Chapter 4
Chapter
Four
VIKTORIYA
W hen I reenter Mikhail’s penthouse, I don’t expect anyone to be up.
But it becomes clear just how wrong I was as I stare into the very angry eyes of Mikhail.
“Where did you go?” he asks.
A man like Mikhail expects me to get on my hands and knees and beg for his forgiveness. Well, that is the last sort of woman I am.
I flip my hair over my shoulder and stand up straighter. “I don’t have to explain myself to you. You are not my husband. You have no claim over me. If you’re upset, why don’t you go find comfort in my sister?”
I try walking past him, but he grabs my arm. “Viktoriya, I tolerate you.”
“That’s not a nice thing to say.”
“You’re not a nice person.”
I huff and wrench my arm away from him. “That’s rich. Which one of us is the head of a Mafia organization? Oh, that’s right. Not me.”
“It’s exactly because I’m the head of the Bratva that I need to know where you are at all times. If you get in trouble with any of my rivals, I will have no choice but to save you because Sofiya would expect that from me. You will not compromise my position. I will not allow it. Now, I gave you a choice. You can either marry Aleksander or Gleb. Hell, marry someone else for all I care. But you will get married so you can leave my house and I don’t have to take care of you. You’ll be your husband’s responsibility.”
“What about Mila?”
“Mila is kind and doesn’t get herself into trouble. But you’re trouble, Viktoriya. You think you’re better than everyone else. It will get you into trouble if it hasn’t already. So, you will tell me where you went tonight.”
I stare Mikhail down. He’s an intimidating figure with his tall stature and intense eyes; I’ll give him that. But I’m the Ice Queen.
“I went to see Damien Petrov,” I tell him. Mikhail tenses. “I thought he’d make a good husband for me. Turns out he’s not interested in marriage, so it was a wasted trip. You have nothing to worry about.”
“You went to my rival? What … You just walked in and introduced yourself?”
“Yes. It was at his club. It wasn’t hard to find on the internet. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m tired and need to get my beauty sleep.” I try to walk past him, but once again, he stops me.
“Viktoriya, you’re playing a dangerous game. You need to decide who you’ll marry by the end of the week, or I’m sending you back to New York. You will not be responsible for my ruin.”
“I’ll decide when I want to decide.”
His eyes narrow. “Fine. But then you’ll be on your own by the end of the week. For Sofiya's sake, I’m giving you more time than most people get from me. Don’t make me regret this.” He shakes his head and mutters something in Russian as he heads upstairs.
Riling Mikhail up is a little comical. Seeing such a hard man crack a little lets me know he’s not as big and mighty as he says he is.
I will do what I want. I will not be forced into a decision.
I will choose the man who is worthy of me, and that is not Aleksander or Gleb.
At breakfast the next morning, the housekeeper—a middle-aged woman named Diana—sets a plate full of food down in front of Sofiya and Mila.
But for me, she places a bowl of …
“Is this gruel?” I ask, poking at it with my spoon.
“Yes,” Diana says. “Mr. Ivanov says that’s all you get to eat until you’ve made a choice.”
Mila giggles as she takes a large bite of her scrambled eggs. Traitor.
“What happened last night?” Sofiya asks. “Mikhail was angry when I woke up this morning.”
“I went to see Damien Petrov.” I hold up my hand as Sofiya opens her mouth. “Nothing happened. He turned me away. He’s not interested in me. Apparently, no man is,” I add under my breath.
But it’s not quiet enough because Sofiya hears me. “You have two men interested in you.”
“Two men I don’t want. I brought Mila here to get away from Gleb. And Aleksander …” I shudder. “He’s so … vexing.”
She raises an eyebrow. “Vexing? Are you living in the eighteen hundreds?”
I shoot her a look as I take a bite of my gruel, then immediately spit it out, pushing the bowl away. “I’m not hungry anyway.” That’s a lie. I’m starving. But I have to get skinny enough to dance again. That’s my ticket out of this mess. Lose the weight, return to New York, and resume my dance career. That’s the only way I’ll be happy again.
I glance at Mila as she stuffs her face full of food. “You shouldn’t eat so much.”
Mila frowns. “But it’s good.”
“You need to be ready for Romeo and Juliet .”
“Will I be back in New York in time for that?”
I look at Mila more closely. “You don’t sound so upset by that. Playing Juliet is a huge role. It’s your first solo performance without Sofiya or me. You should be ecstatic. Let’s go rehearse.” I stand up and motion for her to follow.
“Let Mila finish eating first,” Sofiya says.
“Mila is my responsibility,” I snap. “Not yours. Not since you married your husband. Come on, Mila.”
She slowly sets down her fork and stands.
Sofiya looks between Mila and me, and I hate how much her eyes say something without speaking one word.
