Chapter 21

EMERSON

The sun was just beginning to rise, casting a soft, golden glow over the city when they arrived back at the Carriage House. As Viktor and the men from Cerberus were getting things unloaded, Emerson took advantage of his distraction and slipped quietly away. She saw her truck parked at the far end of the lot and was pleased to discover her keys sitting on the seat. She had no idea where her purse had gone but couldn’t have cared less.

She pulled out of the lot, finding the streets were still mostly empty and the early morning silence broken only by the occasional distant sound of a car engine or a bird's call. She drove quickly, her mind a whirlwind of conflicting emotions.

On the one hand, she recognized she was almost certainly madly in love with Viktor. She had a vague recollection of hearing him say he loved her, but she couldn’t be certain of that. If he had, then how could he have believed she would steal from him?

After what seemed like an eternity, she reached the home she shared with her sisters. The familiar surroundings brought a slight sense of comfort, but it was fleeting. She made her way through the front door, closing it behind her and leaning against it for a moment to catch her breath. She had been so focused on getting home that she hadn’t allowed herself to fully process everything that had happened.

Tegan and Kendra came running out of the office.

“What happened?” demanded Kendra.

“We’ve been worried sick,” said Tegan.

“That’s not true. I’ve been worried. T was convinced you and Viktor had made up and have been planning your wedding.”

“Wedding?” snorted Emerson, feeling resolve take hold. “That bastard almost got me killed. He had some psycho working as his housekeeper and failed to figure that out or that it was her who took his precious fucking egg.”

Emerson could hear her voice escalate from exhausted and detached to almost hysterical.

“What happened?” Kendra repeated.

“Agata was there. I think Viktor may have figured out his mistake. Doesn’t matter. There was a fight. I was kidnapped. Cerberus showed up. There was a gun fight. Yadda, yadda, yadda. Once everyone was back at the Carriage House, I just sort of found my truck and left.”

“He just let you leave?” asked Tegan, obviously disappointed by the thorn in the fairytale ending she’d wanted for her oldest sister and Viktor Romanov.

“He didn’t let me do anything, T. I didn’t ask permission. I just left. I’m done. I’m tired. I need some sleep, and then we’ll have to figure out how to deal with Toney.”

“You don’t think he’ll loan us the money?” asked Kendra, concerned.

“I don’t care what Viktor will or won’t do. I won’t take it. He can take his money and his stupid Fabergé egg and shove ‘em.”

Tegan pulled back, looking at her sister with a mix of confusion and worry. "You should call Viktor. He must be worried sick."

“If he’s even noticed I’m gone. No. Wait. Aren’t men supposed to get horny from a fight? If so, I’m sure he’s missed me by now. But he’ll have to learn to live with disappointment and without me.”

Emerson sighed, moving toward the staircase. She rubbed her wrists, the red marks from the bindings still visible. "I need a few hours to sleep. Then I’ll call the bank and see if there’s any chance we can borrow the money to pay off Toney."

Tegan stood across the foyer from Emerson, her expression confused. "He made a mistake, Em. You went to him to prove your innocence, and it sounds like he was already realizing he was wrong about you. Then he risked his life to save you.”

“Cerberus saved me. The billionaire was just along for the ride.”

“I don’t know how I feel about Viktor at the moment,” said Kendra, “but trust me, Viktor Romanov has never hung onto anyone’s coattails. Most likely he was going, and Cerberus backed him up.”

“Whatever,” said Emerson, wearily. “I don’t care.”

“But you have to,” said Tegan. “He saved you. Why aren’t you with him right now?"

Emerson looked up, meeting Tegan’s imploring gaze. "Because... because he didn’t trust me in the first place. He believed I was capable of something terrible—not just theft, but betrayal."

Kendra crossed to her, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder. "Emerson, he saved you. That has to mean something."

"It does," Emerson admitted, her voice breaking slightly. "It means he felt guilty and responsible. But it doesn’t erase the fact that he didn’t believe in me when it mattered most. I can't just forget that."

Tegan sighed, joining her sisters. "Trust is hard to rebuild, I get that. But maybe he deserves a chance to explain himself, to make things right."

Emerson shook her head. "I’m not sure that he can or even if I want him to. I don’t know that we want the same things. I need time to process everything. To figure out what I want. I can't just go back to him as if nothing happened. But before any of that, I need to figure out how to deal with Toney."

Tegan squeezed her shoulder gently. "Take the time you need. We’re here for you, no matter what."

Emerson managed a small smile, grateful for her sisters' support. "Thanks. I just... I need to get some sleep, deal with Toney and sort through all of this."

The three sisters stood, silent for a moment, the weight of the recent events hanging heavily in the air. Emerson knew that the road ahead would be difficult, filled with hard decisions and painful truths. But for now, she was home, surrounded by the people who believed in and loved her unconditionally.

As the first rays of sunlight streamed through the window, Emerson took a deep breath, trying to let go of fear and exhaustion as she headed up the stairs.

