Chapter 15
Chapter Fifteen
Annika
“Kirill?” I mutter.
As I come out of my deep sleep, the first thing I notice is that the bed feels cold. With effort I open my eyes and roll over, and see nothing but an empty space beside me.
“He is in the city for today,” a feminine voice states.
I turn toward the voice with a gasp, instinctively pulling the sheets closer to me. I find the tallest woman I’ve ever seen lounging in one of the plush white chairs caddy-corner of the bed.
“Who are you?” I ask, taking her in.
She’s tall. Obviously muscular beneath her black t-shirt and trousers.
She has a warm, brown complexion with darker brown eyes and brows, and dark brown hair plaited down her scalp and neck.
Her eyes gleam with a predatory nature as she rests her chin on one of her black-gloved hands, and there isn’t a speck of emotion on her naturally beautiful face.
I knew there wouldn't be a honeymoon, but still- I wasn’t expecting to wake up next to a strange woman instead of Kirill.
“My name is Yana Kalugina,” the woman states calmly, not bothering to look away from my naked state. “Mr. Pavlovich has assigned me to watch over you.”
I frown in discomfort.
“I am sure he did not mean so literally,” I reply.
Yana’s sleek right brow perks slightly.
“Then you obviously don’t know him very well,” Yana replies.
There’s no judgment in her voice, but I feel it all the same. It’s true. Even though I tried to get to know him a little better last night after our intense lovemaking, Kirill has still not shared much about himself.
“You are the Pakhan’s wife now,” Yana goes on, leaning forward. “It’s a very esteemed position to be in, but also a very vulnerable one. So when the boss asks me to watch you, I watch you.”
I want to argue, but I’m already quite positive that it wouldn’t do me any good.
“Well, can I at least pee by myself?” I mutter. “Or is that against his highness’s commands?”
A smile almost touches Yana’s lips, and she nods.
“There’s a robe at the end of the bed. I’ll turn around so you can put it on.”
As Yana stands up and faces the door, I look toward the end of the bed and as promised, there is a black silk robe.
I quickly put it on and scamper to the bathroom.
With the door shut, I take a minute to relieve myself.
When I’m finished and go to wash my hands, I look down at the counter.
There’s a new toothbrush, toothpaste, hair brush, and several other brand new hygiene products laid out for me- including new make-up and brushes from my favorite brand.
Everything is still packaged, so it’s obvious that it wasn’t someone else’s. Still, even though I’m just waking up and still delirious from great sex, I’m sure the stuff wasn’t on the counter the night before.
“Where did this stuff come from?” I ask Yana, walking back out to the bedroom.
“They are your new things,” Yana replies, back in the chair. “Mr. Pavlovich had them delivered this morning. Along with a few dresses and some other clothing items. I took the liberty of going ahead and putting everything in your closet.”
Yana gives one of those almost smiles again and adds, “I’m surprised you didn’t hear me. You must be a very sound sleeper.”
I frown.
“Well, that’s very nice of Mr. Pavlovich, but I already have my own things. I’m going into the city to pick them up shortly.”
“I’m sorry, Mrs. Pavlovich, but that is not possible,” Yana replies calmly as she crosses her muscled legs, “You are not to leave the compound until your husband deems it safe for you to do so. I’ve already spoken to your father about the matter and sent a moving crew to his townhouse.
They’ll take care of it for you and have it here by this afternoon. ”
“No!” I exclaim, my heart beginning to race. “He can’t just decree something like that! I want to see my sister and father. And I have a job, too! I have a meeting with my art dealer tomorrow, I need to prepare for a new show. I need to finish my pieces!”
Yana remains eerily calm as I feel her anxiety heighten; only making it worse.
“Your father and sister are welcome to visit you here any time they like,” Yana replies.
“As for your work, I will brief Mr. Pavlovich on your concerns. He is a fairly reasonable man. I am sure he will find a way to make it possible for you to complete your pieces. In the meantime, I suggest you call your art dealer and let them know the meeting is cancelled.”
My jaw drops as flashes of the night before fill my mind.
Kirill said many times that he took control- but I didn’t think he meant in every aspect of my life.
My breaths start to come in quick, sharp bursts as I feel the walls of the large master suite suddenly shrink around me.
I put my hand to my chest, and feel my heart racing.
Trapped. I’m trapped.
“Mrs. Pavlovich?” Yana asks, rising from her chair.
