Page 11 of Claimed By my Ex’s Uncle

"Of course not," I blurt out. I look over at Becky, who looks just as shocked as me. I can’t do this to her. She has been my closest friend and roommate for so long. What kind of friend would I be if I let her lose her source of income?

All I have to do is leave with him. I don’t have to stay with him, no matter what he seems to have convinced himself of. He can’t keep me there forever.

At least, I don’t think he can.

"Okay, okay!" I cry out finally, holding my hands up. "I’ll go with you. Just to talk. Nothing more than that. Understand?"

He gestures to the door once more. "The car is waiting outside for you."

I glance back at Becky, silently trying to tell her that I will message her as soon as I get the chance, and grab my bag to hook it over my shoulder. I don’t see what choice I have. He has backed me into a corner, and I can’t imagine that he’s going to make life any easier for me if I resist any more than I already have. If his first move after not getting what he wanted was to buy my place of work, I can’t imagine how quickly he will escalate. And I don’t want to find out just how far that could go.

Ilya holds the door open for me, then strides out ahead of me, opening the car door. He drives a sleek black vehicle with slightly tinted windows, as though he doesn’t want anyone to see inside. Maybe he’s safer that way, if people on the streets don’t realize who’s behind the wheel of that car.

I slip into the passenger seat as he takes the driver’s side. For a brief second, my senses are filled with the scent of his aftershave, the same scent that permeated my entire body when he was inside me. My cheeks flush, and I turn towards the window, hoping he doesn’t notice.

The last thing I need right now is to think about how attracted to him I am. Because things are complicated enough as it is without letting my desire get in the way.

Chapter 6

Rose

I glare out the window as the streets begin to thin out, the cars on the road lessening around us as we drive on. There’s so much I want to say, but I know he’s not going to hear me out on a damn word.

"You’re really doing this?" I demand, finally breaking the silence between us

"Doing what?" he replies.

"Taking me to your place."

"Of course I am. That’s what I said I would do."

"We can just go somewhere to talk," I suggest. "It doesn’t have to be your place. I don’t even know where you stay in the city. I wouldn’t want to get stuck there overnight⁠—"

"I have drivers on call," he cuts me off bluntly. "You need to go anywhere, you can."

I press my lips together. He’s not hearing me right now.

"You don’t even know if this baby is yours," I remind him again. "I know you feel like you’re sure, but⁠—"

"I don’t feel it. I know it."

"I’m not lying about being with Petar around the same time I was with you," I tell him. "Haven’t you looked into his business enough to figure that out?"

He palms the wheel, eyes fixed on the road ahead. Whatever I’m saying, it’s not getting through to him.

"That doesn’t matter to me."

"Well, it matters to me!"

He falls silent once more, and the rest of the drive goes by in silence.

Eventually, we pull up at the large gate of what looks like some estate. The wrought-iron wrenches open to allow his car up the drive, and I can’t help but be a little impressed when I see the place he has waiting for him.

"This is your home?"

"While I’m in Chicago," he replies as he brings the car to a halt at the bottom of the stone steps leading to the front door. The house looks like something out of a gothic romance, the tall stone reaching towards the darkening sky, the large windows looking out onto deep green grass. Two guards stand at the door, and when he nods to them, they open it. He looks back as I hurry after him, matching his pace as I cross the threshold.

Inside, it’s just as beautiful: dark polished wood floors gleam beneath soft golden lighting, and a few pieces of art decorate the walls. He pulls off his coat and drapes it across the banister, and I realize I’m just standing there in the doorway, gaping around at this place in wonder.