by Harley Wylde
“Take your woman to Las Vegas. You haven’t had a day off for as long as I can remember. You could be married as early as tonight. I’ll have the jet waiting for you in two hours.”
“Thank you, Maksim. It will give me enough time to take Cerys shopping before we go to the airport.”
When I reached the penthouse, I was assured that Cerys hadn’t called down for anything. I hoped that meant she was handling her new life well. I took the elevator up and let myself into my suite. The absence of sound had never bothered me, but knowing that Cerys should be inside somewhere had all my instincts screaming that something was wrong. Pulling the gun from my holster, I checked room by room, stopping when I found Cerys still in the bed, curled up sleeping.
I sank onto the mattress next to her and ran my fingers through her hair. Cerys murmured in her sleep and snuggled farther into the pillow. It was obvious she was exhausted and I had to wonder if this was her first day off since her mom had died. If her father had been as cruel as she’d said, and I’d seen the proof, then I didn’t doubt that he’d tried to get as much out of her as he could.
“Myshka, it’s time to get up.”
I trailed my fingers across her cheek and she began to stir. Slowly, her eyes opened and she stiffened, her body tensing and her pulse fluttering in her throat.
“Easy, Cerys. It’s just me. I need you to wake up so we can prepare for a trip.”
“Trip?” she asked. “I’ve never been anywhere before. Where are we going?”
“Las Vegas.” I curled my hand around hers and tugged her upright. “We’re going to get married there. Tonight.”
Her lips parted and she sucked in a breath before drawing away from me and leaning against the headboard. I could tell my words were unexpected, and I knew I needed to clarify the situation. I didn’t need her thinking I’d fallen in love with her, or that this was some sort of fairy tale.
“There’s a man who wishes me to marry his daughter. Maksim is concerned that Artur might force the situation, unless I’m already married. Since I refuse to give you up, he suggested a trip to Vegas for us to be married.”
“Marry you?” she asked.
My jaw tightened at what I was sure was about to be a refusal. She didn’t realize this wasn’t a request. She would go to Las Vegas and she would marry me. It wasn’t negotiable.
“Yes, myshka. I know you don’t have anything to pack, but you can wear one of your new outfits. We’ll stop by a few stores before heading to the airport and pick up enough to last you a few days, then we can buy more when we return. As my wife, you’ll be expected to dress a certain way.”
If possible, her back became even more rigid, and I wondered if she was about to start a fight between us. Not that it mattered. She’d do as I said, or I’d show her what happened when she disobeyed.
“I’m not asking, myshka. You’ll go with me to Vegas, and you’ll marry me.”
Her chin tipped down and her hair slid across her face, blocking her from my view.
“Because you own me,” she said softly.
“Yes.”
She gave a slight nod and swung her legs over the side of the bed. Without another word, she stood and went into the bathroom where she washed her face. I kept a stash of toothbrushes in the drawer and told her where to find them. She slid it open, felt around, then pulled one out. She opened the new toothbrush to clean her teeth. When she was finished, she went to the dresser and pulled on some clothes, then stood at the foot of the bed. Waiting.
“You have some new shoes. They’ll do for now,” I said, then pulled them from the sack and slipped them onto her feet. “I need only a moment to pack a bag, and then we’ll leave.”
She stood stiffly, no emotion on her face. It was almost like looking at a statue.
“I’ll wait in the living room, unless you need my help.”
“No, myshka. You may go into the other room.”
She turned and walked out, and I had this sinking feeling. Something was wrong. She was listening, doing as I said, but the spark inside her seemed to have faded. There wasn’t time to worry over it. I quickly packed, then escorted her down to my car. Once we were in Vegas and she was legally my wife, then I’d figure out what was bothering her. Until then, I’d let her work through whatever it was, give her time to realize this was the best thing for her. As my wife, she’d be protected, not just by me but by Maksim and the others as well.