VIKTOR

She had barely started up the staircase when the door burst open, and Viktor stepped inside. “Emerson, thank god. I took my eyes off you for just a second, and you were gone.”

“Yeah, well, I figured the fun and games were over for the night. The morning after was closing in, and I wanted a shower and some sleep. Both of which you’re keeping me from. Go away, Viktor.”

“I am not going away, dushka,” he said, moving towards her.

“Don’t,” she snarled. “Just don’t. I have had enough of you and your bullshit. Go away and leave me alone.”

“Come home with me, malenkaya. You can rest, and then we will…”

“We will do nothing. Do you hear me? Nothing. You know, a few minutes ago I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do about you, about us, about anything. But you just clarified it for me. I don’t—scratch that, I won’t be with someone who has so little faith and trust in me. I won’t live in continual fear that I will say or do something you don’t like, and you’ll just abandon me… again. Do you have any idea what that felt like? Do you? No, you do not. You may not have enough respect for me for that to be an issue, but I can assure you, I do. Now, get out, Viktor. I’m going upstairs to take a shower and get some sleep. Don’t be here when I come back down.”

She was upset and distraught. She had a right to be. He had failed her in the way that mattered most to her. He watched her ascending the staircase like an exhausted warrior who may have won the battle but feared she had lost the war. He waited until he heard her door close before addressing her sisters.

He held up his hand to wave off Kendra’s angry accusations. “Don’t. You will feel foolish if you do. I fucked up where your sister is concerned, but I will fix what is wrong between us. Toney has already been paid off. I have made it clear that should he cross Ravenel Reliance again, he will be crossing me, and I will not pay him off a second time. Cerberus is already working on proving that your parents did nothing wrong. Nothing. The whole thing is a house of cards that we will bring tumbling down on Oliver Toney’s head.”

“The egg?” asked Tegan.

“I have no idea. It is not important…”

“Viktor, Em said she thought it might be the Nécessaire egg.”

He turned to smile at Tegan. “It was, but its loss is meaningless compared to what I did to your sister.” He glanced back up the staircase. “Do you think she will ever forgive me?”

“Not if you keep acting like a dumbass,” said Kendra.

Viktor rolled his eyes. The girl was a menace. He turned to stare at her, secretly happy to see her drop her eyes and take a step back. “Then how about you help me with that. I fear that I will need all the help I can get to get her back.”

“We’ll help, won’t we Kendra,” said Tegan, who was the sweetest of the lot of them.

“Sure, I’ll help,” said Kendra, taking a step towards him. “But if you hurt my sister again, I will end you.”

In that moment, he began not only to understand Kendra, but to appreciate and like her. “Understood.”

That evening, after consulting with Tegan and Kendra who had proved to be valuable allies, he sent Emerson a text message.

I have more faith and trust in you than you will ever know. Enough so that I am putting my life in your hands. In order to prove it, I am locking myself in container number RIAU7162534 at the main shipping dock at the south end of the harbor. It will be loaded on The Suvrov, which sails at 6 AM. Save me, malenkaya, or don’t. I would rather die than live without you.

Dramatic? Sure.

True? Absolutely.

It didn’t really matter that he had friends at the docks and that his life wasn’t really in danger. He’d needed a way to prove to her that his trust in her was absolute, which wasn’t an easy thing to do.

Later that night, he sat in the dark, dank container wondering if perhaps trusting Emerson’s two sisters had been a smart move, but he hadn’t had a better idea. When he heard footsteps outside the container door, he hoped for the best. He believed she would open the doors, and his faith in her would be justified.

She flung open the door, shining a flashlight in his face. “Have you lost your fucking mind?”

Viktor sank to his knees, adopting the position he had demanded she greet him with—well, except for the naked part.

“You came, malenkaya. You saved me.”

“Oh, for heaven’s sake, Viktor. Get up off your knees. God only knows what’s on the floor. Did you doubt I would? Although, you should know I know you well enough to know you had a backup plan in case I fucked up as badly as you.”

“Perhaps. But the sentiment in my text was sincere. My humblest of apologies for ever doubting you in the first place. Please say you will forgive me. I have never pleaded with anyone for anything, but I am begging you to do so.”

She stepped into the cargo container. “How am I supposed to say no to you?”

“I’m praying you can’t. I love you, Emerson Ravenel.”

“Yeah, that’s where the real issue was in not forgiving you; I love you, too. Now will you get up and come kiss me?”

He rose gracefully, which wasn’t nearly as easy as she made it look. He wrapped his arms around her, his mouth taking hers in a passionate kiss.

When he let her come up for air, she grinned at him, removing something from her pocket. “Want to know how I spent my day?” she asked, holding up the Nécessaire egg.

He returned her smile, reaching into his own pocket and fishing out her ring. He held it up so she could see it. “I propose a swap, although it isn’t much of one on your end. As soon as we’re married, the Nécessaire egg becomes yours, as well.”

She watched as he placed the ring on her finger. Her dazzling smile could have lit up not only the container but the entire harbor. “Deal,” she said, raising her face for another kiss. Just before his mouth came down on hers, she whispered. “And I’m keeping the parasol. I figure I’m going to need it.”

