“No. I’m not. And I know you’re human, baby. I just don’t want you worrying about things you don’t have to worry about. My past is my past. Simone is not someone you need to worry about. Focus on us. On what I did to you tonight.”
That makes another blush creep across her face. “I’ll try.”
“Good.” I plant a kiss on her lips before pulling back. “Now, I’m going to take a shower.” Just to deal with my hard cock. I don’t need to push Irina more tonight. She’s been through so much. “Get some sleep. It’s been a long night.”
After I take my shower – where I stroked myself until I came, thinking of Irina – I return to our bedroom to find her changed into a silky nightgown and fast asleep.
I get in beside her, wrapping my arms around her back and pulling her flush against me. For a moment, she tenses until her body fully relaxes. Irina is becoming mine and soon, she’ll belong to me completely.
I kiss her neck, claiming another part of her skin, before I fall asleep beside her.
Chapter Twelve
Irina
Nikolai invites my father over for dinner.
“Do you have to?” I ask, pacing around the living room. Nikolai gave me another dress and heels to wear. I think he likes playing dress up with me. I don’t deny him it. After what we shared – how he touched me so intimately and saved me from that man at the club – I feel closer to him than ever before. For the first time since my dad betrayed me, I feel like there’s hope.
“Yes. He’ll be over in a few minutes. It would be rude to cancel.”
“Rude to the man who sold me off?”
Nikolai pulls me into his arms. It’s almost frightening how nice his touch has become. “I don’t like your father either. Butthis is the only way to keep him under my thumb. He agreed to work with me. It’s better than killing him.”
“Is it?”
He frowns. “You really want me to kill your dad?”
Shame fills my heart and I avert my gaze, even though I know Nikolai has done terrible things himself. “No,” I admit. “I may hate him but I can’t order his death. I don’t have that in me.”
“I’m glad. I like that you’re good. Compared to me.”
That only makes me think of how many people Nikolai has killed, which is a number he still hasn’t given me. “I just hate that he gets off scot-free.”
“He won’t. I’ll make him work for me. That’s punishment enough. I’ll have him do work he doesn’t want to do but I also need to placate him. He needs to think we’re equals. I can’t have him causing problems that could put you in danger.”
My mind flashes back to Alexei. My stomach is feeling better now but I still have the bruises to show from that experience. Even once they fade, I’ll never be able to forget it.
“I didn’t thank you,” I say, “for saving me at the club the other night. Thank you.”
“You’re my wife. I’ll always keep you safe.”
Even if Nikolai is still a danger to me. He might never beat me or rape me but just the fact that he’s a high ranking Bratva man puts me in danger. I would be better off on my own where no one could find me but I know Nikolai would never let me go and I’m not sure I want to run from him again.
“I want to believe that,” I say.
“Then believe it.” He gives me a tender kiss that reminds of me of the pleasure he’s given me so far. I know there’s still so much more we could explore but I keep holding out. Keep waiting for the other shoe to drop before I give myself over to Nikolai completely.
The doorbell rings. My father has arrived.
He waltzes into the room like he owns the place. I grit my teeth and take deep breaths, trying to calm myself. Screaming at my dad right now won’t get me anywhere.
“Ivan,” Nikolai says, shaking his hand.
“Pleasure finally doing business with you.” His eyes flick to mine. “Daughter.”
“Dad,” I say in a tight tone.