7. ISABELLA

Chapter 7

ISABELLA

I walk ahead of Andrey into his office and notice an ice bucket standing beside the large,extra-long sofa. In it is a bottle of expensive bubbly and two champagne flutes on a silver tray on the coffee table.

True to his word, Andrey locks the door while I sit on the sofa, and he joins me, making my heart jolt and gooseflesh tease my skin at how close he is. His scent is a mix of musk, vanilla, and bergamot, dancing in the air around me, like little enticing fingers trying to draw me nearer to him.

I watch while Andrey pops open the bottle of champagne and pours two glasses. His shirt stretches across his broad back, hinting at his incredible physique beneath it. He moves with such confidence and grace—he is most definitely an apex predator and dangerous. While I'm trying to blot it out.

I'm no fool; I've heard rumors that this club has ties to a crime family. If Andrey manages the club, it means he's well connected with, I'm guessing, by the phone call in Russian earlier, the Bratva.

I know I should be feeling weird or awkward, but I'm not. I'm feeling so turned on sitting here in nothing more than Andrey's cotton shirt, just like I did when I saw him watching me play with myself in his shower. I was mortified for about two seconds when I saw him standing in front of me.

But the look in his eyes as he watched me and the growing bulge in his pants made me feel so bold, wild, free, and finally in control—I felt powerful and so hot. It had been even more exhilarating sitting on the counter in front of him, naked and exposed.

While he stood watching me, I realized that I could be anyone I wanted to be with Andrey, because he was a stranger. There was no point in trying to duck or dive. He'd already seen me, and the best part was he didn't know me. It was a clean slate with no expectations, no boundaries, no shadows hovering over me—just me and him.

I can still feel that scorching hot kiss tingling on my lips when our bodies slid into each other. Or, more accurately, I'd slid butt naked in all my glory into Andrey. Our second collision ended with me showing off all my wares and wet once again!

I mentally sigh as I watch him sit back with two glasses of sparkling champagne. He hands one to me, capturing my eyes with his as he turns towards me, his thigh touching mine, sending instant tingles to all my erogenous zones.

If I'd just said, I want you, to Andrey when he asked me to tell him what I wanted, maybe we'd be having sex all over the bathroom and his office right now. But no , I have to go and open my big fucking mouth and blurt out . I've never had sex before; I'm a virgin.

I broke the number one rule of the night.

I can hear Stacy's voice on the drive to the club echo through my brain as I sip the sparkling liquid and the bubbles tickle my nose: Bells, if you're going to get laid, you can't tell the man who's going to be your first that you're a virgin.

Stacy said they'll find out soon enough, and by then, no red hot-blooded male would want to stop. Problem solved—no longer the only twenty-one-year-old virgin left in Boston!

Well, my problem isn't solved because I stupidly broke the golden rule, and I see what Stacy means that some guys get weird about virginity. Lesson learned the hard and frustrating way.

Now, here I sit next to a virile, sexy hunk instead of under him because he has a code of conduct about virgins, and because Stacy has gone MIA, this may be my last night of freedom ever ! Especially if James or Genevra wake up before I get back, or I'm not on the other side of America in Vegas, having a six-hour lead over James, who I know will come to find me.

When I started out this evening, I was sure I was on a win-win. But here I am, fast sliding into a lose-lose situation and giving my daddy dear a virgin to hand over to Conference Voice and his son Quasimodo. This time, six months from now, I'll be fitting wedding dresses and probably wearing a chastity belt if I get found out about my illicit evening out.

Especially if I don't get rid of this damn virginity. What the fuck is wrong with men? Sex is sex! I suddenly wish I was in the seventies, the age of sex, drugs, and disco. I think I'd look quite good in psychedelic colors and bell bottoms—they were all about losing virginity and fighting the man.

"A penny for your thoughts!" Andrey's voice penetrates my thoughts.

"They're not really worth even that much," I tell him and take a bigger sip of the golden liquid.

"Why don't you let me decide?" He moves closer, and I can see the silver highlights in his blue eyes. His scent is intoxicating my senses as it mingles with the alcohol.

