Total pages in book: 97
Estimated words: 91149 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 456(@200wpm)___ 365(@250wpm)___ 304(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 91149 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 456(@200wpm)___ 365(@250wpm)___ 304(@300wpm)
It isn’t Mischa’s fault that he’s been put in this situation. It’s nobody’s fault but my own. But that doesn’t mean I can be civilized about it.
The only solace I have is that while Nakya is on his arm tonight, it is my cum dripping down her legs. She had no time to question my reasons when I burst into her room this afternoon and bent her over the bed, fucking her twice to prove a point.
She belongs to me. And soon, she will come to acknowledge it with her own lips.
“You know, if this bothers you,” Mischa says, “I could be needed elsewhere tonight. An unavoidable situation comes up, and we could avoid this problem altogether.”
“What problem?” I shrug into my jacket, avoiding his eyes. “There isn’t a problem.”
“If you want my opinion—”
“Which I don’t.”
“As your friend, I think it needs to be said,” he persists. “If you don’t get a handle on this situation now, it’s going to end badly for all of us.”
“What is there to handle, Mischa?”
“It’s written on your face, Kolyan. And if I can see your obsession with this girl, do you think it will be long before others recognize it too? Already, Viktor has his doubts.”
“Christ.” I rub my tired eyes. “I need a fucking cigarette.”
Mischa finally makes himself useful by providing me with one. I walk to the window, resting on the ledge while I blow smoke out into the black void of night.
“If it makes any difference, you should know that I would never touch her.”
I meet his gaze and smile. “I know. Because I would kill you if you did.”
As part of my exercise in liberation, I make an executive decision to go bold with my makeup tonight. Gold has always paired well with my skin tone, but my father thought it was trashy. Tonight, I apply it in layers, each one a little more daring than the former. I’ve done cat eyes for ballet performances before, so it doesn’t take me long to add a perfect liquid line. The last and final touch is a dauntless shade of red lipstick, which I end up applying and removing several times before finding the courage to leave it.
It shouldn’t matter, but I took Nikolai’s directives to heart. After he fucked me like a savage this afternoon, he gifted me a red dress and left me with one instruction for tonight. Simply that I must be the most beautiful woman in the room. A tall order, and an impossible one at that. But when I think of the alternative, it’s worth every effort.
The door to my room opens, and for the second time today, Nikolai barges inside. This time, he also has Mischa in tow. I look up from my vanity and suck in a breath. The pair of them really are a sight to behold, but it’s Nikolai who steals the show.
The fitted black suit is his magnum opus, and I pity any man who stands beside him this evening. But worse, I already envy the woman who will.
My heart squeezes, and I smile through the pain, rising from my seat to greet the two men. Nikolai’s possession is felt on every inch of my skin as his eyes sweep over me, but the satisfaction is short lived.
“You are to stay close to Mischa’s side tonight.”
His words cut me to the quick, and I look at Mischa, who seems as appeased by the notion as I am.
I don’t know what’s better or worse. Being front and center to witness Nikolai’s date with Ana or being left behind at home. Regardless, the decision is not mine to make.
“Okay.”
“You have five more minutes.” Nikolai glances at his watch. “Meet us downstairs when you finish.”
He leaves, and I spend every second of the next five minutes thinking of reasons to hate him.
The car ride is quiet. Mischa and Nikolai are up front, and I’m in the back. They barely speak to each other along the way, and the trepidation simmering between all of us is so sticky it’s hard to breathe.
When we finally arrive at the compound, I leap from the car and take mouthfuls of fresh air at the first opportunity. Nikolai turns to look at me briefly before guiding me closer to Mischa. It’s time to go inside, but none of us move. Nikolai’s hand is still on my arm, and he isn’t letting go.
“Kolyan,” Mischa whispers under his breath.
His tone is a warning. Nikolai’s actions are garnering unwanted attention from the men at the door, and he’s playing a dangerous game of chicken. But he doesn’t seem to be aware of the consequences, or even aware of what’s happening around us. His eyes are on me, dazed and uncertain.
I take it upon myself to remove myself from his grasp, opting for Mischa’s arm instead. My motivations are unclear, even to myself. Maybe it’s spite. Maybe it’s jealousy. Or maybe I just don’t want to endanger him in any way. If it’s true, it’s a fool’s errand. I should know by now the only one in danger is me.