Chapter 4
CHAPTER 4
Sofia
S ofia could count on one hand the things that made her skin crawl. Her father’s business, for one. She wasn’t blind or stupid. She knew exactly what kind of man he was—dangerous, calculating, and always in control. The men who surrounded her family weren’t just selling insurance or running charity drives.
She had every reason to hate the empire he’d built and the chaos it dragged into their lives.
Second on her list? The suffocating reality that she couldn’t live her life the way she wanted without her father meddling. And third? Viktor Ivanov.
And now, somehow, she was being forced to marry him.
“I can’t believe you’re asking me to do this,” she snapped. “You’re always warning me to stay away from men like Viktor. He’s dangerous. He’s manipulative. And now you want me to marry him? Are you kidding me?”
Konstantin leaned against the doorframe, looking every bit as exhausted as she felt. His silence made her anger boil even hotter. She perched on the edge of her bed, dragging her bare feet back and forth across the plush rug, trying to focus on the friction instead of the storm brewing inside her chest.
It didn’t matter that her body had betrayed her that night at the party. Didn’t matter that Viktor’s face, his hands, and his mouth had haunted her thoughts when she got home. That she had pleasured herself to the memory of it. She hated him. She hated him because he was everything she was fighting to escape.
If she agreed to marry Viktor, her life as she knew it would end. There’d be no running away with her brother, no dreams of a normal life far from the bloodshed and wars her family thrived on.
She shook her head hard, her jaw tight with defiance. “No. I can’t do it. Anything but that, please.”
Konstantin stepped into the room and slammed his hand against the wall. The sharp crack echoed, making her flinch. “You think I want this?” he barked. “You think I'd like to give that monster an arsenal against me? But I don’t have a choice, Sofia.”
Her heart hammered as she stood, her hands balling into fists. “What do you mean you don’t have a choice?”
“I owe people money,” he admitted, his voice dropping lower like he didn’t even want to hear the words himself. “A lot of money. And they’re coming to collect. Guess who they’ll aim for first? You and Ivan. They’ll drag your brother into this mess, and you know what happens next. He’ll get sucked into the same nightmare you say you don’t want him to live in. Don’t fool yourself, Sofia. It’ll change him. It’ll destroy him.”
For a brief, desperate moment, Sofia let herself dream of escape. She imagined taking Ivan and leaving the country, running to a sunny place full of flowers, where they could live under new names. No blood, no shadows. Just peace.
Her father’s voice dragged her back to reality. “These people I owe? They’ll find you and Ivan no matter where I try to hide you. If you marry Viktor, his power and connections, they’ll keep you safe. I’ll pay off my debts, and both of you will be protected.”
Her fingernails bit into her palms as she clenched her fists tighter, anger and helplessness warring. The thought of being handed over to Viktor Ivanov—a man whose very presence set her teeth on edge—made her stomach churn. But the idea of leaving Ivan vulnerable to men even worse than Viktor made her feel sick.
“I won’t do it,” she hissed through gritted teeth, her voice trembling but firm.
Konstantin’s eyes hardened, and his shoulders slumped under the weight of his own desperation. “You don’t have a choice, Sofia,” he said quietly. “This is how it has to be.”
Sofia’s chest tightened like a vice. She wanted to scream, to throw herself at Konstantin and demand another way, any way, out of this. But the weight of his words settled over her like a lead blanket. There was no escape, no alternative. Ivan’s life was on the line, and her father would hand her over without hesitation if it meant preserving his empire.
“I don’t understand how you can do this, Papa. How you can look at me and see nothing but a piece on your chessboard.”
Konstantin straightened the sharp angles of his face hardening. “It’s not about understanding, Sofia. It’s about survival. Yours, Ivan’s, and this family’s.”
“And marrying me off to Viktor Ivanov is your brilliant solution?” Her voice cracked, her frustration spilling into the room like an electric current. “You think shackling me to a man like him will solve all your problems? That I’ll just quietly go along with this because you’ve decided it’s my fate?”
“You’ll do it because you don’t have a choice,” he shot back, his voice cutting through her defiance like a blade. “Viktor isn’t just dangerous—he’s powerful. He’s a man who values loyalty above all else. Your brother is reckless. This alliance will keep him in line and make our enemies think twice before they strike.”
Sofia let out a bitter laugh, the sound devoid of humor. “How noble of you,” she said, her words dripping with venom. “Sacrificing your daughter to keep your kingdom intact.”
Konstantin’s jaw tightened, his frustration barely contained. “Enough, Sofia. This isn’t about what you want. It’s about what you have to do. You’re strong—stronger than you know. And whether you like it or not, it’s time to show it.”
