Chapter 9

TORI

I ’m sipping a glass of wine when I feel him press up against my back. “Tell me what to do to make it right,” Dmitry murmurs in my ear.

“Fuck off and leave me to enjoy the evening?”

“Watch your mouth, Victoria, or I might have to fill it with something more useful.”

I like his veiled threats. They have me weak at the knees, but if I’m going to make him regret putting me at risk, I can’t fall at the first hurdle. Just because we shared an intimate moment . . . again . . . doesn’t mean we’re okay. “How will I ever meet anyone new if you keep following me around?” I tease.

I hear a light snort of laughter and then his hand goes to the back of my neck, gently squeezing. “We already went over that part, Victoria. So, again, tell me what to do so we can speed this process along.”

I turn to face him, and that sexy smirk is in place as his eyes run over my face. “For tonight, we’ll pretend we’re the happiest couple in the room.”

“And then?” he asks, and I shrug, taking another sip of wine. “I will kill them both, my krasota . That is the end game. Just have a little patience.”

I arch a brow. “You think that’s why I’m not forgiving you?”

“Isn’t it?”

I place a hand to his cheek and shake my head. “No, Dmitry. Not everyone in your life expects you to kill for them.”

“I don’t know how else to make it right,” he admits, glancing at the floor. Fuck, he looks so vulnerable.

I fight the urge to kiss him senseless. “Just give me time,” I whisper. He catches my eye, and I offer a small smile.

He returns it, taking the glass of wine from me and sipping it. “It’s not good for you or the baby,” he adds. He drinks the rest of the glass then brings his mouth to mine. I open, and he spills some of the wine into my mouth. There’s a heated look in his eye as I swallow. “You’re driving me crazy,” he murmurs against my lips.

“Good. Now, I want to speak with your father.”

“Absolutely not,” he says firmly.

“With or without your permission is fine by me,” I add, beginning to walk away.

“Okay,” he hisses, grabbing my wrist. “At least tell me why.”

“I need him to know I’m not scared of him.”

“I think he gets the message.”

“Do you want my forgiveness or not?” I ask, arching a brow.

“Don’t do this,” he whispers, his tone pleading.

“We’re in a roomful of people, Dmitry. You have so many men watching my every move. Nothing bad will happen.”

He releases my wrist, even though he’s clearly not happy about it, and I head over to where Vladimir is seated. “So brave,” he mutters with a smirk. I take a seat uninvited and see the way his fists clench at the disrespect. “Tell me, little brave one, why have you not told my son the truth?”

“And have him end you?” I ask with a laugh. “And why would I want to make it so easy on you?”

“End me?” He scoffs. “There are rules in our world, Victoria. Rules that even Dmitry cannot break.”

“So, why haven’t you told him?”

His eyes narrow, but the smirk stays in place. “I don’t know what game you’re playing-”

I lean forward. “I’ll tell you, shall I?” He doesn’t reply, so I continue. “You’re going to live long enough to see me marry your son.”

“Bullshit.”

I grin. “You’ll have front row seats, and we’ll invite every single important person in Dmitry’s life. You’ll get to witness your son marry the woman you hate, the woman you should have killed the second you had a chance to, because, Vladimir,” I lean even closer, “you’ll never get another shot.”

“You think?”

“I know. And what’s more, Dmitry will announce the pregnancy, and everyone in your world will know I’m carrying an heir to your empire. Surely, there are rules against taking out the heir in your world?”

He sniggers. “Yes, but not rules to stop me killing the heir’s mother. The second you give birth to that bastard, I’ll have you shot.”

“I’m so glad we have a plan,” I say, pushing to my feet.

Before I can step away, he grabs my wrist, squeezing so hard, I catch my breath. I see Marshall move fast, but I hold my free hand up to stop him, shaking my head slightly. I daren’t even look at Dmitry. Vladimir rises to his feet, and I feel his warm breath in my ear. “Maybe I should just end you now,” he hisses.

“Then you’d follow me to hell,” I warn. “Right now, there are at least twenty men with their hands on their guns, itching to pull the trigger and end your sorry arse.”

