by Paige Warren
I finished stuffing the necessities into the duffle and then carried it downstairs. I didn’t see my uncle, and only the Russians remained. Shifting from foot to foot, I couldn’t bring myself to look any of them in the eye. I didn’t know if I’d see pity or disgust, but I wasn’t ready for either. Although, it was better than the lust I typically saw when men looked at me. The way Ivan had looked, he was openly admiring my body.
Dimitri muttered something in Russian, drawing my gaze to him. The expression on his face made my stomach drop. Whatever they’d decided while I was gone, I had a feeling I wasn’t going to like one bit.
Chapter Two
Ivan
Need thrummed in my veins as I watched the beauty. A few times, she’d let her mask slip and I’d seen the emotion in her eyes as she’d struggled to face her fate. What would it take to make her let loose? To release all the anger inside her, just bubbling under the surface waiting to break free.
“Come, kiska,” I said, holding out my hand to her.
Her fingers trembled as she placed her hand in mine. Pavel had offered her to Dimitri, but the fool hadn’t wanted her. I hadn’t planned to take her as my wife, but the idea had merit. She would be mine completely, with no way to escape. I’d own her body and soul.
Dimitri glowered as we walked past, unhappy with Pavel’s decision. He’d wanted the girl protected from Byrnes and his men, and marriage was the best way. I knew Pavel favored Dimitri over me, and it was fine. Dimitri could remain the favorite, as long as I got the woman. I’d had little doubt Byrnes would offer her up to us when we came to collect, but this had gone much better than I’d thought. Instead of a few hours of enjoyment, I’d get her for eternity.
I opened the car door and helped her into my Mercedes CLS. I reached for the seatbelt and fastened it securely before shutting the door. I could feel her gaze on me as I walked around the front of the vehicle. The fear coming off her was tantalizing, but soon enough she’d learn her place. While I could be a demanding man, I’d also shower her with gifts. Instead of being a whore to many, she’d only be mine.
I’d noticed the marks on her body when she’d stripped. The thought of other men leaving a blemish on her skin had anger burning inside me. No one should be allowed to mark her except me. As her husband, I’d see the scars were covered in some way. While I’d never cared for tattoos on my women, perhaps in this instance it would be beneficial. Something to remove the reminder for her and myself that she’d not always belonged to me.
She sat quietly on the car ride to my home. As I pulled up to the gates, I heard her breath hitch. My home was modest compared to Pavel’s, but it served my needs well. The iron gate swung open and I pulled through, taking the winding drive down to the house. Two stories and over three thousand square feet, I knew most would consider my home impressive. It needed to be in order to show off my wealth and power to the men I dealt with every day.
“Welcome to your new home, kiska.”
I stopped in the circle near the front steps and shut off the engine. My woman had a white knuckled grip on her bag as she stared at the house. Irina opened the front door and stood waiting. Even at the age of forty, she was still beautiful. Perhaps if I hadn’t known her when we were children, I’d have been tempted to have her in my bed, but our relationship had always been platonic.
“Is that… your wife?” Imogen asked.
“Nyet. That will be your job, kiska. Irina manages the house.”
Her hands started to shake. “What? You mean you’re really going to marry me? What if I don’t want to? You took care of my uncle already.”
I let my gaze travel over her, lingering on her breasts a moment. “I don’t recall giving you a choice. You’re mine now, kiska. Get used to it.”
Her eyes misted with tears and I watched as she struggled to hold them back. She was strong, but I’d assumed as much since she’d survived three years as a whore, paying off her uncle’s debts. No one weak would have lasted so long, especially without being broken. Imogen seemed docile, and she’d no doubt been beaten into submission, but I could see the fire lurking inside her. I couldn’t wait to watch her burn, see her lash out, and finally accept she needed a monster like me to contain her.
I got out of the car and walked around to her door, opening it and helping her from the car. I could feel the curiosity from Irina and knew she’d have plenty of questions, even if she didn’t dare ask all of them. She knew her place, and soon, Imogen would as well.
