Page 33 of The Wrong Brother

She rubs tiredly at her forehead. “This is insane.”

“Yes. But necessary.”

“You’reinsane.”

“Some would argue I hide it well.”

Her lips twitch despite herself before flattening again almost immediately. “And what exactly would people think I am? Your date? Girlfriend? Escort?”

Something dark flickers pleasantly through me at the last word. Half of my empire is built on escorts; women who choose the profession, who understand the power it can bring. For a brief moment, a fantasy plays through my mind, of Emma in a delicious black dress, pushing me back onto a bed. Climbing over me, a toy in hand…a devilish look in her eyes.

“My companion,” I say smoothly.

She scoffs. “Sure. You want to bring me, your brother’s ex, back to hisengagement and weddingand act like I’m just a companion?” Something flickers briefly in her eyes, a sadness that makes her turn away. “You realize he won’t care, right? Because obviously six months with me was enough to realize I wasn’t marriage material.”

A low growl starts in my chest, and I shut it down.

Would she have married Andrei? The thought of her at his side, binding herself to him, makes me want to break things.

“He’ll care,” I bark harshly, noticing too late that the sound makes Emma flinch. “Andrei has always been a greedy, selfish littlemudak.He doesn’t like others playing with his toys, even discarded ones.”

Emma exhales sharply and drops back onto the sofa at last, exhausted by the argument. Sunlight catches the edge of her curls while she stares down at the floor, visibly turning the offer over in her head.

“I’ll keep you safe,” I add softly, curling my hand into a fist so I don’t reach for her. “He won’t be able to do anything to you, to say anything. I’d slit his throat if he tried.”

One hundred thousand dollars. Security. Protection. A way forward.

Finally, she mutters, “This is the worst decision I’ve ever made.”

Relief settles quietly into my chest.

“You agree?”

“I didn’t say that.”

“You implied it.”

Emma glares up at me again before giving one small, bitter laugh. “God, I hate you.”

“No, you do not. You need me, just as I need you. Or—my money, at least.”

That shuts her up briefly. Then, after several long seconds, she drags both hands down her face.

“…Fine.”

Victory slides warm and dangerous through my bloodstream.

“Fine?” I repeat carefully.

“I’ll do it,” she snaps. “But when this explodes in both our faces, I want it clearly documented that I knew this was a terrible idea from the beginning. And I get paid no matterwhatyou’re trying to stir up with your brother.”

She has no idea. No idea that this goes far, far deeper than jealousy. Andrei took everything from me, and I plan on getting it back.

“I will have a lawyer draw up a contract.”

Emma stares at me. “You actuallyhavedone this before.”

“Not exactly. But things like it.”