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His harshness turns into amusement as he approaches me, unbuttoning his blazer in the process. “Genesis, I do nothing for free.” He circles his arm around my hips, stopping me from backing away. “Every move I make ends in my favor. Bad deals are what put men, like your father, in caskets.”

I gulp, and it takes me a moment to raise my gaze from the floor to him. Dread sits in the pit of my stomach.

“What’syour price, Julian?”

He brushes a single callous finger along my jaw. “I need a favor from you.”

I shiver, unsure if I want to smack his finger away or ask for more of his touch. “What favor could you possibly want from me?”

He’s in the line of murder and gambling.

I’m not murdering anyone. That’s for damn sure.

I doubt it’s sex.

He’s never had trouble getting women.

He’s hot as fuck, he has money, and he’s in the Mafia.

An instant turn-on for women.

Well, us insane women.

I also offered myself up to him before, and he declined.

Declined sex, but he had no problem touching me in the back of a nightclub.

“We’ll discuss that when I return.” He digs his finger into my lip before swiftly drawing back. Not another word leaves him ashe returns to the kitchen, collects his keys, and walks toward the door.

I sprint across the room and block the door.

He raises his brow in humor.

“No, I want answers now,” I demand.

He shoves me against the door, fastens his hands around my wrists, and slams them against the door over my head. I whimper when he presses his body against mine, lowering his mouth to my ear and sliding his tongue along the lobe.

“Which do you want more? Answers or protection from Dima?” he sneers.

I stare at him, lost for words, and bite my lip.

“Do you want to stay alive?”

“That’s been my lifelong plan, yes.”

“Then, you’re going to have my baby.” He pulls me away from the door, pushing me toward the kitchen. “And FYI, I have two men waiting outside who I’ve instructed to deliver you to Dima’s doorstep if you try to leave. Or shall I have them drop you off at the altar?”

I rub my wrist and glare at him.

He cunningly smirks before leaving.

I flip him off as soon as the door shuts behind him.

4

“How’s theAtlantic City location going?” Antonio asks.

“Growing,” I reply, sitting across from him and Damien at the boardroom table at Lucky Kings Casino.