“IT LOOKS LIKE A castle inside,” I whisper as I look at the wrought iron staircase and chandelier hanging from the ceiling.
Inessa walks us through the house, and I’m in complete awe. The kitchen is all white cabinets and granite counters with a black island in the center. It’s stunning. I don’t know if Timofei will like it or not, but so far, I think it’s perfect.
I stop dead in my tracks when we enter the office. The bookcase is dark cherry wood, and I can picture a huge desk in the center of the room. I envision Fei sitting behind it, working on his computer, the bookshelves full of hardback books.
“It’s beautiful,” I state.
“It has everything Timofei requested, plus it’s in Brighton Beach and in a good neighborhood. There is twenty-four-hour security for the community, as well,” Inessa informs. Ashley walks away to look out the window, but I’m still mesmerized by the bookcase.
“I think this would be a great family home,” Ashley says as she turns to face me. “A safe family home,” she clarifies.
Inessa nods before she speaks. “I agree. Timofei doesn’t want to be on the outskirts, and this is one of the best options I have for the actual beach area. Would you like me to contact him and tell him you like it? I think if you want it, we need to jump on it,” she explains.
Nodding, I agree, and she turns away from me with her phone to her ear.
“What are you thinking?” Ashley asks as Inessa walks away, her voice echoing in the distance.
“I don’t know,” I murmur as I turn away from the bookcase.
“Is everything okay? I’m here as a friend if you ever need to talk,” she offers.
“I saw Dr. Pavlov today,” I admit. For the first time in the past hour, I think about what he told me.
I didn’t want to believe it, that my father would do what he did. I tried to ignore it, but I can’t. It’s all too real, and it keeps creeping into my mind. “You know my father negotiated with Timofei to only give him three months before I had to be pregnant, or Fei has to give me back.”
“Which is the weirdest thing I have ever heard,” Ashley states. I nod in agreement.
“Apparently, I’m on the birth control shot, which lasts three months. I didn’t know,” I whisper. “My father sent me to the doctor the week I got married for a checkup, and the doctor told me that I needed some shots. I didn’t ask questions, and nothing was explained.” My lips tremble before tears start falling from my eyes.
I only have a few weeks left before I’ll surely go back to my father. Even if Timofei doesn’t want to send me back to him, he will. He’s a man who stands by his word, no matter what he’s promised me. He gave that word to my father, and he will execute it.
“Why would he do that?” Ashley asks on a gasp. All I can do is shake my head.
I don’t know. I don’t know why he would do it. Not when I thought he wanted to bridge the gap between the Irish and Russians; not when I thought that he wanted the Bratva’s muscle and alliance.
Unless he wanted it all without actually having to give anything in return. This is a way to keep them on friendly terms and not have to really give them anything.
It was all a game, it was all fake, and my father used me just as much as he’s using the Bratva.
“Timofei just approved an offer. I’m going to write it up and send it to the sellers right now,” Inessa practically squeals as she walks into the room. She then freezes and looks from me to Ashley. “What happened?”
“It’s all bullshit. My father played me, and he played the Bratva,” I whisper as tears fill my eyes.
I don’t want to go back. I don’t know what my father is planning on doing with me, but I don’t want to leave Fei. I love him.
“What?” Inessa asks as her eyebrows knot together in bewilderment.
Ashley explains the situation, and Inessa’s mouth drops before it eventually curls into a smile. “He won’t let that happen, Devyn. Don’t you worry about a thing. Timofei will not allow any of this to happen. He’s buying you this monstrous house. No way is he going to buy this just to give you up in a couple months,” she states with a wink.
I don’t feel reassured at all. Timofei may not want me to go back in a couple months, but the truth of the matter is that I certainly will. The fact that he still married me proves that. He didn’t have to, not when his father was the one who initiated the contract in the first place. He knew he was going to take over his father’s position and he could have renegotiated or simply not gone through with it all together, but he did, and he did so without complaint.
Inessa and Ashley try to keep a positive and upbeat attitude the rest of the afternoon. I fake the same. Inside, I’m completely devastated and have pretty much given up on staying with Fei.
It doesn’t matter how I feel about him. In a couple months, I won’t be pregnant and I’ll be back at my father’s. I know that it’s just another reason he didn’t bother having my clothes and things sent to Timofei’s.
A few hours later, they drop me off at the apartment, walking me up to the door. They each look equally worried and sad as they say goodbye, their guards following behind them. I glance to the side and see that my guard is sitting across the street, his eyes directed on me. He lifts his chin toward me as I make my way inside.
Now I’m all alone, inside of my apartment, for the first time in what seems like a lifetime. I decide to make my way toward the bathroom and have a long, hot shower before my father’s Sunday dinner party tonight. I don’t really feel like seeing my siblings, or my father, but I know that I’ll have to put on my happy face as best as I can and fake everything.
As the hot water beats down on my back, I decide that I won’t tell Timofei anything. I want to live this dream with him for as long as I can. If he knows the truth, he might try to give me back as soon as this evening, and I want to keep him for as long as I can.