“Come. I’ll show you to our room and let you become familiar with your new surroundings.”
She followed in my wake like an obedient puppy, but I knew she had claws. Irina glanced at Imogen, her lips turning down at the corners. Either she thought I’d brought the woman here for nefarious means, or it concerned her she might lose her power over my household. Once Imogen had been properly trained, I hoped she’d take over the position of lady of the house and still leave Irina enough to keep her occupied.
“Irina, this is Imogen Byrnes. Soon to be Lenkov.”
Irina’s eyes flared a moment before she composed herself. “Will either of you be needing anything?”
“Send Sonya to my rooms. I’ll need her to run an errand for me.”
Irina gave a regal nod before watching us pass. I didn’t miss the way her eyes narrowed on Imogen and wondered if I’d have a problem on my hands. It hadn’t occurred to me Irina would be territorial when the house wasn’t hers. She’d been with me a long time, but at the end of the day she was an employee, just like the maids, cook, and gardeners.
Imogen stayed on my heels as I went up the staircase and down the hall to the master suite. I pushed open the double doors and entered the space, pausing for her to step inside before I closed us in. I didn’t need prying eyes or ears when she saw her new bedroom for the first time. Although, calling it a bedroom was an understatement.
I had a king size bed, dresser, and two end tables in the main part of the room. Down a few steps was the sunken living area with a chair and loveseat, as well as a small coffee table and TV mounted on the wall. The spacious bathroom held a standing shower big enough for four – and I knew because I’d tested the theory – as well as a tub that could easily hold two women and me. Again, I’d experimented previously. Two sinks and a long counter took up most of one wall. The toilet was behind another door. His and hers closets were side by side, and large enough she’d have plenty of room for her new wardrobe.
Imogen walked around the rooms, lightly touching things as she examined her surroundings. When she saw her reflection in the mirror, she winced and reached up to touch her face. I hadn’t noticed the dark smudges under her eyes before, or the way her cheeks seemed a bit sunken. It seemed her uncle hadn’t been feeding her well. No surprise since she’d been a tool to him and nothing more.
“I need your sizes, kiska. You’ll need an appropriate wardrobe, and a wedding dress. We’ll file for the marriage license today and have a small ceremony this weekend here on the grounds.”
“I’m not to be given a choice, am I?” she asked.
“Nyet. Pavel gave you to me. He wants you married. You should be grateful. He could have added you to the stable. Would you prefer to be my wife, or serving countless men on your back and knees?”
She turned to face me, her eyes void once more. “Wouldn’t be different than any other day. The whore for one man or many. Doesn’t change what I am.”
I curled my hand into a fist. I’d wanted to give her time, but it seemed she needed a lesson. She could call herself a whore if she wished to get her ass spanked. I walked to the bedroom doors and twisted the key in the lock. It seemed my meeting with Sonya would have to wait.
“Undress,” I commanded, turning to face her once more.
She did as I’d instructed without a hint of emotion. I knew it was there, even if she’d buried it deep. It seemed I’d have to break her in new ways in order to piece her back together.
I removed my suit jacket. Walking over to the dresser, I neatly folded it before setting it down. Unbuttoning my sleeves, I rolled them up.
“We need to set some rules, kiska.”
Her gaze seemed to be somewhere on the wall behind me. She refused to look me in the eye. With anyone else, it would be appropriate. But this woman was to be my wife. If anyone could look at me head on, it was her. She just needed to learn a few lessons first.
“You called yourself my whore.” I approached, my steps slow and measured. I saw her pulse flutter at her throat, the only betrayal of how she truly felt. I reached up and gripped a handful of her hair, wrenching her head until she looked at me. “A whore would be on her knees right now with my cock in her mouth. Is that what you want? To be treated like my personal sex slave?”
“It’s what I am.”
