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All I can think about is how expensive all this must be. I could save and invest for a lifetime – maybe even a hundred lifetimes – and I wouldn’t be able to afford a fraction of this house.
I count seventeen crystal chandeliers in the first hallway, and eleven in the next one as we make a sharp turn. There are dozens of oil paintings on the walls, and fine bronze statues every few yards, reflecting glittering golden rays from the lights above.
Eventually, we reach a wide, velvet-lined staircase. Pasha’s long legs make easy work of it, but I’m panting by the time we reach the top.
“This is a shortcut to the top floor where the master bedroom is,” he informs me, walking briskly as I drag my feet behind him.
“Maybe an elevator would be better,” I say between pants.
“A house is better with one way up and many ways down. Never attack an enemy who has the high ground. Sun Tzu, The Art of War,” he says, holding up a finger like he’s lecturing me at a university.
God, if I ever had a professor like him, he’d have me under his desk daily to earn a good grade. Otherwise, I’d fail every test because I’d be too distracted by the sound of his voice to listen to what he’s saying.
I catch something about war, which is a bit concerning. I wasn’t expecting any danger in a house that’s built like a fortress, but I guess you don’t build a house like a fortress unless you’re anticipating a fight.
“I hope we’re not going to get attacked here or anything,” I say, looking around nervously. Every suit of armor looks like a hidden enemy all of a sudden.
“Unlikely,” he mutters.
“Unlikely? That’s not very comforting,” I reply with a nervous laugh.
“Anatoly has been unpredictable lately, and I do have other enemies. He’s not really the worst, just the closest and the keenest on being a nuisance.”
I can hear the annoyance in his voice at the mention of his brother, so I don’t push him on the topic any further. I doubt anyone is going to want to break into this house with the sheer amount of security I’ve encountered, and I’m sure that’s just what’s visible.
Pasha is rich beyond comprehension, and I’m sure he has thousands of men who are willing to do whatever it takes for him. I’ve seen almost a hundred today already.
“Here’s the room,” Pasha says, coming to a stop at the end of the hallway.
I frown. We’re standing in front of a wall with a large painting of the Garden of Eden hanging on it. There’s no sign of a door, but Pasha seems to believe this is the way to get into the master bedroom.
He doesn’t reach for a secret handle, however. He just stands there for a moment, looking at the painting.
Before I can say anything, there’s a quiet beep, and the entire wall swings open to reveal a hidden room. I gasp. “How did you do that?”
He looks over his shoulder at me and smirks. “Eye scanner. It’s programmed for your eye as well, so you won’t have any trouble getting in and out.”
“How is it programmed for my eye?” I ask, stepping in and studying the painting more closely. There’s no sign of a device hidden in the painting itself. Nobody would know there was any way into this room unless they were told about it.
“Every device you use keeps track of your data,” Pasha says, pulling me away from the door as it begins to close. “It’s notas difficult to get information off your devices as you think. My team consists of many talented people with all types of specialties. One such specialty is cybersecurity, or rather how to circumvent that security.”
“So, you’re basically admitting to stealing my data.”
“Yes,” he answers like he’s proud of his crime. His tone leaves me no room to hold it against him, because if I did, he’d only start gloating about how much else he could steal if he wanted to.
I sigh, focusing my attention on the master bedroom as Pasha flicks on a second light. The room is illuminated by an ethereal glow, coming from no place in particular and lighting everything evenly. The furniture appears to float inches above the carpeted floor, and every detail carved into the bedframe seems to be done so by hand.
I feel like I’ve stepped into a palace and went straight into the king’s quarters.
Pasha’s hand comes down on my shoulder gently, and he squeezes it as he moves me back against his body. “You like it?” he whispers in my ear.
I nod, goosebumps erupting over my arms and legs.
“I’m going to fuck you on that bed,” he says, squeezing my shoulder a little tighter. “And I’m not going to stop until neither of us has the energy to move.”
I shiver so hard that I have to hide the movement by spinning around to face him. “Only if I let you,” I say, looking up at him with droopy, seductive eyelids. “A girl like me takes a lot of convincing.”
“Money is nothing to me.”
