more time. Maybe even get Mom into a better facility.

“What, what’s the offer?” I’m trying to sound casual, like none of this is any skin off my nose, but let’s face it. I’m fucked if this goes south.

“I’m in need of a woman.”

I burst out laughing.

“I’m sorry.” I cover my mouth. “I’m sorry, it’s just… well, how can you need that. I mean… look at you.” I gesture to him. “You’re…” I stop myself from saying sexy as all hell. “Good looking and have money. You can get any woman to hop into bed with you, I’m sure.”

My face ignites at the words flinging out of my mouth. Where the hell is my filter?

“I don’t need a woman like that. I need a wife.”

“Oh.” I nod. He’s insane. “A wife.”

“Not a real wife. I need a woman who will marry me until a legal matter is settled and then the marriage will be dissolved. A short time. A few months.”

I search his face, waiting for the punchline. He has to be kidding. I came here to sell information and now I’m selling myself?

“You’re serious.” The smile fades from my lips.

“I’m always serious.” He nods. “You marry me for the duration of the legal proceedings, and I’ll give you the fifteen thousand.”

I swallow, thinking, thinking. “The money upfront?”

“Ten upfront. Five at the end.”

“And it’s just on paper?” I clarify. “I’m not moving in with you or anything like that.” I’m more concerned with theanything like thatcategory, but we’ll get to that.

---