Mila follows me into the living room, and I instruct her to go over her solo again. I watch her from the couch, nursing my ankle. Mila is still a little clumsy—she’s always relied on Sofiya and me to pick up the slack when it came to our performances—but she’s getting better. The longer I watch her, the more yearning I feel. That should be me dancing right now. If I’d landed that role, I would be working my ass off to perfect it.
And Mila doesn’t even care. How can she not care? Ballet is our life.
I can taste the gruel on my tongue, and I bite back the urge to throw up again.
ALEKSANDER
“Come for me,” I order Tatiana, my sub for the night. She moans around the ball gag in her mouth as she orgasms. I stand back once she’s done and adjust myself in my pants. I could easily fuck her right now, but I can’t get Viktoriya off my mind. She’s who I want to be fucking. She’s the one I want to see on her hands and knees before me.
“Good job,” I tell her, taking the ball gag out of her mouth, and she smiles up at me.
Once we finish our scene, I walk back into the main part of the BDSM club. People in all manner of undress and kinks walk past me. Hands tied behind backs. Men and women crawling for their dom or dominatrix. Moans filling the air.
I’ve gotten so used to it now that it doesn’t excite me as it once did. All the women who offer themselves up to me are sweet and good at what they do—being submissive. But there’s no thrill in having a submissive do things for me when she’s naturally that way.
Viktoriya is nothing like that. She would rather die, I think, than get on her knees for me.
That’s also why I think she needs me. She’s not just a challenge. I see a woman who’s putting on a bravado. I see a woman who needs a stern hand. I see a woman who needs a man exactly like me.
If only that snake Gleb hadn’t ruined it for me, I could be one step closer to having Viktoriya as my wife.
Now, Mikhail has offered her the choice—Gleb or me. Mikhail just wants Viktoriya out of his hair. He doesn’t care who does it.
But I can’t exactly kidnap Viktoriya and make her mine. I want her to choose me. I want that satisfaction.
So, I’ll contend myself to the women at Club Eden. They give me the fix I need.
It’s just not the fix I want.
“Aleksander,” Igor says, walking over to me. A lot of Mikhail’s men frequent this club. Being in the Bratva has its perks—unlimited access to pussy.
“Igor. Didn’t know you were going to be here tonight.”
He smiles, showing his old, yellow teeth. “I was in the mood to punish a woman. After I was so rudely rejected by Mikhail’s sister-in-law yesterday.”
“You’re still bitter over that? Viktoriya can be harsh.”
“She didn’t even give me the chance to speak. Trust me. If I could have punished her, I would have.” His words make me clench my hand around my drink glass. “Did you hear? She went to see Damien Petrov last night.”
I do a double-take. “What? How did you hear that?”
“My son was at Damien’s club last night. I told him not to go, but you know he never listens. He recognized her from Mikhail’s party and told me about it.”
“Does Mikhail know?”
“No idea.”
“I take it you don’t know any more info?”
Igor shakes his head, making the flabby skin around his neck wiggle. “No. But a girl like that is up to trouble, in my opinion. She needs a good punishment.”
“I’m working on that,” I mutter.
I head straight over to Mikhail’s house after leaving the club. Diana lets me inside, telling me Mikhail is in his office.
“Actually, I’m here to talk with Viktoriya.”
Diana nods. “I’ll go get her.”
After a moment, Viktoriya is walking into the foyer. “What?”
“You saw Damien Petrov last night?”
She shrugs. “So?”
“So? You could have been hurt! A man like Damien cannot be trusted.”
“I didn’t see anything dangerous about him.”
Her nonchalance is fucking torture. “What did you talk about?”
“I don’t see how any of that is your business.”
“I’m going to be your husband, so it is my business.”
She tilts her head, looking me over. “I don’t remember agreeing to that. I haven’t made my decision yet, Aleksander. Gleb could very well be my husband soon enough.”
I scoff as I approach her. Her eyes show some hesitation, but she remains put. Good. She’s not acting afraid, even if she is. “Why would you want to marry Gleb? He can’t offer you what I can.”
“And what can you offer me? Wealth and status? That’s rich coming from the man who told me he came from poverty. No, thanks.”
“Maybe you need a man who knows what it’s like on the other side of the tracks.”
She huffs, crossing her arms. “Don’t tell me what I need.”
“I’m rough around the edges, Viktoriya, and I think you like that. I’m no fucking prince charming.”
“You’ll have to talk to Mila. She’s the one who wants her prince charming.”
“So, then, what is it you want?” I ask in a lower voice.
“I want a man wor?—”
“Worthy of you,” I finish for her. “But I’m not because of where I grew up.”
“Yes.”
“And you think Gleb is a better choice?”
She narrows her eyes. “Compared to you? Any day. He has money.”
“I have money.”
“He has status.”
“I have status.”
“He’s handsome.”
