by Paige Warren
“Everyone’s excited about Mr. Lenkov getting married,” Sonya said. “It will be nice to have a lady of the house.”
“I’m not sure everyone wants me here,” I murmured skimming my hand over the water.
Sonya smirked. “You mean Irina? Don’t let her get to you. She’s worried she’s going to lose what power she holds over this house. If you ask me, it would be a good thing. She sometimes acts like she’s more important than everyone else, even though she’s an employee like the rest of us.”
“Does she have feelings for Ivan?” I asked, unable to stop myself.
Sonya shook her head. “Not like that. I think she considers him a friend, but she’d have married him if he’d asked. She’d have endured sex with him even if she didn’t like it.”
Not like it? The man had shattered my soul when he’d decided to teach me a lesson today. I couldn’t imagine anyone not enjoying being in his bed. Unless Irina was a frigid bitch. It was unfair to think such things of her when I didn’t know the woman, but seriously. Ivan had done the impossible and made me come more than once.
Sonya moved a little closer and lowered her voice. “Irina doesn’t like men. Not in that way. She prefers the company of women.”
Oh. In that case, I could understand why she wouldn’t want to be in Ivan’s bed. It didn’t make sense she’d want to marry him though. Then again, I knew people would do anything for power. Not me. I couldn’t care less about such things. I just wanted my freedom – something I’d never have.
Sonya set bottles, brushes, and other items on the counter before carrying two of the other bags into the closet. Had Ivan sent her for all this stuff? He’d said he needed my sizes, but I’d thought he’d just buy me an outfit or two. It seemed she’d picked up more. A lot more.
She bustled back out of the closet and stopped to face me. “There’s talk downstairs. Apparently, Mr. Lenkov told Irina where he’d found you. Most of us think it’s rather romantic, him swooping in to save you like that. And to marry you! It’s like a fairy tale. Irina is another story. She isn’t too keen on you being here, especially knowing about your past. Don’t let her bully you.”
“Thank you, Sonya. Why are you being so nice to me?” I asked.
“You’re going to be Mr. Lenkov’s wife. No matter what Irina thinks. I’m one of the ones excited to have you here.”
I nodded and studied the water. At least there were a few people who wanted me here. Sonya drifted closer and winced at the bruises on my skin.
“Would you like me to fetch you something to eat from the kitchen and maybe something for the pain?” she asked.
My stomach rumbled and my cheeks burned. Feeding me hadn’t been high on my uncle’s list of things to do. As long as I didn’t die, he didn’t care.
“Food would be great.”
“I’ll be back shortly. Is there anything else you need?” Sonya asked.
“I don’t suppose there are any books? Mysteries or romances? I think I’ve had my fill of horror for the time being.”
“There’s a crate of used paperbacks where we take our breaks. I’ll see if there’s anything in there. Someone changes them out every few weeks. I think the cook brings them in. She’s always going to yard sales and the used bookstore.”
“I’m not picky. It doesn’t have to be a new release. I just prefer reading over watching TV,” I said. Not to mention, I hadn’t been permitted a TV at my uncle’s house and books had even been hard to find. Only on rare occasions did he let someone give me a paperback or magazine. The moment I angered him, he’d have them removed from my room.
After Sonya left, I finished my bath and went to find my new things. I pulled on clean panties and put on a pair of pajamas. I didn’t know if Ivan would need me for anything. All I wanted to do was eat a little something, read for a bit, and sleep.
I curled up on the loveseat in the sitting area and fought to stay awake. Sonya returned a short while later with a bowl of soup, half a sandwich, and some water with two pain pills. She also set an old romance on the table. It looked like something from long before I was born, but I’d enjoy reading it just the same. I thanked her and tucked into my food.
The house was quiet, or at least this part of it was. I ate my food, read until my eyes grew heavy, and then I went to the bed and crawled under the covers. The bedding smelled like Ivan and I breathed in deeply. Even if I was a bit scared of my fate, I had to admit his scent did things to me. I burrowed into the pillow, pulled the covers up to my neck, and let sleep pull me down.
