LOGINI struggled as Nikolai pinned my hands together with just a single hand, his shirtless body hovering over me.
“Let me go!” I cried out in genuine panic. “So dramatic, you could have just asked for a divorce.” He said in a low voice, his amusement throwing me off. He wasn’t angry? “You think this is a joke?” I blurted from beneath him. “Your foolish attempt at killing me? Yes, Anya. You saw my tattoos, you know what it takes to earn those and yet you thought you could kill me with a pillow. What a silly girl!” “Fuck you!” I cursed as I wiggled under him. “Next time I will use something sharp.” I spat. He chuckled darkly. “This mouth of yours will get you in more trouble than your hands ever will.” He said as his eyes rested on my lips and my body shuddered. He lowered his head. “You know,” he let out a soft growl in my ears. “I have killed men for lesser offenses than what you just did. So how should I punish you, Wife?” My heart skipped a beat. Punish me? What would he do to me? When his eyes moved to my lips again, I knew what he was going to do and yet I couldn’t stop him, I didn’t stop him! You promised! I wanted to scream, but it was too late. He crushed my lips with his and kissed me fiercely. It was hot and domineering, like a savage beast he owned my lips, fully claiming them; the soothing taste of caffeine lingering between. At first I tried to fight him, but just like my hands that had remained imprisoned in his, my lips didn’t stand a chance. My resistance melted under his warm breath as he ravished my lips while I struggled to catch my breath. I had forgotten what a good kisser he was. I found myself giving in to him, unconsciously raising my head to kiss him back. It was when his free hand grabbed my thigh and gently slid down my nightie, sending a sensation running through my body, that I regained my senses. Fuck no! I can’t let him do this! Sensing his grip on my hand had loosened, I kicked him with my knee from between his open legs and then pushed him off me. I jumped off the bed breathing like a lizard that had fallen off a tall tree. Without looking back I ran to the door, trying to leave the room, but as I turned the door knob and pulled the handle, I came to the realization that the door was locked. “Open!” I screamed in frustration while pulling hard. Just then I heard keys jiggling behind. I looked back and found him waving a bunch of keys while calmly sitting down at the front edge of the bed. “Even if you managed to snatch it off me, it will still take you a couple minutes to find the right key. Like I said, foolish girl.” He smiled evilly. I stood there, my face dropping in disappointment. How do I outsmart a man like Nikolai Vetrov? I folded my hands and swallowed hard. “Open the door… I want out. I do not want to be your wife anymore; you cannot keep me here against my wish!” I stated. “Hmm… You are right,” he said, lying back on a pillow with both hands comfortably crossed behind his head, his muscles glowing under the bedside lamp. “I cannot stop you from leaving, but if you walk out that door, my deal with your father is canceled. And with the way things have been lately, I don’t think he will make it past this week when his enemies hear that he is no longer under my protection.” Nikolai smirked evilly. I paused, my body naturally giving up the idea upon hearing that. I hated that he was right. No, I didn’t care if my father got taken out; he was a monster who deserved death. What I was afraid of was what would happen after his death. With the Patriarch of the Sokolov family gone, my sisters and I will be vulnerable to attacks. Quite alright, Big sister Katerina might take over with her husband, but she was worse than my father. So yes, I needed my father alive, for now. “If you are done thinking about it, come to bed, Kiddo.” Nikolai gently tapped the space beside him. I cursed silently and slowly walked down to him. One of these days, I won’t need him anymore and I will drive the dagger through his heart myself. I got on the bed and lay with my back to him. There was silence between us for a while and then his voice came again. “Don’t you want to know why I left?” I huffed. “No… It is too late now.” I muttered as I turned off the bedside lamp. But deep down I wished he would tell me. I heard him sigh and turn off his own light. For the past four years, I had wondered the answer to that question. And in the beginning, I tried to make up excuses for him, tell myself that he had a good reason. But as time went on and I never heard from him, it became clear to me. He didn’t need a reason; he was just like every other man. He had gotten between my legs and then vanished. What I couldn’t understand was why he needed to pretend to be nice to get it? He had snatched me from my abductors, he could have forced himself on me; I was just seventeen and he was a full grown man. If his intentions were just to fuck me, he could have done it with or without my consent. Why did he go to great lengths to make me fall for him first? Why pretend to be a good person for days, showering me with love and care. Was this all a sick game to him? Tears rolled down my eyes as I thought about it. I hate you Nikolai Vetrov, I hate what you did to me and I will never forgive you! T. B. C!!Nikolai's POVI ran all the way up the stairs, straight to Anya's room. I had so many questions in my head.When? Why? How?When I walked into the room, my spirit high in expectation, I was disappointed to find it empty, with no trace of my wife. It was just the way I had left it days ago.“Anya, are you there?” I called as I walked to the bathroom but she wasn't there.I looked in the wardrobe to try and find the bags she had travelled with, but there was none of it in there.What is going on? Was Yelena messing with me? She knew better than to do that.I turned around dejected and headed towards my own room.But as I got to my door, I found it slightly open.“Fucking servants! Can't even keep a door closed!” I spat in anger.Barely ten minutes back home and I was back to the old me; angry and frustrated. Maybe Anya was right about this place.I pushed the door open and strolled in, only to be hit by that familiar scent, then I looked up with wide eyes and there she was!My wife! Any