Chapter Three
Cerys
Getting to leave town should have been exciting. I’d never been anywhere before. Being told that I would marry Viktor because he owned me, however, put a damper on my excitement. If he’d asked me to marry him because he wanted to spend the rest of his life with me, then I’d have gladly said yes. Viktor didn’t ask. He demanded, and it was the least romantic thing I’d ever heard, and I’d had some pretty vile things said behind my back plenty of times.
Buying new clothes hadn’t been as fun as I’d thought it would be. Not that I’d ever shopped for my own things, but I’d dreamed of what it would be like. The shop was packed, the hum of voices and people constantly knocking into me annoying at the least. It sounded as if a dozen people or more were in here with us. If this experience would be the norm, I think I’d prefer buying stuff online or just letting Viktor pick out something for me. It seemed he would have control over my every move anyway. If it didn’t matter what I wanted, then I didn’t understand why I needed to be here.
“Mr. Petrov!” said an excited female voice. “It’s so good to see you again.”
Again? He’d told me this was a women’s clothing store. Just how often did he buy clothes here? Even though he’d declared I would marry him, he hadn’t said a word about being faithful during our marriage. Now that things had changed, I didn’t know if he still intended to be with only me. I was starting to wonder just how many other women were in Viktor’s life, and rethinking him not using a condom. If he refused to use one, I’d have to find a way to get tested often, just in case. I knew denying him wouldn’t do me any good. The Viktor I was observing today was different from the man who had taken me from my father’s house. No, I couldn’t see him, but his words, tone of voice, and actions were different than before. He was harder, colder. I didn’t like this one, and I didn’t know if I could trust him.
“Mary, we need at least a week of casual clothes, two cocktail dresses, two formal dresses, and all the underthings, shoes, and purses to match,” Viktor said.
“Of course, Mr. Petrov,” the woman said, and I could hear the simper in her voice. I tried not to sneer at her. She was fawning over a man who was clearly standing here with another woman, but as she flirted with Viktor I realized she didn’t care. Or maybe she had no need to worry. Perhaps she already shared his bed.
“I don’t feel well,” I murmured.
I didn’t wait for Viktor’s permission, nor stay to discover if he’d even heard me. I walked away and managed to find the front door and step out onto the sidewalk. Leaning against the building, I focused on breathing. My stomach was churning and I seriously worried I might throw up. Maybe staying with my father would have been a better option, not that I’d been asked. Viktor had taken me as if I were no more than a possession. At least with my father, I knew exactly what to expect. He was nasty to me all the time. With Viktor, I felt off balance. One moment he was kind, and the next… the next he was cold and unfeeling.
I felt his presence before he gripped my arm.
“Never leave my side,” he said, his voice low and deadly.
“I think I need to sit down,” I said.
I pushed away from the wall, breaking from his hold, and my knees buckled. His arm went around my waist as he steadied me. My throat convulsed as I fought not to embarrass him further by throwing up all over the sidewalk. With a whimper, I broke free and rushed away from him, not knowing or caring where I was going. I could hear him advancing on me, his steps forceful and angry, but when I felt the edge of the building, I slipped
around the corner before the contents of my stomach came up. Tears flooded my eyes, only making things worse.
His hand pressed against my back, his scent wrapping around me.
“I’m sorry,” I said softly, wiping the moisture off my cheeks. “I didn’t mean to embarrass you.”
“Myshka, if you’re sick, you need to tell me. Don’t run off. You could have been hurt.”
“I don’t want to shop right now, Viktor. Could you just pick out some things for me and let me wait in the car?”
“Of course.” I felt his arm slide around my waist, then he began leading me back in the direction we’d come. I heard the car door open and he helped me inside, leaning across to start the engine. I felt the breeze from the vents and took in a shaky breath. “I’ll only be a few moments, myshka.”
I tipped my head back and shut my eyes, wishing I could shut out my new life just as easily. I’d thought perhaps being Viktor’s property would be better than being with my father, but I was starting to have my doubts. Anyone else might have been honored to be his wife, but I knew he wasn’t marrying me for the right reasons, and it hurt.
