Total pages in book: 16
Estimated words: 15192 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 76(@200wpm)___ 61(@250wpm)___ 51(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 15192 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 76(@200wpm)___ 61(@250wpm)___ 51(@300wpm)
Her voice is soft and quiet as she says, “I never get a say in anything.”
White-hot anger pierces through me. Her father, Edmund, is a scum. If I find out he’s treated her less than she deserves, he’s going to regret ever making me part of his family. “Not in my house. From this day forward, you will tell me what upsets you, what displeases you, and what scares you. And I will make them right.”
“W-why would you do that?”
I shrug. “You are my wife.”
Fear crosses her features, and my blood boils at the realization that something in her feels broken. “Y-you’re doing this, so I will lower my guard and give in to you.”
“There’s nothing to give in to. I will not force myself on you, nor will I do things you don’t agree to.”
“So you will not fuck me?”
That single word coming from her surprises the hell out of me. “No. I will not visit your bed unless you want me there.” I cast her a fierce gaze, hoping against hope she would see the truth in my eyes. “The moment you become my wife, no one will ever impose on you again. Not even me. You are under my protection. Anyone who crosses you crosses me.”
Her eyes search mine, and she must see something she likes because her face softens. “Thank you, Nikolai.”
Desire hits me in full force. I have never heard my name said like that. People often say my name with fear, anger, amusement, or pity. On her tongue, it’s like a caress, and it sets off a chain reaction within me.
My heart slams against my ribcage, my muscles tense, and my vision narrows. All the chatter, music, and cutleries tinkling against the plates—they all fade into white noise.
Nina. This woman. My wife.
I will kill for her, but I will also end my own life if she asks.
Goddammit, I am so fucked.
3
NINA
Eleanor, Jade, and Mia huddle by one of the tables, their cheeks pink, eyes glassy. Each of them has a wine goblet, and Mia doubles over, spilling her drink to the floor. That only makes her laugh harder.
My eyes dart between them and Nikolai, who stands by the doorway with one of his brothers. He must sense me staring because he turns to me and gives me a tip of his head.
“Look at the blushing bride, girls. She looks like someone on her way to the slaughterhouse,” Eleanor teases, her voice dripping with mock sympathy. “I can’t blame the poor girl. She did marry a monster.”
Jade snorts. “Serves you right, Nina. You always thought you were better than us just because you were smarter. Now look where you are. At the mercy of a Petrov.”
Mia fills her glass again and gives me a sly grin. “I’ll call you in the morning, sis. You know, just to check if you’re still alive or if he’s already made a new coat from your skin.”
They exchange amused glances, not even bothering to hide their delight in the whole situation. Ever since Father told me about my wedding, they never stopped sending me messages about Nikolai—what he did to the poor barista who stole from his bar, what he took from the family who didn’t pay their monthly dues, what he sliced off from the guard who slept while on duty.
Taunting is like a sport to them. They feed off my misery. Over time, I learned not to rise to their baits. They like it when I fight back because it gives them another reason to be extra vicious.
“You know, now that I think about it, they’re quite a match.” Eleanor nods conspiratorially to the others. “He’s a monster; she’s a doormat. What a pair they would be.”
Mia rolls her eyes and tips the glass to her lips. “Oh, poor Nina. Smart, soft-spoken Nina. Soon-to-be-doctor Nina.”
Every single word they say is a needle pricking at me. The fear I felt when I first glimpsed Nikolai comes roaring back. When we leave this party, it’s going to be just him and me.
I know he promised he wouldn’t ever force himself on me, but I’ve learned not to give too much stock to what people say. I’ve learned to judge them by their actions, and Nikolai is still, for all intents and purposes, a total stranger.
In a few years, if all goes according to plan, I see myself as an emergency medicine doctor. It’s one of those professions that requires absolute mental composure—staying calm, rational, and focused in stressful circumstances.
Yet, here I am, on the verge of panicking AGAIN.
I only need to go home with Nikolai. That’s it. But like what Eleanor said, I might as well be on my way to the slaughterhouse.
My mind shuffles through different scenarios, and I become so preoccupied with them that I fail to notice Nikolai until he’s standing beside me, touching my arm. “Let’s go, Nina.”