Page 80 of Defiled Innocence

“I want to see Amelia.” It’s practically a whine at this point.

“She’s not coming down. What do you want?” I take another step toward him.

“I just want to go over an opportunity with her.” He swallows.

“She told me about it; she declines.” I roll my shoulders back. “You should go.”

“No!” He slices his hand through the air. “It’s a good investment. It’s a good one, it will help.”

“Help? Who? Her or you? Why do you need that sort of cash? What have you done?”

Panic rises in his eyes at my question and there’s no doubt. He’s gotten himself in deep with something or someone. A debt? Drugs? Who does he owe that much money?

“Nothing.” His voice cracks as he makes his denial. “Look. I just need that money. And I know she’d make it back. I can get it back to her.”

“You’re not getting a cent from her.”

He’s panicking. The vein in his neck throbs.

“Fine. Then you give it to me.” A calm suddenly comes over him with this demand.

He stands straighter and raises his chin. “Yes. You give it to me.”

I don’t even bother wasting energy on keeping a stoic expression. I laugh right at him.

“Never going to happen.”

“You should think twice about it. I mean, you know… I know.” He points at himself. “I know what you did, how you and Lucas met, I know.”

Now he has my attention.

“Whatever you think you know, I don’t care. The only reason you’re still breathing is because it would hurt Amelia to have another death in her family.” And I would sooner cut off my own limb than let her feel the sorrow of losing someone else she cares for.

Even if it is this scumbag.

“Yes, and if she finds out, it will hurt her. You don’t want to do that, so just give me the money.”

“Better men than you have tried to blackmail me.” I step toward him again, enjoying his retreat when I do.

The man has no spine. He’s desperate and pathetic.

“If you won’t give me the money, I will tell Amelia. I swear I will.”

A second later, a soft voice shatters through the tension of the room.

“Tell me what?”

Amelia

Dmitri’s back tenses as I step into the living room.

Christian turns his attention to me, his eyes red and glassy like he hasn’t slept in days. His hair is tousled like he’s been pulling at it.

“What’s going on? Christian, are you alright?” I move to stand between them.

Dmitri looks ready to rip Christian’s head off his shoulders. His hands fist tightly at his sides.

“Dmitri?”

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