Total pages in book: 88
Estimated words: 83818 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 419(@200wpm)___ 335(@250wpm)___ 279(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 83818 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 419(@200wpm)___ 335(@250wpm)___ 279(@300wpm)
He frowns. “Are you saying she’s not a doctor?”
I shake my head. “Her lying was very subtle. She probably is a doctor.” I swallow hard, staring at my arm. "It’s when she inspected me that she lied. First, she expressed concern about my safety and played it off like that was her job. It wasn’t. Second, she lied about my arm. My arm is not okay."
"Fuck," Ollie says. This time, when he runs his hand through his hair, it sticks up on end. "Jesus." He shakes his head, disbelieving. "Alright, I’ll look into it," he says. "You're safe. Do you believe that she's a threat to you?"
"No, I didn't get that vibe at all." I look away, my voice betraying my emotions. "You're the one who tells other people they're insincere, aren't you? You’re the one who thinks everyone else is lying.”
Like me.
"The fuck, Renata?" he snaps. "You know that's not true."
He sits on the edge of the bed, his large frame causing it to sink. "You're safe here. I'd bet my life on it. No one's going to hurt you. Take the pain relievers she gave you.” I nod, my throat tight. I’m not going to fight him this time. I’m too tired, too weary.
“Then strip. I'm going to run a bath for you, and I'm going to bring you some food. You're going to be my wife, Renata. We might as well pretend that you and I like that idea."
Maybe I do. Maybe I fucking do. Why would he know?
I've never been on this floor before. From here, out the window, I can see houses beyond us, but the Romanov family home and headquarters are firmly established right here in The Cove. I know we're going to get married soon, probably tomorrow. Does it matter? Does anything matter? I feel as if I want to throw everything to the wind and just forget about it.
Exhausted, I head to the bathroom and do what he said. The hot water feels good. I allow myself to sink into the tub and imagine it’s washing me clean of everything.
I close my eyes and dip my head back. The hot water on my scalp is soothing. I sink beneath the surface and let it take me.
I could… just end this. I could stay under the water and never come up again. I hold my breath and contemplate what that would look like. A few moments of struggle… the water would fill my lungs, and I’d… sink… never to surface again. And then all of this would be over.
Ollie knocks at the door. I ignore him.
I want it all just to go away. It’s heavy and painful, and I am so damn tired.
I surface and gasp for air, my lungs expanding.
“Renata?” His tone is sharp. “Are you alright in there?”
“Yeah.” I try to sound normal like I wasn’t just fully under the water contemplating drowning myself. “What do you want?”
At the sound of his deep voice, I’m suddenly very, very aware of the fact that I’m naked, and he’s standing just on the other side of that door. That I’m here. Still breathing.
Still fucking breathing.
“You hungry?"
I swallow. "Yeah. Starving."
“Finish up. Get dressed. I’ll get you something to eat for now, but later you’ll eat with my family.”
When I don’t answer, the door flies open. I gasp and sink into the water.
Not as far as I went before.
He stands in the doorway, all alpha male perfection, and I’m vividly aware of the contrast in power between us.
I swallow… hard.
“Go ahead, cover yourself up with water. It doesn’t make any difference. I’m going to see you naked whenever or wherever I want.” His eyes narrow on me. “Did you hear me?”
I nod. “Yeah.”
When he gives me a sharp look, I decide it's time to push boundaries a little bit. "Yes, sir. That better?"
"Yeah, Renata.” He pushes off the wall and heads my way. “Much better. I like it when you obey me. I like it when you submit." He rubs his thumb across the apple of my cheek and down to my lips. "I like it." Then I bite his thumb, and his eyes flare with temper and excitement.
"To think. You're going to be my wife. Who would have expected?"
I turn away. My eyes feel so heavy, and I know it's just exhaustion, but also the weight of carrying what I have for so long. All of it. When I close my eyes, I see my brother's face, and Ollie's—one threatening me with death, the other with life.
The back-and-forth roller coaster of my emotions between the two men is killing me. I’m halfway between waking and sleeping when the smell of fresh food wakes me. The world could be falling down around me, but when I’m hungry, I know only one master. I blink, surprised to find I’m still in the tub.