Page 65 of Savage Pakhan

“I’d love nothing more.” I twist lift and right, suddenly shy and a bit bashful.

Am I heartless for not caring about the two men downstairs? I understand they had lives, probably families, possibly even children are at home waiting for their fathers to come tuck them in, but that won’t ever happen again.

Not even that thought has guilt or sadness overcome me. I’m happy they are dead. It was either me or them and Alek made the decision to kill them. While they are dead, I know there are plenty more to take their place if Ivan wanted.

I don’t understand what he wants with me. I don’t understand why he’s going through all this trouble for me. He doesn’t want me. He doesn’t even like me, so I’m not understanding the possessiveness.

As long as I’m with Alek, everything will be okay.

“Mia. Mia, Beloved. Are you okay?”

I blink away my daze, realizing I’m sitting on the edge of the tub watching it fill.

When did we come in here?

“I’m fine.” I drop my hand in the giant claw foot tub, trailing my fingers across the bubbles building.

His fingers slip under my chin, forcing my head up. “Talk to me. What are you thinking about in that pretty head?”

His bloody knuckles capture my attention as he pours some type of fragrant oil in the water. I inhale and groan. Lavender.

“What’s his fascination with me? He doesn’t want me, Alek. He never has. I mean, even when I thought Ivan and I were in love and happy, it was all an act for him. He never loved me so why is he trying to capture me against my will? Why is he sending people here knowing they will probably die? I’m nothing to him.”

He tugs me up and the sheets fall to the floor. He hums in delight, his sight never wavering from my body.

“Beautiful,” he praises, lifting our hands in the air and twirls me. “Slow, my love. Let me see you.”

My cheeks heat from the attention. I’ve never been put on display before. Not like this.

“Gorgeous.” He lifts and pulls at the same time, gesturing me to get into the tub.

I sink into the hot water, the bubbles covering my entire body except from the neck up. He still doesn’t answer my question. He busies himself by pulling out a chilled bottle of white wine.

I select a streaming service while he’s pouring my wine and put on my favorite medical drama that I’ve seen a thousand times. It’s a comfort show and I need comfort right now.

“Here you go, my love.” He places the wine glass on the shelf next to me and it’s filled to the brim.

My brows raise to my hairline. “Are you trying to knock me out?” I chuckle, sipping the rim so the wine doesn’t spill in the bath.

“Da. So you sleep through…. the dragging of the bodies.”

I snort, wine spewing everywhere. My nose burns. It slips down my throat wrong and I cough.

He takes the glass away from me. “Mia, are you okay?” He is by my side immediately, rubbing my back as I try to catch my breath.

“I’m fine.” I wave him away, finally able to breathe. “You can’t say things like that! You were so nonchalant about it. I mean, I’m in the bathtub with bubbles, wine, TV, and two men are dead downstairs. You and Nikolai are going to dispose of bodies like it’s just another day of the week. I’m being pampered and you’re hurt. You have blood on you! You’re bleeding!”

Alek tucks a piece of hair behind my ear, bypassing skimming his knuckles down my face since they are bleeding.

“That’s exactly how it should be. You are to be pampered while I get my hands dirty. That’s the life I want for you. For us.” He hands me the wine glass again, peppering a soft kiss on my lips.

His burner phone blares, cutting the moment short.

“Nikolai is here. Before I go, I need to know if you’re okay. I know what happened is traumatic for most people⁠—”

“I’m okay. Violence doesn’t scare me, Alek. I’m okay. I promise.”

“So strong. I’ll be back in a few hours.” He turns away to head downstairs but I stop him.