Page 72 of Porcelain Lies

But not just bills.

I freeze as something else tumbles out with the money. My stomach lurches as I recognize the items-

Is that…?

A butt plug. A vibrator. Several other… toys.

My world tilts on its axis. My lungs forget how to breathe as ice floods my veins, and the ground beneath my feet feels as unstable as quicksand.

Oh, dear God.

Gianni…

Aleksei glances at me, one dark brow lifting. There’s a card among the items. He picks it up, his expression darkening as he looks at it. The temperature in the room seems to drop ten degrees.

“Is this a joke?”

“No…” The word comes out as a strangled whisper. “That’s not— I didn’t know—”

“Tell that lying fuck brother of yours that he can shove these up his ass,” he reads out loud.

“Please, I had no idea those were in there.” My voice shakes. “Gianni… I mean, my ex-fiancé, he gave me the money. I thought it was just cash…”

Aleksei’s jaw clenches. “Gianni?”

“Gianni Maranzano.” The name makes my chest tighten, but it tumbles out in a nervous babble before I can stop it. “We were engaged until I found out he was cheating. When my brother got in trouble, I went to him for help. He… he made me…”

The words stick in my throat. I can’t admit what happened, not tohim. Not after our night together.

“You’re saying this is from Gianni Maranzano?” Aleksei’s dark eyes bore into mine, searching for truth or lies. “There is nowhere near three hundred thousand dollars here.”

Jesus, Stels.

What have you gotten yourself into?

The least you could have done is count that cash before coming here!

I force myself to hold his gaze despite the burning shame coursing through me.

“Please. I had no idea,” I whisper. “You have to believe me.”

I take an instinctive step back as Aleksei’s expression shifts. His eyes burn with something dark and dangerous.

“Gianni Maranzano was your fiancé?” His voice drops to a lethal whisper.

Another step back. My shoulder blades hit the wall. “Yes, but we broke up weeks ago. Before we… I didn’t know he was involved in—”

He moves with the grace of a panther, closing the distance between us. One hand plants against the wall beside my head, caging me in. His scent fills my lungs, making it hard to think.

“You said Gianni made you do something. What?” His other hand comes up to grip my jaw, forcing me to meet his gaze.

I try to turn away, but his hold tightens. “Nothing. It doesn’t matter.”

“Everything matters.” His thumb brushes my lower lip, the gentle touch at odds with the predatory energy radiating from him.

My pulse races as memories of both men collide — Gianni’s cruel manipulation and Aleksei’s passionate intensity that night at the hotel. The contrast makes me dizzy.

“Please,” I whisper, but I’m not sure what I’m asking for. Abruptly, he steps away, turning back to the desk, where the items are scattered.

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