Chapter Four
Ivan
I’d hoped Irina wouldn’t cause problems. It seemed I’d put too much faith in her. She knelt at my feet, blood smeared across her lips. I wiped my hand on a white handkerchief and leaned against my desk. While I’d never hit my wife like this, Irina had pushed me too far. I could only let her disrespect go so far before I had to end things in a more violent way.
“Imogen will be my wife. You can either fall in line, or you can leave. I won’t have you disrespecting her or stirring up trouble.”
Irina glared at me. “She’s not worthy of you. You know I’d be a better wife.”
“Right. So you could just lie there like a corpse in our bed? I’ll pass. We’ve been friends a long time, Irina. I’ve let you get away with too much to this point. It’s my fault you’ve gotten so bold. It ends now. What’s it to be? Will you stay and support my wife, or are you leaving to find work elsewhere?”
Irina spit blood on the floor and stood. “I won’t stay and watch you put that whore in charge of this house.”
Fury burned in my veins at her words. Before I even thought about my actions, I’d smacked her across the face again. Imogen being called a whore was apparently a button no one should push, including my wife-to-be. Irina fell sideways onto the floor and put a hand to her cheek. The skin already started to change colors and she’d likely have a black eye. If I didn’t put her in her place, the other staff would think they could speak poorly of Imogen, or be outright hostile toward her. I couldn’t permit such behavior.
“I’ll put your final pay in the mail. Pack your shit and leave immediately.”
I watched as she pulled herself off the floor, brushed at her clothes, then held her head high as she walked from my office. I wasn’t looking forward to hiring someone else. Then again, they wouldn’t have an opinion of Imogen already. As long as the other staff didn’t say something they shouldn’t, this could end up being a good thing. Even if it meant I had to listen to Irina’s family bitch.
A timid knock sounded and I glanced at the doorway, smiling a little when I saw Sonya lurking in the hall. She’d eagerly accepted the task of buying the things Imogen would need for the moment. I motioned for her to enter.
“I didn’t mean to bother you,” Sonya said.
“It’s all right. Did Imogen need something?”
She shifted from foot to foot and twisted her fingers together. “She asked about books. I lent her one from the basket in the staff breakroom. I thought you might like to know. I also took her some soup and a sandwich. She was hungry and seemed tired.”
“Thank you, Sonya. I appreciate your thoughtfulness. Imogen has had a hard day. I’m sure your kindness eased some of her fears.”
Sonya took a hesitant step forward. “Mr. Lenkov, I don’t want to speak out of turn, but I noticed the marks on Miss Byrnes. Some seemed rather old.”
I tensed and narrowed my eyes. “What of them?”
“She seemed… skittish. I’ll do what I can to make her feel welcome here. I know the other staff will too.”
“Thank you, Sonya. I had to let Irina go. Until I’ve hired her replacement, I’ll need everyone to do more than their usual share. I apologize for the short notice.”
Sonya’s lips twisted in annoyance. “No one will miss Irina, Mr. Lenkov. She wasn’t nice to most of us, and we’ve heard about her remarks when you brought Miss Byrnes home earlier. We’ll
do whatever you need. Miss Byrnes seems like a nice woman.”
“She is.” I waved a hand toward the door. “Thank you, Sonya. Now, please get back to work. I’ll check on Miss Byrnes shortly.”
She nodded and fled my office.
If what she’d said was true, my house might very well run smoother with Irina gone. I just needed to find someone capable to run things until Imogen was up to the task. It would be her job as the lady of the house, but I doubted she’d had any training. Not with the way her uncle treated her.
I tapped my fingers on my desk, thinking about her reaction earlier. She’d seemed scared when I mentioned having a baby. At the time, I’d thought perhaps she didn’t like the idea of carrying my child. I had to wonder if there was more to it. She’d lost her parents when she’d still been a teenager. Was she worried she would be a bad mother?
I picked up my phone and dialed Dimitri. If anyone could dig up dirt on Imogen, it would be him. He answered almost immediately.
“Shouldn’t you be busy with your fiancé?” he asked.
