Page 21 of Royal Bargain

“You don’t sign anything in this city without reading it twice.”

“You sound like Papa,” I mutter.

He frowns at that, stepping closer. “Annushka. Women like Ingrid don’t do anything out of the goodness of their hearts. She’s smart, ruthless, and calculated. If she’s investing in you, it’s because you’re a piece of something bigger. Just don’t forget that, okay?”

I cross my arms. “That sounded an awful lot like scare tactic talk. Pretty sure that’s how all record execs play the game.”

“This isn’t a marketing strategy,” he says. “It’s a warning.”

I look at him for a long beat, then reach for the stupid wig and coat Liam made me wear.

“Warning received.” I tug the wig into place and pull on the coat. “But I’m still showing up.”

Shane and I leave together, and he escorts me back to Liam’s place, only taking off when I’m stepping into the foyer.

The apartment is quiet when I slip inside, the door clicking shut behind me.

I’m still in full disguise—itchy wig, oversized coat, sunglasses and all—too tired to shed it yet. I drop my purse on the counter and glance around, expecting silence.

I’m startled when I see Liam leaning against the kitchen island, a hand on his hip. “Well, well. Who do we have here?” he asks, a smirk on his face.

My heartbeat picks up, and I feel a flush ripple over my skin. “You have no idea who I am?” I ask, my successful meeting giving me a nice boost of confidence.

“Maybe you and I could get to know each other then, sweetheart…” Liam suggests, trailing a finger down my arm.

I grin.

9

LIAM

Ana glances down at my hand on her arm and haughtily pushes it away. “I can’t believe you don’t recognize me. I’m a famous singer,” she says, nose in the air.

I bite my lip, grinning to myself as I step forward into her space. “Oh yeah? What’s a famous singer like you doing in a place like this? This is a private residence, I’ll have you know.”

“Don’t make me leave,” Ana begs, giving me a cute little pout. “I have to hide out. I have a fan who’s been stalking me, sending me some… threats about what he’d do to me if he had the chance.”

I narrow my eyes, running a hand down her arm again. “Oh, honey. That sounds scary. Too bad you walked right into my trap. I’m your number one fan, baby. Obsessed with you from day one. And now that you’re here, I’m not letting you go until yousingfor me,” I say, pressing my body into hers so she can feel the hard outline of my cock through my slacks.

“Oh no,” Ana whispers, pretending to look scared. “It’s you. You’re the one who wrote me that you’d “utterly wreck my pussy” if you ever found me. I should leave.”

She turns, pretending to walk away, but I grab her by the wrist and pull her back toward me. “Don’t think you’re getting away that easily, baby. I gotta make good on my promise, after all.”

Ana puts up a token struggle as I heft her over my shoulder and carry her up the stairs to the bedroom.

“I followed you tonight,” I tell her, like it’s the most natural thing in the world. “Every breath. Every move. Watched you walk into that club like you belonged to them.” Dropping her to the floor, I stand over her, a dangerous glint in my eyes.

I place my hand on the wall beside her head, “But you don’t. You belong tome.”

She swallows hard, her voice breathless. “You’re insane…”

“Maybe.” My other hand slides along her waist in a possessive grip. “But you’ve been singing to me for years. And now that I’ve got you alone?”

I lean in, my lips brushing her ear. “You don’t get to leave until you sing for me, baby.”

A thrill shivers through her. She’s not Annika anymore. She’s the fantasy. The star. And I’m not Liam—I’m the man who’s wanted her for years and finally snapped.

My fingers trace the edge of her dress, eyes dark. “You wore this for them?” I growl. “Or was it for me?”