Chapter Three #2
The gun was suddenly gone and I heard the whisper of his steps across the carpeted floor, then the door opening and closing.
The moment all was quiet again, I broke.
Sobs wracked my body as the tears flowed and I started shaking.
Viktor found me that way a while later, not that I understood a word he said since it was in Russian.
Then he switched to English and I couldn’t help but laugh a little.
“I didn’t realize being my wife would be so terrible for you,” he muttered as he paced in front of me.
“Is that what you think?” I asked, wiping my face. “That I’m crying because you’re forcing me to marry you? All men are the same.”
I heard him stop and it seemed like the air dropped a few degrees.
“What’s what supposed to mean?” he demanded.
“Everything is always about you, isn’t it? You wanted me, so you took me. You decided you’d marry me, so here we are. So, of course, if I’m crying, it must be over you.” I took a shaky breath. “Go check our things. I believe something of yours is missing.”
He stalked off only to return moments later.
“Where’s the money, Cerys?”
“Do I look like I took your precious money?” I snarled and stood, nearly toppling back to the couch when my legs wouldn’t hold me.
“I didn’t take a damn thing from you, Viktor.
Maybe whoever broke in here should have taken me instead.
Would that have been better? At least then you’d have your money. Women are easily replaceable, right?”
It was quiet again. Too quiet.
“What do you mean someone broke in?” he asked softly, his tone deadly.
“He said if I told anyone that he’d come back for me. He said…” I stopped and licked my lips, starting to wish I’d kept silent. “He said that if I told anyone he’d come back and take the compensation from my ass.”
His arms went around me and he rested his cheek against the top of my head. “I’m sorry, myshka . I knew you were unhappy and thought you’d decided to get back at me. This suite is supposed to be safe. If I’d thought someone might come in and hurt you, I’d have never left you alone.”
I noticed he didn’t say that I wasn’t replaceable.
“Is the marriage license ready?” I asked.
Might as well face my fate head-on. Viktor had mentioned getting some of my things from my old house, including my fake ID.
It must have been better than I’d realized because we hadn’t had an issue applying for the license.
Either that, or they just didn’t look that closely in Las Vegas.
“Yes. I picked it up while I was out. I’ll lay out a dress on the bed for you and change into a fresh suit, then we’ll head to the nearest chapel. While you get ready, I’ll deal with the hotel and their lack of security.”
I nodded and held out my hands, trying to feel my way to the bedroom.
Viktor grasped my hand and led the way, stopping and pressing my hand to what felt like the bed.
There was some rustling and the bed slightly shifted, as if something had been set down on it.
I moved my hand along the covers and felt the silky material of what I assumed was a dress, then found a bra and panties.
My cheeks warmed, but Viktor had already seen me naked.
I heard him speaking to someone, but his voice was low enough I couldn’t make out the words.
The harshness of his tone made me think he’d called the hotel front desk to complain about the missing money.
Would I have to speak with someone? The police?
I didn’t know how much was missing. I’d left out the part about the gun. Maybe I should have told him.
Removing my clothes, I listened as he ended his call and changed out of his suit. When I had the dress on, I realized I couldn’t reach the zipper in back. The heat of Viktor’s body pressed against me and he kissed my bare shoulder.
“You’re beautiful, myshka . I’ll be the envy of every man who sees you.”
He zipped the dress, then placed his hands on my shoulders, just holding them there a moment. I felt the caress of his palms down my arms, then he moved away only to return. There was a snick like a box had opened, and then I felt the coolness of something around my throat.
“This necklace is the first of many beautiful things I intend to purchase for you, myshka . I thought something as special as our wedding deserved a gift.”
I reached up and felt the piece of jewelry, my fingers running along what felt like a never-ending strand of stones. “Can you describe it to me?”
“It’s a diamond choker, but the stones are cut and set in a floral pattern.”
Diamonds. I should be thrilled. Instead, they were just as cold as my life was becoming. A loveless marriage. Nothing more than property. I felt another piece of my heart shatter.
“Thank you, Viktor. I’m sure it’s stunning.”
The whiskers on his chin rubbed against my cheek. “Only the best for my wife.”