I quirk an eyebrow. “You don’t think I’m handsome?”
She opens her mouth and quickly closes it before saying, “I don’t find you handsome one bit. In fact, I find you repulsive.”
“If you want to see something truly repulsive, I can show you where I grew up.”
“Why would that make me change my mind?”
“It wouldn’t,” I say. “But it would make you uncomfortable.”
She places her hands on her hips. “Why do you want to make me uncomfortable? You want to marry me. Shouldn’t you want to make me happy?”
“That’s not why I want to marry you, Viktoriya.”
“Now, why would I choose a man who so blatantly told me he wants to make me unhappy?”
“I think you need discipline. I think you’d thrive with it.”
She scoffs. “No. What I want is to make my own choices. I don’t want you here. So, go.” She waves a dismissive hand toward the door.
“You never answered my question. Why did you see Damien Petrov? What could you possibly be planning?”
“I’ll have you know he’s interested in me. He’d make a fine husband, would he not?” She smirks while staring me down.
“You’re playing a dangerous game, Viktoriya.”
“No. I’m doing what I want. I’m acting like a man would. And that clearly bothers you, which only makes me happier. Have a nice day, Aleksander.” She spins on her heel and walks away.
I leave before I do something I’ll regret. Viktoriya will realize I’m the right fit for her in time. I’m not a man who gives up.
VIKTORIYA
My head is spinning after my conversation with Aleksander. He had the audacity to tell me I need him. Cocky much?
I shake my head as I walk up the stairs and bump into Gleb on the landing.
“Who were you talking with?” he asks.
“Aleksander. He showed up.”
Gleb’s eyebrows comically reach into his hairline. “Viktoriya, you have to be careful with a man like that. He’ll hurt you.”
“And what do you want? You said you didn’t want to marry me, and now you do. So, which is it?”
“I changed my mind. I realized there’s no one better to care for you than me. I would encourage you to consider it. You’ll regret ending up with that man. I can provide you with comfort. We can live in New York. You can dance.”
I look at him more closely. “I can dance?”
“I won’t stop you from doing it. But if you choose Aleksander, you’ll be forced to live here in Moscow, and I doubt he’d let you dance. A man like that is controlling. I just want to see you taken care of. I have no desire to control you.”
For the first time, I notice Gleb. Really notice him. He’s handsome; I’ll give him that. While I found him creepy when he insisted on living with Mila and me, I’m starting to realize maybe he wouldn’t be such a bad option. He has money and a high status in New York. If he says he doesn’t want to control me and I can still live the life I want, then maybe it wouldn’t be so bad.
Unlike Aleksander, who insists I be “disciplined,” whatever that means.
“Consider it,” Gleb says. “I would be honored to be married to you, Viktoriya.” He smiles at me before walking down the stairs and leaving me feeling even more confused.
I weigh my options. Aleksander or Gleb.
Gleb is handsome and wealthy and wants to give me the life I’ve always dreamed of.
Aleksander is insufferable and cocky and grew up poor. Eww, no, thank you. He can take what he thinks is his handsome face and shove it right through the window.
But there is one other choice—I don’t have to choose either man. I don’t have to wait for Mikhail to kick me out.
I can leave on my own terms.
I refuse to be forced into a marriage.
With that in mind, I wait until it's dark again and sneak out. As I pass the guard outside the penthouse, I know he’s going to tell Mikhail, but at least I’ll have a head start. Besides, Mikhail should be happy I’m leaving. I’m giving him what he wants—me out of his hair.
I get a cab and tell the driver to take me to the finest hotel in the city. There’s no way I’m staying in some trash heap. Only the nicest places for me.
He drops me off at the Ritz-Carlton Moscow. Perfect.
I get a room for the next week, spending a couple of grand like it’s nothing. And to me, it isn’t. Money has never been an issue. Why would I marry a man who grew up poor? I doubt Aleksander knows anything about money. He’s not in the same class as me and never will be, no matter where he is in life now.
After settling into my room, I get comfy on the bed and turn on the TV. I flip through channels and finally land on a dancing competition show. The sight of the people dancing makes tears sting my eyes. I quickly change the channel.
This is my life now. I’ll have no one to boss me around. I can do what I want. I don’t need a husband one bit.
But you want one , a quiet voice inside me whispers.
Do I want one? Fine. Maybe it would be nice. I think back to what Vera and the other ladies said at lunch—implying I wasn’t good enough to land myself a man. It’s not my fault men can’t handle me.
A loud knock on the door makes me sit up and gasp. I don’t answer, even after another knock.
“Viktoriya, I know you’re in there,” Aleksander says.
What in the freaking world is he doing here?
I sigh, get up, and answer the door. “What?”
Aleksander leans against the door frame in a casual pose. “You answered faster than I expected you to.”
“What are you doing here? How did you find me?” And so fast, too.
