“Wasn’t it?” I gesture around us. “The library date? The spa? The goddamn lingerie? All part of the long con, right? Keep the little wife happy while you—”
It’s not like before—no slow burn, no teasing dominance. This is pain. Punishment. His teeth catch my lower lip hard enough to draw blood as his hands cage me against the wall. I bite back a whimper, nails digging into his biceps through the ruined tuxedo shirt.
When he pulls away, we’re both shaking.
“Eto ne lozh.” His breath scalds my cheek. “None of that was a lie.”
I swipe at my stinging mouth and spit, “Prove it.”
“Right now. No contracts. No witnesses. No political gain.” I yank my mother’s engagement ring off my finger and hold it up between us. “Just you and me in front of some city clerk who’ll file the paperwork between