Maybe it’s stupid of me. I know it’s definitely selfish, but I want to live this lie. I have no idea what will come next, and being with Fei is the happiest I’ve ever been.
A warm hand slides around my waist, and I look down to the familiar tattooed hand of my husband as he lowers it to my center. “Timofei,” I moan as his fingers swirl around my clit.
He hums behind me, his lips touching my shoulder. Then two fingers fill me, and I can’t stop the gasp from escaping my lips.
“You found us a house,” he murmurs. I nod, unable to speak as his fingers gently pump in and out of me. “Are you going to come for me, devochka?” he groans as his fingers curl and rub.
Timofei doesn’t say anything else before he removes his hand from between my legs and spins me around to face him. The hot water beats against his back, blocking it from my face, and his blue eyes look into mine. He looks hungry, starved, and he gives me a grin before he leans down and picks me up by the backs of my thighs. I wrap my legs around his waist as he presses my back against the warm tile of the shower wall and fills me with one smooth thrust of his hips.
“Now you can come, with my cock inside of your tight pussy. I want to feel you, Devvy,” he rasps against my lips, his hips moving as he stretches me. Wrapping one hand around the back of his neck, I hold onto him by the soft strands of his hair.
“Fei,” I whimper. He growls before his tongue fills my mouth.
The tile wall is hard against my back. Timofei continues to push me against it as he fucks me until I rip my lips from his. My release consumes me. I come trying to pull him closer against me—grasping at his shoulders, riding it out, and searching for more.
Timofei rears his hips back and then fucks me hard and wild, taking what I’m willingly offering him until he freezes and lets his head fall back with a long moan. I kiss up the column of his neck, enjoying the warmth of his skin on my lips until he lowers his head and captures my lips with his own.
“Now, maybe I can endure a family dinner,” he laughs softly against my mouth.
We spend a few minutes cleaning up, and then I wrap a towel around myself as I make my way into the closet to pick out a dress to wear. I reach for an all white maxi dress, but Timofei clears his throat behind me. I turn my head to see him standing at the entrance of the closet.
“Sexier,” he murmurs.
“Fei, it’s dinner with my family,” I state.
He tips his head to the side. “I said sexy, Devyn.” He turns and walks away, leaving me standing there with a look of shock on my face. I turn back to my dresses and take out a short black dress. It’s not something I would ever wear to my father’s house, but it is sexy.
The top is a choker style that wraps around my neck. It has a long slit down the middle of my breasts that just shows a peek of my skin. The back has the same thing, but it is cut larger to show my entire bare back.
The fabric that is on each side is see through lace. A gold band wraps around high on my waist, and the skirt flares out into an A-line, stopping just below my ass. I pair it with gold, Louboutin, high heel shoes that have spikes on them, which complete my sexy look.
Leaving my black hair down and straight, I walk into the bathroom and apply my makeup. Normally, I would do very demure, light, and sheer makeup for dinner at my father’s, but this dress dictates a heavier, more dramatic look.
I apply a champagne eye shadow and then add darker colors to the outside and blend them in, careful not to give myself raccoon eyes. I then swipe a thin black line across the lid before applying thick lash lengthening mascara.
Looking through my makeup drawer, I find the only bright berry lipstick I own and add that to my naturally light pink lips. I don’t know if the reddish color makes my face look even paler than normal, but I don’t have time to question it. We’re going to be late.
“Are you ready?” Timofei asks just as I’m opening the bathroom door. My eyes meet his, and I notice that they darken immediately.
“Do you have panties on?” he asks. My eyes widen at his question before I nod my head. “Take them off,” he demands.
“Timofei,” I whisper.
“Off, Devyn.”
I slip my hands under my short skirt and tug my panties down until they’re around my ankles. Stepping out of them, I turn to pick them up and he tells me no. “Leave them right there,” he growls.
I watch as he walks up to me. His hand reaching out to wrap around my waist, while the other slides up the inside of my thigh. I gasp when his fingers start to play with my clit.
“Don’t forget, no matter what, this cunt belongs to me, devochka. When I want it, I take it, no matter where we are,” he rasps against my lips before he gently presses his mouth to mine.
When he pulls away, he takes his fingers with him, and I can’t stop the whine that leaves my throat at his hand’s absence. “I’ll take care of you, Devyn, I promise. Though, you might be on edge for a good long while beforehand,” he chuckles as he turns to walk out of the room. I stare after him for a beat before he calls after me.
We ride toward my father’s home in silence. Inside of my head, I’m screaming to tell him the truth. To tell him that no matter how often we have sex, I won’t be pregnant.
According to Dr. Pavlov, it could take another six to twelve months after the shot has worn off to conceive. Even if I stayed longer than my shot was in effect, I could still not get pregnant.
I can tell that she’s nervous. My hand wraps around her thigh, and I give her a gentle squeeze as we make our way closer toward her father’s home. My fingers climb closer toward her bare center, and when they reach her warm cunt, she pulls in a raspy breath.