Her heart thudded heavily against her ribs, each beat echoing the crushing inevitability of it all. She felt trapped, suffocated by the web of power and desperation her father had spun around her. But she refused to give him the satisfaction of thinking he’d broken her.
“Fine,” she said after a long pause, the word slipping through clenched teeth. “I’ll do it. But don’t confuse my compliance with acceptance. I’m doing this for Ivan, not for you.”
Konstantin’s nod was curt, his face unreadable. “You may hate me now, but one day you’ll understand why it had to be this way.”
“I doubt that,” she muttered, turning her back on him. Her voice came quieter, edged with exhaustion. “When does he get here?”
“Tomorrow,” Konstantin replied. “Prepare yourself. Viktor is... a man of conviction. He’ll expect you to be cooperative. He doesn’t tolerate rebellion.”
Sofia’s gaze snapped back to him, her defiance undimmed. “Rebellion is the only thing keeping me from falling apart right now. Don’t expect me to hand it over to him.”
The next day, standing in her father’s office, Sofia tried to calm the storm raging inside her. Her heart wouldn’t stop pounding, and every instinct screamed for her to run. But it was too late for that. Viktor Ivanov was already on his way, and in moments, she’d be face to face with the man who had kissed her like she was the last breath he’d ever take.
Her stomach churned as the memory resurfaced, vivid and unwelcome. She hated him. Hated the way he made her feel. Hated the way her body had betrayed her in that moment. He would be her husband soon, but it would be nothing more than a performance, a facade.
No. Don’t think about it. Don’t let him get inside your head, she told herself.
And yet, even as she tried to steel herself, her body betrayed her. The memory of his lips on hers, the heat that had surged between them, made her pulse quicken. She remembered the taste of him—bitter, demanding, and so utterly consuming. He had kissed her as if he wanted to own her, as if he already knew that one kiss was only the beginning. And somehow, she had let him.
A sudden jolt ran through her as the door opened with a smooth creak, and his sharp eyes swept over her, taking in every inch, assessing, evaluating.
He was everything she hated about this world. Cold. Calculating. Unforgiving. And yet, there was something undeniably alluring about him. His power, the way he carried himself—like he owned every room he entered. He wasn’t just a man who commanded respect; he commanded submission .
Her chest constricted as his gaze met hers. She refused to show fear, even as the weight of his presence threatened to crush her. The truth was, she was terrified. Terrified of what he might ask of her, of how far he would push her once she was in his grasp. Terrified of how he made her feel.
Viktor took a deliberate step toward her, and her heart skipped a beat. The space between them crackled with an intensity that was impossible to ignore. She felt the weight of his stare on her, like it was touching her skin, searing it. He didn’t say anything at first. Instead, his eyes traced the curve of her jaw, the line of her throat, lingering where her pulse beat wildly beneath her skin.
“Do you know why I’m here?” His voice was low, smooth, and laced with quiet authority.
Sofia tilted her chin up, her defiance sharp. “To seal this arranged marriage, I assume.”
“Still as bratty as I remember,” he drawled, his voice a low hum that set her nerves on edge.
Before she could respond, he moved closer, the heat of his body reaching her, and it made her pulse race. He didn’t touch her— not yet —but the closeness was enough to make her body react. She could feel the passion coiling between them, the unspoken spark that danced in the space where their bodies nearly touched.
“Well, you can be as bratty as you want, but it’s not going to help your situation,” Viktor said, his voice steady yet laced with an undercurrent of authority. “The way I see it, you have only two choices: to behave or to rebel. Either way, you’ll consent and comply with this marriage as I see fit.” He let the words hang in the air, a challenge wrapped in a promise.
Sofia lifted her chin defiantly, her spirit a lifeline against the magnetic pull of his presence. “Make all the rules you want, Viktor. Go ahead and shout from the mountaintops about how big your balls are; I won’t be your pawn,” she shot back, each word a dagger, even as a flutter of fear danced in her chest. “And I never will be.”
His jaw tightened, the muscle ticking like a clock counting down to an explosion. Before she could take a step back, his hand encircled her wrist—firm, yet not unkind—tethering her in place.
“You’re already in this world,” he said, his voice dropping to a quieter, more intimate tone, though it remained commanding. His eyes bore into hers, and the dangerous edge in his voice made her breath hitch. “Every move you make, every word you speak—it’s all tied to me now.”
The closeness was suffocating, his heat and presence wrapping around her like a storm she couldn’t escape. But Sofia refused to falter. Even as her heart raced, even as his grip ignited an unwelcome spark she wished she could extinguish, she clung to her resistance like a shield, determined to stand her ground.
“You don’t get to decide that,” she declared, her voice steady.
Viktor’s lips curved into a humorless smirk, his eyes glinting with mischief. “Haven’t I already?”