Viktor chuckled and kissed her deeply.

His great-great-grandmother had once told him the blood of the tzars flowed through his veins. Someday, he would tell his own children the same.

The Carriage House

Charleston, South Carolina

Several Months Before

Kendra Ravenel stood on one of the smaller scening stages of the Carriage House. Her nervousness was palpable. Not only had she never been flogged, but she’d also never scened in front of a group of people nor worn a blindfold.

Before long, Kendra felt the cold leather binding against her wrists as a man she’d never met before bound them together, securing her hands with the perfect degree of tightness. He led her to the flogging bench.

"Lie down," he purred in her ear before helping her down onto the cool leather. His voice was so soft, Kendra couldn’t place it, but it did sound familiar.

He secured her ankles first, knees bent and apart and then her wrists above her head, attaching them to something that clanked quietly. It felt like forever as he moved around her, adjusting things, running the falls of the flogger over her body. Kendra was practically vibrating by the time he leaned in and kissed her neck.

"You ready?" he whispered.

"Y-yes, sir."

The air was thick with an almost tangible tension as he began to flog her breasts, the leather falls hitting the soft flesh with a loud smack. Her nipples hardened under his touch, and she bit her lip to keep from moaning aloud. The pain was exquisite, and Kendra felt herself craving more. Each strike left a sting that had her body tensed, anticipating the next. He worked his way down, teasing her stomach and ribcage before moving lower to flog her thighs. As the blows rained down on her sensitive flesh, she arched into them unconsciously, seeking more pleasure from the pain. Every strike sent shockwaves of excitement through her, making her core clench tight with need.

When he reached her legs, Kendra felt his warm breath against her skin as he ran his tongue along her inner thigh. She shuddered at the unexpected but delicious sensation, wondering what would come next. He didn't disappoint as he continued to lick and nip at her skin, making her moan and writhe, before finally settling between them to make a meal of her. His hands grasped her thighs possessively, pulling her closer as he speared her with his tongue with surprising force. It was both shocking and arousing as he tasted her, growling in appreciation, lapping at her folds before circling her clit with his tongue, making her see stars.

She’d barely recovered when she heard him picking up another flogger—there had been several on the table next to the flogging bench.

He began by focusing on her sensitive pussy. The leather stinging against her skin was like nothing she’d ever experienced before—a mix of pain and pleasure that sent shockwaves throughout her entire being. Each swoosh of the flogger against her folds made her gasp and moan, her legs trembling.

The man was merciless, hitting every sensitive spot he could find, making her cry in delight and beg for more. The smell of her own musk mingled with their combined sweat as he continued to work her into a frenzy, driving her to the brink once again. And then, suddenly, he stopped.

Her body undulated in need.

"Not yet," he teased, his voice low and rough. "You're not to come again until I give you permission to do so." This time the voice was loud enough that she could identify it.

Holy fuck! Was that Sterling Cavanaugh? Viktor’s friend, and reportedly a colleague from the British Special Forces? The Scotsman was a fucking legend at the club and was known for being very discriminating in who he chose to scene with. Apparently, he’d been kicked out of his elite unit when a woman had accused him of harming her and had shown a video of his doing just that in a safe, sane and consensual way. The higher ups hadn’t seen it that way and he’d been cashiered out of the British military service.

He moved in front of her, releasing the ankle restraints and unhooking the belt from above her head. His strong hands came down to grip her hips tightly as he pulled them back further apart before climbing onto the flogging bench and leaning over her. His hot breath tickled her ear as he whispered naughty nothings in a deep Scottish brogue before flicking his tongue over her flesh. A shiver ran down her spine at the sensation.

Before she knew it, he pushed something cold and metallic onto Kendra’s nipple. It pinched and stung as if burning into her flesh, but it also sent tingles through her body that made her arch back into him even more forcefully than before. It was tight as he locked it into place.

Without warning, he released the first one only to snatch up another before clamping it onto her remaining nipple. The mixture of pain and pleasure was indescribable; Kendra couldn't tell if she wanted to scream or moan louder. But when he pulled her towards the edge of the bench, she could only cry out.

Kendra felt his stiff cock nudging against her entrance, he groaned before thrusting in deeply, bottoming out inside her. She couldn't help but whimper as he stretched her enough so that he was fully in before he gripped her hips tightly as he began to thrust.

The sensation of being filled by him, combined with the pinching of the nipple clamps and the soreness of her previously flogged body, was so overwhelming it didn’t take long for her orgasm to build. Heat pooled in her belly, and she knew that if he kept it up much longer, she'd be undone. His pace picked up speed as his groans grew louder—grunting with each forceful thrust that had her clawing at the leather beneath her.

"That's it," he rumbled. "Come for me, lass."

Kendra cried out as she climaxed, the feeling washing over her like a tidal wave and sweeping away every ounce of thought from her mind except for him. He kept pumping until, with a final, feral growl, he released himself, filling her completely with his hot seed.

Sterling Coming this Fall!