True to his word, he returned what felt like five minutes later, opening and shutting the trunk. I assumed he’d purchased whatever he thought I needed, and then he slid into the car and I felt it pull back into traffic. The drive to the airport was quiet. Once we reached the airstrip, Viktor mentioned we were traveling on a private jet and led me to some stairs. I had a bit of trouble climbing them, the incline steep and my legs not so steady. Once I was seated and buckled, Viktor went back to ignoring me, speaking in Russian to whoever else was on board with us. He didn’t even bother to introduce me to anyone, but then what had I expected? It wasn’t like I was an important part of his life.
I pretended to sleep the entire flight to Las Vegas, not caring that I was hungry or thirsty. I just wanted to get the flight over with, as well as our farce of a wedding. The future was looking rather bleak, but I didn’t fool myself into thinking I had a choice or any control over my fate. Thanks to my father, I belonged to Viktor, and I had a feeling that’s how it would stay until I died or he grew tired of me.
“We’re in Vegas, myshka,” Viktor said near my ear. I lifted my head and stretched my arms over my head.
He unbuckled my lap belt and helped me stand, then assisted me down the steps to the ground below. To anyone else, he might seem like a caring man, worried over his fiancée. If only that were true. A driver greeted us, and Viktor helped me into the waiting car, then we were leaving the airport. I heard Viktor ask about procuring a marriage license, and my stomach started knotting again. I knew that I didn’t have to say yes when the wedding officiant asked me to repeat the vows, but what would happen if I said no? Viktor didn’t seem to be the type of man someone should cross.
Getting the license was simple enough with only an hour wait. While it was being prepared, Viktor took me to a hotel and got a suite for us, then had our things taken upstairs.
“Myshka, there’s an errand I need to handle before we get married. Please stay in the suite and don’t try to wander. I don’t want you to get hurt or lost,” he said, then brushed a kiss against my forehead before leaving.
Was this to be my life from now on? I wished I had a friend to call, someone to confide in. But I didn’t. No friends, no family, no phone even if I did have either. It was just me, and as much as I hated what my life with Viktor might be like, I knew I didn’t have anywhere else to go. I didn’t own anything and had no way of earning money. My father had ensured that I wouldn’t have options.
I didn’t know how long I sat in silence, alone with only my thoughts for company. When the door opened again, I waited but didn’t hear anything other than soft footsteps. My brow furrowed when something felt wrong. Viktor would have called out a greeting by now, wouldn’t he? And the scent was wrong. Whoever had come in didn’t smell like Viktor. Their cologne was stronger, and far more bitter.
“Who’s there?” I called out.
Nothing. Silence. Total and complete silence. My unease intensified, but there was nothing I could do. Having never been here, I didn’t know the layout of the suite much less the entire hotel. By bringing me here, then leaving immediately, Viktor had left me vulnerable. I could hear someone rummaging through the drawers in the other room, and I stayed still, my heart pounding and a chill seeping into me. If they didn’t find what they wanted, would they hurt me?
“Please, just take whatever you want and go,” I said.
Then wondered if that had been wise. What if they decided they wanted me? Would Viktor even search for me if I went missing? Would he care that I’d been abducted? Even worse, if he did care, I worried that he’d only be concerned that someone had dared to take his property. I was no more important to him than his gun or his clothes. Just a possession and nothing more.
Something cold and metal pressed against my temple and I gasped when I realized it was a gun.
“Not a word to anyone, bitch, or I’ll be back. Heard you can’t see, so I know you can’t identify me, but I don’t need anyone poking around and checking to see who accessed the room. This time I’m only leaving with the cash, but you say one thing to anyone and I’ll take compensation out of your ass instead. Understood?”
I nodded frantically.
