Page 184 of Dirty Damage

“Yes, baby?” He smiles as though he’s certain of what I’m about to say.

I speak slowly and calmly, hoping that will convey to him just how serious I am. “What is it going to take to get you the fuck out of my life?”

His eyebrows flatline. “You don’t really mean that.”

“You want money?” I persist unblinkingly. “You want me to shout it from the rooftops? You want me to put a grass skirt on and do a rain dance? You want me to call the cops and get a restraining order? Because whatever it is, I’ll freaking do it.”

He lets out a grating hiss from the back of his throat. “Honestly, so fucking dramatic. As always. You and your sister have that in common.”

“You know nothing about me or my sister.”

“Need I remind you that I’ve spent a lot more time with her these past few weeks than you have?” His eyes narrow into furious slits. “Figures that you would get yourself a sugar daddy and forget the people who were around for you from the beginning.”

I dig my nails into the cushion of my chair. He’s trying to snake me into a conversation about Sydney and I absolutely refuse to fall for the same ruse twice.

“You really need to leave, Drew.”

“I love you, Sutton!” he cries, slamming his fist down on the table. “And I know you love me. Whether you admit it or not.”

I burst out laughing. “Are you for real?”

“You’re just in denial. You’ll see. You’ll get it soon.”

“I had no intention of discussing my relationship with Oleg with you, Drew, but in this case, I’m willing to make an exception.” My eyes zero in on him. “Being with Oleg made me realize howpathetic, superficial, and unhealthy our relationship was. There was nothing between us, Drew. Not then and definitely not now. You don’t love me and I don’t love you. I never did. I never will.”

He gapes at me, his eyebrows knitting together at the bridge. Little does he know that the joke’s on me.

Because apparently, my fake relationship was more real and more meaningful to me than a real one.

I’m expecting rage. I’m expecting him to make a scene, the way he always used to.

What I get instead is…

“Well, I’m not giving up on you.”

I’m pretty sure my eyebrows disappear into my hairline. “What?”

He nods as though he’s bestowing me with some great gift. “Yeah. You’re confused now. You’re pissed at me. But you need me, baby. And I’ve got a lot to offer. I’m gonna be making real money soon. Enough to keep you like a princess.” My heart shudders at the mere mention of Oleg’s nickname for me. “Sooner or later, you’re going to realize how much you care about me, about our relationship. I just have to be patient. I can be patient.”

I can only gawk at Drew, wondering if he was always this delusional or if this is a recent development.

Although…

Maybe, if he’s desperate enough, I can use his delusion to my advantage?

“You like deals,” I start, trying to find the right words to sweeten the proposition I’m about to make. “I’ve got a deal for you.”

“Do tell.” Drew nods, leaning in.

I have to freeze in place to keep my body from reacting to his proximity. “I’ll come back to you.” His face breaks into a delighted smile before I add, “—ononecondition.”

The smile falters slightly. “Which is what?”

“You have to speak to Oleg and tell him the truth. I want you to tell him what we’ve really been communicating about for the last few weeks. He needs to know that the only thing we ever discussed was Sydney.”

The moment the offer is out of my mouth, I know it’ll never work.

For one, there’s no way Drew will believe that I’m serious about coming back to him.

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