My legs suddenly turn to jelly as I stand in the doorway between the bedroom and bathroom, and I feel myself go down. In an instant Yana is beside me, cradling my back and lowering me carefully to a sitting position on the floor.
“I-I can’t live like this,” I pant, “I c-can’t breathe!”
“Yes you can,” Yana says calmly, pushing my head gently between my knees. “Draw in from your nose, hold, then breathe through your mouth.”
Tears sting my eyes, but I follow Yana’s instructions.
“It’s alright,” Yana soothes, rubbing my back. “There’s no need to be frightened. Mr. Pavlovich only wants what’s best for you.”
My head shoots up and I glare at Yana.
“I’m not frightened,” I seethe, “I’m furious! I’m not some bird he can lock up in a cage!”
Yana stares at through narrowed eyes for a moment, then to my surprise, lets out a short laugh. She then rises to her feet, pulling me with her.
“You surprise me, Mrs. Pavlovich,” Yana says, “That doesn’t happen often.”
I only glare at her as I adjust my robe and flip my long hair over my shoulder.
“Don’t call me that,” I snap.
Yana crosses her arms and raises a brow.
“Very well. What should I call you then?”
“Annika is fine,” I mutter, then let out an annoyed sigh. “So, what am I allowed I’m to do then? Am I allowed to leave this room?”
“Of course you can,” Yana replies, smirking. “The grounds are yours to do with as you will. Once you’re dressed and have eaten breakfast, I can give you a tour.”
“I’m not hungry,” I snap, even though I very much am.
Kirill might control where I can go and what I wear now, but I’m about to let him control when I eat.
“You might not be,” Yana counters before I can finish the thought, “But I’m sure the child growing inside of you is.
Mr. Pavlovich insists you have three square meals a day, a minimum of two snacks and of course prenatal vitamins.
The chef is waiting for you downstairs. He’ll make anything you want. ”
I grumble a curse as I look around for my phone. I find it just as I did after the first night I had spent with Kirill. On the night stand, magically plugged in and fully charged.
I pick it up and am about to call Valya when I discover my screensaver is different. Before it was a picture of the statue of David; my first inspiration to get into sculpting. Now it’s just a rainbow of blue waves.
“This isn’t my phone!” I exclaim.
“Mr. Pavlovich got you a new one,” Yana calmly explains. “All of your photos and contacts have been transferred to this one, though, along with all of Mr. Pavlovich’s numbers. In case you want to reach him.”
I don’t want to reach him, I want to strangle him! How could so much change in so little time?!
“Where’s this closet you were talking about?” I demand, looking through my contacts. I find Valya’s number and call it.
“Through the bathroom,” Yana answers, pointing behind Annika. “I’ll wait for you in the hall.”
“Hello?” Valya answers as Yana leaves.
“Val? It’s Annika. Find Papa and put me on speaker,” I say as I walk back into the bathroom to find the closet.
“Did you get a new phone? What number is this? Is everything okay?” my sister asks.
“No,” I growl as I find the door to the closet and thrust it open, “You won’t believe what this asshole has done!”
After venting to my sister and father and rummaging through the surprisingly full closet of new designer clothes in my sizes, I begrudgingly pull on a red and white polka dot spaghetti-strapped summer dress with a flared skirt, a pair of white sandals, and break open my new makeup and hair brush.
My sister and father have done little to improve my mood.
Instead of taking my side, they thought it was sweet that Kirill had done the research to find out my size and favorite makeup brand, and bought so much for me.
At this, I had to begrudgingly accept that Kirill at least bought me clothes and accessories that I like and find flattering.
As for my involuntary incarceration, my father even said that while it might be uncomfortable, it was now a necessity.
Everyone in the New York underground now knew I was the Pakhan’s wife.
Valya said little to support my feelings as well, but they did agree to come along with the movers once they have my things packed into the truck.
Once I’m ready, I fling open the bedroom suite door and find Yana calmly waiting for me.
“The Pakhan has insisted you take the elevator until the baby is delivered,” Yana explains as she leads me to the elevator, “He doesn’t want to risk you falling. But after breakfast I’ll show you where the stairs are all the same. Just in case there is an emergency.”
I say nothing as Yana gestures toward the open elevator doors, my arms crossed in growing frustration.
“Any other rules I need to know about?” I mutter as the elevator takes us downstairs.
“Not that I am aware of, but that is a question better left for Mr. Pavlovich to answer,” Yana replies as the elevator doors open to the first floor.