The gun was suddenly gone and I heard the whisper of his steps across the carpeted floor, then the door opening and closing. The moment all was quiet again, I broke. Sobs wracked my body as the tears flowed and I started shaking. Viktor found me that way a while later, not that I understood a word he said since it was in Russian. Then he switched to English and I couldn’t help but laugh a little.
“I didn’t realize being my wife would be so terrible for you,” he muttered as he paced in front of me.
“Is that what you think?” I asked, wiping my face. “That I’m crying because you’re forcing me to marry you? All men are the same.”
I heard him stop and it seemed like the air dropped a few degrees.
“What’s what supposed to mean?” he demanded.
“Everything is always about you, isn’t it? You wanted me, so you took me. You decided you’d marry me, so here we are. So, of course, if I’m crying, it must be over you.” I took a shaky breath. “Go check our things. I believe something of yours is missing.”
He stalked off only to return moments later.
“Where’s the money, Cerys?”
“Do I look like I took your precious money?” I snarled and stood, nearly toppling back to the couch when my legs wouldn’t hold me. “I didn’t take a damn thing from you, Viktor. Maybe whoever broke in here should have taken me instead. Would that have been better? At least then you’d have your money. Women are easily replaceable, right?”
It was quiet again. Too quiet.
“What do you mean someone broke in?” he asked softly, his tone deadly.
“He said if I told anyone that he’d come back for me. He said…” I stopped and licked my lips, starting to wish I’d kept silent. “He said that if I told anyone he’d come back and take the compensation from my ass.”
His arms went around me and he rested his cheek against the top of my head. “I’m sorry, myshka. I knew you were unhappy and thought you’d decided to get back at me. This suite is supposed to be safe. If I’d thought someone might come in and hurt you, I’d have never left you alone.”
I noticed he didn’t say that I wasn’t replaceable.
“Is the marriage license ready?” I asked. Might as well face my fate head-on. Viktor had mentioned getting some of my things from my old house, including my fake ID. It must have been better than I’d realized because we hadn’t had an issue applying for the license. Either that, or they just didn’t look that closely in Las Vegas.
“Yes. I picked it up while I was out. I’ll lay out a dress on the bed for you and change into a fresh suit, then we’ll head to the nearest chapel. While you get ready, I’ll deal with the hotel and their lack o
f security.”
I nodded and held out my hands, trying to feel my way to the bedroom. Viktor grasped my hand and led the way, stopping and pressing my hand to what felt like the bed. There was some rustling and the bed slightly shifted, as if something had been set down on it. I moved my hand along the covers and felt the silky material of what I assumed was a dress, then found a bra and panties. My cheeks warmed, but Viktor had already seen me naked.
I heard him speaking to someone, but his voice was low enough I couldn’t make out the words. The harshness of his tone made me think he’d called the hotel front desk to complain about the missing money. Would I have to speak with someone? The police? I didn’t know how much was missing. I’d left out the part about the gun. Maybe I should have told him.
Removing my clothes, I listened as he ended his call and changed out of his suit. When I had the dress on, I realized I couldn’t reach the zipper in back. The heat of Viktor’s body pressed against me and he kissed my bare shoulder.
“You’re beautiful, myshka. I’ll be the envy of every man who sees you.”
He zipped the dress, then placed his hands on my shoulders, just holding them there a moment. I felt the caress of his palms down my arms, then he moved away only to return. There was a snick like a box had opened, and then I felt the coolness of something around my throat.
“This necklace is the first of many beautiful things I intend to purchase for you, myshka. I thought something as special as our wedding deserved a gift.”
I reached up and felt the piece of jewelry, my fingers running along what felt like a never-ending strand of stones. “Can you describe it to me?”
“It’s a diamond choker, but the stones are cut and set in a floral pattern.”
Diamonds. I should be thrilled. Instead, they were just as cold as my life was becoming. A loveless marriage. Nothing more than property. I felt another piece of my heart shatter.
“Thank you, Viktor. I’m sure it’s stunning.”
The whiskers on his chin rubbed against my cheek. “Only the best for my wife.”