Page 41 of Avenging Azalea (California Made Men #2)

Setting my fork down, I picked up the ominous paperwork. Unfolding the pages, I began to read, and just like that, everything clicked into place. Whether it was because of Vera or not, Mr. Mikhailov wanted me out of Titus’s house.

It was all right there in black and white. I was to move out, and future contact with Titus was limited to emergencies. In return, Dimitri dangled a golden carrot.

In addition to my school tuition and the land, I now possessed a bank account with a million dollars.

He wanted me out of Titus’s life so desperately that he had offered me all of this to go away and never come back.

The whole situation made me ill. Dimitri was despicable, and I couldn’t believe I hadn’t listened to Titus’s warnings.

“This is far too generous. I cannot accept,” I said, and placed the contract down.

Dimitri smiled, but it didn’t reach his eyes. This was not a man who took ‘No’ for an answer.

“I was afraid you’d say that,” he said, sighing. “It really would be in your best interest to take the offer.”

“Why are you doing this? I’m no threat to you or your family.”

“Threats come in many forms. No matter what you believe, it has become clear that you are meddling in my son’s life. Your presence hasn’t changed him for the better.”

“I disagree with you there. Titus is kind, smart, hardworking, and extremely loyal.”

“That is how you see it. Unfortunately, in this world, Titus’s kindness is a weakness that will get him killed. You will get him killed.”

The statement hung in the air between us as our appetizers were cleared and our entrées delivered. I no longer had an appetite. That was not the case for Dimitri, who cut into his steak and ate a piece of meat so red it made me gag.

Gripping my fork tighter, I shook my head.

“No, I’m sorry. I’m declining your offer, and please don’t add to it.

That’s not why I’m saying no. Titus has been wonderful to me, and…

” I paused, trying to find the right words that wouldn’t make this situation worse.

“We are as close as family. Taking your money and never speaking to him again is wrong, and I won’t do it. ”

I watched Dimitri calmly eat his steak and waited for him to respond.

Each mouthful had my heart pounding harder and not for a good reason.

There was a maliciousness wafting off him like a cologne.

I’d gotten way too good at reading men with ill intentions toward me.

The look in their eyes and how they carried themselves.

Without saying a word, he told me that there was a good chance I wouldn’t be breathing tomorrow morning.

Picking up his napkin, he dabbed at his mouth. Then, grabbed his glass before leaning back slightly to get comfortable in the booth. He swirled his wine as he stared at me with those icy blue eyes.

“I’m afraid that I wasn’t clear, Fawn. I’ll try to explain this to you in a different way.

” I swallowed hard, my meal forgotten. “You don’t have a choice.

School is paid for, the land is purchased, and the money is already in the account.

Which, let’s be real here, Fawn, is more than you ever thought you’d see in your life.

Especially with the things your stepfather got you to do,” he said, smirking.

The wine in his glass might as well have been my blood. He knew my past, and like a vampire, he was trying to suck the life out of me.

“Then again, maybe you enjoyed your time in Neil Carmichael’s loving care.”

My body trembled from my head to the tips of my toes.

“I hear he and his friends broke you in real well. I’m sure that you don’t want Titus to learn of your extracurricular activities. A man like Titus can’t help but look at someone like you with pity. Personally, I think your experience is alluring.” His eyes flicked to my chest.

A bit of vomit rose into the back of my mouth, and I had to swallow it down. It burned like acid as I sucked in a shaky breath.

“It would also be a real shame if your brother…George, is it? If he couldn’t finish school and ended up in a compromising situation to pay off your debt.”

My eyes went wide, not having a clue what he was talking about.

“Don’t look so shocked. Did you think the half a million just got dropped? No, Titus paid that off for you. He used family money to do it, and I graciously let it go, but if you don’t take this deal, then my generosity goes away. Do you understand me?”

“Yes,” I said, not daring to say more.

“Good, and this goes without saying, but…other than telling Titus you are moving out of the house, you say nothing about the rest of the arrangement. If you do, your innocent brother will pay the price.”

He smiled, but it didn’t reach his harsh stare.

“Now that we have that out of the way, we can enjoy the rest of our evening. Please take that contract home and read it over thoroughly. I’m sure that once you’ve had time to process everything, you’ll find it to be very generous, and one you just can’t say no to.”

I sat there blinking at him, my mind racing and wishing that I could go back in time and say no to dinner, or tell Titus about the call from his father. Then again, with what he’d already set in motion, there was a good chance Dimitri had a contingency plan if that happened. God, I was so stupid.

Still reeling from Dimitri’s threats, I noticed a woman approaching the table.

She looked to be just a little older than I, but the dark scowl on her face and the death glare she gave me, and then Dimitri, told the story.

Titus had never mentioned family dynamics, so I was left unprepared for the events unfolding here.

“Well, isn’t this cozy. So, you’re the new girl. I thought you’d be younger. I can’t believe you’re the reason I was thrown out of my home.” Her eyes threw daggers at me.

“Crystal, this is very inappropriate, and it’s time for you to leave,” Dimitri said before I could set the record straight. He lifted his finger in the air, and the two guards who had followed us inside walked up behind Crystal.

“Fine, I’ll leave. I just wanted to come over and see the whore who replaced me up close. You’re slipping, Dimitri. You could’ve done better. Then again, you are getting old, and your equipment doesn’t work so well anymore.” She glanced at his lap, and Dimitri’s eyes hardened.

Crystal grabbed his water glass and dumped it on him, laughing as those watching gasped.

“Remove her,” Dimitri said, far calmer than I’d expected, contradicting the look on his face. He blotted at his pants with his napkin as the guards grabbed her arms.

They dragged her to the front door while she screamed and demanded to be released.

“Oh my gosh, Mr. Mikhailov, I’m so sorry. Your meal is on the house, and here,” a man with a manager’s tag said as he held out a white towel.

“Not to worry,” Dimitri said, waving the man away. He looked up at me and huffed. “I’m sorry for the interruption to our lovely meal. She’ll be dealt with appropriately.” He pointed to my untouched pasta. “You better eat up. They have a divine soufflé here that you must try.”

I thought I’d met the Devil before, but now I realized that I’d only been dealing with henchmen. I hadn’t known him at all until this moment, and I’d willingly walked into his lair.