Chapter 5
“You’re going to have my baby.”
Talk about cliffhanger of the freaking century.
When he returns, I’m telling him he’s batshit crazy and to take me home.
Is going home even safe?
I gulp.
Will the Russian war-fucking-lords come looking for me, thinking I’m Dima’s wife to be, and Julian won’t be there to protect me?
First things first.
I need to get out of these bloody clothes.
I kick off my chunky heels, undress to only my bra and panties, and walk upstairs in search of a closet. The only unlocked doors are bathrooms, and I find nothing. Defeated, I return downstairs and find the laundry room.
I open the dryer, and it’s empty.
Just perfect.
As I make my way back to the kitchen, I spot a black blazer spread over the back of an island stool. I snatch it and put it on.
Unsure of what else to do, I snuggle on the couch and wait.
Wait and think.
Has my entire life been a lie?
My father was a well-respected Wall Street broker. He founded one of the largest investment firms in the country and managed billions of dollars for clients, ranging from tech CEOs to those on Forbes richest list and government officials in other countries.
No way he could have gone broke.
But why else would he have sold me and put a bullet in his own head?
Even if he did have a contract with the Russians, it’s not like Dima could take me to court and force me to marry him, right?
I wish I had my phone so I could call 911.
My father might’ve done a shitty thing, but he didn’t deserve to be left dead in his office.
I also need to get in contact with my mother to tell her everything and ask where she is.
We haven’t talked in days, but that’s not unusual. Our relationship isn’t the best.
I grab the remote and attempt to make myself comfortable.
My mind returns to Julian.
Why is he doing this?
I’m his sister’s friend, yes.
But he made it clear he didn’t like or trust me.
Why in the world would he want me to have his baby?
I saw my father shoot himself and haven’t cried.
I’m numb, like it’s hard to feel anything.
The loss and hurt are there, yes, but the tears aren’t.
I don’t know how much time passed before Julian returns, waking me.
He drops his gun, wallet, and a folder on the counter before walking toward me, slipping his hands into his pockets. He’s no longer wearing his blazer from earlier. His black button-up sleeves are rolled to his elbows, and stress lines his face.
The blazer slips off my shoulder as I sit up, revealing my bra.
He halts in step, his gaze sweeping over me in slow motion. Blood rushes between my legs as his eyes travel over my chest.
He smirks. “This is a pleasant view to come home to.”
I frown, hitching the blazer back up my shoulder. “Don’t expect for it to happen again.”
His smirk grows, a hum falling from his lips.
“It’s time to tell me what’s going on, Julian.”
He cracks his neck. “Your father owes a lot of people a lot of money.” He stops to correct himself. “Well, owed , given that he’s now dead.”
I wince at how cold he said dead .
“I’m sure you expected an inheritance upon his death, but all he left you was debt, possible criminal charges, and an obligation to marry into the Russian Bratva.” His voice turns arrogant. “Or, if you behave correctly, I’ll save your ass.”
I cross my arms, goose bumps crawling up my skin. “I’ll pay whatever he owes them.” There’s money in my bank account, and I’ll sell everything I own if it means my freedom.
He strolls deeper into the living room. “The debt is a million dollars.”
“I have that.” My condo alone is worth two million.
“You have nothing, nor do you have access to any money. Your family’s and your bank account were frozen hours ago. You also won’t receive a penny from your inheritance or the sale of your condo.”
“My father earned plenty of legitimate money. They can’t take everything.”
“They can. The Feds have been investigating your father for months and planned to arrest him tonight. When they arrived at his home after we left, they found his body and searched the home for additional evidence.”
“How the hell do you know all this?”
“I know everything.”
I snort. “Cocky much?”
“I did business with your father and have connections with a few Feds. He’d been on their radar, but I only learned about his deal with the Morozovas tonight.”
“Morozovas are the crazy Russians?” I ask slowly.
He nods.
“You could’ve given me a heads-up about the whole Feds situation.”
“You’d have done something stupid. The last thing I needed was them thinking you knew about or were involved in your father’s crimes.” He stalks to the wet bar, pouring two glasses of bourbon.
I don’t take my eyes off him as he carries the glasses by the stems in one hand, and the bottle in the other while walking back toward me.
He holds out his hand carrying the glasses and offers me one. “I’m here to help you, Genesis.”
I take the glass from him. “For a fee … for a uterus.”