Why not fill him in on my shitty afternoon? I take a long swallow and finish the champagne. Andrey leans over, takes the bottle, and refills my glass.

"Now I know they're worth more than a penny." Andrey grins, putting the bottle back on ice. "Downing champagne usually means you're having some sort of problem?"

"Have you ever just had one of those days where everything that could go wrong goes wrong?" I take another swig, and the drink is beginning to taste better and better.

"I'm actually having one of those myself today," Andrey tells me, taking a swallow of his drink. "I would probably go as far as to say it was another bad, life-altering day." A grin lifts his mouth as his eyes travel seductively over me. "That was until a little spitfire hurtled into me."

"You walked into me," I remind him, but I can't help the smile that springs to my lips.

"The most pleasant accident I've ever had," Andrey tells me, holding up his glass to mine. I oblige with a gentle chink of crystal meeting crystal. "So why are you having a shitty day?" He stretches his arm along the back of the sofa, running a hand over my cheek.

His touch instantly scrambles my horny senses that lull me into telling him the truth. Well, part of the truth anyway. Just in case he knows Quasimodo.

"I came out tonight fully intending to enjoy my last few nights of freedom before I'm once again locked into my glass cage." I stare into the bubbles of my drink and take another sip before continuing.

"You feel like a prisoner at home?" Andrey watches me intently and sips the bubbly drink.

"I have an overprotective family who thinks that I'm this puppet they can steer into doing what they want me to do, and by this time next week, I'll be engaged to someone I really don't want to be engaged to."

I see his brows shoot up. "So, instead of a wild night out, why not just leave altogether?" Andrey asks, lifting the glass to his mouth. A mouth I can still feel plastered against mine and sucking on my nipples.

"I've tried that a time or two." I really have. Each time, my father somehow managed to find me. It's ironic, considering I've been trained to disappear without a trace if need be. "I think my father might have a tracker implanted beneath my skin somewhere."

Stacy suggested I didn't really want to run away enough. Because if I had, she doubted even the FBI, CIA, and whatever other secret forces there were would ever find me.

My father had made sure I could do that. She was probably right because I knew using my credit card would get me busted, but I did it anyway.

"Ah, so your father found you?" Andrey frowns, reaches over to grab the bottle, and refills our glasses.

"Yes." I nod. "Turns out I'm not so good at disappearing after all." I sigh, enjoying his fingers running through my still-wet hair, which must look like rats' tails by now.

"I could help you if you were ever serious about it," Andrey offers. "Disappearing, that is."

"Thanks," I say. "I'll keep that in mind."

For a moment, I'm tempted to take him up on his offer. But my father knows some powerful people. Probably even Andrey's boss who owns this club. I've heard the rumors from Stacy and conversations I've overheard of James's that it has ties to one of the most notorious and powerful crime families in Boston.

As Andrey spoke Russian on the phone earlier, I'm putting my money on the Bratva. I'd hate for anything to happen to Andrey because he tried to help me escape the clutches of Quasimodo.

"Well, I too, am engaged to someone I don't want to be engaged to," Andrey tells me. "But you know, family obligations and all. What can you do?"

"Lose your virginity in an illicit club, fly to Vegas, find the first available and willing man, shit, I'd even pay an actor, get married in one of those quickie marriage chapels," I murmur.

"Ah!" Andrey smiles, sipping his champagne and staring at me as if trying to read my mind. "So that's why you came here." His smile broadens.

I nod, "Basically."

"You were planning to sneak into the Dark Velvet Lounge for your sexual awakening? Then flying off to Vegas to get hitched." He finishes his drink and puts his glass on the table, staring at me for a few seconds before he leans into me.

"Something like that." My voice sounds husky as he moves closer.

Andrey's face is now close to mine. I can feel his warm breath near my lips. His voice deep, soft, and husky. "Do you have your tickets booked for Vegas?"

I nod. "Yes, but they're in my purse, which is with my coat in the coat room. My friend who was supposed to be here with me left without telling me, taking the coat ticket with her," I tell him and snort. "I was actually looking for the club manager to speak to that mean lady at the coat closet to give me my things. She wouldn't budge without the ticket or go-ahead from the manager."

