Total pages in book: 67
Estimated words: 68102 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 341(@200wpm)___ 272(@250wpm)___ 227(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 68102 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 341(@200wpm)___ 272(@250wpm)___ 227(@300wpm)
She had no idea how he knew her darkest secret. Or how he’d gotten that video of Aleksandr.
Oleg knew too much. Unfortunately, that meant she had to put up with him. But the agreement was that they’d only pretend to be together. She wasn’t going to sleep with him.
And how long do you think it will be until he changes his mind? Until he forces you.
It was her turn to feel nauseous.
“Your cousin never shuts up! He said how fucking undeserving I am. We both know the truth, don’t we, Sofia?” He moved his other hand to her jaw, tightening his hold until she let out an involuntary whimper.
“We both know you a disloyal slut. So you lucky I keep your secret, right? You should do your best to keep me happy.”
But they both knew that the reason Oleg hadn’t told Sacha her secret wasn’t because of her. He liked their arrangement too much to want the truth to come out.
He enjoyed having this hold over her. He also liked the power and privileges that being Sofia Anisimov’s boyfriend brought him.
She shook her head with a grunt, and he let go of her.
“I will not,” she told him, proud that there was no waver in her voice.
“You will,” he spat out. “Get on your knees.”
Gross. Spittle landed on her face and she flinched, her stomach rolling over.
“No! And we both know you won’t tell Aleksandr anything.” She never called him Sacha in front of Oleg or any of his men. It just felt wrong for some reason. “You like this arrangement.”
“Do not think that give you any power, Sofia. It doesn’t. I’m building backup plan.”
What did that mean? What backup plan?
Before she could question him, he shoved her to her knees. Pain stole her breath as licks of agony raced through her back.
Oh God.
Sick.
She was going to be sick.
“Fuck! You gonna vomit? Don’t you dare!” He stepped back and she felt her breathing ease.
But then he grabbed her hair again, shoving her head back as he glared down at her.
“You think this get you out of punishment? No, I think of something else. For now, this cash is mine, and I expect more of it.”
“You already get paid.”
For doing nothing.
But her bravery was all gone and she kept that thought to herself.
“Not enough to put up with your asshole cousin.”
He was the one who’d wanted to get close to Sacha. But why? It didn’t seem like he liked Aleksandr. So what did he want?
And what was his backup plan?
Shit.
“Just remember play your role, Sofia,” he warned.
Uh-huh.
Her role. She was always playing a role, wasn’t she?
The pampered princess. The devoted cousin. The adoring girlfriend. The sensible business owner.
Role after role.
She wasn’t even sure who the real Sofia was anymore.
“Next time you need excuse for me not being here, come up with something better that won’t get me pulled into asshole’s office and scolded like naughty schoolboy. Understand me?”
He shook her back and forth until she cried out. “Yes!”
“Good.”
A knock on the door made Oleg freeze. Then he let go of her hair and pulled her onto her feet. She could barely stand. Nausea bubbled, and he had to take a moment to remind herself to breathe.
“Sofia?”
Shit. It was Miller.
Oleg’s gaze turned calculating. She didn’t like that look on his face.
She had to keep Miller away from him.
Keep her safe.
She was still shocked that Rogan had agreed to let Miller work here. Although she wasn’t entirely sure what sort of relationship they had. Colm had called her a house guest. So perhaps he didn’t really have a say in what she did.
However, the fact she was always accompanied by one of his men seemed to suggest that Rogan had some feelings for her.
Moving to the door, Sofia took a deep breath and let it out slowly as she opened it.
“Hi, Miller.”
“Hey! Just letting you know we’re heading out now if that’s all good.”
We?
Sofia glanced over Miller’s shoulder to where Colm stood. Those piercing blue eyes took her in, cataloging everything.
Anger flooded his face and she had to force herself not to retreat as he moved forward. “What’s wrong?”
“Wrong? Why would anything be wrong?” Sofia managed to say around the sudden lump in her throat.
“Yes. Why would anything be wrong?” Oleg asked as he moved in behind her, draping an arm across her chest.
Sofia had to work hard to keep the revulsion off her face, to not to step sharply away.
It was nearly impossible.
She couldn’t tear her gaze away from Colm’s face as he froze. It was hard to see if he was even breathing.
“Oleg,” he managed to get out through gritted teeth. “Didn’t realize you were there.”
“Sofia and I just discussing business,” Oleg said in his slimy voice. It was an assault to her ears, like nails on a chalkboard. Or oil spilling into the ocean.