Page 55 of Silken Chains
Her eyelashes, long and curled, beat a frantic rhythm, mirroring the shock that’s probably ricocheting through her brain.
“Are you…? Are you fucking kidding me?” The words tumble out of her in disbelief, her eyes wide with a mix of confusion and anger. “Who’s pulling your strings for this kind of sick joke?”
“I don’t have time for jokes, kiska.” I lock eyes with her, letting the silence stretch, a muscle ticking in my jaw from the effort of keeping my cool. “Believe it or not, I can help you clear your debts, refurbish the bookstore,” I say. “Reinstate your insurance plan…”
She scoffs, her disbelief hanging thick between us. “Right, and I suppose next you’ll claim you’re some kind of billionaire mafia kingpin with a soft spot for damsels in distress?”
“Yes, but let’s get one thing straight—I don’t do ‘soft spots.’ I make deals. And right now, you’re in a prime position to strike one with me.
“Uh, you’re joking,” she blurts out, her voice shaking a bit with fear and a hint of challenge.
Then her eyebrows furrow in confusion.
“Wait, so you’re telling me you are like some big mafia boss, right? And I’m supposed to be the queen of England?” she scoffs, clearly not buying it. “I don’t get what you’re playing at, but kidnapping me? You’re just asking for trouble…”
I can’t help but chuckle at her naivety. “Oh, little firecracker,” my voice is dripping with condescension, “what kind of trouble do you think a man like me fears?”
She’s visibly shaken but trying to mask it with anger. “I couldn’t care less if you’re running for president next, but seriously, just find my clothes and let me go, will you? I won’t spill the beans to anyone,” she says.
I lean in, a sly smile playing on my lips. “You think it’s that simple? Just walk out and pretend none of this ever happened? Kiska, you’re not going anywhere,” I tell her. My gaze locks on her, making it crystal clear that arguing with me isn’t an option.
Her eyes widen in horror, the realization dawning on her. “But… my friends, they’ll notice I’m missing. They’ll call the cops.”
I arch an eyebrow, amused. “And you think the police will come looking for you?” My smirk widens. “Kiska, you don’t even know what you’re up against.”
“I… I…” Laura starts, her voice wavering.
I don’t give her the chance. My gaze fixed firmly on hers, I cut in sharply, “No ‘Is,’ Laura. It’s simple. If you value your one and only friend, Serena Flores, and her little family,” I settle onto the leather sofa in front of her, leaning forward slightly, “you’ll do what I ask you to do.”
Blyad!
It feels weird, twisting my gut, using her best friend as leverage. I know it’s a dirty move, a low blow, but it’s what I’ve got to do to make this happen.
She opens her mouth, then closes it, the fight draining out of her. I’ve hit a nerve.
“See, Laura, you’re in a much deeper mess than you realize,” I say, my tone softening just a fraction. “But I’m offering you a way out. A deal.”
She’s clueless, sitting there with those wide, innocent eyes, not realizing the mess she’s almost stepped into. Last night, someone else was prowling around her apartment, someone not us. If I hadn’t shown up when I did, she would’ve been snatched up before she even knew what hit her. The guy bolted the second he saw my men, slipping away like a shadow. Clearly a pro, the way he vanished into thin air.
But who the fuck sent that guy?
I feel a knot of confusion in my gut. There’s something about Laura that doesn’t add up.
And I have a feeling she doesn’t know anything about it.
“What kind of deal?” She swallows hard, her eyes darting around the room, seeking an escape that doesn’t exist.
I stop my hand right before touching her face, close but not quite there. She tries to pull away, even tries to hit my hand away, but I grab her wrist before she can.
“Listen closely.” I keep my voice steady. “You’ve got debt. I need a wife for a year.” I look at her straight, making sure she gets it.
“Marry me for one year, and all your debt goes away. Simple as that.”
Chapter 20
Luara
I MUST’VE suddenly gone deaf because there’s no way my ears are working right.
