Chapter 25
I gazeout the airplane window, silently urging the pilot to defy international speed regulations to get me home faster. The tension in the cabin is off the charts, and not in a good way.
It’s just Roman and me, sitting across from each other. We both keep sneaking glances at one another, only to abruptly avert our eyes.
I’d like to know the social etiquette for when someone goes down on you for the first time, gives you the best orgasm of your life, and nearly claims your virginity—the one he paid good money for—but stops short due to some personal moral code.
At least, that’s what I assume the issue is. I wouldn’t know for sure because Roman and I haven’t spoken since last night. Even then, our only exchange was my request to fly home today.
There”s a lot left unsaid between us, but it’s better that way. What happened in London was insane and definitely a one-time thing. Considering Anatoly is his business partner, Roman is probably feeling as awkward about it as I am. It”s easier to pretend it never happened.
Which Roman is doing quite well. He appears to be buried in work, sending texts and staring at his laptop screen. Whatever he”s doing, he”s not paying attention to me or the phone in my hand, and I’m grateful for that.
I can’t stop checking my bank app to make sure the money is actually there. That all this is real. Thanks to Roman, a cool three hundred and fifty thousand dollars is tucked away in an offshore account, set aside for trading. Turning that money into one million dollars in three weeks is ambitious, but Roman’s generous bid gives me a real shot at freedom.
An ache builds in my chest. Last night, I could only focus on the sting of rejection, but in the light of day, I see it differently. Whatever this incessant pull is between us—and I honestly don’t have the words to name it—can’t end well. It’ll never be something more than it is.
Maybe he was saving me from making a decision that would always end in ruin.
“Roman,” I say before I really know what I’m doing or asking. “What happened last night?”
His face tightens, and he blows out a ragged breath like hearing my voice is too much. “You know what happened. But let me put your mind at ease—no one will ever know. Go back to your fiancé and your pretty little life, and you can bury this secret with all the rest.”
The metallic tang of blood fills my mouth, and I realize I’ve just bitten down on my cheek. Hard. I should be thrilled that he’s promising to keep quiet, but instead, everything about this moment feels wrong.
“Um, well, thank you for...” Jesus, the words get trapped in my throat.
His phone rings, and I”m grateful for the distraction. He glances down to see who”s calling. His nostrils flare, before his eyes meet mine again. “It”s Anatoly. Have you spoken to him since the incident with your sister?”
Trepidation churns in my stomach. “No. I texted him to say I was staying in London for an extra day. I missed a call from him last night, but he didn”t even bother leaving a voice message.”
Roman nods, his gaze scorching my cheek. “I’ll handle this.” His voice is deep and authoritative as he takes the call. “Privet.” He doesn”t say anything more for the next minute; rather, he”s listening to something Anatoly is saying. Whatever it is, Roman’s face tightens with irritation. “Bad weather. Are you shitting me? The shipment’s supposed to arrive tomorrow, and I’m only just learning about this delay now?”
My back straightens as Roman’s lips part in a growl. I can’t hear what Anatoly’s saying, but I can make out his “soothing” voice over the line; he’s trying to placate Roman.
“I don’t give a fuck if the North Atlantic is unpredictable,” Roman grits out. “It was your job to build delays into the timeline. You know how tight our schedule is to get the product out to the buyers.”
The silence that follows is tense. I’ve never heard anyone talk to Anatoly like that, and I find myself holding back a little smile, oddly pleased that someone put him in his place.
“Do whatever it takes to get the delivery back on schedule,” Roman barks. “And keep me updated. I’ll be back in Russia by this afternoon.” He’s about to hang up the phone when Anatoly says something else. Roman’s eyes flick up to me. “Yes, she’s with me,” he confirms.
My throat goes dry. I’m not ready to deal with Anatoly. I was going to feign illness when we arrived home so I could put off seeing him for at least a few days.
Roman”s expression hardens as he extends the phone toward me. “He wants to speak to you.”
I gather my courage and brace for the inevitable confrontation. Even though Anatoly didn’t call me back for a full day after I left him a frantic message about Sofiya, he’ll still be pissed that I didn’t take his call last night.
“Hello,” I say, twisting my hands in my lap.
“I haven’t been able to reach you. Why is your phone off?” he snaps.
“I was asleep when you called last night, and we’re flying right now. Most people turn their phone off in the air.”
“Is it also standard to deceive your fiancé?”
A heavy knot forms in the pit of my stomach. Does he know?
“I allowed you to go to London for one reason, and one reason only. Because you were with Maxim Belov’s wife. Imagine my surprise seeing her at an event in Moscow last night. So let me ask you, princess, what’s going on?”
Unease prickles along my neck, but I force a calm tone. “I wasn’t deceiving you. Kira had to leave early, but I wanted to stay for another day. If you would have returned my call earlier, you’d have known this.” When I look up, Roman”s sharp gaze takes me by surprise. “And what about you,?” I huff, unable to stop myself. “Taking my sister to dinner without telling me. Don’t you think I had a right to know?”
I expect his anger, but all that comes through the line is a cruel laugh. “Calm down, Elizaveta. It was just a business dinner. As my future sister-in-law, she needs to learn how to conduct herself around my associates. You, of all people, should understand that.”
“She’s seventeen. You had no right to let her drink.”
“Like you weren’t drinking at that age? It was a glass of wine, for fuck’s sake, and you should be less worried about my actions and more worried about your own. We’re getting married in a few weeks, and sightseeing in London is your priority?”