Nikolai's POV After dropping Anya off, I had gone ahead to attend a meeting for one of our subsidiaries which lasted a few hours.In that time, I gave yet another thought to her request and I began to see a possibility. So I made a decision, I would return to Russia, avenge my brother, put the family business on the right track, then return to my wife.There will be no divorce!I don't like this country, and I hate abandoning my home even more, but I will do anything to be with the woman I love.After the meeting ended, I got on a private jet and headed back to Russia. Staring at the empty seats, I reminisced on my trip with Anya, my lips parted in a smile.At the airport, Lev was already there to pick me. An armored Cadillac Escalade and a convoy of Prados. I had almost gotten used to the silence of the road trips in America, maybe it's time I get rid of these escorts.“Welcome back home, Boss.” He said as he opened the car door.“It's good to be back, Lev.” I smiled.The cars soon
Anya's POVI had managed to hide my tears all morning. The Rolls-Royce finally pulled up in front of Lidiya's place. We had checked out of the hotel and Nikolai insisted on driving me back.“Yeah, that's my stop.” I said casually, trying to sound cheerful.I got out of the car with Nik and he helped me carry out my luggage from the back of the car.As he closed the trunk, we both reached for the luggage at the same time. Our hands met and we both looked up.“Let me help you,” he offered.“That won't be necessary, I still have enough energy to carry my own bag.” I joked with a little chuckle. “But thanks for offering.” I added immediately.“Don't be so stubborn, you don't want your friend to think I'm the devil you have painted me to be, do you?” He smirked.I laughed. “I'm afraid that I have made sure she sees you as nothing else. Anyway, you don't have to escort me in, you have done enough for me, Nik.” I said in genuine appreciation.I carried the bag slowly up the stairs at the thr
Nikolai's POVI lay on the bed, my arms folded under my head, staring at the ceiling in thoughts. Anya's words rang in my head over and over again.I was mad, so angry that I had the urge to go ask why she had to be so stubborn. What she asked of me was just impossible and selfish?I know my actions might have led to this choice of hers, but did she have to be so strong-headed?Shortly after, Anya joined me in the bedroom. I was starting to think she had decided to make bed at some other part of the suite.She had changed out of the robe to her nightgown.“Hey, you are still up.” She said softly as she got on the bed beside me.I just hummed, feeling the need to protest with my silence. As she pulled closer, I turned to face the other side of the bed and I could tell this offended her.“Hey! This is not fair, you are being mean to me right now!” She whined.I imagined her making her usual emotional face with pouted lips but I didn't let that sway me.“Nik!” She shook my shoulder. “Cud
Nikolai's POVI huffed and looked away. I couldn't believe what she was asking, how can she make such a condition? Spending the rest of my life in this crazy country?That sounded absurd to me. She is asking me to leave my entire world behind, my family, my business, my life!I shook my head and turned back to her.“Anya, I love you, but what you are asking is impossible. How do you expect me to stay here forever? This isn't our home.” I protested.“Home is anywhere we decide it to be, Nik.” She said, stretching her arm to take my hand across the table. “We can make here our home.”“That's totally unnecessary, Anya. I understand your fear and I am giving you my word that I would never treat you like you are worthless again, I will always respect you, you can trust me.” I pledged.“Maybe I can, but it's not just you I am worried about, Nik. It is everyone! My family, my father, the toxicity of the life I was born into. While cheating on me might have been the last straw that pushed me
Riena's POVI was dressed in a simple blue gown, scrolling through my phone when the doorbell rang.“On time,” I muttered in surprise.I got off the bed and opened the door, and there was Lev, standing in a black suit with a flower bouquet in his hand.I almost laughed but I had to hold it in to avoid embarrassing him.“Hey, you… you look pretty.” He said and I could tell he was nervous.“Hi, you keep to time.” I said and he chuckled.“I brought you this,” he said, handing me the flower.I took the flowers with a smile and then tossed it on the bed. “Thank you Lev, but I am not a girl you should bring flowers to, or act like a gentleman to impress.” I confessed, tugging on his suit for emphasis.Lev laughed. “Ah, great, because I didn't know how long I could keep up the act.” He replied, immediately taking off the suit.“Lev, you don't need to put on an act with me, I want to know the real you, so be real with me.” I encouraged, while taking the suit from him.I tossed the suit to the







