Page 78 of Begin Again, Part 2

"Don't touch me!" She took a step back from him, her face taut with fury.

Aleksei brushed off her anger with a dismissive shrug and carried on wooing her. "Five million will be transferred into your account by close of business tomorrow if you get me the LUSSO file."

"Which part of I'm not interested, did you not understand?" Eden asked and tapped her foot impatiently as she swept her gaze through the room again.

"Is that your final answer?"

"I have nothing to say to you!" Eden gritted her teeth, and walked on. Aleksei grabbed her arm, and squeezed it hard, shocking her with his brute force. She inhaled sharply when his fingers dug into her skin. But the pain was nothing compared to the icy terror in her stomach.

"Do I have your attention now?" he asked with an unwavering smile.

Eden nodded, blinking back the tears stinging the corners of her eyes.

Aleksei released her from his grasp, reached inside his suit, and pulled out a small black case. He forced it in her free hand and ordered her to open it.

"No!" Eden shook her head. Her shrill voice drew a few stares from the crowd milling about, but not one person came to her aid. They all knew better than to interfere in mob business.

"It wasn't a request," Aleksei said in that same cold voice matching his icy stare.

Eden reluctantly popped the lid, a thin line of sweat trickling down her spine as her blood ran cold. But it wasn't the sight of the bullet nestled inside the velvet cushion that slowed her heart rate to a painfully sluggish pace. It was the initials engraved on the capsule.

"I would have sent it via courier, but since you're here, it will save me the trouble. Give it to Anderson," he instructed her. "He'll know what it means."

Aleksei didn't give her a chance to refuse. He bowed at her, kissed her hand, and vanished into the throng of people dressed in outrageously expensive clothes they'd likely never wear again.

Eden remained frozen in place and stared at the space the devil incarnate had occupied until someone jolted her out of her daze, restarting her heart rate. Panic and bile rose in the pit of her stomach as her sense of self-preservation kicked in. Her legs moved on their own accord, her feet propelling her forward as she clawed through the crowd, searching for Liam. They had to get the hell out here. Grab Aiden and run. She didn't care where they went, just as long as it was far from Rock Castle and away from the crazy Russian mob.

She heaved and gagged as she waded through the masses, praying she wouldn't throw up all over her fancy dress in front of all these people.

She was almost out of The Ball Room when she stumbled straight into Liam's ex, and a few of her colleagues crowded around the buffet table.

"I see you have some semblance of class, Eden McBride," Laura said. She looked striking in a red A-line floor-length gown. Her light makeup brought out the green in her eyes, but the perpetual frown she wore eclipsed her beauty.

Eden nodded curtly at her and moved along. She didn't have time for her antics. She had bigger issues on her hands—issues she didn't have before her chat with Aleksei Ivanov. But first, she had to find a restroom. Her churning stomach couldn't hold in her terror any longer.

Miraculously, Eden managed to keep it together long enough to stumble into a staff-only bathroom. Her knees buckled, and she sprawled over the bowl, vaguely aware that Laura had followed her and was now privy to one of her most private moments.

When there was nothing left to puke, Eden stood up, fixed her dress, and flushed the toilet. She approached the basin, her eyes clashing with Laura's in the mirror as she rinsed her mouth and wiped it off with Liam's handkerchief.

"What do you want?" she asked, knowing she'd regret entertaining her.

Laura smiled wickedly. "I wanted to congratulate you."

"For?" Eden ran a tired hand through her hair. It was a bit untidy after her quickie with Liam. But, now, after her unexpected bathroom stop, it was a hot mess of note. Franco would be so disappointed.

"Your happy family." Laura pulled out a small perfume bottle and spritzed herself, sending a cloying cloud in Eden's direction. "I underestimated you, but I must admit, it was a brilliant plan to give Liam a child so you can get your hands on all those billions!"

"I don't have time for your bullshit today," Eden turned and glared at her. "Liam's moved on. You should do the same."

"You little witch!" Laura brought up her hand to slap her across the face, but Eden's reflexes were too quick. Lucy had taught her well. She grabbed it and threw it back at her.

"Don't touch me," she warned her. "Or I will retaliate."

Laura sneered and swept her hair over her shoulder haughtily. "You think you've hit the jackpot with Liam?"

Eden shook her head. "It was never about hitting the jackpot. Unlike you, I see the man and not the dollar signs swimming in front of your eyes. Maybe if you treated him like a human being instead of a bank card, your fragile relationship could have survived!"

"You bitch!" Laura screeched.

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