Page 68 of Dirty Damage

Since I watched her explore my apartment on the security feeds, touching everything with those delicate fingers, learning my space.

Sutton is mine now. Technically.

“Stop acting like this relationship is legitimate.” I shove to my feet, heading for the heavier weights. “She’s an employee. That’s it.”

“You let all your employees take your last name and bear your children?” Artem’s eyebrow is raised, watching me in the wall-to-wall mirrors in the gym. “Come on, bro. Even you aren’t in denial that deep.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” I grab a pair of dumbbells, knuckles white.

“It means she’s pretty and sweet and exactly your type.” I don’t like the shit-eating grin spreading across his face. “Is it a coincidence she looks so good with her clothes off or?—?”

“I have to fuck her,” I say flatly, interrupting before I bash his head in with the weights. “I’m not going to make that worse by picking someone unattractive. Plus, I want my children to have a good gene pool. This is all logistics. It doesn’t mean I want anything else from her.”

It’s the same argument I’ve been having with myself since the night Sutton came to my room.

It was all practical—the sooner we start trying to have a baby, the sooner we can get to the business portion of the arrangement.

Then I reached for a fucking condom.

Making an heir was the last thing on my mind. Right then, I didn’t care about the Bratva or the company…

I wantedSutton.

Which is why I had to leave.

It’s why I’m here, still trying to clear my head forty-eight hours later.

My arms shake slightly as I press up. Too much weight?

Or just the weight of remembering how she looked in my bed, all that soft skin and trust I don’t deserve?

Artem moves behind me to spot, laughing softly. “You always did come at things sideways. You’ll realize I’m right when you have a baby. You think you can keep things professional then?”

“Let me guess: you want me to throw out the contract and play happy family like you?”

“Would it be the worst thing?”

“Yes.” The lone word comes out like venom. My shoulders heave as I stand, shoving past him. “I’m no family man, Artem. Never will be.”

It’s why I chose this path. This cold, controlled arrangement is supposed to be simple, clean. It was supposed to be safe.

But nothing about Sutton Palmer feels safe right now.

“Stubborn ass,” Artem mutters, trailing me to the squat rack. “The least you can do is be decent to her.”

This time, I bark out a laugh. It’s amazing. Artem has met her once, and he’s already on Team Sutton.

“What makes you think I’m not?”

“She looked ready to bolt when we showed up last night. If I hadn’t brought the whole family, pretty sure she’d have told me to fuck right off.”

“That’s everyone’s first instinct with you.” I drop into a squat, thighs burning.

“Dangerous game, being an asshole to the man in charge of whether you get squished to death or not.”

I snort. “I can handle myself without a spotter.”

In the mirror, Artem rolls his eyes. “All I’m saying is that this is a huge commitment. Why not make it easier on yourself?”

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