My jaw clenched and I tightened my hold on her hair. I could treat her as she expected, make her drop to her knees and suck me off. It wouldn’t serve my purpose and would only fuel her beliefs I was a monster who would abuse her. A monster, yes. Just not the kind of monster she’d been faced with so far. Not with her.
“Very well,” I said. I released her and went into the bathroom, stepping inside my closet. I retrieved four lengths of soft rope and returned to her. “Get on the bed. On your back.”
She hastened to obey, even though I saw the flash of fear in her eyes.
I knelt beside her and grabbed her wrist, anchoring it to the bedpost with one of the lengths of rope before doing the same to the other and both ankles. Spread open and at my mercy, I noticed the way she trembled. I didn’t know how long it would take before she stopped expecting the worst. First, I had to show her there could be pleasure with pain.
The way she didn’t struggle spoke volumes. She’d been tied down before. It had probably been one of the least offensive things men had done. It was a good thing I had a chest of brand new toys in my closet. We were going to need them.
I walked out of the bedroom to retrieve the chest and set it on the floor next to the bed. The first thing I withdrew was a blindfold. I didn’t want her to see what was coming. It would scare her even more, until she learned to trust me. One way or another, I was going to start breaking her down. Her reformation started now.
I fastened the blindfold over her eyes, trailing my fingers across her soft lips. I’d be tasting them soon enough. I’d put my lips and tongue on every inch of her sooner or later. I didn’t know how long it would take, but I’d put my mark on every inch of her. Wipe away the bad memories and give her new pleasant ones.
“Whores do as they’re told. Do you plan to obey me?” I asked.
“Yes.”
“Yes what?” I hardened my tone, needing to make a point.
“Yes, sir,” she said meekly.
“And if I invited twenty men in here to screw you any way they wished?”
Someone else would have missed the signs, but I caught her reaction, no matter how subtle. As much as I didn’t want to terrify her, it was necessary for the moment. She believed me to be a monster. If I were sweet to her right off, she’d be waiting for things to change, expecting a trap of some sort.
I removed my shirt and tossed it aside then leaned over her, putting my lips near her ear, letting my chest brush against her breasts. “Do you want that, kiska? Want those men between your thighs?”
She whimpered and her body tensed.
“I didn’t think so. Every time you refer to yourself as a whore, you’ll be punished. Understood?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Good girl. Now take your punishment, kiska.”
I finished undressing and reached for the flogger. The suede strips could be used to lightly tease her, leave a sting, or give a bit more bite. It all depended on how it was used. I trailed the tips over her breasts, smiling when her nipples hardened. She didn’t want to respond, but she was helpless. At my mercy. And her body was betraying her.
With a flick of my wrist, I slapped the flogger across her breasts. She cried out, more from shock than pain. I’d only struck hard enough to give her a light sting. I lashed each breast five times, watching her nipples get harder with every stroke. I worked my way down her flat belly before striking across her pussy.
She jolted and yanked at the ropes.
I rotated my wrist, giving her a few light smacks with the suede strips. Her pussy glistened as she grew wet with need, and her little clit hardened. It protruded, just betting for my attention. I struck her again, lighter this time. It only took three strokes before she came. Her body flushed as her pussy gushed over the bedding.
“And that’s lesson one, kiska. Not all pain is bad.”
I put the flogger aside and climbed onto the bed, straddling her hips. My hard cock rubbed against her belly as I leaned over her. She squirmed a little, until she seemed to realize what she was doing, then she went still once more.
“Are you clean, Imogen?” I asked.
“I-I think so. My uncle made the men wear condoms and had me tested once a month.”
I leaned down closer, my breath teasing her lips. “I’m taking you bare, kiska. You’re mine. I will brand you with my cum and put my mark on you.”
She licked her lips, her tongue flicking against mine. My cock throbbed and ached. It wouldn’t be long before I buried myself inside her. I nipped her jaw before licking the red spot I’d left behind.