“I’m not your wife yet,” I said.
“Then we should go remedy that.” He kissed the side of my neck. “And then we’ll celebrate by having a wedding dinner and a proper wedding night. I promise, no pain this time, myshka . Had I known you were an innocent, I’d have made sure you enjoyed it more, that you were prepared.”
There wasn’t much I could say to that. It had hurt, but he’d also made it better after he’d known.
I’d hoped that next time would be even more pleasurable, and that maybe one day he’d come to care for me.
But after only twenty-four hours with Viktor, I was starting to wonder if I’d been wrong about him from the start.
I’d thought he was different from the others who had come to my father’s home that night. Now I wasn’t so sure.
We left the hotel and walked the short distance to whatever chapel he’d found.
I only half paid attention to what was happening, my thoughts focused on what this moment meant.
I doubted that being married to Viktor would be anything like the books my mother and Mrs. Popov had read to me, where the families went on outings together, had quaint family holiday traditions, and everyone gave hugs freely.
Being in his world was going to keep me in a cold, dark place, and I wasn’t looking forward to it.
When he’d claimed me, I’d known he would tire of me eventually.
I’d been scared of what would happen when that time came, but there’d been the slight chance I’d get to have a somewhat normal life in the future.
Now that didn’t seem as likely. I didn’t know whether or not Viktor believed in divorce.
Would he stay married to me, but live separately when he grew bored?
“Ready, myshka ?” Viktor asked.
“Yes, Viktor.”
He drew my hand through the crook of his arm and led me down what I assumed was the chapel aisle.
The wedding was simple, and very fast. We said our vows, exchanged rings that I hadn’t even realized Viktor had purchased, and then he kissed me.
The way his lips pressed to mine it felt more like a promise, but a promise of what?
For that brief moment, Viktor seemed warm and tender, his kiss sweet and soft.
But I’d fallen for that version of him once already, and I wouldn’t be tricked again.
The ring he’d placed on my finger felt heavy and was no doubt as ostentatious as the necklace felt.
After Viktor’s description of the choker he’d given me at the hotel, I was certain it had cost a small fortune.
Probably more money than my family had ever had in my entire lifetime.
It saddened me that my mother had lived in poverty, and that if she were alive now and I had met Viktor, perhaps he could have helped improved her life in some way.
I’d have done anything for my mother, even live in a loveless marriage and pretend to be happy.
Viktor led me out of the chapel. His arm was around my waist as we walked down the busy sidewalk.
I didn’t know what time it was, but the heat was nearly too much to bear despite the fact I didn’t feel the sun on my face, and the crowd was making me nervous.
I’d never done well around large groups of people.
It wouldn’t take much for me to trip over someone, or for them to push me just hard enough I’d fall.
I could smell food when we came to a stop and assumed it was the restaurant he’d mentioned.
I heard the door open and Viktor escorted me inside.
“Mr. Petrov, your table is ready,” said a woman with a sickly sweet voice.
“Thank you.”
I bumped into a few chairs along the way, apologizing as I walked, but when we reached our table, Viktor pulled out a chair for me.
He brushed a kiss against my cheek before taking his own seat, and while I wanted that kiss to be a real sign of affection, I worried it was all for show.
Was this my life now? I felt cold inside, all the way down to my bones.
All I’d ever dreamed about was having a happy life, maybe finding someone who would love me. Now it all seemed impossible.
There was a slight breeze and I heard something lightly land on the table in front of me.
A menu most likely, not that I would be able to read it.
My first time eating out wasn’t going quite the way I’d hoped it might.
I didn’t even pay attention as the waitress flirted with Viktor, and gave her recommendations for the drinks and meals available.
When she hinted that she’d be open to showing him around Vegas when she got off work, I nearly stood up and walked away, but I was worried I’d fall since I didn’t know the layout.
Instead, I dropped my gaze to where I assumed the table was and wished the night would just end.
“ Myshka ,” Viktor said softly. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing.” I forced a smile.
“Don’t lie to me. I have very few rules I expect you to follow. Don’t lie. Don’t cheat. Don’t disobey me. Now tell me what’s bothering you. You’ve been acting differently since before we left home.”