Page 31 of Defiled Innocence

On my way.

If I ignore the speed limits enough, I can make it across town to his place in the next twenty minutes.

“Lia?” Christian’s voice calls from the doorway and I stiffen. “Lia, what are you doing?” He walks into the office and sweeps his gaze over the boxes strewn across the floor.

“Hey, Christian.” I push on a light air. “I just needed to get some files.”

I pick up the manila folders and put them on top of the first ledger I’d found that’s still sitting on the desk.

He eyes me. “You okay?”

“Yeah. I’m fine. What, uh, what are you doing here?”

“I came to check on the place. You’ve been so busy, and it’s been a lot, so I just stop in once a week, make sure everything’s okay.” He eyes the boxes. “Did the maids leave all that out? They’re not supposed to be cleaning out the closets.”

“Oh, no. They didn’t. But that reminds me, I should cancel the service. And I need to get all this stuff boxed up and at least put into storage so the apartment can be rented out.”

“I can do that for you. I know how hard all of this has been.” He tilts his head and gives me a pitying smile.

It mirrors the hundreds of them I was given at Lucas’ funeral.

Odd, I don’t remember getting any at Dad’s funeral service. Mostly blank stares or polite nods.

“I can handle it, Christian, really. But thank you for checking up on the place. I hadn’t even thought to do it.”

“Are you sure you’re all right? I haven’t heard from you since that guy stole you out of my apartment a few nights ago.”

I bite back a laugh. Stole me? If that’s how he remembers it, he sure didn’t do much to help save me.

“I’m fine,” I say. “But… you should know I’ve agreed to go through with the marriage.”

His eyes widen. Panic washes over his expression, but it’s short-lived before he gets control of himself.

“You don’t have to do that, Lia. We can fight the will.”

“We can. And it will take a year, maybe more, and in the process the foundation and the center will suffer. Even when I get my trust in a few months, it’s not enough to fund the center for more than a couple of months.” I sigh. “I can’t take the risk of having it close down. Too many people depend on it.”

He’s quiet for a moment, then takes a small step toward me.

“Look, Lia, I know you have wrapped yourself up in the center, especially after what happened with your mother, but you can’t sacrifice yourself like this. Not even for that.”

“Do you know how much Dmitri Dragunov is worth?” I don’t give him time to answer. “He’s worth five hundred million dollars, and that’s just what’s on paper. His actual worth is probably closer to a billion.”

“Unless the IRS gets a hold of him, or the Feds,” he cuts me off. “You can’t be serious about this. He’s dangerous.”

“It’s a business transaction, that’s all.” Moreau Investments continues to fund the foundation, which keeps the center open.

I want nothing to do with the realty business. Lucas knew that. Maybe if I’d minored in finance the way Lucas had originally wanted me to, I would have some interest there. But money isn’t my thing. The everyday care for people in need, that’s where my passion lies.

“You’re not thinking clearly.” Christian frowns, like he’s disappointed in me. Like I have a real choice here, and I’m making the wrong one.

“I am. I’m being responsible,” I insist. “My mother married a man she thought loved her and look how it turned out. My eyes are open here. Dmitri and I will have a businesslike marriage.”

Except for the moments his lips are pressed against my skin, or when his fingers probe the deepest urges I possess. Christian doesn’t need to know about that. Those little bits are just for me.

A reward for agreeing to do this. Just because a marriage is loveless doesn’t mean it has to be passionless.

And from what I’ve experienced beneath his touch, I can say there’s at least passion there.

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