“A cat-and-mouse game sounds much more appealing.” He tugs me closer. “And next time I have you tied up, I’ll not hesitate to put an end to you. After I’ve made you regret threatening me, of course.”

“I look forward to it,” I tell him.

I smirk, yanking my wrist free and moving away. My legs threaten to give way, shaking so uncontrollably, they almost buckle. Phoebe grabs my hand. “What the hell was that about?” she hisses, falling into step beside me.

“I needed to show him I’m not scared.”

“And you couldn’t do that in an email?” she mutters, leading me towards the bar.

“I prefer a personal touch.”

Dmitry comes up behind me, wrapping his arms around my waist. “You crazy little bitch,” he whispers, pressing kisses to my neck. “I need to be inside you.”

I laugh, untangling myself. “We did that part already.”

“Let me come back to yours tonight, please?”

“Are you begging, Mr. Volkov?”

“Yes,” he says firmly.

“I’ll think about it,” I say with a grin.

I watch as Vivian tries her best to gain Dmitry’s attention. He’d been speaking to a group of important-looking men when she’d jostled her way in beside him, hooking her arm in his, which I noted he’d soon removed, but it hasn’t stopped her trying. Every time she speaks, she places her hand on his arm in a loving manner. Months ago, this would have been enough to send me into a rage, but now I’m watching them, I see it. I see what he’s been telling me all along—he doesn’t like her advances and shifts uncomfortably at every opportunity to move away from her wandering hands.

“You’re not going to bust over there and scream at her?” asks Phoebe, smirking.

“I’m not sure I like the new irresponsible you,” I reply, not shifting my eyes from Dmitry. “He wants to stay over tonight,” I add.

“Oh, and?”

“And what? If I say yes, he’ll assume we’re all good.”

“But if you say no, you’ll miss out on having him to yourself.”

I smirk. “Right. And seeing him tonight is reminding me what it was like when it was good.”

“Stop punishing yourself and him. Have a night together and see how you feel.”

“I don’t want to give in,” I mutter.

“It’s not giving in if you’re deciding. Just see how things feel when it’s just the two of you and no drama.”

I sigh. “I guess. Go and tell Marshall we’re leaving. I’ll grab my man,” I say with a wink.

She grins. “Oh, I have got to see this.”

DMITRY

Vivian laughs louder than necessary, throwing her head back and grabbing hold of my arm . . . again. “Dmitry, we have got to try that place. It sounds like a hoot,” she gushes with enthusiasm, and I wonder how I ever thought I’d be able to marry this woman and not feel complete irritation at her every word.

I spot Victoria striding over with a smile on her face, and for a second, I panic. I’ve made every effort to keep Vivian from touching me, yet somehow, she’s like a damn octopus, and I’m certain Victoria is about to lose her mind. I disentangle myself from Vivian, and Victoria arches a brow. “My krasota ,” I greet.

“The men have left,” she states, staring at me.

I glance around. “Yes,” I agree. The men I was speaking with left a few moments ago.

“So, why are you still standing here with her?” she asks, her voice dangerously low.

“I was about to come find you,” I tell her, stepping closer.

“We have businesses together,” snaps Vivian. “We have to speak.”

“Earlier, I was shocked when I saw you,” I tell her. “Now, I’m not. Keep pushing me and we’ll see how this ends.”

“Victoria,” I murmur close enough to her ear that only she can hear me.

“You said I wasn’t allowed any other man to touch me, yes?” she snaps, and I give a nod. “So, if she touches you again, break her goddamn hand, the way you broke that barman’s. Are we clear?”

“Crystal,” I mutter, anxious to take this conversation elsewhere.

“I am done watching her paw you like she owns some part of you. It ends today.”

“Okay.”

“Really, Dmitry?” snaps Vivian. “Since when do you let a woman control you?”

“It’s about respect,” I retort.

“She’s giving you orders,” she hisses, “like you’re not even important.”

Victoria steps closer to Vivian. “I’ll reward him later, don’t worry.”

