Page 119 of Dirty Damage

We pull up to his building, but instead of pulling into the lot, he parks out front and keeps the engine running.

“You’re not staying?” I hate how small my voice sounds.

“I have work meetings.”

“It’s Saturday.”

His lips curve into something dangerous. “Evil never rests, princess.”

I want to argue, want to crack open his armor and peek at the wounded boy beneath.

But I’ve already pushed too far today. So I nod and reach for the door handle, swallowing disappointment.

“I’ll see you later then.” I’m still ovulating, and I want to tell him, if only so he’ll have a contractual reason to come see me tonight.

But I swallow that down, too.

I start to slide out of the car when Oleg grabs my arm and pulls me back. Then his mouth is on mine, kissing me with deep, intense passion that can’t possibly be fake.

Who could fake this?

I’m breathless when he pulls away and cups the side of my face. “People are watching, and I need every man nearby to know that you and this bikini belong to me.”

I glance over my shoulder. He’s right. We have witnesses.

This is all part of the show.

My legs are shaky as I slide out of the car and make my way inside. The elevator ride to the penthouse feels longer than usual, each floor a reminder of how far I’ve climbed from my humble beginnings. And of how far I still have to go before I understand the man I’m supposedly marrying.

My phone rings as I unlock the door. Mara’s face fills my screen, her smile bright enough to chase away some of my gloom.

“Finally!” she squeals. “I was starting to think you’d forgotten about little people like me now that you’re engaged to Palm Beach royalty.”

I hate that I’ve been so distant from Mara since I moved in with Oleg. But honestly, it feels worse being around her all the time and having to lie to her face.

I sink onto my pristine couch, guilt gnawing at my insides. “I know, I know. I’ve been a terrible friend.”

“You have not. Just a distant one. I figured getting engaged to a hot shot billionaire changed you.”

“God forbid. I’m the same old awkward disaster I’ve always been.”

“If that were true, you wouldn’t have walked into a business meeting with your former boss and emerged with a ring on your finger,” Mara points out. “The old Sutton would never have jumped into something so impulsive.”

The truth of that stings.

“It’s complicated.”

“God, I’m tired of hearing how everything is socomplicated. I’m not stupid. Give me the pieces and I’ll put them together, babe.” She hesitates, clearly waiting for me to break. When I don’t, she sighs. “You told me everything about Drew. What makes this guy so different?”

I drum my fingers on the back of my phone, wishing more than anything I could tell her the whole truth.

But I settle on as much of the truth as I dare.

“He’s not like anyone I’ve ever met. He’s got these walls up—we’re talking titanium-grade defenses—but sometimes, I catch glimpses of who he really is underneath.”

“Ooh. And who is The Beast under all his ogre-like layers?”

I wish I knew.

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