“It was just a da?—”
“Are you alone with Roman?” The edge in his voice sends an icy sensation trickling through me—a warning that I need to play my next move carefully. If Anatoly digs too deep into my actions last night, my entire plan could fall apart.
I switch to a softer tone, one I”ve perfected over time. “Tolya, don’t be grumpy with me,” I coo. “I was at the spa all of yesterday. I just want to look my best for when I come home. It was no big deal.”
“I hope you enjoyed your ”freedom” because it ends now.” His voice is an ugly snarl. “Let me speak to Roman.”
My hand shakes as I reach forward. Roman’s fingers brush against mine as I pass the phone back to him, and I have the distinct sense that it’s not accidental.
He scowls at the device in his hand before answering. “What is it?” His tone is even darker than before. “Don’t worry about your fiancée; she’s in good hands. Worry about getting me my shipment in time.” He ends the call.
There’s a brief moment where neither of us says anything. He doesn’t need to; the look on Roman’s face says it all. The air thickens around us, his composure as dangerous as a loaded gun.
I open the blinds and turn toward the window, resting my head against the cool glass. From this altitude, the landscape is a distant memory, but watching the clouds pass by helps clear my mind.
Roman’s sharp intake of breath through his teeth pulls me from my wandering thoughts. When I look up to meet his stare, his fists are clenched tightly in his lap, and a muscle in his jaw tics.
“What is it?”
“Who did this to you?” Roman’s voice is dark as night.
“Did what?” I ask, genuinely confused.
A second later, he leans forward and runs his finger under my eye. What he’s talking about comes into stark focus.
The bruise. The one Anatoly gave me the night of the dinner party.
I try to keep my expression flat. “Oh, that.” I shrug like it”s no big deal. “I was half asleep heading to the bathroom in the middle of the night. Banged into a wall.”
Even though the bruise has faded, he looks at it with such outrage that I don’t know how to process it. I had been covering it up with makeup the entire time in London, but with everything going on today, I forgot. Bad move.
His chilling tone stifles my breath. “Must have been quite a powerful wall to bruise you like that.”
“It’s fine.” My face heats, and I seriously need him to drop it.
“Why?” he asks, dark energy rolling off of him in waves.
I stiffen. “Why what?”
“Why marry him? Surely, there are other rich men who can give you what you want.”
I flinch, his words feeling like alcohol on a wound, but I shouldn’t be surprised. I’ve led him to believe that money is the only thing important to me.
“Men like you?” I immediately regret my words.
“No, milaya, you should stay away from men like me.”
My heart sinks—we’re a story that ends before it even begins. I don’t know how to process all these emotions, so I lean into anger instead. “How about you mind your own damn business?”
“After last night, you are my damn business,” he growls.
My throat thickens with emotion, but I swallow it down as I always do.
Roman may have helped protect Sofiya, killed a man who disrespected me, paid a stupid amount of money so no one else could have me, and made me feel like I actually matter, but I need to end this now—before it threatens everything.
“Last night should’ve never happened,” I say, unable to look him in the eyes.
He releases a bitter laugh and rakes an angry hand through his hair. “Definitely not. Because an engaged woman shouldn’t have been selling off her virginity.” He leans forward so we’re eye to eye and grabs my chin. Our lips are inches apart. “Aren”t you sick of the hold your parents have over you? Isn”t it time you put yourself first?” He lowers to his haunches in front of me. “Let me help you. Just say the word, and I’ll do whatever it takes.”
His offer breaks open a part of me that’s been dead for a long time. Roman is no white knight—he’s dark and dangerous, and operates in the underworld—but I know he’d do what he could to protect me. My heart flutters at the thought, only to then clench in pain.
I can’t accept his help because it would mean giving another man control over my life. In the end, what could Roman really offer me other than money? Protection, maybe. But he”s tied to Anatoly, and with their business connections, ending things won”t be easy.
Sucking in a lungful of air, I cross my legs and fold my hands in my lap. Emptying my expression of all emotion, I give him a blank smile. “I enjoyed myself last night, but it was a terrible lapse in judgment. I blame pre-wedding nerves. I’m grateful you stopped things from going too far because it would have been a mistake I’d regret. You don’t owe me anything, Roman. From here on out, we go our separate ways.”
“Bull-fucking-shit.” His words come out sharp and pointed, like edges of a glass shard. “You enjoyed yourself? Understatement of the fucking year. You loved my hands on your body, my tongue in your cunt, and you were desperate for my cock. You may have done it for money, but there was nothing fake about the way you exploded on my tongue. And trust me, sweetheart, your taste is forever branded in my memory.”
It feels as though I”ve been sucked in by the ocean”s current, tossed in the waves, and then thrown back onto the shore, weak and disoriented. But despite the undeniable pull between us, the explosive chemistry, I can’t let him believe that we can be anything more.
I lower my gaze, hiding my breathlessness caused by his words. “Like I said… I enjoyed myself, but I’m not looking for a repeat. I will marry Anatoly. You might not understand it, but I’m committed to him.”
His lip curls in disdain, and his hand tightens around his phone. If he squeezes any harder, I’m pretty sure it’ll break.
“Whatever you say.” He uncoils to his full height, straightens his leather jacket, and casually checks his watch. “Tell yourself whatever story you need to to sleep at night. It doesn’t change anything between us.”