Page 14

Story: Sinful Ruin

I’m numb, like it’s hard to feel anything.

The loss and hurt are there, yes, but the tears aren’t.

I don’t know how much time passed before Julian returns, waking me.

He drops his gun, wallet, and a folder on the counter before walking toward me, slipping his hands into his pockets. He’s no longer wearing his blazer from earlier. His black button-up sleeves are rolled to his elbows, and stress lines his face.

The blazer slips off my shoulder as I sit up, revealing my bra.

He halts in step, his gaze sweeping over me in slow motion. Blood rushes between my legs as his eyes travel over my chest.

He smirks. “This is a pleasant view to come home to.”

I frown, hitching the blazer back up my shoulder. “Don’t expect for it to happen again.”

His smirk grows, a hum falling from his lips.

“It’s time to tell me what’s going on, Julian.”

He cracks his neck. “Your father owes a lot of people a lot of money.” He stops to correct himself. “Well,owed, given that he’s now dead.”

I wince at how cold he saiddead.

“I’m sure you expected an inheritance upon his death, but all he left you was debt, possible criminal charges, and an obligation to marry into the Russian Bratva.” His voice turns arrogant. “Or, if you behave correctly, I’ll save your ass.”

I cross my arms, goose bumps crawling up my skin. “I’ll pay whatever he owes them.” There’s money in my bank account, and I’ll sell everything I own if it means my freedom.

He strolls deeper into the living room. “The debt is a million dollars.”

“I have that.” My condo alone is worth two million.

“You have nothing, nor do you have access to any money. Your family’s and your bank account were frozen hours ago. Youalso won’t receive a penny from your inheritance or the sale of your condo.”

“My father earned plenty of legitimate money. They can’t take everything.”

“They can. The Feds have been investigating your father for months and planned to arrest him tonight. When they arrived at his home after we left, they found his body and searched the home for additional evidence.”

“How the hell do you know all this?”

“I know everything.”

I snort. “Cocky much?”

“I did business with your father and have connections with a few Feds. He’d been on their radar, but I only learned about his deal with the Morozovas tonight.”

“Morozovas are the crazy Russians?” I ask slowly.

He nods.

“You could’ve given me a heads-up about the whole Feds situation.”

“You’d have done something stupid. The last thing I needed was them thinking you knew about or were involved in your father’s crimes.” He stalks to the wet bar, pouring two glasses of bourbon.

I don’t take my eyes off him as he carries the glasses by the stems in one hand, and the bottle in the other while walking back toward me.

He holds out his hand carrying the glasses and offers me one. “I’m here to help you, Genesis.”

I take the glass from him. “For a fee … for a uterus.”