"Then I ran into you," Andrey says, taking my glass from my hand and putting it on the table. "How fortuitous that was for you and me." He slides closer, cupping my face, and his lips slide over mine. "I'll help you get your items from the coat closet," he promises, a sexy smile spreading across his lips.

Andrey pulls me by the thighs, sliding me down onto my back with my legs wrapped around his waist. He pushes the shirt slowly up my legs. His thumbs tease the creases where they join the apex of my thighs.

"I thought taking my virginity was a big thing for you." I don't recognize who said that, as the voice is raspy and breathless.

A little hu… hu… escapes my lips when Andrey's head dips and I can feel his warm breath on my pussy right before he places a few light kisses on my nether lips, and again that little sound filters through my lips.

"That was before I knew your predicament," Andreys says, his thumbs pulling my pussy lips apart to allow his tongue to gently lap my clit. "Or your plan. I've decided to help you with both."

"Oh!" I breathe. "Um.." What were we talking about? My head tilts back with pleasure, and I can feel my eyes rolling back as searing, hot desire bubbles inside me.

"What do you say, Bella?" He sucks and teases my throbbing nub.

"Oh… yes." I tilt my hips toward him as his face gets buried between my legs. He goes to work licking, sucking, swirling, and teasing my clit, sending me into mindless sexual oblivion. I buck as he slides a finger inside me. "Oh, yesssss!"

"You taste like heaven." Andrey's warm breath mingles with my juices before his mouth once again closes over my pussy lips and adds another finger inside me.

"Oh God." I cry out some more as he starts to work it in and out, careful not to go too deep. "Please, please, don't stop," I beg as I squirm, trying desperately to reach the edge but at the same time not wanting the teasing to stop, and I'm just about to reach sweet release when he stops. "Nooooooo!" I wail, my hands instantly heading for my nether regions in desperation to get to the release I need.

Andrey grabs my hands in an iron grip. "Oh, no you don't, little spitfire." My eyes fly open, and I see his burning with desire and some dark intent. "Not yet."

"Please, don't be cruel." I wiggle against him. He chuckles and sits back. My lady bits are on full display for him with my legs spread around him.

"God, you're so beautiful, wet, and responsive." Andrey's eyes run over my body, landing on my throbbing, needy vagina. He runs a finger over it, and I hear myself whimper. "You taste so good." His voice is raspy as he slides off the sofa, letting go of my wrists. "No touching yourself," he warns.

I want to cry out when his body leaves mine. It's almost painful. I'm so aroused. I hear the sound of a belt buckle, and I turn to see him loosening his pants, which he slides down his long, muscular legs.

He still has his boxer shorts on as he pulls his shirt off, and I suck in a breath. Holy God, he's even more defined and beautiful than I would have thought possible. His muscles ripple when he throws the shirt aside. Andrey's eyes catch mine as he slides his boxers off, never breaking eye contact.

His long thick cock springs loose, and my mind boggles. Oh God, that thing is huge! I know I should be scared because it's probably going to rip me apart, but all I want to do is touch it.

I sit up and come face to face with his cock near my nose. I've never sucked or touched one before, but I know I really want to. I look up at him hesitantly, and he smiles.

"Give me your hand," Andrey says, holding out his hand. I place my small one in his. "Let me help you." His voice is even deeper and huskier now. He places my hand over his cock, and it pulses, feeling like silk. "Wrap your hand around it like this." He shows me with his other hand. "Then you gently run it up and down using only slight pressure."

I do as he instructs, and I hear him groan. I stop instantly and glance up at him, hoping I didn't push too hard or hurt him.

"Sorry," I say and instantly want to slap myself as his chest rises and falls in a soft chuckle.

"You're not hurting me, little spitfire." Andrey's voice is soft, and his eyes dark with desire. "You can cup my balls and massage them gently like this." He takes my other hand and shows me how. "Now put the two together, and I promise all the groans you hear from me are… Uhhhh." He throws his head back as I keenly work my hands. "Pleasure."

I see a droplet of cum seep out the eye of his penis and gently squeeze the head to milk a little more out to help with the friction, and Andrey grabs my hand.

