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“It’s a plan. We can get spa treatments first,” Alina says. “What do you say, Erin?”

I make a sound like yes, but honestly, I think I’d just like to nap.

“That,” Kara says, “is a pretend yes. But give me five more minutes and it’ll be real. Yes or death.”

“I get it, I’m having fun,” I say, “no matter what.”

And I continue to let the sun warm me.

Chapter Twenty-Six

DEMYAN

Sergio’s doorbell rings.I wait, then ring again. There’s a camera, so I’m sure he knows I’m here.

But the man’s a showman, or is that snake oil salesman?

Finally, the door opens and a pretty brunette housemaid answers. She looks up at me, shock spreading, which says she might not have access to the camera feeds, but she knows exactly who I am.

As one who is known but keeps a low profile, I find it interesting. She’s clearly seen me before, but Sergio must talk about me because it’s an expression that saysshitvery loudly.

She managed a smile, smoothing her hands down over her black skirt of her uniform.

“Where’s Sergio? I know he knows I’m here.” I look around, heading to the drawing room. I’ve been here before and I’ve no interest in going deeper into the house.

She follows me. “Do you want Miss Augusto?”

“Why the fuck would I want Stefina?” I remind myself, while she’s not my favorite person, she’s just as manipulated by her father as I let myself be. The difference is she neverstood a chance because Daddy controls everything. Daddy’s groomed her to be, well… her.

So I gentle my voice a little. “I’m here for Sergio, not Stefina. And time’s of the essence. Tell him I’ll wait for two minutes and no more.”

It’s a gamble putting that hard spin on it, but I need to re-establish my power to him. I’m the one with the power, not him. No matter what he thinks, he’ll be getting out of his deal with Rocco.

She does a clumsy curtsy, blushes, and whispers, “I’ll go and get Mr. Augusto.”

And she takes off.

He’s there in fifty seconds. He looks me up and down and smiles. “Are you here to finally right your horrible wrong?”

“And that would be?”

The smile slips a little. “Marry my Stefina. I’m not sure she’ll have you after you humiliated her, broke her heart. She loves you so much, Demyan, that I’m sure with some serious groveling from you, she’ll take you back.”

“Not here to grovel.”

His eyes narrow. “You need to,” he snaps. “You embarrassed her.”

“Stefina or you, Sergio?”

The man ignores my dig.

He doesn’t have his cigar, but he has a glass of whiskey and there’s no offer of a drink for me. I wouldn’t take it anyway. I’m not here to break bread or get poisoned. I’m here to lay things out.

“You ended your engagement and thought you could sneak off and marry your sidepiece because, what? You couldn’t keep it in your pants and knocked her up again? Let her birth the bastard and pay her off, like we all do.” He sips his drink. “You’re less of a man than I thought you were. Positively cunt whipped.”

I fight not to curl my hand. I just remain passive and file the insult to Erin away. He’ll pay for it. Just not right now.

“I’m marrying Erin, yes.”