“I’m going to fuck you, kiska. As often as it takes until you swell with my child. You will remain bare under your clothes for easy access. Understood?”
“Yes, sir.”
I heard tears in her voice and it gave me pause. Did the thought of carrying my future heir repulse her that much? Or was it something else? We’d have to discuss it later. Right now, I needed her.
I settled between her splayed thighs and drove into her with one hard thrust. She cried out and I placed my hand over her mouth, silencing her cries as I took what I wanted. What I needed. The punishing strokes had me on edge almost immediately, but I refused to come before she did. I angled my body so that I’d brush against her clit with every stroke. When she came, clenching down tight, I roared out my release, pounding into her sweet pussy until she’d drained me dry.
My cock twitched and pulsed inside her. I lifted my hand from her mouth and leaned down to kiss her. I nuzzled her neck and nipped her ear.
“Ever come before, kiska?”
“N-no.”
“There will always be pleasure with the pain I give you. You’ll learn to crave both equally. When you’re too far along with our child, I’ll enjoy your mouth. Teach you to suck me just the way I like.”
Wetness hit my cheek and I realized I’d made her cry. I smoothed the tears from her face and kissed her again, soft and slow.
“Kiska, you’re safe. You’re mine, and I won’t allow anyone to hurt you again. There’s no need to cry.”
I removed her blindfold and untied her restraints before flipping her over and claiming her all over again. I filled her with my cum three times before I left her to soak in the large tub. She seemed so fragile. I knew different, but it would take time for her to realize her strength.
Chapter Three
Imogen
I felt as if he’d stripped the flesh from my bones and left me a bloody, broken mess. Men had cut me, beat me, burned me… but until today, none had taken the time to give me an orgasm much less two. Ivan had shaken me to my core. He said I was marrying him, and I’d thought it would just give me a fancy title, but I’d still be little more than whore. I’d heard the stories of men like him using their wives to advance in the ranks. Would he expect that of me?
When I’d called myself a whore, he’d been furious. I didn’t know what to expect with him. I’d known my place for three years. Until today. The way he spoke, demanding my obedience, it seemed as if I were little more than his slave. And yet… even the sting of the flogger had only stimulated my body and made me crave mor
e.
I placed a hand over my belly and despair washed through me. I’d been forced to abort my baby, and I had no idea if I’d ever carry another. He’d said he planned to fuck me until he got me pregnant. What if it wasn’t possible? I didn’t know what he’d do if I ended up being barren. A man like him would need an heir. If I couldn’t give him one, he’d have to go elsewhere, and he certainly wouldn’t keep me as his wife. Would I be sent to the brothels then?
I looked around the bathroom, admiring the beauty. I didn’t know how long I’d be here. For however many days, weeks, or months Ivan decided to have me in his bed, I’d enjoy my new home. And when he discovered I was defective, I’d at least have some good memories to hold onto. Unless he turned into the same sort of monster I’d lived with the last three years. It was possible today was only a fluke, a way to lure me into a sense of security.
A knock sounded at the bathroom door and I tensed. It couldn’t be Ivan. He’d walk in uninvited since it was his bathroom. The woman who’d greeted us on the front steps hadn’t liked me. Even if she’d smiled at Ivan, I’d seen the way she looked at me. She didn’t want me here, and I had no doubt she’d do her best to get rid of me. Maybe she wanted him for herself.
“Who is it?” I called out.
“Sonya. Mr. Lenkov sent me to purchase a few things for you. Would you like me to set them inside the bathroom or leave them in here?”
I chewed on my bottom lip and twisted my fingers together. It wasn’t like I hadn’t been put on display plenty of times, and usually in front of men. And she’d asked to come in, she hadn’t just barged into the room.
“You can come in,” I called out.
I folded my knees to my chest and wrapped my arms around my legs. A woman not much older than me stepped into the room, a hesitant smile on her face. She held several shopping bags and set them on the floor in front of the vanity.