"Agh," Andrey growls. "Stop… please stop." His voice is barely audible as he holds my hands, squeezing his eyes shut.

"Did… did I do something wrong?" I ask, feeling like an idiot.

What am I thinking about having sex for the first time with a worldly man like Andrey? I should've found a nerd who had never had sex before so that we could've both fumbled our way around.

Andrey's eyes spring open, and he looks at me, dropping to his knees in front of me, and wedges his way between my legs. "Fuck no!" His voice is still raspy. "You did everything too damn well. I nearly came in a few strokes of your hand."

He kisses me gently on the lips while his hands slide up my legs again, and his thumb starts to massage my clit. "I don't want to finish just yet, little one." Andrey's lips start teasing mine while his thumb is swirling around and gently tapping my nub. "I want to savor every moment of welcoming you into the pleasurable world of sex."

Before I can say anything, his mouth devours mine. His thumb leaves my clit, and I whimper into his mouth as he slides the shirt off, leaving our bare skin touching. It feels so good having his chest slide against mine.

A moan escapes my lips between kisses. Andrey skillfully maneuvers us around onto the sofa so I'm lying on my back with my legs around him, and Andrey positions himself over me.

"It feels so good," I mumble, going out of my mind with all the different sensual sensations assaulting my senses at once. "I don't know where I want to be touched." I'm squirming beneath. "I want to feel you all over me."

"And you will," Andrey promises. I can feel the soft tip of his cock teasing my pussy as it slides over it while Andrey's hands go to work on my breast. "But first, there will be some pain as you're very tight. But once the burning goes, I promise the rest will be pleasurable."

I can't actually think straight at the moment as his velvet cock slides over my slippery clit while Andrey moves his hips back and forth. His hands leave my boobs, and he leans on his arms. I can see the veins in his neck extend as Andrey pulls back, and this time I can feel the head of his one-eyed monster at the opening of my pussy.

He starts to push it inside me. My eyes widen when Andrey's cock starts to fill me up. I feel it stretching me, and for a few seconds, I wonder if I'll be able to take him all or if he's going to split me open. Then his lips crush mine and he thrusts hard, jamming it all inside me. It feels like someone sent a red-hot poker up my moo-moo for a few seconds.

But Andrey goes still, holding himself off me. His mouth teases and coaxes my lips while he murmurs something in Russian, but right now, my Russian-to-English dictionary is offline.

"Fuck you're so tight," he growls, lifting his lips from mine, gulping for air.

I can see Andrey fighting for control, and I can feel his cock pulse inside me; my pussy walls instinctively clamp around it, enjoying the throbbing sensation.

A groan rips from Andrey's throat, and he starts to move his hips. I feel so full as his penis rubs against the tender inside of my pussy. I hear him hiss, and he begins to thrust faster, picking up speed, and the burn starts to turn to pleasure as I adjust to the size of his cock, and my hips find his rhythm working with him as he drives me to the brink of orgasm.

"Oh God!" I'm breathless and desperate for the release at the end of the most intense pleasure I've ever felt, but at the same time, I don't want this feeling to stop, either.

I feel myself peaking. The walls of my pussy contract around his cock and start to milk it as I try to pull it deeper if that's even possible. All I know is I want to feel it touch my soul.

"Oh fuck, Bella," Andrey growls, throwing his head back. "You're so, so wet and tight. I need you to cum for me, baby." I hear the agonizing plea in his voice.

His movements become even faster, and I match each thrust, moving my hips frantically. Andrey is now pounding into me. I hear our flesh slapping, and my breasts are bobbing.

"I… I'm almost…" I can't find the words that need to be said. My brain has turned into a swirling vortex of mush. I wrap my legs around his waist to pull him as deep inside me as I can. "Please…" I cry, not sure what I'm asking for.

Tears start to gather at the corner of my eyes at the building sensation inside me becomes overwhelming. I've never felt anything like this. Andrey gives a few hard thrusts, and it's as if he hits a magic button. My eyes fly open as the most incredible orgasm I've ever had rocks through me.

