Total pages in book: 83
Estimated words: 78912 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 395(@200wpm)___ 316(@250wpm)___ 263(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 78912 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 395(@200wpm)___ 316(@250wpm)___ 263(@300wpm)
“I could. Could that pose a problem?” I’m not scared of it, though. This is Nicolai.
“Or a solution,” he supplies.
I give him a curious look.
“Some Bratva groups treat childbirth as sacred. They would do nothing to separate us if you were pregnant.” He takes my fingers to his mouth and kisses them gently. “It was my pakhan’s wish that I have you. A reward, if you will. And if a baby comes of it, then…” his voice trails off.
“Were you planning this?” It surprises me. I would have liked to be asked first.
“Planning it?” he repeats. “It seemed pretty clear to me it was what we both wanted.”
“But you said nothing about a baby.”
“And you said nothing about birth control.”
“I wasn’t permitted to speak!”
He pauses. “Do you object, then?”
I imagine a mini Nicolai, with his vivid blue eyes and crooked mouth. And better still, I imagine Nicolai as a daddy. Holding our baby to his chest.
“No,” I breathe. I’m suddenly enamored with the idea of a child with him. He chuckles.
“Well, then, we will see.”
I look out the little window, surprised to see it’s a little bluish.
“What time is it?” I ask.
He kisses the tips of my fingers again before replying. “Time for us to make another appearance.”
Chapter 16
Nicolai
She’s given me the most precious gift: her innocence and trust. Marissa and I have fought long and hard for this, but it’s still something I need to treasure. Against all odds, I claimed her virginity. And no matter what happens next, that matters.
“I love you,” I tell her one last time before I push myself out of bed.
“And I love you,” she says, her eyes filled with trust and hope as I walk to the bathroom to clean us up. There isn’t much else to say. We need to pick up our roles again, convince everyone of who we are. We need to make it back to Boston and prove to the men there that she is my slave and I her master. If I’m just the transport guy, it won’t matter too much. But if she’s grown close to me, and we prove to anyone who looks our way that we belong together…
I’m growing sentimental, and it will not do.
I grab a towel and washcloth, lather it with warm, soapy water, and return to her. Her hair is beautifully tousled, her cheeks flushed with color, and I’m pleased to see the pink marks I’ve left all along her neck and collarbone. They’ll show when we’re around the others, proving my ownership of her.
And if I put a baby in her… Khristos, it’s risky, but if it happens, it could work very much in our favor. I can’t think much beyond what we’d do if we had a baby. So much is left to the unknown, though. What if Tomas decides he wants to claim her? If he’s had me fetch her, only to make her his?
I will find a way to escape. To keep her. To prove to anyone that comes within ten feet of us that we belong together.
I kneel beside her on the bed and clean her, towel drying her off before I reach for her clothing. I can’t wait to see her in regular clothes again. I’ll burn this fucking sheath, and with it the memory of her captivity.
After a time, I bring her out for an early dinner. Erik and Yakov are both in the dining area but seated separately. This time when I bring her out, the pink marks on her neck and chest show vividly against her pale, creamy white skin. Yakov smiles approvingly, and even Erik gives me a lewd grin. When we finish, Erik walks past me and bumps my fist. He approves. He’s still a bastard.
“Too bad she isn’t yours to keep,” he says, before he drags his woman back with him.
Marissa’s gaze widens and she looks at me in shock.
“What did he say?” she asks.
I swallow hard. We haven’t discussed this. “He said it’s too bad you aren’t mine to keep.”
Her pale skin grows even paler. “What does that mean?” she whispers.
I clear my throat and finish my drink before I reply. “I’ve come to fetch you as a tribute for entry into the brotherhood,” I tell her. It’s as much as I can tell her in public like this, anyway. She holds my gaze. I suspect she has many questions to ask, but can’t risk any of them being overheard.
“What happens when we arrive?” she finally asks, her voice so soft it’s practically a whisper.
“I don’t know,” I tell her truthfully. I reach for her hand. “But I have a suspicion, and—” I realize the man beside us is watching us, and likely hearing every word we say. I squeeze her hand and assume the role of master once more. “The only thing you need to worry about is your obedience to me. Do you understand?”