I shoved the door open myself and stepped out before he could even reach it, slamming it shut behind me.
He simply cocked an eyebrow, as though he utterly enjoyed my little rebellion, and I wished I had kept my cool.
Oh, well, it was too late for that. I had no time to waste on playing games, not if I wanted to get out of here.
“Where’s your family?” I asked, ready to plead my case for a safe return home.
“What?” He frowned.
“You do have family, don’t you?” I asked in a tone I might have used on a simpleton, just to piss him off. “Or are they under lock and key, too?”
“Who the hell keeps their siblings under lock and key?” He looked indignant.
“Oh, I don’t know. Maybe insecure, power-hungry mongrel-type people like you who fear one of your brothers might take over your throne,” I argued right back, crossing my arms in front of me.
“I don’t know how they do things over at your house.” He gave me a thin, antagonizing little smile. “But we don’t have thrones here.”
I rolled my eyes. “Just tell me where they are, will you? I want to meet your brothers and sisters.”
I desperately needed an answer. His family would be my best chance at appealing to reason. Surely not all Pavlovs were as stubborn and vindictive as their leader.
A smile crossed his face, the kind that said he was enjoying this, and I hated being the source of his entertainment.
“They don’t live here,” he said.
“What? Then where do they live?” I shrieked.
“Umm…they have their own homes.” He looked at me then like I was the simpleton.
I shook my head, trying to process what he was saying. “Wait. So… who lives here?”
“Just me,” he shrugged, and his eyes locked with mine. “And now you.”
My heart sank at the helplessness I felt. In that moment, all my plans faded right before my eyes. If they didn’t live here, then I was stuck without any hope…all alone, with him.
“You mean we’ll be living here alone? Just the two of us?” I double-checked in panic.
“Well, there’s staff.”
“No.” I shook my head. “No way. I’m not living alone with you.”
“Would you prefer I move my entire family in?” he asked with mock concern. “My brother Andrey snores. And Alena’s a sleepwalker. We could make it a full house if that’s what you want.”
“Don’t be ridiculous,” I snapped. “I meant I’m not staying here at all.”
“You are,” he hissed. “You signed the papers. You’re my wife. This is your home now.”
“This isn’t a marriage! This is a hostage situation!”
“Call it what you want,” he shrugged, taking my elbow and starting to guide me to the door. “But you’d better get used to it.”
“Let go of me.” I pulled back my arm.
“Then will you walk?”
I frowned, wanting to do anything but that. However, I was so fucking tired, and standing outside arguing with him was starting to get on my nerves. Without saying a word, I made way up the stairs and heard him follow.
Inside, the house was impeccable, though I tried not to seem impressed—even though I did a double-take at the sight of the massive double banister and the chandelier that swept six feet across the roof.