I cry out. "Fuck! Ohhhh Fuckkkkk." I thrust my hips, riding the delicious waves of pleasure that wash over me, leaving me a quivering mass of jelly with tears streaming down my cheeks.

I feel Andrey stiffen, and his head drops next to me, a groan ripping from inside him. "Aggghhhh." His breathing is ragged, and he continues to thrust, pouring his warm seed inside of me.

His cock jerks and pulses, tickling my still sensitive pussy walls, and to my surprise, I feel another orgasm build. I move my hips rubbing my clit against him while Andrey chuckles. Now leaning on his elbows, he moves the hair from my forehead, gently kissing the tears from my cheeks.

He holds me, letting me use him as a clitoris-rubbing pole, bouncing off his still-stiff shaft as I ride him toward another orgasm.

"That's it, baby," Andrey whispers, kissing me and helping me get off once again. "Let it go." He kisses my neck and helps me by moving with me. "Tell me what you need, Bella."

"Harder!" I breathe, wanting to feel him hit that magic button again. "Please. Oh, please." I suck in a shaky breath as the feeling once again overwhelms me. "I need it, Andrey, please."

I can't believe I'm sobbing and begging, but my body has disconnected from reason and is now just one big erogenous zone, throbbing with a heightened sensation. "So deep." My eyes lock with his as my head lifts, hungry for his lips, which he crushes to mine with an agonizing groan.

"Oh, fuck, Bella." Andrey's breathing has become ragged again. "You're driving me crazy, baby," he whispers in my ears as his body is hovering just over mine in a plank position. "I'm going to cum again." He starts kissing me before rearing up on his knees.

"No!" I wail as I feel his thrusts stop.

"It's okay, baby," Andrey soothes. "Bend your legs for me, Bella."

What is he doing? I bend my legs, pulling them up to my chest. Andrey's hands grab my feet, and he starts to thrust again.

"Oh, my fucking God!" I groan as I feel all of him pounding into me. "Oh, God."

Andrey's thrusts get more frantic, and I feel my eyes roll back in my head as I start to crest. He growls. "Oh, fuckkkk." As he thrusts hard one more time, hitting that magic button that sends me into orgasm overdrive, I shout out, "Andrey, oh God, Andrey!"

Fireworks explode behind my eyelids as wave after wave of orgasmic aftershocks hit me. My body is tender, and my clit is throbbing. Andrey pulls out of me before I'm ready and I try to reach out to him, but his head dips, and his lips lock over my pussy as he suckles my tender nub, making me scream his name once more before the after-shock orgasm ripples start to fade.

Andrey plops on the side of me and pulls me to him, wrapping his powerful arms around me as I nestle against him.

"You are so sensitive," Andrey says softly, kissing my head.

"I'm sorry," I say, looking at him. "I've never felt anything like that. I hope I wasn't too uh… green."

"Fuck, no." Andrey leans his head back to look at me and kisses my nose. "It was incredible." He moved a stray hair. "As much as I could take you again. You're going to be sore tomorrow, and we still have a long night ahead of us."

"Oh?" I look at him curiously with a sleepy smile. "What do you have in mind?" I'm hoping it doesn't involve having to stand or even move because I don't think I can right now. I feel light, like no problems are weighing me down. "And does it involve lying here for about ten hours or so?"

"No. You're going to have to move, get dressed, and ready to leave in an hour or two." Andrey laughs softly squeezing my buttock.

"Where are we going?" I ask, snuggling into his sexy naked warmth.

"We're going to Vegas." Andrey grins and kisses me. "To get married."

I sit up and gape at him as my lethargy turns to shock. "What?" I'm stammering now. "Wh… why?" I search for Andrey's shirt on the floor to cover up and he lies watching me pull it on.

"The way I see it, we've solved one problem, but there are still three more to go." He lies in all his naked glory, a magnificent male specimen, and puts his arms behind his head.

"I'm not following," I say stupidly. My mind is ticking over a thousand miles a minute.

I never intended to jump out of the frying pan into the fire and is he fucking serious? My eyes scan the room. I can excuse myself to go to the toilet, get dressed, and then try make a run for it.