“The next time you want to run away, don’t use your credit card.” He brushes past me into the room.
“I didn’t invite you in,” I say, shutting the door.
“I’m here to bring you back.”
“Mikhail will kick me out at the end of the week anyway. I just saved him the trouble. Why bring me back?”
“Because it’s dangerous for you to be out here alone. You need to choose, Viktoriya. You’re marrying somebody.”
“I choose no one.”
“That’s not how this works.”
“I don’t care how it works. I’m not doing it.”
I hate the way he looks at me – dark and … carnal. “Let me show you what you need. Get on the bed and lay on your stomach.”
I inhale quickly. “What? No!”
“Viktoriya, do as I say.”
“And if I don’t?” I stand my ground. I’m not doing anything for him.
“I won’t force you. But I am going to show you that you need discipline. I think you’re lost. You need me.”
“God, you’re full of yourself.”
“Are you scared?”
I stand up straighter. “Of course not.”
“So, then, why not get on the bed? I’m not going to fuck you if that’s what you’re worried about.”
I wasn’t until he said that …
“What are you going to do to me?” I ask.
“Get on the bed, and you’ll find out.”
I shouldn’t. I don’t want this. But I can’t back down and let him win. He can’t think I’m scared. Viktoriya Morozova doesn’t get scared.
“Fine.” With a hair flip, I lean over the bed on my stomach. This position makes me acutely aware of Aleksander standing behind me. He doesn’t say a word. His breath is loud in the quiet room, which sends a shiver over me. Why? Aleksander doesn’t make me feel anything except annoyance.
“Good girl,” he says quietly.
“How dare you—” I start to say right as he smacks me across the ass. I freeze. He did not just do that.
He does it again.
“Aleksander!” I try to sit up, but he spanks me again. And again. And again. All in quick succession. “What are you doing?”
“I’m showing you what you need.” His next smack is harder than the rest. I gasp and cling to the bedding. Even though I’m wearing leggings, I can feel the heat from his hand every time he touches me.
“I never asked for this,” I growl.
“You didn’t have to. You’re not scared to let me finish, are you?”
Frankly, I want him to stop spanking me. The audacity of this man is astronomical.
But I can’t let him think I’m afraid. My pride is worth more than my ass.
“Good,” he says before spanking me again. I slump against the mattress, closing my eyes. The moment he’s done, he’ll learn not to mess with me.
Aleksander smacks my ass a few more times before stepping back. “There. How do you feel?”
I feel …
For a moment, I didn’t think about my sisters or my future or … dance. All I could focus on was Aleksander’s hand.
It was sort of freeing strangely. Not that I would ever tell him that.
I stand up and face him. “You want to know how I feel?” I slap him across the face. “There. That’s how I feel.”
He chuckles as he rubs his cheek. “I figured you would do that. Not ready to submit yet. That’s all right. You can lie to me all you want, Viktoriya. But you can’t lie to yourself. Now, come on. I’m taking you back to Mikhail’s.”
“I paid for this room for the entire week.”
“Then you shouldn’t have wasted the money.” He opens the door and stands there, waiting for me to follow him. He’s not leaving until I leave.
With a roll of my eyes, I follow him out the door.
“I can’t believe you took me back here,” I mutter, staring up at Mikhail’s apartment building.
“I think your sisters would have missed you.”
“You did this because you care about my sisters?”
“No. I’m just stating a fact.” He winks as he gets out of the car. With a grumble, I follow.
Just like the last time I snuck out, Mikhail is waiting near the front door when I enter. “You found her. Good,” he says to Aleksander.
Sofiya and Mila are also here this time.
“I’m happy you’re ok,” Mila says, hugging me. “When I saw you weren’t in your room, I told Mikhail. I was worried.”
So, Mila was the one who ratted me out. I know she meant well, but I still pull away from her anyway, too annoyed to let her touch me any longer.
Gleb is standing at the top of the stairs. “You’ve returned.”
“I have.” Not by choice.
Gleb falters coming down the stairs when he sees Aleksander. “You’re the one who brought her back?”
“I am. Taught her a lesson, too.”
I try not to flush. I don’t blush. Ever.
But the memory of Aleksander’s hand on my ass, spanking me, will be imprinted on my mind forever. And the sad reality is—he didn’t even force me to lay down on that bed. I did it willingly.
The urge to vomit comes back again.
“You can’t keep doing this, Viktoriya,” Mikhail scolds. “I said I would give you the week, but you need to decide now. You need a husband to keep you in line. So, what’s it going to be? Aleksander or Gleb?”
I look between the two men. The smirking Aleksander, like he knows he has it in the bag, and the hopeful Gleb. All I know is I can’t let Aleksander win.
“Fine,” I say. There’s a collective inhale of breath before as they wait for my answer.
“I’ll marry Gleb.”