“Who the fuck do you think you are?” Vivian sneers. “He’s a king in his world, and you’re treating him like a lapdog. Is that what you want, Dmitry, to be this whore’s lapdog.”

I see red as I grab Vivian by the throat, shoving her back until she’s against the wall. “Do not ever call her a whore again,” I hiss angrily. “You’re right, I am a king and she is my queen. You will treat her as such, or I will fucking end you. Do you understand?”

She gives a slight nod, tears balancing on her lower lash line. I release her and turn to Victoria, who looks smug as I grab her hand and lead her from the room. I don’t care that all eyes are on us again—it’s becoming a regular occurrence.

As we approach the car where Marshall is waiting, she slows to a stop and the feeling of dread hits me. She’s going home alone.

“It’s been an eventful night,” she says, releasing my hand. “And for once, it wasn’t me causing a scene.” She almost smiles. “But with all these threats flying around, maybe Marshall will need some backup this evening.” I stare at her in disbelief, and she shrugs. “Yah know, he’s not as hard as he makes out so . . .” She turns, sliding into the car. I glance at Marshall, who’s smirking, and then I slide in beside her before she can change her mind.

We take a longer route back to Victoria’s to make sure we’re not followed. Even the extra security detail aren’t allowed to know where she is staying, I can’t trust they won’t break at an offer of money from my father.

I’m lost in thought when we slow to a stop and Victoria slips her hand back into mine. “Thank you for sticking up for me back there,” she says softly.

“I should’ve done that long ago,” I reply, hating myself for not. “I’m sorry I didn’t.”

“And this one night,” she begins, a look of sadness on her face, “is just that, one night.”

“I’ll take it,” I say eagerly as Marshall drives into the basement car park. And I don’t care that he and Phoebe can hear me. Right now, I’m not ashamed to admit I’m falling apart without her. So, I’ll take whatever she gives me, even the scraps.

We all step into the elevator and ride up to the top without a word. Inside the apartment, Phoebe makes some excuse about needing another drink and disappears to the kitchen with Marshall hot on her heels. I make a mental note to ask him if he’s taken our plan a step too far and he and Phoebe are actually fucking.

Victoria leads me to her bedroom, and the second we’re inside, I loosen my tie, removing it and hooking it around her neck, pulling her to me. “Out there, you might be in charge,” I tell her, and she arches a brow. “But in here,” I spin her around so her back is to my front, and I take her arms, using the tie to secure them, “it’s all mine.” I bury my nose into her neck, inhaling and closing my eyes. The thought of being with her the entire night is making me the happiest I’ve been in a long time.

I unzip the dress, thankful it’s sleeveless so it slides down her body. She steps from it, and I stand her in the middle of the room, slowly walking around her. She keeps her eyes fixed on me in defiance as I run my eyes over her body. It feels like way too long since I’ve had the time to enjoy her beauty. I sit on the edge of the bed and continue to look at her as she shifts uncomfortably. “Dmitry, are we going to?—”

I stand abruptly, and she slams her mouth closed, not bothering to finish her sentence. I take a blindfold from my pocket, and she grins. “You just carry that shit around?”

“In case I have to restrain and blindfold you, my krasota ,” I tell her, slipping it over her eyes.

I stand before her, and when I gently drag a finger over the swell of her breasts, she inhales sharply. I slip her bra straps from her shoulders, tugging the lace cups down. Her nipples instantly pebble as the cooler air hits them, and she breaks out in goosebumps. Without touching her, I lower my mouth to her nipple and lick my tongue over the bud. Then I blow over it, and she shivers. I do the same to her other nipple, and this time, she groans in pleasure. I take my time, swapping between each breast, teasing her with my tongue, and occasionally sucking her nipple into the warmth of my mouth.

I drop to my knees and hook my fingers into her thong, dragging it down her legs. She’s already wet, and our mixed scent from earlier teases me as I tap her inner thighs until she opens her legs wider. I cup her backside in my hands and force her closer, dragging my tongue along her opening and gathering her juices into my mouth, humming in approval at her taste.

