And I’m the prey.
“You’re on time,” he says finally, lifting his gaze to me. His jaw twitches when he sees what I’m wearing.“You dressed for the occasion, I see.”
“So sorry.” I step inside and close the door behind me. “I left my mob negotiation dress in the wash.”
He doesn’t smile. Just stands slowly, rounding the desk in a slow, quiet, predatory way that makes my stomach clench.
I hate how good he looks. I hate that he’s calm while I’m unraveling inside, but I refuse to cower to this man again.
“Did you come here to be sarcastic?” he asks. “Or did you come to save your father?”
I don’t answer because he knows I’m caught between a rock and a hard place. No need to rub it in or confirm it.
He’s a smart guy, after all.
“I’ve already drafted the terms.”
Of course, he has.
“Terms?” I’m confused, but I knew saving my dad would come with a price. “I came to talk.”
“I’m not negotiating, princess.” He stops within a foot of me, making me press my back against the door. “You want to hear them or leave?”
I hate him.
I’ve never hated anyone in my life before Benedikt Volkov.
“I need an answer, princess.”
My nostrils flare as my pulse roars with anger. “Fine.”
Benedikt steps away, outstretches his arm, and gestures for me to sit in one of the two leather chairs in front of his desk.
I’m careful to step around him, each step spiking my breathing to an unsteady rhythm.
I want to stand, but I also want to get this over with.
He follows, careful to keep a distance between us when he leans against the edge of his desk, arms crossed and gaze fixed on mine.
“You stay with me. No running. No hiding. We make it appear that you’re mine. Publicly. I’ll deal with the whispers.”
“Appear?” I echo. “For what?”
“For now.”
I squint my eyes at him. “I’m not going to be your anything.”
“Then you’ve wasted my time.”
I’m speechless. The audacity he has to handle my father’s life like it’s nothing is unimaginable.
“I’ll bring you back information from the bakery,” I argue. “That’s all.”
“That’s not enough.”
How much does Dad owe this man?
“You’re asking an awful lot when I don’t know the full scope of what’s going on here.”
