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“He’s receiving treatment, and sometimes it makes him delirious. This is not a good time.”
I knew how unresponsive my father can be while receiving treatments and decide not to push the point. I feel tired and useless. My plan is to have it out with Andrei and confront him about the things Talia said.
It’s like Andrei said: Talia is many things, but she doesn’t lie.
My mind races through everything she said to me, making a list of every cruel comment. She said Andrei wanted me for my father’s money, and my father confirmed that he stole before she snatched me.
But how canTaliaknow about the money whenIdidn’t know?
Who else can possibly know?
I start when Andrei places his hands on my waist and pulls me closer. I sink into him, remembering how much I wanted him when I was alone in that cage and kept away from him. My anger starts to melt away. My body slips into his arms as he wraps his arms around me. His breath is on my ear, soon followed by a kiss. I try to break free, but he won’t let me go this time.
“You will sleep in the private apartment with me,” he says.
“I thought I might sleep in the same room as Emma tonight.”
“A pakhan’s wife sleeps with him unless he decides otherwise.” His voice rumbles at my ear, hot and insistent.
“I hate you,” I whisper as his teeth graze my neck, leaving a mark.
“But you won’t later,” he replies. “Come to bed, Paige.”
He won’t manipulate me with sex and diamonds. I let go of Andrei, and instead of heading for the bed, I storm out the door.
Chapter 11
Paige
Later that night, I do what Andrei expects of a wife and return to his private apartment. My heart is battling with my head as I sleep in the same bed as my pakhan. On the one hand, I want to hate Andrei for what he has done, for controlling my life, and now, my family, and making a mess of it.
But on the other hand, Dad is back in treatment, and Emma—despite being a captive—is spoiled by Eva and Sonya. Her room is bursting with clothes and gadgets as she lies on her bed with her new laptop. Despite my hurt, I can’t help but feel grateful for all that Andrei has done for my family as I lean into his body.
Eventually, I close my eyes, craving his warmth next to me. His arms wrap around me, his breath on my neck, and his strength radiates against my body. A shiver deep inside shakes me, and he holds me tighter. I place my hand on my belly, cradling it softly in the palm of my hand.
My mind imagines what could be between us if our life were normal. I wish the calm would last in the morning.
The next day, Andrei is gone before breakfast, so I have lunch with Emma on the terrace. Maybe it’s Emma’s presence, but I’m shown a respect by the staff that had been begrudgingly given before her arrival. They were always polite because they had to be, but now my status seems secure. I try not to worry and enjoy a cool breeze on a hot August day.
“Did you finish the semester?” I ask her curtly.
“You mean before I was snatched off the street?” she asks. “Paige, I’ve been locked in a bedroom, but I got my final grades.”
I frown at her sarcasm, but it was a stupid question. “How were you brought here?”
“I didn’t feel like walking home from school,” she explains. “So, I called an Uber. And Viktor picked me up and brought me here.”
“That’s a reliable trick.”
“That it is.” Emma stares past me, watching something behind my back. I almost dread looking, and by the time I turn around, whatever it was is gone.
“What were you looking at?” I ask her.
Emma’s gaze is miles away. “Eva just slipped into the maze,” she whispers.
“Oh,” I laugh. “She likes to walk the grounds. It’s how she stays so slim.”
“No, Paige, that’s not why she goes in there.” Emma glances toward the garage, and I do too, but Natasha and her cigarettes are nowhere to be seen.