“Jesus,” she cries, shuddering. I smirk, pressing my mouth to her pussy and using my tongue to tease her swollen clit. She grinds against me, moaning in pleasure as I lick and suck her. I press my finger to her tight backside, and although she cries as I slip it in just an inch, but she grinds faster against my mouth. When I’m certain she’s about to come, I pull away. She growls in frustration.

“You can’t have all the power and expect to come right away,” I tell her, standing.

I unfasten the buttons on my shirt, shrugging from it. Opening my belt, I tug it from the loops, and I smirk when she jumps as it slaps against the floor. “Turn and bend,” I tell her, which she does without a fuss. “Are you ready?” I ask.

“Yes, Sir,” she whispers as I untie her hands. She places them on her knees, making sure to stick her backside out. I bring the leather belt down hard, and she hisses, jumping forward slightly. “Again?” I ask.

“Please, Sir.”

I swish it down onto her delicate skin. This time, she doesn’t murmur, and I drag my finger through her wet folds in praise. I unzip my trousers and push them down my thighs, taking my cock from my shorts and rubbing it. “Another?” I ask.

“The buckle, Sir.”

“I didn’t ask which end,” I snap, grabbing her hair at the roots and pulling her head back. She winces. “Just for that, you’ll need to wait to come.”

“Please,” she whispers, and I note her legs shaking. She’s ready. One more touch and she’ll come apart.

I sit on the bed and guide her to me. “You can touch me,” I tell her, forcing her to her knees and positioning her between my open legs. I remove the blindfold, and she blinks a few times.

Resting my hands behind me, I lean back and wait for her to make her move. She tentatively takes my cock in her hand, using the other to cup my balls. I briefly close my eyes, resisting the urge to fuck her. She makes me impatient.

“Ask my permission,” I tell her. Her eyes narrow in the defiant way. Now I’ve let her have a taste of power, she’s craving it. “Challenge me on this and I won’t let you come,” I add, arching a brow.

Her hand travels down her stomach and she cups herself. I snatch it back, grabbing her other and using my tie to secure them in front of her. “Ask my permission,” I repeat.

She sighs. “Can I touch you, Sir?” she grits out in annoyance.

“Yes.”

She takes my cock in her hands and rubs them up and down the shaft. A bead of precum shines at the end, and she licks her lips. “Ask,” I warn, and she glares up at me.

“Can I suck your cock?” she spits, her anger getting the better of her.

“The tip,” I say with a smirk.

She scoffs, and for a second, I think she’s going to tell me to fuck off, but she rises on her knees and licks her tongue over the end of my cock, swiping away the cum. She then sucks the tip into her mouth, swirling her tongue around it. I groan, gripping the bedsheets in my fists. Without warning, she slides me to the back of her throat. “Fuck,” I hiss, watching as her head bobs up and down. “Victoria,” I snap, “you didn’t ask.”

She ignores me, moving faster and hollowing her cheeks as she sucks harder. I grip her hair, but my willpower is lost, and I can’t seem to pull her from me. She gags, pushing me farther to the back of her throat and rising to her feet. I pop from her mouth, and she grips my cock in her hands, moving them fast as she climbs over me. She pushes me to lie back on the bed, still moving her hands on my cock. “Victoria,” I mutter, my mind going blank. She lines my cock up at her entrance and pushes down, crying out in relief.

I groan as she tightens around me before lifting and slamming down again. She presses her hands to my chest and rides me, small groans of pleasure filling the room as she takes what she wants. I keep my eyes fixed to her, watching every gasp, every shudder, until she’s shaking from her orgasm. She falls against my chest, panting as the last tremors leave her. I wrap my arms around her waist and shove up into her, chasing my own release. I fuck her fast, needing to feel that warmth as my body releases. Seconds later, I come on a growl, pulling her down onto me and stilling while I come inside her.

We lie there for a few minutes before I reach for her wrists and untie them. She tries to crawl from my body, but I hold her closer, sliding us up onto the bed some more and placing her beside me. “Dmitry,” she begins, and I panic she’s going to ask me to leave, so I place my hand over her mouth and wrap myself around her.

“Go to sleep, my krasota . I haven’t finished with you yet.”