I wasn't being serious about the married part. That was just more of a in your face father, type of day dream. I wouldn't have actually gone through with it… I look at Andrey. Although would it be so bad? It would be better than marrying Quasimodo.

Stop it! No! I want my life to be mine, not just trade one cage for another. I glance around the office and remember where I am and the rumors of who this place belongs to.

My father is involved deeply enough with the criminal world by defending it as an attorney. There is no way in hell I want to marry into it. Although… I glance at Andrey. No! Not happening.

"I told you, Bella, before we had sex that if I take your virginity, you're mine!" Andrey reminds me and my shocked eyes move to him.

"You said you wanted to help me with my predicament," I remind him. "Meaning helping with the virginity part."

"I said I was going to help you with both and you said, oh yes! " He raises an eyebrow with a smug smile. "I can play it back for you if you want me to."

"What!" I'm spluttering again as my head shoots around the office looking for hidden cameras.

"Don't worry, Bella, I would never video a sexual encounter. In here anyway." Andrey assures me, still lying there quite relaxed and even butt naked he seems completely in control. "But I do record conversations."

"Isn't that illegal?" I hiss.

He shrugs. "It's a security measure to ensure my staff don't come snooping around my office." He sees the heat that I can feel is starting to stain my cheeks. "Only I hear the recordings, sweet Bella."

"That's not fair," I tell him as I gape at him like I'm trying to catch flies. "You tricked me and you know when I was saying that I was…" I swallow. "I was…"

"In the throes of passion?" He raises his eyebrows.

"Yes, that," I say now, starting to fidget and look down at the shirt covering to my knees. "And just because you took my virginity doesn't mean you owe me anything. This isn't the eighteen hundreds. We were two consenting adults."

"Are you on the pill, Bella?" Andrey asks and I frown.

"What?" I'm not quite sure what he's asking and straight away my mind goes to the pills I laced James and Genevra's food with. "I don't understand."

Guilt washes over me. Shit, did I really drug my family just to defy my father? No time for a guilt trip Isabella . There's a very hot, naked, and from what I can gather, dangerous, man trying to take over my life. There will be enough time for guilt later.

Right now I need an exit route. I glance at the shirt and the bathroom. I can't go running through the club like this. It's bad enough I've already shown most of it my top half.

"You know, birth control pill." Andrey sits up and swings his muscular legs onto the floor, reaching for his boxer shorts.

"Oh!" My eyes widen as I suddenly comprehend what he's saying. "No. God, my father wouldn't let me take those because it would mean I was having sex."

Andrey nods and starts sliding his boxers on and too fucking late I realize where this is going.

"I can assure you that I won't get pregnant," I tell him and suddenly I'm trying to count the days to my last period and remember my high-school biology on female reproduction.

"When last did you have a period?" Andrey asks, rising to tower over me as he finishes pulling on his shorts and starts grabbing his pants.

"That's none of your God damn business!" I say through gritted teeth. What the fuck?

"Actually I'd say it's very much my business," Andrey tells me as he pulls on the last of his clothes. He glances at my stomach. "You may just be carrying my child."

"What?" I choke and my hand automatically goes to my belly. "No. I doubt that." I shake my head. "And even if I were that would be my problem and I can assure you I would never hold you responsible for anything."

Okay now I'm about to go in nuclear freak out mode. I never even thought of contraception and babies when I put my plan into action. Way to go, dumb head .

"Now, see, Bella, I am responsible ." Andrey steps in front of me and tilts my head back as his hand cups my chin. "I explained this to you before I took your virginity." He puts a hand on my belly and my traitorous body instantly responds to the man who's determined to become my next prison guard. "And if you are carrying my child, that will put a target on your back."

"Excuse me?" My brows furrow and my heart begins to race. "I don't understand." But I do. I've heard my father talk to some of the shady motherfuckers he defends. "Why?"

"Because, sweet Bella," Andrey still has my chin in his hand, "you'd be carrying the future Belov Bratva Pakhan."

"What?" I gasp and pull away from him, shock zinging through me as my heart starts to go wild like a bird trying to get out of a cage. "You're… you're… a Belov?"

