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“I don’t do favors out of the kindness of my heart. If that’s what you’re seeking, good luck finding it in this city. Better yet, good luck finding itanywhere.”

I glance down at my glass, wishing it had the answers I’m desperately seeking. “Melissa would’ve wanted you to help me.Helping her best friend would be the nice thing to do.” I shut my eyes, the memory of Melissa always in my thoughts.

“I’d consider my offer very nice.” He lowers the bottle to the wooden coffee table before taking a long swig of his drink. “In fact, I find it offensive that you see it otherwise.”

“I find blackmail offensive. Do something for free for a change. Out of the kindness of your heart.”

Who am I kidding?

He doesn’t have a heart.

He peers up, as if deep in thought. “You want me to help you without reimbursement,out of the kindness of my heart?” When he lowers his attention back to me, he narrows his eyes. “I’ll give you a hundred thousand dollars. Take it, build a new life, and try your best to hide from the Morozovas. But for a million-dollar price tag? I need more.”

“I’ll make payments.” I slowly bring the glass to my lips, taking a sip to hide my anxiety.

“You want a loan? Go to the bank.”

I glare at him.

He knocks back the rest of his drink and places his glass beside the bottle. “Now that you’ve learned your freedom lies in my hands, let’s move on to the next order of business.”

I chug my drink, refill my glass, and take a long draw of the alcohol before motioning for him to continue.

“I only paid half your debt.” His eyes turn cold. “I’ll pay the remainder when I get what I want.”

“And what you want is a baby?” I swallow another swig. “You’re nuts if you think that’s happening. How about I clean your house for a year or babysit your plants?”

His face remains serious. “A million dollars in exchange for a child is a fair deal.”

I shake my head. “My uterus is worth more than that.”

“Genesis, your parents didn’t even think your freedom was worth that.” He straightens the collar of my—well,his—blazer and lowers his hand between the open gap. “You have two options, Genesis. Marry into the Russian Bratva or sign my contract.”

I shiver when he caresses my skin with his thumb. He makes small strokes, as if torturing me.

Like I’m a victim in one of the sick games he plays with his prey.

I’m falling straight into his trap.

Straight down the hole.

Like Alice in Wonderland, but instead, he’ll drag me straight to hell.

I shut my eyes, relishing his touch, and lose a breath when he abruptly pulls away.

“Now, drink up,” he says, his deep voice breaking me out of my thoughts. He snatches the glass and places it against my lips. “If everything ends in my favor, you won’t be able to consume alcohol for a good nine months.”

I turn my head, refusing the drink.

He shrugs, pulling back, and I expect him to return it to the table. His eyes are on mine as he tips the glass down and splashes me in the face with the drink. I rear back in shock, wiping the droplets from my cheek, and glare at him.

“There are better places I can pour this. I suggest you don’t test me.”

I snatch the glass from him and chug it.

The more alcohol I have for this conversation, the better anyway.

“I want a contract.” I’m shocked those words leave my mouth.