Page 44 of Deceitful Vows

16

ZOYA

“Let me go.”

I kick, thrash, and fight with a heap of grit, but Andrik’s grip on my waist doesn’t budge an inch. He carries me into Mikhail’s apartment like I’m seconds from having my blood drained from my veins before he forcefully pins me to the armchair he ravished me on last night.

He’s not hurting me, though anyone outside of our duo is unaware of that. Mikhail requests Andrik to calm down numerous times with both his words and his fists before he turns his focus to the man smirking smugly with his shoulder propped on the doorjamb of his entryway.

“Will you say something? This is meant to be a negotiation, not a fucking shakedown.”

Andrik appears as shocked by his confession as I am. It exposes he was unaware of the third man’s inclusion. He merely hid his bewilderment better than I did.

Since I am no longer fighting him, too stunned by the similarities between the three men to continue fighting, Andrik frees me from his grip before he moves to a bar at the side of the massive living area.

Even knowing he’s a cheating asshole won’t stop me from admitting he has a sexy walk. It’s full of arrogance, as cocky as his leering eyes when I don’t immediately race for the door the instant he turns his back to me.

He’s watching me in the glass feature wall on the far side of the dining table.

That’s why I don’t bolt.

I can feel the heat of his covetousness even on the coldest day.

That, and the fact the man I assume is his father is blocking the only exit. His jacket is too bulky to reveal if he is carrying a weapon, and I don’t feel like going home with a bullet wound today.

Nikita has enough on her plate. I don’t want to add more drama to the overflowing dish.

Andrik takes a hefty gulp of whiskey before spinning to face me. A mask has slipped over his eyes. It is the same one he summoned two seconds too late in the elevator.

“How much?” he asks, his voice flat. I’m lost but am not given the chance to announce my confusion. “Discretion comes at a cost, so I need to know how much it will take to secure yours.”

Confusion juts my words. “You want to pay me to keep quiet?”

“Yes,” he answers matter-of-factly.

An expression I don’t know how to read crosses his face when I say, “You don’t need to pay me to keep my mouth shut. I won’t tell a soul about what happened between us.” I should leave it there. It would be the smart thing to do. But playing it safe is boring, and my life needs some color. “Also, it’s a little late to negotiateafterthe deed has been done.” I lock my eyes with Andrik’s and sneer. “If you were too quick off the mark to get your money’s worth, that’s not my issue.”

Mikhail laughs at the same time the man I assume is his father asks, “You’re a prostitute?”

After flicking my narrowed eyes to a pair identical to Mikhail’s in every way, I wave my hand at his eldest son, who stands frozen.

Andrik isn’t humored like his little brother.

He’s angry.

Good.

“Did you miss what he said? He’s offering to pay me?—”

“For your discretion,” Andrik spits out, his anger rising along with his voice. “Not because you had sex with me.”

“Formydiscretion?” I drag my hand across my chest that is thrusting so hard I’m on the verge of a heart attack. “I don’t need to be discreet. I’m as free as a bird. Single and ready to mingle.” Andrik looks seconds from blowing his top, yet I continue to push. “So this must be more about you than me. Who do you need to be discreet for, Andrik? Your colleagues? Your family? Your?—”

“His wife,” says the man who suddenly appears nowhere near as worried as he was moments ago. “He’s married.”

I drop my jaw. My shocked act is worthy of an Oscar. “You’re married!”

The buzz of multiple orgasms circles the drain when Andrik keeps his answer short and to the point. “Yes.”

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