Page 17 of Captive Union
“Technically, yes. But you’ll soon be my bride. When I said you’re mine, I meant in every way.” I rake my eyes over her body, and Kira wraps herself up in another ball, her knees pulled up to her chest, her chin resting on her knees. “And that includes in name.” I lean in closer to her, “Soon, you won't be a Petrov. You’ll be a Novikoff and belong to me.”
“I don’t want to get married,” she whispers.
“It’s what’s expected of every mafia woman at some point. Is this any different?”
She pauses, and when I smile, she shakes her head.
“Is it different, Kira?”
“Maybe.”
I rest my arms on the bed, leaning closer to her. “How so?”
“You took me captive. I’m your prisoner. Most marriages are arranged for good matches. That’s how it’s different.” Her voice grows a fraction stronger as she speaks, but there’s still that airy quality I love.
“Who’s to say this isn’t a good match? We could unite our families and end this feud once and for all.”
She doesn’t look at me as she says, “You really want to unite our families? I thought you wanted to hurt mine.”
“I do. I was just making the point that us getting married isn’t that much different from any other marriage in the mafia. Everything is business. Everything is political. And I want to marry you to take you away from your family.”
“So you can hurt my family.”
“Yes.”
She keeps her eyes averted. “So, you don’t … want to marry me … for me? You want to marry me to hurt my brothers.”
I lean forward and grab her hand. “Can’t it be both?”
Her eyes meet mine, shock and confusion in them. “You … want to marry me … because you like me?”
“I like you very much,” I growl.
Her face flushes pink as she rips her hand away from mine. “This is super confusing.” She covers her face with her hands.
“How? I wanted you, so I took you. Yes, in part because I want to hurt your brothers. I want them to know they don’t get to play with people and not face the consequences. But I also desire you, Kira. It’s a win-win for me.”
She drops her hands. “This feels like a lose-lose situation for me. You get your revenge while I lose my entire family. How is that fair?”
“I never said it was. And I’m sorry you had to be my pawn. But I’m also making my intentions clear. I want you to be my wife.”
“To get back at my brothers!” Her voice raises. “Not because you love me. You … you … you’re a monster!”
I’m taken aback by the vehemence in her voice. “You can see me however you want,” I reply calmly, “but you’re going to end up being mine, Kira. Don’t try to fight it.”
“I just want to see my family. Please.”
An idea pops into my mind. “Then you can.” I stand up.
Kira lifts her head. “Really?”
“Yes. Get dressed. There are clothes in there.” I point to a small dresser near the bed that I stocked with clothes in Kira’s size. Just more work that my spies did. “I’ll come back down in a bit. And unless you want to repeat yesterday’s shower incident, I suggest you get dressed before I come back.”
I walk up the stairs, smiling when I hear her scrambling out of bed and opening the dresser. This idea was something I’d considered doing, but now, it seems like ample opportunity. Kira wants to see her family and I need to prove to them that I have her and they’re never getting her back.
I pull up Maxim’s number, which one of my spies gave me. I can’t hold back my grin as the line rings.
“Who is this?”
