Total pages in book: 93
Estimated words: 90084 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 450(@200wpm)___ 360(@250wpm)___ 300(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 90084 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 450(@200wpm)___ 360(@250wpm)___ 300(@300wpm)
Marriage and grandchildren for them.
Meanwhile, my brother, Luka, got into Villanova on a full scholarship. He worked hard and got into Penn’s medical school. My parents couldn’t have been prouder of him. All I ever heard was how smart Luka is, how he works twice as hard as all the other boys, how he’s going to be a doctor one day and isn’t that amazing?
I’m the one that stayed home and took care of Dad when he was sick. I’m the one that gave up my life for Mom.
I’m the one that’s in a deep financial hole for them.
Not Luka. No, not precious Luka. They couldn’t possibly ruin his credit and saddle him with debt.
He’ll be a doctor one day!
Bitterness wells up in me. Valentin’s treating me the same way my parents did. Like my value’s all wrapped up in whether I can marry a man or not.
But I am not for sale.
I don’t care how many times he gives me the best sex of my life.
I grab his business card from my dresser. I buried it under my socks, thinking that I couldn’t get rid of it but I also couldn’t keep it around, either.
He answers his phone on the second ring, which is a shock. I planned on leaving him a very violent, very aggressive message, but hearing his voice takes the edge off my rage.
“Hello, malishka,” he says, practically purring. “I’ve been thinking about you constantly.”
“Why did you pay my electric bill?” I snap, refusing to be distracted.
“I thought you would be happy about that.”
“I’m not. I didn’t give you permission to access my account. How’d you even do that?”
“I have people who can handle such things.”
I let out an angry, exasperated laugh. “You have hackers on the payroll?”
“Two, actually. Both are very gifted.”
“Leave me alone, Valentin. I thought I made myself clear.”
“And I thought I made myself clear. We aren’t finished. Not remotely.”
I rub the knot of muscles between my eyes. “I’m happy you paid our bill. Okay, I can admit it. That’s one less thing to worry about. But I don’t want anything else from you. We’re not going to get married. You’re not going to get what you want.”
“Come see me. We’ll discuss this in person.”
“Once again, you don’t seem to be listening.”
“I hear you. Come see me.”
“No, Valentin.” I close my eyes, annoyed with myself. “And again, I really mean that.”
“You’ve been thinking about our game. Should we play again? Come to my house. I’ll chase you through the halls, catch you, pin you down, and fuck you like a monster. I’ll make you come on my dick and lick yourself off my shaft when I’m done with you.”
Oh, god damn it.
That’s not supposed to turn me on. I’m mad at this asshole right now.
Except, yeah, it’s like he just threw a dart right at my core.
And now I’m glowing.
“Leave me alone,” I say and my voice comes out all husky. He knows I’m full of shit.
“Come see me.”
“Fuck off.”
I hang up the phone.
And stare at it for a couple of minutes, expecting it to ring or buzz with a message.
Nothing happens. All quiet.
I should be relieved. I don’t want anything else to do with this man.
He’s much worse than I realized—I mean, what kind of person has computer hackers on his payroll?
The same kind of person that pulls a gun on strange girls.
The same kind of person that fucks those same strange girls and likes hearing the word no.
A very, very bad person.
I should be happy that the phone stays dead and black.
So why do I have this strange knot of disappointment in my guts?
Chapter 7
Karine
Idon’t hear from Valentin for a few days.
Even though a sick part of me wishes he’d call.
Or even maybe he would show up in my house in the middle of the night—
But no, I shouldn’t fantasize about getting roughly taken in the dark by a man I’m trying very hard to hate.
Mom asks me about the electricity bill. I tell her that I had some really big tippers come through and I used the cash to make sure we’re covered. I’m pretty sure she thinks that’s bullshit, but she’s happy that our lights are staying on, and I think that’s good enough for her.
Merrick shows up when I’m working. He comes alone, orders his martini, and proceeds to sit around pouting and looking like a wounded baby deer.
“You can’t hate me forever, darling,” he says when I come give him a refill.
“I don’t know. I’m pretty good at holding grudges.”
“He bought two paintings for a few million each. All he said was he wanted to talk to you. Come on, what would you have done in my place?” His lips curl into a smile and he leans closer. “Valentin’s attractive. Don’t act like I wasn’t doing you a favor.”