The memory of his kiss from the night before blazed in her mind—how his lips had claimed hers with an intensity that erased every thought but him. It wasn’t just the act; it was how he’d taken her, demanded her, and consumed her in a way that made her hate herself for craving it.
“Stop looking at me like that,” she snapped, trying to shake free of his grip.
His brow arched, amusement flickering in his gaze. “Like what? Like you’re mine?”
“You don’t own me,” she spat, her voice sharp enough to slice through the tension.
“No,” he replied, his tone softening dangerously, like a predator playing with its prey. “Not yet.” His thumb grazed her wrist, sending a jolt of unwelcome sensation coursing through her.
She pulled back, but his hold didn’t waver. His lips pressed into a tight line, his stare drilling into her, unflinching. For a moment, neither of them moved. “You’ll come to me of your accord soon enough,” he said, his voice laced with a dark promise. “But I’ll let you figure that out on your own.”
The words hit her like a slap, twisting her stomach in knots. For a moment, all she could think about was pushing him away, but her body—damn it—her body didn’t listen to her mind. His touch had an effect on her that she couldn’t explain and didn’t want to change. Everything about him made her weak in ways she couldn’t fight.
Viktor’s gentle teasing of her neck, the weight of his hand on her wrist, the sizzling tension in the air—all of it pulled her back to that moment. To his lips, and how he’d kissed her as if claiming her, as if her will didn’t matter.
Sofia’s body trembled, betraying her as a wave of heat engulfed her. She understood his game—a seductive dance of power and pleasure. Yet, her physical response to him was undeniable, an irresistible force drawing her closer. A scorching heat pooled between her thighs, and she cursed silently, resenting her body’s traitorous reaction.
She inhaled deeply, a futile attempt to reclaim her autonomy as she tried to free her wrist from his iron grip. It was one of the hardest things to do, as a part of her wanted this—wanted to be under Viktor’s command, and craved the feel of his hands on her body. Still, she wrestled against him, but Viktor was relentless, advancing with purpose, towering over her like a storm cloud ready to unleash its fury.
“I advise you against refusing, baby girl,” he growled, his voice a low rumble that awakened emotions in Sofia she hadn’t known she was capable of. “Don’t test me.”
His hand wrapped around her waist, fitting into his palm like it was always meant to be. Sofia expected him to say something grand, to tell her that the cosmos had aligned for this moment. But instead, Viktor showed her with his actions, not words. His fingers splayed on her waist, tracing the supple skin there, causing her to falter. He moved gently, lingering on the curve of her hip, his palms cupping both sides. It was too close to her core, and she imagined him veering off, his fingers tugging at the hem of her pants.
“What are you thinking, Sofia?” he murmured, cupping her ass in his hands.
She gasped, her knees nearly buckling beneath her. Her hands instinctively reached for his shoulders, gripping him for support, certain she would spiral to the ground if she didn’t have something to hold on to. Her eyes darted to the door, and she imagined running for it, knowing full well that Viktor wouldn’t stop her. But his aura kept her rooted to the spot, arresting every bit of her will.
“About how much I hate you,” she murmured.
“You know that’s not true. I’m always in your thoughts, always ingrained in your being. Although you struggle so hard to convince yourself otherwise, you can fool everyone but me.”
Maybe that was true. Sofia couldn't deny it to herself, but having him know felt like handing him a loaded weapon. He could ruin her. And deep down, maybe, just maybe, she wanted him to. The pause that hung between them was suffocating, filled with unspoken promises and veiled threats. She could feel the haze growing thicker as if the very walls were pressing in around her, the air charged with electric tension. Viktor's proximity made every drawn breath a struggle, every moment a battle she wasn’t sure she could win. Her body, traitorous as ever, was betraying her resolve.
“Why do you make this so complicated, Sofia? It shouldn’t have to be this way.”
“Because you refuse to see me as anything other than your possession!” she shouted. “I’m not a trophy, and I’ll never be just another notch on your belt!”
“You fight me, and yet…” He leaned in slightly, his breath brushing against her lips, causing her heart to hammer in her chest. “You don’t pull away completely.”
“O-Only because your grip is so damn tight! You’d think I’d be used to this by now.”
“Oh, Sofia,” he said, a teasing glint in his eyes. “You’ve never been used to being desired, have you? You’re like a moth drawn to the flame, trying to convince yourself the heat is a danger while you’re secretly craving it.”
“Don’t flatter yourself. I mean, sure, you’ve got a piercing gaze and a strong grip, but that doesn’t mean?—”
“Exactly,” he interrupted, a playful smirk tugging at his lips.
His confidence was disarming, and a part of her—a foolish, reckless part—was intrigued. “You think you know me that well?”
“Oh, I don’t think, Sofia. I know. Every clash of wills, every heated word—it all tells me you’re more than just a reluctant bride. You’re a puzzle waiting to be solved, and mark my words, I will enjoy figuring you out.”
