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Idiot found them on Yelp, as if searching for where to find the best chili dog. They might’ve had a five-star rating for protecting some mid-level politician, but their expertise could never match those of crazy Russians in need of a bride. Those men love contractual marriages and take them seriously.

“Sixty days,” Dima says, referring to the contract as we walk toward our vehicles.

I open the passenger door of my black Escalade. “When it comes to money, I always hold my end of the deal.”

He points at Genesis. “Not one fucking minute later, or she’s mine.”

Genesis whips her gaze to me in confusion.

“If that time comes and I don’t have what I want, she’s all yours to do with as you please,” I reply before shoving Genesis into the passenger seat.

She stares at me in shock, and I can tell a million questions are floating in her head that she’s too afraid to ask.

Good.I want her afraid.

“We’ll be in touch,” Dima says before sliding into his black Rolls-Royce, along with his men.

I nod, open the back door to grab a towel, and toss it at Genesis before slipping behind the steering wheel. “Wipe yourself off. I don’t want a speck of blood on that seat.”

“I need to get my phone from my car and call for help,” she says, wiping the blood off her hands.

“You need to do what I tell you to do.” I shut the door.

“Fine, can youtell meto get my phone out of my car to call for help then?”

“No.” I shift the Escalade into drive and slam on the gas pedal.

“What the hell, Julian?” she asks as we surge forward. “Who were those men? Why were they there? Why wereyouthere?”

I ignore her, driving through the iron gates of the property.

“Julian,” she says, raising her voice, “answer me.”

“Sit there and shut the fuck up. I’ll explain later.”

“Excuse me?” She smacks my arm with the towel. “Don’t talk to me like that.”

Now that the Russians aren’t here, she’s grown some balls, stupidly believing I won’t hurt her.

“Don’t test me, Genesis,” I warn.

“Don’t test me,” she mocks my words, sounding too smug for my liking. “I’ll test you until I get answers, Julian.”

I swerve to the side of the road, put the Escalade in park, and snarl at her, “Genesis, you’ve seen the semi-nice side of me a few times—I’ll give you that.” I stretch across the console to get in her face. “You’re also aware there’s more evil inside me than nice. You keep running your mouth, and I’ll prove it to you.”

“I’ve never seen the nice side of you,” she argues. “I only saw the nice side of your mother andMel?—”

Before she can finish her sentence, I clamp my hand over her mouth and get in her face more. She whips her head to the side,squirming to break free, and I creep closer to pin her to the door. I don’t stop until my lips are inches from my hand on her mouth.

“You keep running that smart mouth, and you’ll never see a side of me that isn’t deranged again,” I caution.

She narrows her eyes at me but stops resisting.

“Nod your head to confirm you’ll shut the fuck up.”

She slowly nods, and I feel her tongue graze my palm.

I pull back when my phone rings. As I dig it from my pocket, she runs a finger along her lips.