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CHATPER 7
CALLA
Things between Viktor and I have been surprisingly pleasant, even fun, in the last few days since our date and he took my virginity. I don’t regret what we did, and he doesn’t either. While we aren’t overly affectionate all the time, he does find little ways to touch me and connect with me when we’re around each other.
He’s also not avoiding me anymore. He comes to bed at a reasonable time and he’s not slinking away before I have the chance to wake up. We haven’t had sex again and the tension between us has been growing. I’m not sure which one of us is going to break first.
I want him. My husband.
It’s not at all what I thought would happen when Pavel told me about the arrangement, but it’s true regardless. I want Viktor. He made my body sing in a way I never imagined it could. The way he was gentle with me endeared him to me and I’ve found it impossible to build walls around my heart again.
It’s a strange sensation to be falling in love with my husband. It’s the last thing I thought would happen after the first day I met him. There’s a tenderness about him now when we’re around each other and I’m soaking it up willingly.
I have to see this through and not just because I don’t have another choice. I want to find out what happens between us. I can only hope this feeling continues to grow and Pavel doesn’t do something to ruin it.
I do need to figure out something more productive for me to do other than read and lounge all day. I’ll have to talk to Mistie about it because I want to be a valuable member of this family. They’ve opened more than just their home to me. They have welcomed me into their family and I’m grateful to all the Orlov’s because of it.
My phone ringing pulls me out of my thoughts and when I see Pavel’s name on the screen, I’m tempted to not answer. I know it’s not a good idea and take a few deep breaths while reminding myself I’m safe. He can’t get me here.
I put the call on speaker because the notion of my brother speaking directly in my ear makes me feel creeped out. “Hello, Pavel,” I keep my voice neutral and level.
“Calla,” his voice is oily, and I can practically see the way he’s sneering as he says my name. “I trust you’re being a good little wifey.”
I swallow hard, unsure what to say or how the rules he’s set out for me apply when we’re on the phone. He made sure I understood I am only to answer explicit questions. I figure staying quiet is the best thing to do.
“I haven’t heard anything negative from Nikolai,” the name on my brother’s lips is dripping with derision, “I’m going to take it as a good thing. I’m sure if you were being an unsatisfactory wife then I would hear about it.”
I close my eyes and tilt my head back against the couch. I hate how he makes me feel so small. He’s supposed to be my brother,but he’s never really acted like one. Everything he did when our parents were alive was all pretend; he made that clear since their deaths.
“How do you like living in the Orlov mansion?”
I keep my voice soft, “It’s lovely here.”
“I suppose our humble abode pales in comparison to where you are now,” anger floods his voice.
I should have known he would find a way to twist my answer around as an insult. It wouldn’t matter what I said, he would have figured out a way. My shoulders drop, the pressure of dealing with my brother almost too much.
“You must feel like a queen in that castle.” He barks, “Is that it?”
“No, Pavel, of course not. I loved our home, there are so many good memories there with our parents.” I try to appeal to his humanity, our shared past, fucking anything.
He scoffs and I can almost feel the anger radiating from him, even on the phone. “Our parents,” he growls. “They always treated you like a princess, like you were better than me.”
I’m shaking my head even though he can’t see me, but I don’t dare to say anything in response to his words. He wouldn’t hear me anyway and he would find a way to punish me, I’m sure of it. Still, the way he disparages our parents makes my heart ache.
“They loved you best. The prized princess even though our father was never willing to use you in the only way you were useful.” He chuckles, the sound dark and dangerous. It sends a shiver of revulsion down my spine. “If you weren’t more valuable to me as a virgin, I would have let my men have some fun with you before I used you to strengthen our position and influence.”
I suck in a sharp breath. His words aren’t a surprise, but the venom in his tone when he delivers them pierces my very soul. He’s no brother of mine.
I hate what he’s become. Our parents would hate it as well. That’s the only thought that gives me comfort, along with knowing I’m no longer forced to endure his hatred face-to-face.
“Tell me, sister,” he snarls, “has Viktor enjoyed your virgin cunt yet?” My mouth goes dry, and I whimper, unable to answer him even though I’m sure he expects one. He makes a humming sound, and I can almost hear his mind coming up with a plan to hurt me. “I think I’ll schedule a little visit with Nikolai so I can ensure everything is going well. It would go a long way to cement our interests for you to get pregnant with an Orlov spawn. If I don’t find everything is as it should be, I’ll figure out a way to bring you back to me,” there’s a promise in his words and then he’s gone.
I look down with relief, my tears no longer streaming down my neck and, instead, falling onto the face of my phone.
“Is that how he always speaks to you?” Viktor’s voice is low and sounds like gravel, anger and violence swirling in his words.
I let out a yelp of surprise as my eyes snap up to meet his. Those blue-gray orbs I’ve come to find comfort in are blazing with a fire I’ve never seen there before. I try and wipe the tears from my face as he strides toward me and sinks to his knees in front of me.