“You’re insufferable,” she muttered.
“Yet here you are,” he countered, his tone lightening. “What were we talking about again? Ah, yes! Your futile attempts to resist.”
“You’ve got a big ego, Viktor. But I’m more than a challenge to prove your skills.”
“Maybe,” he said, tone serious once more. “But I think you secretly enjoy sparring with me. I can almost see it in your eyes, the way you light up with every retort.”
“Or maybe I just like the idea of making you suffer.”
He chuckled, the sound low and rich, warming her in a way she didn’t expect. “That’s the spirit, Sofia. Keep that fire burning.”
Viktor's hands moved from the swell of her hips back to her waist. “I would have let you go if I couldn't feel your body practically begging for me. Your nipples—still offended I ignored them last night—yearn to be fondled. Will you really deny them the pleasure?”
“You don’t know what you’re saying,” Sofia retorted, trying to regain some semblance of control.
“But I do,” he continued, his voice low and tantalizing. “How long do you plan to hold out? When I fuck you, I promise you’ll be grateful. I’ll have your hands above your head, and you’ll stare into my eyes as I take you slowly and deliberately. Of course, we’ll switch up the tempo. I love it hard and rough, too. I want to hear your moans echoing through these walls, to feel your pussy clenching around me.”
Heat pooled between her thighs as she felt his erection pressing against her. A tingling urge to touch him surged through her. She closed her eyes, toes curling inward as she fought against the overwhelming waves of emotions. Her mind screamed at her to resist, yet her body betrayed her, responding to him in ways that left her feeling helpless. Desire twisted like a coiling serpent in her stomach and warmth pooled in the dampness of her panties.
Viktor pressed impossibly close. “You like this, don’t you?” he murmured, his breath warm against her neck. As he shifted his hand at her waist, a jolt of sensation coursed through her. Sofia's eyes snapped open, tension coiling within her, ready to lash out. But he was too close; the space between them was nonexistent, and everything in her told her to stay still.
Swallowing thickly, she struggled to focus amid the rapid beating of her heart. “You’re delusional if you think I’m going to let you have your way with me. I can’t be with someone like you, Viktor. You are too…”
“Sexy? Dominant? A thirst trap for you?”
“None of that,” she snapped, annoyed despite the flush creeping up her cheeks.
Viktor’s lips curled into a knowing smile. “We both know that’s not true. And I’m going to prove it.”
Her mouth fell open as he effortlessly lifted her off the floor, carrying her to the desk, clearing it of folders and papers with a mix of thuds and whispers. “Are you bothered about those?” Viktor drawled, glancing at the mess. “Don’t worry. I’m sure Konstantin would mind. After all, I’m just trying to satisfy his daughter.”
“He didn't ask you to, and neither did I,” she whispered, immediately taken aback by the way his hands explored her exposed skin as he tugged her pants down to her knees. The cool air brushed against her thighs, heightening her sensitivity. His eyes drank her in with a hunger she knew he had indulged in before, and now she was exactly where she hoped she wouldn’t be, yet part of her couldn’t deny the thrill turning her on.
Viktor was caught between desire and control, hooked a finger at the edge of her black lace panties, pushing it aside, and pressed his fingers against her aching core. A deep groan escaped him, and Sofia thought she might lose it. Her hands gripped the edges of the table, her head rolling back, exactly as he’d promised. She fought to distance herself from the flood of emotions he caused but found it nearly impossible as he focused on her folds with a mixture of roughness and tenderness.
As he stroked her, Sofia's body shuddered in response, pleading for more. “Oh, Viktor,” she moaned, eyes fluttering shut, her mind unable to process the mixture of fear and pleasure overwhelming her. She was acutely aware of the risk of being caught—her father’s secretary was just on the other side of the door—but that thrill only heightened her arousal, legs spread apart for the man she was to marry.
Viktor teased her, pushing his middle finger near her entrance, lingering just long enough to draw a desperate moan from her lips while never fully sliding in. Each brush sent waves of need crashing through her, and she could feel herself dripping for him, the intensity causing Viktor’s cock to throb in response. He pressed against her, urging her closer, and the hunger in his eyes mirrored her own. He was a man who took what he wanted, and despite everything, there was something undeniably alluring about that trait.
“Please,” Sofia whimpered, barely able to control herself.
“Please, what?” he asked, his amusement lingering in his tone.
“Just... please,” she murmured, desperation coloring her words.
Just when Sofia thought the torment would never end, he withdrew his fingers and stood back, a triumphant gleam in his eyes. “Now, do you still not want me?”
Sofia stared at him, disheveled and disoriented, as he turned and walked out of the office, leaving her pulsing with desire and wanting more.