“I’m not sleeping with you,” I interrupted, needing to make that crystal clear. “Ever. I don’t care what that paper says. You can’t force me to—”
“I don’t recall mentioning that as a duty,” he said quietly.
“You didn’t have to. The implication was clear when you said ‘wifely duties.’”
He stepped closer again, and I held my ground, refusing to be intimidated. He smelled good, and it made my body remember how it felt to be in his arms during my panic attack.
“Beatrice,” he said softly. “If we ever sleep together, it won’t be because of duty. It will be because you want it as much as I do.”
My mouth went dry, and I knew I’d do whatever it took to prove him wrong. “That will never happen.”
“We’ll see,” he shrugged. “Now, other rules. Don’t even try to escape because the grounds are secured and monitored, and there’s no point trying to contact your family. All communications are tracked.”
“You can’t keep me from my family!”
“Oh, watch me,” he challenged back. “You’ll have access to the entire house and grounds, and the staff will be at your disposal during the day. The only things you can’t do are leave or make contact with the outside world.”
“Let’s say I don’t contact anyone. What’s to stop my family from coming for me?” I nearly shook with anger.
His expression hardened. “They don’t know where you are. And if they try anything stupid, I’ll make sure they regret it.”
“You do realize who my brothers are, right?” I asked incredulously. “They’ll tear this city apart looking for me, and they’ll know where I went. I’m sure they’ll have access to the CCTV footage from the club.”
“I’ve had that footage dealt with already,” he said. “And even if they discover I have you, it’ll be wise for them to remember that I’m quite powerful too. Trust me, princess, they won’t be coming in guns blazing. At least, not if they value their lives.”
The casual way he threatened my family made my blood boil. I stepped forward, jabbing a finger into his chest. “Listen to me, you arrogant prick. If you hurt my family, I will end you.I don’t know how, but I will make you suffer in ways you can’t even imagine.”
Instead of being intimidated like I wanted him to be, his eyes lit up with what looked like delight. “There she is. The fire I saw at the club.”
I realized with horror that he was enjoying this verbal spar. It was all a game to him.
“You’re sick in the head,” I said, stepping back.
“Maybe,” he agreed. “But you’re stuck with me, Mrs. Pavlov.”
The reminder of my new, unwanted status as his wife was the end of any and all attempts at communicating with this man. I’d had enough of his smug face, his rules, and his goddamn confidence.
“I need to be alone,” I said, my voice ice cold. “Now.”
“Of course,” he said softly. “Let me show you to your room.”
“I’ll find it myself,” I snapped, turning to leave the living room.
“Second floor, third door on the right,” he called after me, not bothering to follow. “It’s been prepared for you.”
I stormed up the staircase, found my way straight to my room, and slammed the door shut behind me. Only then, when he couldn’t see how utterly he’s fucked my life up, did I let myself cry.
Chapter 5 - Arko
I sat at the coffee table in the living room and enjoyed my slow Saturday morning, occasionally looking out of the window at the gardens beyond.
I hadn’t seen Beatrice since I brought her home the previous day. She had obviously chosen to lock herself in her room and was throwing a grand tantrum. She’d refused dinner last night and breakfast this morning, too.
Sooner or later, she was bound to get hungry and come out for a meal. I just needed to be patient with her, even though I had half my mind made up to storm in there and force-feed her if I had to.
But I knew that wouldn’t go down well with Beatrice. As it was, she didn’t want to be here, and she certainly didn’t want to be my wife. While her tantrum was bothering me, I made peace with it, remembering to instead enjoy what I’d accomplished in taking a Lebedev sister as a wife.
I’d found a way to take my revenge. Now, I had to make sure I kept her within sight, because when the time was right, I’ll be showing her family the precious card I had up my sleeve.