Slipping one finger inside of her, I begin to gently work her, pumping in and out of her tight pussy. She’s so warm, and her body grows slicker with each pump of my finger. Her eyes flutter closed as her thighs spread, and I can’t fight the grin on my lips. Every piece of her is mine, and her submission is absolutely breathtaking.
“Don’t come,” I murmur as I take the turnoff to her father’s.
“Fei, you feel so good,” she exhales as her hips roll and search for more connection from me.
“I want you on edge all night, Devvy,” I inform her.
She lets out a whine as her hand wraps around my wrist. I park in front of her father’s home, and her eyes widen as she turns to face me.
“You can’t leave me like this, Fei. Not all night,” she whimpers.
Curling my finger inside of her to touch that rough patch the way she loves so much, I press my lips to hers, hardly touching her before I speak. “You’ll be a complete fucking mess before the night is through, devochka. You can count on that. Just know that once we’re home, I’ll make it all up to you.”
She tugs me closer, her fingers wrapping around the lapel of my jacket as she pulls me against her, her soft lips gently brushing mine. “I trust you, Fei,” she whispers. It’s the sweetest thing she could ever say to me.
I remove myself from between her legs. She lets out a sigh when I do, and she leans her head against the back of the seat. My eyes scan over her before I climb out of the car.
Jogging to her side, I open the door and shield the view of her legs as she tries to gracefully exit the vehicle. Her legs tremble and her balance is off, so I help her up beside me.
Pressing my lips to the corner of her mouth, I reach down and grab a handful of her ass. I look up just in time to see the man who took her virginity standing in the doorway, his face bruised from his beating earlier. I smirk at him from over Devyn’s head only to watch him narrow his swollen eyes at me.
Turning, I take a step to the side and wrap my hand around Devyn’s small waist before I guide us toward the house. Devyn takes a few steps before she realizes he’s watching us, and her steps falter for a beat before she composes herself. “Flynn,” she whispers. I give her waist a reassuring squeeze as I continue on my way.
“Vetrov,” Flynn practically growls once we’re right in front of him.
“Flynn, I understand you know my wife well,” I murmur. She stiffens beside me. “Touch her again and I’ll gut you in front of your whole little group of friends,” I growl, keeping her tucked to my side. Once we’re inside, Devyn stops and turns to me, forcing me to do the same.
“Fei?” she whispers.
“You’re mine,” I state, feeling irrational rage.
Her hand reaches up and cups my cheek, her blue eyes looking right at me and searching mine. “I am, Fei. All yours, for as long as you’ll have me,” she whispers.
There’s a sadness to her voice, and I don’t mistake her words for what they are—as though I wouldn’t want her always; as if she is only temporary.
“Dev,” a small voice calls out. I turn around to see a petite little redhead looking between us with an awe-like expression on her face.
“Shannon,” Devyn squeals as she leaves my arms to rush to her friend’s. I recognize the name; this is her best friend. I watch the two girls talk quietly to each other for a few moments before the man I recognize as one of Devyn’s brothers walks in, the same man who beat the hell out of Flynn just earlier today.
“Devyn,” he booms. She lifts her eyes to meet his. “You’ve caused a lot of fucking drama for us,” he states.
I feel my spine stiffen, but I don’t let myself be known quite yet. Obviously, he’s oblivious to me standing right here. Otherwise, I have a hard time believing he would talk to my wife the way he is.
“Callum,” she says in her breathy whisper as she steps away from her friend and looks down at her shoes. It pisses me off.
“You acting like a whore cost me my best friend,” he states, reaching his hand back.
Devyn doesn’t move, but luckily, I’m faster than her piece of shit brother. I’m behind him in two strides, my hand on his wrist in a split second. I grip him so tightly, his knees fold and he’s on the floor like a fucking pussy.
“Care to repeat that? Or was there something else you wanted to say to my wife?” I ask, keeping my voice even and almost bored sounding.
Devyn’s friend, Shannon, looks up at me with parted lips, and I’d find her cute if I wasn’t so pissed off at Callum.
“No,” he grinds out, his eyes narrowed and angry on mine.
“Didn’t think so. You ever attempt to harm my wife again, and I’ll kill you. Hell, I’ll even throw in killing Flynn at the same time so you two can go to hell together.”
Shannon giggles softly, and I can’t help but grin and give her a small wink before I let Callum go. He stands, his eyes never leaving mine, and then he turns and stomps off.
“You know Callum is not going to let that go?” she says with a wary look on her face. I don’t fail to notice the way her eyes track his movement through the house.
I lift my chin to her, ignoring her attempt at a warning, but I’m concerned with my wife, who is still facing away from me and her head is down. “I’ll just… see you guys inside,” Shannon mumbles before she turns and walks away from the foyer.
“Devyn, turn around,” I demand. She slowly does as I’ve instructed, and I see that there are tears falling down her cheeks. I reach out and place my finger beneath her chin before I draw her face up. Her eyes are watery, and they look everywhere but mine as I take in her face. “What is the matter?”