Page 261 of Money Reigns
“I just—” I flinch as his fingers twitch, and it bursts out of me. “I did something illegal, okay?”
His head tilts. “Illegal?”
“Yes,” I breathe. “I... I pulled tax records. Real estate holdings. Employment history. Your liquor license renewals, everything! It was stupid, I know, but it’s what I do when I’m curious. And you were…”
I trail off trying to think of anything appeasing, his silence pressing in.
“You were interesting,” I finish lamely.
He studies me for a long moment. The tension lingers between us, sharp as a blade, but his hand leaves his gun.
“So yes, what I did was illegal,” I admit. “And yes, I’m the only one who knows. Yes, you could kill me, hide my body, and no one would ever find out.”
I pause, taking in a shuddering breath, trying to keep the tears at bay.
“Or…I could owe you.”
The words leave my mouth like a death sentence.
“Owe me?” His voice is low. Curious again.
Wrong move Olivia.
He could ask foranything.
I nod, slowly. “You need someone to break through a system you can’t get into? I’ll do it. I’ll help. But let us have the Parker Building. You can have Beaumont Luxe. We’ll finish the renovations, we’ll donate to the transitional home; in your name.”
His head tilts.
“Youneedthe good press,” I continue, my mind racing. “You need to look valid. You’ve been on law enforcement radar for a few months now.”
He freezes.
Then slowly, a crooked smile pulls at his lips.
“You hacked into local law enforcement?”
I nod once. “And your medical records.”
That makes him laugh. Full and sharp. Eyes gleaming now.
“So youknow,” he says. “And you still had the balls to walk up in here and face me alone?”
“Yes,” I exhale.
Maksim sits again. Slowly. Then leans back in his chair, arms resting wide on the armrests like a king on a throne.
“I’m not taking your‘I owe you,’” he says, lips twisting. “I won’t tie you to the Bratva.”
He pauses.
“But I’ll take Luxe. I’ll take the donation.
Andthe land under the Parker Building?” He taps the desk once.
“Still mine.”
“Soweget the building?” I ask. “We can make it whatever we want?”
