Page 139 of Wicked Refusal

I meet his gaze. “What other ways?”

“You had the right idea with the blackmail.” The mention of those files sends another stab of guilt through me. “I could ask Tikhon to hack into his records, if you want. Find something worth using.”

No. He can’t. Then he’d find exactly what I’ve been trying to hide from him. And if he does…

There’s no telling how bloody it’ll get.

“No,” I answer too quickly. Yulian’s brow kits with suspicion. “I mean, it’d take too long. I need something by tomorrow, and Brad’s database—it’s gotta be endless, right? It’d be like looking for a needle in a haystack. Besides, the hack itself would take time.”

I must have made some sense, because Yulian says, “You’re not wrong.” He clicks his tongue in frustration. “Thatmudak.”

If he’s amudak,what does this make me?I realize there’s probably some dirty Russian word waiting for me on the other side of this, but right now, I can’t think about that.

Instead, I think about what Yulian said.

Blackmail. Brad’s records.

There are other ways.

Suddenly, a lightbulb goes off in my head. Several lightbulbs—a whole fucking electronics store. “Shit.”

Yulian frowns. “Care to elaborate?”

“Thereisanother way.” I sit up straight, eyes wide on nothing. “A way to kill his case without killing him.”

And I’ve had it all along.

Yulian sits up next to me. “Then let me in on it. If I can help, I will.”

“No need.” I smile brightly at him. “You already did.”

Then, before he can pry any more, I grab his face and kiss him.

His surprise lasts exactly two seconds. Soon, he’s kissing back, dragging me into his lap. “I take it we’re celebrating?”

“Not yet,” I whisper against his lips. “But right now, I’d like to say thank you.”

Yulian’s eyes go dark. His hands find my ass, kneading it as he pulls me flush against his hips. “Then I guess I’ll have to let you.”

I ride him until we’re both breathless. Until I’ve come more times than I thought anybody could in a single day. Until he’s filled me up to the brim, over and over again.

Because, this time, I’m going to win.

48

MIA

The next morning, Yulian kisses me good luck in front of the courthouse. I linger on his lips long enough to keep his warmth with me. “Think we can swing some non-alcoholic champagne for later?”

Yulian watches me with equal surprise and awe. “You’re awfully confident.”

“I’m awfully motivated.” I twirl his tie between my fingers. “And I’ve got a damn good plan.”

He hums, darkly pleased. “And you won’t share.”

“Nope.” Guilt flits briefly in my chest, but I swat it away. “Can’t afford to jinx it.”

The truth is, I’m not actuallythatconfident. This is still a gamble, and a risky one at that. But if I’m going to have any hope of selling it to Brad, I have to sell it to myself first.