“I need information on her. Other than her age, and the fact Byrnes was her uncle, we know nothing about her. See if you can get her medical history while you’re digging.”
“Something wrong?” Dimitry asked, sounding more alert.
“Not exactly. She just feels a bit off. I know Byrnes abused her and let others do the same. She’s scarred and bruised, terrified of men. I need to know exactly what I’m getting into. I think we’re making progress and I’d hate to lose ground if it can be avoided.”
“I’ll have the files to you by tomorrow,” Dimitri said.
I hung up and went to find my wife-to-be. Sonya had mentioned giving her a book. I’d need to find out what she liked to read and make sure she had plenty of books. I wanted her to be happy here. Now that I had Imogen in my grasp, she wasn’t leaving. I’d do whatever it took.
I found her asleep in the bed, her book discarded on the table. I ran a finger over the old cover and smiled at the thought of her reading a romance novel. Even after all she’d been through, she still wanted to believe in happily-ever-after. I pulled my phone from my pocket and opened a shopping app. I didn’t use them often, since I had staff who purchased what I needed, but in this instance, it would come in handy.
I ordered the top twenty bestselling romance books with next day delivery and made a note to order a bookshelf for them. She could easily fit one in our sitting area. If she wanted her own space, a library or something, I’d have one of the many bedrooms converted. Although, I hoped we’d have a need for at least two or three of them.
I texted Dimitri and Pavel to let them know I’d be taking the rest of the night off, then I stripped out of my clothes and climbed into bed with my woman. I tugged her against me, holding her close. She tensed right off. I murmured softly to her in Russian as I ran my hand up and down her back. Eventually, she relaxed.
“You’ll learn, kiska. One day you’ll trust me.”
I kissed her brow. Already she’d become the most precious thing to me. Tomorrow her wedding dress would arrive, and we’d apply for our license. Soon she’d be mine in all ways.
Chapter Five
Imogen
My heart slammed against my ribs and my body locked up as I struggled not to fight the arms holding me. It took me a moment to remember I was no longer at my uncle’s house. Ivan Lenkov had claimed me, and tomorrow I’d be his wife.
This was the third morning I’d woken this way.
Ivan shifted, his hand coming up to cup my breast. It made me wonder if he’d been awake and aware of what he was doing. I could feel the hard length of his cock against my ass. When he rubbed against me, I was almost certain he wasn’t asleep.
“Ivan?”
He lets loose a sexy growl and tightens his hold on me. “Morning, kiska.”
I bit my lip and tried to stay calm. He hadn’t hurt me. Not really. The little bit of pain I’d felt had ended with pleasure each time. Still, I tried to stay as quiet and unassuming as possible. I didn’t want to draw his attention to me. But there was one thing I needed to know.
“What does kiska mean?” I asked.
He kissed the side of my neck, giving my breast a squeeze. “It means kitten. Even when you seemed broken and empty, I could see the fire inside you. I knew one day you’d find your claws again, and you’d be formidable.”
He saw all that? When? I didn’t want to admit a part of me felt warm and content at the nickname. I’d been called so many horrible things over the years. But his seeing me as a little kitten? It was… sweet.
It was hard to picture him as anything other than a fierce killer. I’d heard the stories. Men like him didn’t do cute and cuddly. And yet… he held me every night as I slept. Ivan was more than what he seemed. I just didn’t know if I could trust the kindness, the times he treated me so gently. It could all be a lie. A way to lure me in, then he’d show his true colors.
But I was tired of living in fear every damn day.
Ivan bit my shoulder and rolled my nipple between his fingers. “Are you going to give me what I want, kiska?”
“Y-yes.”
He licked my neck. “Because I demand your obedience? Or do you crave me as much as I crave you?”
My throat grew tight and I couldn’t say the words. He growled and tightened his hold until I started to struggle. Fear consumed me as Ivan pinned me to the bed, his weight pressing down. I kicked my feet and tried to knock him off, but he was too damn heavy.
“Stop!” He lowered his face closer to mine. “You deny you want me? I’ve been forcing you, is that it?”