“I don’t do favors out of the kindness of my heart. If that’s what you’re seeking, good luck finding it in this city. Better yet, good luck finding it anywhere .”
I glance down at my glass, wishing it had the answers I’m desperately seeking. “Melissa would’ve wanted you to help me. Helping her best friend would be the nice thing to do.” I shut my eyes, the memory of Melissa always in my thoughts.
“I’d consider my offer very nice.” He lowers the bottle to the wooden coffee table before taking a long swig of his drink. “In fact, I find it offensive that you see it otherwise.”
“I find blackmail offensive. Do something for free for a change. Out of the kindness of your heart.”
Who am I kidding?
He doesn’t have a heart.
He peers up, as if deep in thought. “You want me to help you without reimbursement, out of the kindness of my heart ?” When he lowers his attention back to me, he narrows his eyes.
“I’ll give you a hundred thousand dollars.
Take it, build a new life, and try your best to hide from the Morozovas.
But for a million-dollar price tag? I need more. ”
“I’ll make payments.” I slowly bring the glass to my lips, taking a sip to hide my anxiety.
“You want a loan? Go to the bank.”
I glare at him.
He knocks back the rest of his drink and places his glass beside the bottle. “Now that you’ve learned your freedom lies in my hands, let’s move on to the next order of business.”
I chug my drink, refill my glass, and take a long draw of the alcohol before motioning for him to continue.
“I only paid half your debt.” His eyes turn cold. “I’ll pay the remainder when I get what I want.”
“And what you want is a baby?” I swallow another swig. “You’re nuts if you think that’s happening. How about I clean your house for a year or babysit your plants?”
His face remains serious. “A million dollars in exchange for a child is a fair deal.”
I shake my head. “My uterus is worth more than that.”
“Genesis, your parents didn’t even think your freedom was worth that.” He straightens the collar of my—well, his —blazer and lowers his hand between the open gap. “You have two options, Genesis. Marry into the Russian Bratva or sign my contract.”
I shiver when he caresses my skin with his thumb. He makes small strokes, as if torturing me.
Like I’m a victim in one of the sick games he plays with his prey.
I’m falling straight into his trap.
Straight down the hole.
Like Alice in Wonderland, but instead, he’ll drag me straight to hell.
I shut my eyes, relishing his touch, and lose a breath when he abruptly pulls away.
“Now, drink up,” he says, his deep voice breaking me out of my thoughts. He snatches the glass and places it against my lips. “If everything ends in my favor, you won’t be able to consume alcohol for a good nine months.”
I turn my head, refusing the drink.
He shrugs, pulling back, and I expect him to return it to the table. His eyes are on mine as he tips the glass down and splashes me in the face with the drink. I rear back in shock, wiping the droplets from my cheek, and glare at him.
“There are better places I can pour this. I suggest you don’t test me.”
I snatch the glass from him and chug it.
The more alcohol I have for this conversation, the better anyway.
“I want a contract.” I’m shocked those words leave my mouth.
Am I really considering this?
Julian smiles smugly, stands, and returns to the kitchen. I watch his every move as he grabs the folder, stalks back to me, and tosses it in my lap.
“Your contract.”
Well, damn.
I didn’t expect him to have it on demand.
I steadily open the folder and flip through the pages of the contract.
His face is unreadable.
“Did you give me a drink before this to alter my comprehension while reading this contract?” I ask.
“Of course not.” He rests his hand over his heart. “A man of my integrity would never.”
I roll my eyes at his lie. “Why do you want me to have your baby? You could easily have some random woman do it without having to pay a million dollars.”
“That’s none of your concern.” He bites into his lip, reaching down to skim his finger along my collarbone. “I will admit, though, coming home and seeing you like this, waiting for me, tells me I’m making the right decision.”
I smack his hand away.
He moves it to my shoulder, running it down my arm.
The asshole is fucking with me, turning me on to turn off my brain.
I squeeze my thighs together.
Bad move since it draws his attention to my bare legs.
Fuck .
His eyes immediately dart to my thighs. Desire flashes across his face. I’m surprised he didn’t pay more attention to my lack of pants before.
“You’re asking for a lot here, Julian. It is my concern,” I say.
“You’ll be well taken care of and want for nothing.”
“Well taken care of?” It takes me a moment to get the next words out. “Like marriage?”
That last word snaps his attention back to my face. “Marriage isn’t necessary.”
I raise a brow. “So, after we baby it up, I can marry another man?”