Page 79 of Scarlet Secrets

She’s no plant, and he’s definitely mine.

“It won’t take much, Demyan.”

“You think I can put it all back in the box? I’ve got a child, and that’s where we are on that. But she stays at the mansion and she’s safe, as is Sasha.” I straighten my tie as we head toward the Gold Coast, the richest and most elite partof Chicago, not far from my penthouse. “This is a necessity. What time is he expecting us?”

“You have time.”

My look is sharp.

“We’ll be there on time.” Ilya turns and faces the window.

There are moments designed for power plays and making someone wait, or giving the upper hand by arriving early. On time is equal footing and I honestly don’t care if he’s early or late; he’ll know when I arrive at Beacon, the exclusive club.

As we finally pull up, I put a hand on Ilya’s arm. “I’ll deal with any consequences that emerge from this partnership when the time’s right.”

“If you say so, but this was easy, too easy.”

I don’t have time to ponder that. Ilya checks his watch, then opens the door.

Time to play hardball.

The meeting’s long,pitted with mines, even in this neutral setting, an infamous setting for all sorts of deals.

Sergio agreed to help. There’s no love lost between him and Niko, and it’s clear he wouldn’t mind getting his hands on some of Niko’s holdings. But while he’s agreed, he hasn’t laid down his terms, and the bottom of my stomach sinks when his daughter, Stefina, sashays in. She doesn’t sit with us but goes upstairs to the restaurant, and I know what he wants.

I can’t fucking stand the snobby, vacuous, and self-absorbed creature. She’s my age, single for good reason, and I know Sergio’s desperate to marry her off.

The word no forms, but I swallow it down.

“Ah, I see my beauty’s caught your eye.” Sergio grins and leans forward, chomping on his unlit cigar. “As I said, I’ll help, but I want something in return. Rather, Stefina does. You.”

Fuck no. Not even if hell freezes over. But I bite down on that response, too.

“I’m not in the market.”

“You’re single.” Sergio looks me up and down. “An alliance between us will be stronger through marriage, and you want help in bringing Niko down. Marry my daughter and we’ll help each other. Win-win.”

I resist the urge to tap my hand against the bar. The thing is, he’s got me. Sure, I could go it alone, but this works with an alliance. Alone is a recipe for disaster.

Stefina? Fuck. I don’t look at Ilya because I know the expression on his face. Well, I don’t have to sleep with her. At least not often. There are all kinds of arrangements, and most of those will suit her in the freedom to do whatever the fuck she wants.

Even married to her, I’ll have an upper hand. Because this man’s desperate to not only give his daughter what she wants—me apparently—but get her off the market. And he wants this alliance with the bratva.

“I’ll do it,” I say in cold, neutral tones, but marriage is a big ask. “I want a dowry. You part with some of your assets and certain territories, so the deal’s sweet and not one I’d be inclined to back out of.”

He’s silent, but the relief seeps into his eyes. “You have a deal.”

“Ilya will hammer out the details with you.” And we shake.

I feel dirty, like grime has suddenly settled over me in a thick layer.

But I’ll do it. This alliance will bring down Niko and it’ll take care of my priority—keeping Alina, Sasha, and Erin safe.

When we’re done, I bow out of drinks with him and his daughter, crying the call of my duties, and I leave with Ilya, who doesn’t say a word until we’re halfway home.

“How did it go?”

“You know how it went,” I say, pouring a drink from the minibar, one that Ilya steals. I glare and pour another. “The deal’s done.”

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