Page 110 of Porcelain Lies

“You’re right. I’m not. I warned you from the start that this was not something I wanted. It’s not like I didn’t make myself clear.” I lean back in my chair, studying her.

“Your sister said this was an agreement between our families. I should sue you for breach of contract!”

I tilt my head. “Ah. So that’s what this is about. Money. How much?”

“What are you talking about?” Her eyes narrow.

“How much to heal your ‘broken heart,’ Sofia?” There’s no mistaking the sarcasm in my voice.

“That’s not what this is about, Aleksei. I…” She trails off. I’m starting to speak her language.

“A million?” I ask, reaching for my checkbook.

“Two,” she finally says.

My lip twitches. There she is. This is the real Sofia — not the crying fiancée, but the mercenary beneath. I start to write.

“A year,” she adds. I glance up at her. “For the rest of my life.”

I put down my pen. “Pizdets!You expect me to pay you two million a year indefinitely?”

She nods. “It’s the least you can do.”

I scoff. “The least I can do is give you nothing.”

“You owe me!” Her voice rises. “For all the pain and embarrassment. Two million is a small price to pay.”

I pick up my pen again. “So, you’re saying that you want me to pay you two million dollars until… you die?”

Her mouth opens then snaps shut again. “What are you trying to say?”

“Think about it, Sofia.” My eyes lock with hers. Her face has gone pale. The threat in my words doesn’t need to be spelled out.

And then it’s as if a switch flicks inside her.

I watch the change sweep across Sofia’s face like a storm front — her tears drying instantly, replaced by something far more dangerous. The pampered socialite vanishes, revealing the predator beneath.

“You think you can threaten me?” Her voice drops to a serpentine hiss. “My father will—”

“Your father will what?” I study her with mild curiosity. “Start a war with the Tarasov Bratva over his daughter’s bruised ego?”

“There are other ways to hurt you.” Her sharp nail traces patterns on my desk. “Ways that don’t require armies.”

I bark out a laugh. “You have nothing.”

“Not yet,” she spits. “But it won’t be long.”

“Careful,dorogaya.” I inject just enough threat into the endearment to make her step back. “You’re playing a very dangerous game.”

“So are you.” She straightens her designer jacket. “Rejecting me was your first mistake. Threatening me was your second. Don’t make a third by underestimating what I’m capable of.”

My hand itches to reach for the gun in my desk drawer. One bullet would solve this problem permanently. But Sofia isn’t stupid enough to come here without insurance.

“I’m going to forget you said that because you are clearly upset,suka.” I force myself to remain seated.

“I willendyou, Aleksei Tarasov,” she spits the words out. “You think I’m not serious?”

“This conversation is over.” I finally rise, keeping my temper in check through sheer willpower. I press the intercom button on my desk. “Boris, send up two men to escort Ms. Novikova to collect her belongings.”

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