Total pages in book: 97
Estimated words: 94829 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 474(@200wpm)___ 379(@250wpm)___ 316(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 94829 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 474(@200wpm)___ 379(@250wpm)___ 316(@300wpm)
And that scar. An ugly wound, and I know about those. Someone sliced her from cheek to chin. She did a good job covering it with makeup, but there’s no hiding a scar like that up close.
Little kitten has been through something.
She reminded me so much of Natalia. But where my friend Nat was a firebrand, Dasha seemed so soft and trembling. It was that position, her shoulders on my thighs, her body under my hands, her eyes meeting mine. Her body pulled against mine as I cradled her. Just like the last time I ever saw poor Natalia.
Only with much less blood.
If I were a better man, I would’ve asked questions before taking her as my wife. Arsen gave me opportunities, but I just kept telling him it didn’t matter. What did it matter, honestly? I was willing to walk down the aisle for the sake of this alliance.
Bringing together the Brotherhood and the Zeitsev Bratva is going to completely change the power dynamics on the East Coast.
So why the hell would I need to know anything about some girl?
Now though, my heart burns with curiosity.
“Why didn’t you know?” I ask her, doing my best not to look at the girl. My driver, Damian, has the privacy window up. He gave me a wink as he did it like I’m about to start the wedding night back here.
The girl looks like she’s going to pass out if I touch her again.
That’s not happening.
“My dad probably didn’t think I could handle it.” Her voice is soft and meek. Why the hell is she staring down at the floor like I’m going to hurt her? Anger rustles in my chest. I need to be careful here. Gentle and kind.
But I’m a bad man.
“Why not? You seem strong enough to me.” Not exactly true, but there was a glimmer during the kiss when she moaned right there into my mouth. Quietly, but damn. The girl liked it. She showed a little spark.
Right now, though, she’s dull as hell.
“It’s been a complicated few years.” She hugs herself, looking away. “How come you ended up in this situation?”
“My brother is the patron of the Brotherhood. He’s already married, which leaves me as the highest-ranking bachelor.”
“Lucky you, I guess.”
“Look at me, pisik.” She doesn’t move right away. I resist the urge to reach out and touch her. I’m sorely tempted.
She hunches in more. Who the hell hurt this girl?
“It’s your wedding night. Don’t you have expectations?”
I almost laugh.
I’m a monster. I’ve killed, maimed, tortured, stolen, vandalized, burned, and destroyed my way across Baltimore. I’ve cut the throats of cousins and pulled the triggers on uncles.
But I don’t force women to sleep with me.
“I expect you to be my wife. Beyond that, whatever we do is your choice.”
She frowns and finally looks over. “Do you actually mean that?”
“I’m not going to sleep with you tonight unless you ask me to.”
Her eyebrows raise. Maybe she’s not used to a man being that direct. But I’m not the type to dance around the situation.
“What if I did ask?” she whispers, and there’s a spark of something in her eye and a little smirk on her lips. “Would you fuck me then?”
God damn. My cock stirs and stiffens. I can picture her lips around my tip, stroking my long shaft and moaning. I can see her grinding down and trying to take my thickness inside her little pussy.
I can imagine myself destroying her.
“Only if you ask nicely.”
She grins a little. There’s the glimpse I caught back in the chapel.
Hidden under the scared little kitty-cat routine is a vicious devil.
But her smile quickly fades. “It’s going to take a little while before I trust you,” she admits. “This is happening so fast. I’m kind of just trying to keep from freaking out.”
“That’s all right. I don’t blame you.”
I do blame her father, though. If he had warned her and given her time to come to grips with her situation, maybe she wouldn’t be on the edge of another panic attack right now.
Fortunately, I can make sure he never pulls something like that on my wife again.
We reach the hotel. Damian opens the door, and I escort her through the lobby and onto the elevator. “There’s no way I could have one more night at home?” she asks, arms still hugging herself.
I shake my head. The idea of letting her out of my sight right now makes my stomach sour. “You’re my responsibility, which means you’re under my protection.”
“Is being married to you that dangerous?”
“It could be.” I don’t elaborate on all the various men and women who want me dead. How I’ve been Arsen’s enforcer since he took over the Brotherhood and haven’t exactly made many friends.
My brother’s the politician.
I’m the knife.
He points, and I kill.
That’s just how our relationship works.