Sinful Lies

When my boss starts harassing me at a work function,

I do the only thing I can think of;

I pretend cocky bratva pakhan Dimitri is my boyfriend.

It works. For a little while.

Then Dimitri suggests we take it one step further and ‘get married’.

My boss gets off my back,

Dimitri has an out of the arranged marriage with rival mafia boss, Massimo’s, daughter.

It’s a win, win.

Except getting married does nothing to scare off Giovanni.

If anything, it’s made him more determined to harass me.

This isn’t the first time he’s taken things too far.

Last time, I wasn’t so lucky.

Nobody knows about that night, and I intend to keep it that way.

Falling in love with Dimitri wasn’t part of the plan.

Neither was getting pregnant.

Just when I think things can’t get worse, Massimo finds out our relationship is fake.

Now he’s out for revenge.

Apparently, I’m the one in the firing line.

I’ve never played the part of a fake boyfriend before. Hell, I’ve never played the part of a real boyfriend before, but there’s a first time for everything. 

Especially, if it means getting my hands on Zara Mullens. 

The girl is a firecracker, with flowing, blonde hair, curves to die for, and the brightest green eyes. 

The second I saw her I knew she would give me a run for my money, and I wasn’t wrong. 

The first time we met at my family’s home in Forest Hills, she shot me down and would barely give me the time of day. 

And I’ve been addicted ever since. 

Being the best friend of my brother’s wife, I know she’s off limits, but that doesn’t mean I can’t admire her from afar. I know I’m no good for her. I have what people call commitment issues, and I don’t plan on changing any time soon. 

I’ve seen with my own eyes what can happen if you let yourself get close to someone. 

My brother Alexei is living proof. His wife and unborn child were taken right out from under his nose as a bargaining tool, and it almost broke him. 

Love is a weapon ready to be used against you. 

I won’t let myself make the mistake of falling for anyone. 

So, I always make sure to keep my distance, even if my heart is screaming at me not to. 

And if Zara wants me to swoop in and save the day by playing the part of her prince charming, then I’m going to act my fucking ass off. 

I don’t fake the smirk that tugs on my lips when she introduces me as her boyfriend. I quite like the sound of the word as it spills from her lips… 

“Pleasure to meet you.” I reach out with my free hand, the other still clutching Zara’s small fingers tightly. 

It seems she doesn’t want to let me go, and I’m not complaining about it. 

“Likewise.” Giovanni’s eyes narrow as he looks at me. 

I offer him an easy smile, which he doesn’t return. 

I take a moment to look over this guy who was getting a little too close for comfort to Zara. 

The moment I walked through the doors of the cocktail lounge, I spotted her at the bar, tanking champagne like her life depended on it.  And my eyes haven’t been able to let her go since.

So, I saw when he cornered her, how her eyes went wide and her face drained of color beneath the warm orange bar lights. 

I fought the urge to storm over and grab this guy by the collar and slam his face into the marble top bar. But I knew I had no right to step in, to play the hero in her story, though part of me can’t help but feel protective over her, especially considering the mess my family dragged her into almost a year ago. 

I can still feel the phantom weight of her in my arms as I carried her unconscious body from the basement cell where Mario Gilanto kept her hostage. I can still smell the coppery twang of her blood as she was rushed to surgery to repair all the internal damage she had. 

She had looked so fragile, lying in the hospital bed, hooked up to multiple machines and tubes. 

I almost couldn’t bear to look at her. She was so far away from the strong, outspoken girl I had come to know, and I feared she would never come back. That she was going to be broken forever. 

And my family would have been responsible. 

Is that why she seems so frightened around this guy? Has that experience scarred her more than she ever let on? 

It never should have gotten that far, and I will carry that guilt for the rest of my life. 

I know she doesn’t blame us for what happened, but how could she not? 

Being linked to the Koslov’s is no better than a death sentence. Which is exactly why I keep my heart locked away and only indulge in meaningless one-night stands and casual sex where I am safe in the knowledge that no one will get hurt. 

“Giovanni is one of our new senior partners,” Zara explains, but I’m barely listening. 

I untangle my fingers from Zara’s and wrap my arms around her waist, pulling her tightly against me. 

She lets out a little gasp as I bend down to nuzzle into her hair, fighting back a moan as I’m hit with the sweetest strawberry scent. 

Giovanni smirks. “I’m very much looking forward to having Zara assist me.” 

I glance over at Giovanni and let my displeasure at his words reflect on my face. 

He forces a smile. “She’s an asset to the company.” 

“Mhmm…” I look down at Zara and flash her a wink. 

Her cheeks heat, and she looks away. 

Interesting…

Giovanni looks between us. “How long have you been together?” 

Time to play the part of the doting boyfriend.