"Yes, but I'm saying Danica needs to take a few days off work." Vadim eyes me while he talks. "We just got married this morning, and I'd like to spend some time with my new wife."
I can hear a voice through the phone, but I can't make out what he's saying. Vadim nods a few times and makes agreeable noises like they're old friends having a casual conversation.
"Thank you for understanding." Vadim ends the call and hands me back my phone. "See? That wasn't so hard."
I snatch the phone from his hand and shove it back in my pocket. My face is burning with anger and embarrassment, and I hate him so much in this moment that I can barely see straight. Everything he's done since the instant I walked into that restaurant has been nothing but manipulative and diabolical. I need to be alone before I start screaming or crying or both.
I stomp off toward the bedroom seething and slam the door shut behind me, then for good measure, I lock it to keep him out. I have never in my life thought of hurting another human being outside of a good slap if needed, but right now, if I had a weapon, I may very well harm him severely. The word "anger" doesn't begin to touch what I'm feeling toward him.
I sit down on the edge of the bed and put my head in my hands. I feel trapped and terrified. All this anger that swirls around me like a dark cloud feels oppressive and consuming. It's changing the way I think and the way my body functions. I can feel it at the cellular level. Vadim is bad for me in every way. He's toxic, and I need to figure out how to get away from him.
I hear footsteps in the hallway and then the sound of a key turning in the lock. It makes my skin bristle as shock overwhelms what's left of the anger that's been trying to simmer down inside me. Of course he has a fucking key. Why wouldn't he?
The door opens and Vadim walks in carrying a large bag. He doesn't look apologetic or concerned that I locked him out. He looks pissed at me, but I'm beginning to realize that's his resting bitch face. It's what he always looks like.
"One of my men just dropped this off," he says and sets the bag on the bed. "It's your clothing and some things from your house."
I stand up quickly and grab the bag, not believing what I’m hearing. "They went through my stuff?"
"How else were they supposed to pack it?" Vadim leans against the doorframe. "Don't worry, they didn't take anything. They're trustworthy. Besides, you have nothing of value to take."
"That's not the point." I unzip the bag and start pulling out my clothes, ignoring his insult. "Those are my private things." I can't believe they went through my stuff. That’s insane. Who the hell does he think he is?
Vadim watches me as I sort through the bag in a huff, so mad I can't put words together anymore. I'm furious, rifling through the bag to see they've touched my underwear and my bras. My blouses are crumpled, and they didn't even think to bring shoes. They're animals, and it only makes me that much more upset.
I snatch a set of shorts and a T-shirt and throw the bag to the floor. It lands loudly as I stomp off to his adjoining bathroom and slam the door shut.
My chest is heaving like it has been all day. This isn't healthy for me. I have to calm myself down or I'm going to give myself a heart attack. And what pisses me off all the more is that he doesn't seem to be bothered by any of it. He's calm and relaxedwhile I'm stewing and raging because he's the one with power and I have nothing.
How did I let this happen? How was I so foolish as to just blindly give a man my number without knowing anything about him? That’s what started this. I made him think I was interested, because I was, and he took the inch I gave him and added a mile to that.
My hands shake as I change. I use my finger and his toothpaste to brush my teeth, then I use the toilet and wash my hands, and the whole time, I go as slowly as I can. I don't want to go back to that room at all. I just don’t have a choice. I can't very well sleep in a bathtub.
So after I've wasted enough time, I open the door to see a shirtless Vadim tucked beneath the covers from the waist down lying on one half of the bed like he's waiting for me. I glare at him as I walk over and pick up a pillow then ask, "Where is your extra blanket? I'll sleep on the couch."
He chuckles and shakes his head. "I have no extra blanket, sweetheart." He pats the bed. "You sleep here."
My throat constricts as I watch his eyes sweep up and down my body. "I already told you I'm not sleeping in that bed with you," I say.
Vadim's expression sours again. He actually thinks he owns me, or that I'm going to listen to him. And when he says, "Get in the bed, Danica," I cringe. Waves of fear roll through my body, making my core clench hard. If he thinks I'm going to have sex with him after a fake marriage, he's wrong. I'd rather die.
"We don't even know each other," I say softly. My fight is draining. I've been at this all day, and I'm tired. I just wantpeace, and I want to feel safe. I can't afford to break down, but my nervous system has had enough. I'm terrified. "I'm sleeping on the couch."
Vadim sits up and huffs as he throws back the covers hard enough to cause a breeze to dust the hair out of my eyes. I cower as he swings his feet out of the bed and stands up, moving toward me.
"What are you doing?" I try to push him away, but he grabs my wrists and I drop the pillow. I can't fight him. He's twice my size and built like a tank. The muscles flex in his chest as I try to back away and he continues manhandling me.
"Putting you in bed where you belong." Vadim picks me up like I weigh nothing and carries me across the room.
"Put me down." I kick my legs but it doesn't do anything. "Vadim, I'm serious."
He drops me into the bed and climbs in over me, though I scramble to get out. But he's too strong. He has me pinned down screaming as he flicks the light off. My body fights hard as he pulls me against his chest. But he's not moving to tear my clothing off.
Vadim just holds me down, one leg draped over mine, one arm around my waist, like he wants to spoon. I'm confused and angry. I'm breathing in heaving gulps of air, but he's still now.
"What the fuck are you doing?" I asked, confused.
"What did you think I wanted?" Again he huffs, and his hot breath dusts the back of my neck. "Just lay still and sleep."
