Page 89 of Trapped

Who did this guy think he was?

The tough guy act didn’t work when you ruined your reputation by allowing a psychopath to abuse your daughter.

I smiled, knowing it would incense him. “Your daughter came to me.”

“You defiled my little girl. Stole another man’s bride.”

Yes, I did. “She needed my protection from the manyousold her to.”

He made a dismissive hand gesture. “I should have never raised her in this country. It filled her head with nonsense. Dimitri is a good man.”

Debatable.

“You took advantage of my girl.” Mikhail pointed at me, his finger trembling. “Youforcedher.”

“There wasn’t any coercion.”

Mikhail’s eyes blazed. “She was engaged.”

I shrugged. “She ran away from the wedding.”

“I don’t believe it. You must have tricked her.”

I wanted to laugh. “Isn’t there footage of her fleeing the church?”

A rhetorical question, considering I’d watched it weeks ago when the video had made the rounds through the criminal underbelly.

Mikhail shook his head. “My daughter would never disobey me.”

This guy was delusional.

“Look,” I said, keeping my voice even. “Delilah made her choice. She’s with me now.”

“You’re either very brave or very stupid.”

My patience was wearing thin. I leaned forward, resting my elbows on the desk. “She’ll just run back to me every time you force her into Dimitri’s arms.”

“Not if I kill youright now.”

I drummed my fingers on the desk. “Mikhail, I didn’t come here without backup. If you hurt me, they’ll make what you did to my cousin seem like a mercy killing.”

Mikhail’s face turned a deep shade of red. “Why are you here?”

“I came here to negotiate a truce. I plan on marrying your daughter. There’s no need for more bloodshed. Let’s focus on our businesses and keep our families out of it.”

His eyes narrowed. “What’s in it for me?”

“Peace. Stability.”

Mikhail shifted in his seat, the leather creaking under him. “And the terms?”

“I want Dimitri gone.”

Mikhail’s eyes flickered. “Why would I kill a man who’s been loyal to me?”

“It’s good business. Delilah will never go back to him willingly. If he tries anything against her, it’ll just escalate things. Plus, I’m prepared to offer you a payment in good faith to show I’m serious.” I paused, letting the weight of my words sink in. “Half a million dollars. Your businesses will continue without any interference from us, and I’ll pull back any operations encroaching on your territory.”

He studied me for a long moment. “Half a million for my daughter?”