I swallowed hard. My body wanted to beg him to touch me again, without all the anger, but my brain… it screamed he was like the others.
“I guess I’ll have to prove you wrong. I think it’s time I showed you my playroom.”
Oh, God. Oh, God. He really was like all the others. If he took me to that room, would it end the same way it always did? I screamed and clawed at him as he tossed me over his shoulder and carried me from the bedroom. I did everything I could to get away, but it was no use. A sob broke free and soon tears streaked my face.
Ivan kicked open a door and flicked on the lights. Hysteria welled inside me as I glanced around. Ivan dropped me to the floor and I fell to my knees. I tried to crawl from the room, but he grabbed my hair and hauled me away from the door, shutting and locking it.
“Nyet. You’re not leaving, kiska.”
“I’m s-s-sorry.” I sucked in a breath and cried harder. “Please don’t hurt me, Ivan. Please.”
He knelt, tipping my chin up. “I’ve done what I could to prove you have nothing to fear from me, Imogen. It’s never enough. I bought you clothes, books, showed you there can be pleasure with pain. You’ve had a dozen orgasms since you came here. And yet you still can’t admit you want me.”
I leaned into his touch and closed my eyes. “I’m scared, Ivan. So scared.”
“Tell me you want me, kiska. And mean it.”
I opened my mouth then snapped it shut. I couldn’t get the words to break free. He was right. I did want him. But it felt wrong, like I was betraying myself somehow by agreeing to be his, by wanting his touch. If he was a monster, and I craved him the way he claimed, what did it make me?
He sighed. “All right, kiska. We’ll have to do this the hard way.”
The fight had drained from me, and he lifted me easily. He placed me on some sort of padded thing, my knees kneeling on a bench and my body draped over the back. Ivan ran his hand down my spine before ripping my clothes from my body. He tossed the fabric aside and reached for my wrists, pulling them in front of me. I saw a ring in the floor and he cuffed my hands to it. I yanked but couldn’t free myself. Panic filled me again, but the more I struggled, the firmer he held me down. He managed to spread my thighs and lock them apart with a spreader bar.
“Ivan, I…” Black dots swam across my vision and it f
elt like I was going to hyperventilate.
I heard the rustle of his clothes then felt the warmth of his skin against me as he curled his body over mine, his chest to my back. He placed his lips near my ear. “Easy, kiska. It’s only me. I know those men hurt you. Broke you. But you weren’t put back together the right way. You tried to stitch yourself, but you only made a mess of yourself. I need to break you to heal you, kiska. It’s the only way.”
I braced myself. I didn’t know what he’d do. How badly would he hurt me? My heart raced and I struggled against the cuffs again.
I felt the sting of a leather paddle against my ass and yelped in surprise. There was a flash of pain, but it didn’t last long. Ivan smacked me again, and again. My ass burned and I bit back a whimper as he struck me again.
“Who do you belong to, kiska?”
“Y-you. I belong to you, Ivan.”
He whacked the paddle against me again, making me cry out when it hurt more than the other times.
“You need me, don’t you, liybimaya?”
I wanted to say the words, but I just couldn’t. Tears streaked my cheeks as I fought with myself over what I wanted and what I thought I should want.
He pressed his forehead to the center of my back. “Say it, Imogen. I need you to say it.”
“I c-can’t, Ivan. I can’t.” I sobbed harder and struggled against my bonds again. I heard him whisper something that sounded like forgive me and then everything went black.
When I woke, I found myself tied down on what felt like a bed. Something covered my eyes and there were plugs in my ears. He’d robbed me of all my senses. I hoped it was Ivan who’d done this, and that I hadn’t pushed him far enough he’d given up on me. Had he let someone else have me?
I felt callused fingertips run up my calf, along my inner thigh, then brush against my pussy. I yelped and tried to pull away, but I couldn’t. My restraints held me too tightly. I cried out, not knowing how loud or soft my voice came out as I pleaded for mercy. Rough hands gripped my hips and slid to cup my ass, holding me steady. A hot wet tongue flicked along my pussy lips and I screamed and struggled.