"Yes, I'm soon to become the next Belov Pakhan, as my fathers only living son."

My confusion, irritation, and anger dissolve into fear. The Belovs are well known for their ruthlessness.

"I can see that you understand the situation now," Andrey says, his eyes searching mine as if trying to pull secrets from my mind. "And you obviously know who we are, which saves me from having to explain."

I pull away from him again, taking a few steps back and nearly topple over the coffee table but Andrey reaches out and grabs me before I crash through the glass top in my clumsiness.

"Don't touch me," I hiss, pulling away from his hand and side stepping him.

My eyes dart toward the bathroom before I remember escape 101— don't ever give away that you're looking for an escape route. But my eyeballs had darted to where my clothes are before I could stop them. I hope he didn't notice.

"I'm sorry, Bella." Andrey's voice drops and I meet his eyes. "There's no escape for you now, little spitfire."

Don't let the predator know he's intimidated you. I take a breath and raise my chin, making myself calm down. "I know who you are." My voice is calm, belying my racing heart. "I know what your family is capable of because my father is Ivan Belov's attorney."

I see Andery stand dead still as surprise flashes in his eyes and he stares at me in astonishment. "Wait!" His eyes narrow. " You're Marco Moretti's daughter?"

"I am!" I square my shoulders. "And he'll never allow me to marry into your criminal family. He may defend monsters, but at least we're not a crime family like yours."

Andrey seems even more surprised by my outburst. "Your father's not linked to a crime family?" I can see his astonishment deepen.

"No, we are not!" I tell him looking at him like I'm the queen of the world that does not operate in the shadows of his shady underworld.

His brow furrows and his eyes narrow. "You really don't know, do you?"

"It depends what you're talking about," I tell him, not sure what he's referring to.

"Bella, who's the man you're supposed to be marrying?" Andrey asks, watching me and I know exactly what he's doing as I've been trained to do the exact same thing. He's assessing me, looking for any signs I'm lying.

"Again, none of your business," I tell him.

"I can find out," Andrey assures me and starts walking toward his desk. "I have Marco on speed dial."

"Okay!" I'd rather not get my father involved. Not that I wouldn't mind him shooting Andrey at the moment. I take a breath. "He didn't tell me anything. I overheard a conversation he was having with someone on a conference call."

I close my eyes and ball my fists at my side. I feel my cheeks heat with embarrassment once more. But why should I feel embarrassed? I give myself a quick pep talk. My father had kept me in the dark about my secret betrothal my entire life. I have nothing to feel embarrassed about.

"Did you not overhear who you were betrothed to?" Andrey keeps prying as he perches on the end of his desk.

"No!" I say honestly. "And I don't really care. Because as soon as I'm dressed, I'm on the next plane to as far away from America as I can get."

"I don't think so, Bella," Andrey tells me, pushing away from his desk and walking toward me chuckling.

"You think this is funny?" I seethe. "My entire life my father has ruled over my every move." And the anger is back. "He kept promising me that when I was twenty-five I'd have my freedom after my studies were done and I'd thank him. Because I'd have a degree and could make my own way in the world. But until then, relationships were a distraction he couldn't allow to ruin my future."

Fuck did I really just blurt that all out? Right now I don't care. I spin on my heel and march into the bathroom. I pull on my jeans, squash my feet into my pumps, and grab the rest of my things before storming back into Andrey's office heading for the door.

Only he steps in front of me. "I told you Bella, you're not going anywhere." He tilts my head back with his hand once again. "You're mine now, little spitfire."

"I don't belong to anyone!" I hiss. "Now please, just let me go."

"I can't do that," Andrey tells me. "You see Bella, you've belonged to me since you were three years old." I step back pulling away from him with a gasp as lightning bolts of shock hit me.

"No!" My brain is reeling as a fog of confusion engulfs me and my heart hammers harder against my ribs—surely Andrey can't be Quasimodo? "It can't be!"

"I'm afraid so, Isabella." Andrey's voice is low. "It seems like we don't need to go to Vegas after all." He glances at my belly once again. "But we will have to move the marriage up by at least six months, and you'll be moving in with me from tonight."