Page 141 of Dance of Defiance
Roman’s face darkens.
“If you wantmeto end this—and I think you do—it’s going to mean more than me simply having a conversation with myfather.” She inhales slowly. “It’s going to mean meleaving my family.”
She glances at me, and I nod. I already knew this.
“Which I think we can agreeprobablymeans my father won’t be giving me free use of his credit cards anymore.”
Roman scowls. “Are you asking for a fucking bribe?”
She scoffs. “Wouldn’t you?” Dasha sighs. “Roman, he’s right. Idon’twant this marriage, because my heart already belongs to someone else. It appears yours does, too.”
I grin and put a hand on Roman’s knee. He shakes it off, not looking at me.
“For this exit package,” I clear my throat. “How does one million sound?”
I don’t do handouts. But in certain circumstances, I’m not above swallowing my own pride and asking my obscenely wealthy brother for an amount he’s probably got lying around between the couch cushions.
Dasha’s brows arch, and she starts to laugh.
“Amillion? For me to walk away from my entire?—”
“Let’s talk real numbers.”
Roman’s voice is deep and booming as he leans forward, his elbows on his knees. He steeples his fingers, his face composed, his sharp jaw relaxed but firm.
Fuck me, he looks every inch the shrewd, calculating Bratva kingpin he was born to be right now.
Andfuck me sideways, is that hot.
“Let’s talk about your exit package, Dasha,” he growls. “Considering both the inconvenience, and me wasting your time.”
She smiles softly and reaches for Roman, taking one of his hands in hers. “You didn’t waste my time,” she says quietly. “I’m just glad to know the reason you weren’t checking me out,” she laughs.
Roman frowns but says nothing.
“Well…” She clears her throat, her hands releasing his. “I’ve seen the ring you picked out—though I’m guessingyoudidn’t?” She smiles.
“Stepan,” Roman mutters. “Stepan chose it.”
“It’s beautiful. He’s got great taste.”
“I’ll pass that along,” Roman growls.
“It also lookedquiteexpensive?”
Roman smirks. “Two point five, I think.”
Fucking hell. I turn to stare at him.
Dasha whistles. “Wow, Roman, I don’t know what to say.”
He smiles wryly. “I think you do. It's a number.”
I bite back my own grin.Shit, he’s really fucking good at this whole conducting business thing. I guess in my lust for this guy, I’ve never realized how much the Bratva king he really is. But now that I have?
I mean, I didn’tthinkit was possible to be any more attracted this motherfucker. But here we are.
“Well, considering what the ring was going to be worth, and my standard of living, which I’ve becomequiteaccustomed to, and the fact that when we leave the way we’ll have to, work will be difficult to come by?—”
