Page 14 of Poisoned Roses

“They are.”

I raise my glass of vodka and she shakes her head. “What’s going on, Titus? You’re engaged, and yet here we are.”

“I forgot you were coming and thought it rude to cancel when you were already here.”

I’m honest with her, and she winces. “Ouch, that hurts.”

I say nothing and she sighs. “So, tonight is just dinner.”

“Of course. I am engaged to another woman, and I’m an honorable man.”

“I won’t tell if you won’t.” She giggles and I bite down the urgent order to ask her to leave.

“Not happening, Clarissa, but–” I offer her a tight smile.

“But, what?” She leans forward, her cleavage on full display tonight, and I say coolly, “There is no reason why we can’t be friends.”

“Friends.” Her eyes cloud with disappointment.

“Why?”

I shrug. “Because our families are connected. We do business, socialize in the same circles, and Tatiana will need a friend.”

“You want me to be her friend?” Her eyes widen and she falls silent when Luigi, my chef, enters with the first course.

He serves us cured salmon with prawns, pickled salad and dill lime crème fraiche, and retreats after explaining what we are about to enjoy.

As the door closes, she lifts her fork and says thoughtfully, “What’s in it for me?”

I must hand it to Clarissa. She knows how to play the game and has realized our relationship has changed and already moved onto what’s in it for her. I ignore her question.

“Befriend her. Take her shopping, do what women do. The fuck I know.”

I spear some food onto my fork and note her mind is working overtime as she chews on her food with a dark gleam in her eye.

“Is that it?” She asks as she finishes her mouthful and I nod.

“Tatiana is not from our world and doesn’t understand how it works. Educate her. Open up society to include her and make certain she is comfortable in it.”

There is method in my madness because Clarissa Smirnov is the queen of society and her acceptance and seal of approval is to ensure an easy ride for Tatiana.

“I repeat, what’s in it for me, Titus?”

“Name your price.”

It’s interesting how a date can turn into a business meeting on the turn of a decision, and Clarissa, as expected, has read the situation perfectly. If anything, I respect that about her because it could have gone the other way. She may have been angry, insulted even and stormed out of here with vengeance on her mind. However, Clarissa isn’t the queen of society for nothing and has always had an eye for a golden opportunity.

“My price?” She takes another mouthful and chews thoughtfully. Staring at nothing in particular as she considers her response. I watch and eat, knowing she will expect a great deal in return, and when she finishes, she shrugs. “I have money, I have respectability and I have the world at my feet already.”

She’s not wrong there and I wonder what she will ask for. That interests me more than anything right now because when you name your price, it reveals how much you value yourself when you respond.

“A favor.” She says simply.

“That depends what it is and if it’s within my capabilities.”

I’m honest with my answer because I will not promise her something I can’t deliver and, like every negotiation, it must be in my family’s best interests.

“I accept that.” She lifts her champagne glass and smiles. “One day, Titus, I may need to call on you. It may be next week, tomorrow even, or in the future. We both understand how this country works and I am not about to make an enemy of a man who is very important in that world. So yes, I will help you because if I can’t have you intimately, then I would prefer to keep you as a friend rather than an enemy.”

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