Page 118 of The Billionaire's Baby
"You offered me the contract?" I explode, "I got it because I am the best in the business."
"You are, and that's why you did," I agree, "but I also had a vested interest in making sure you that the contract went to you."
"Wait. Hold on." I raise my hand, "So, you're saying that you influenced the Seven into ensuring that I was the preferred contractor for the job?"
"Because you’re the best." he reminds me.
"But you influenced the outcome?"
He raises his shoulders, "I may have hinted that you had my vote and that I trusted you."
"Too bad I can't say the same about you anymore."
He sets his jaw.
"You made sure that I won such a lucrative contract that I had no choice but to move countries." I stab my finger at him. "You made me upturn my entire life, and why? So you could benefit from the deal that you struck with my family?"
"I did it to keep you safe."
"I can take care of myself," I yell.
He sets his jaw. "Do you have any idea of how many people bear a grudge against your family? The kind of enemies one makes in the line of business they are in?"
"You mean the line of business you are in?"
"No. No one knows of my affiliation with your family. That means that I can protect you."
"Oh yeah?" I snort, "And how do you plan on doing that? By manipulating my life? By arranging for me to stowaway on the yacht?"
"I didn't arrange for you to stowaway on the yacht. That was all you, and you know it."
I toss my hair over my head, "But you do admit to controlling my life?"
"If you mean, did I seduce you into falling for me?" He smirks. "Then it's natural that you feel cut up about it. After all, you didn't have a chance."
I fold my hands over my chest. "Excuse me?"
"I mean, it’s only natural that you’d want to be with me after I shagged you."
I gape at him. "Is that an apology? Because it’s certainly not sounding like one to me."
He cracks his neck. "You’re right, I totally suck at this."
"Finally," I raise my eyes skywards, "something you’re not good at."
"I’m also not good at this." He gets down on one knee, takes my left hand in this.
"Oh, no, no, no." I try to pull my hand but he holds on.
"Karina Solonik, will you marry me?"
40
Arpad
"No." She stares down into my face.
"What?" I blink. "What did you say?"
