Page 25 of Debt to the Mafia King
“I’m more than capable of looking after myself, cooking, and cleaning.” My eyes narrowed. “Although I’m guessing cleaning takes all day.”
“I wouldn’t know. That’s why I have a staff, and you won’t be lifting a finger. As my wife, there are certain appearances that need to be met, and you will behave. Is that understood?”
I turned to him in shock, but in reality, it shouldn’t have been a shock at all. Of course, the beautiful man in front of me had never cleaned anything in his life. He had a staff.I fought the urge to roll my eyes but bit back the retort about behaving and acting my part.
Arguing with him just wasn’t going to work. Better to be the docile fiancée until I got the lay of the land. Our lives were so different. Worlds apart, actually, and it made me wonder if we had anything in common at all.
“I want to talk to you quickly before we go inside.” The warmth of his fingers slipped away from mine, and his fist clenched. Just like that, he was back to being cold and aloof. It happened so fast that I couldn’t keep up with it. His mood swings were already giving me whiplash.
“There are certain rules I want you to follow under my roof. As my fiancée and, very soon to be, my wife, things will be expected of you.” This time, I couldn’t help but roll my eyes.
With a snarl, he gripped my chin. Yanking my face towards his. “I wouldn’t do that if I were you,” he warned. But there was something in his voice that made me pause, a glint of hunger. “Or maybe you should do it again, my hand is itching to paint your backside red again, Printsessa.”
I swallowed hard. “What are the rules?” My eyes stayed on my lap. Demure and submissive. Wasn’t that what he wanted?
“The house is yours to explore, apart from my room, my office, and library. The gardens as well as long as you take your guard with you.”
“I have a guard?” I blurted out before I could help myself.
He looked at me like I was stupid. “You will always dress before you come down for breakfast or leave your room. I won’t have my wife looking disheveled. And you will wear what I lay out for you. Your hair and makeup will always be done.”
“So I am a doll you want to dress up.” The words left my mouth before I could stop them.
So much for being submissive. His fingers on my chin tightened. “You’re my doll that I want to dress up and fuck, Printsessa. This is a business arrangement and nothingmore. Remember that. Now let’s get this over with.” Swinging open the door, he stepped out.
“Are there any more rules?” I called out to him, and for a second, he paused and glanced over his shoulder with a rueful smile.
“Plenty. They have been placed with another copy of your contract, which is in your room. I suggest you study it in your free time today so that you are comfortable with it by tomorrow.”
Hurriedly, I climbed out of the car and rushed to stand next to him. “What happens tomorrow?”
His hand found mine, but instead of holding it like he had done in the car, he tucked it into the crook of his arm and led me up the wide stairs just as the front door opened with a flourish.
“We get married.”
I tugged on his arm, and begrudgingly, he paused long enough to look at me.
“We haven’t even had a date, Viktor. How can we be getting married in twenty-four hours? I don’t know you.” I didn’t know why it came as a shock, but it did. Maybe in some small part of my brain, I expected a more “traditional” engagement. One where he wooed me before we stood in front of a minister.
One look at him and I knew that wasn’t going to happen, and I felt myself shrivel a little inside. Until that moment, I hadn’t really thought about my wedding and marriage, but I knew this wasn’t what I had dreamed of.
I wanted romance. I wanted love. I wanted everything he couldn’t give me, and I couldn’t even tell him no because, now, it was too late.
He was on me in a second. His hand clamped around my throat as he forced me backward against the door frame with so much force that the air left my lungs in a whoosh.
“You weren’t so prudish when I was making you cum, Leah.” Roughly, he reached between my legs and rubbed at the wet patch. “You forgot about the date and romance then, didn’t you, or do I need to remind you?”
I swallowed hard but couldn’t talk because of the hand around my throat.
“This is an arrangement, nothing more, Leah.” He dropped his face to mine. Leaning his forehead against mine and sighing, but his fingers kept brushing against the wet patch. “I own you. No romance, no feelings. I’ll take what is mine whenever and however I want because that is the deal you made. And if you behave, you will enjoy it.” His lips twitched. “But if you don’t—”
A cough sounded behind us.
It happened in an instant. One second, he was on me, all brooding and dangerous, and the next, his face broke into a grin that was truly beautiful. And genuine.
“Mrs. Colper,” he turned to greet the small, squat woman behind us with a hug. “Cathy.”
“Viktor.” She hugged him back. “And this must be Leah.” Stepping away from him, she gave me the once-over. “She’s very beautiful, Viktor.” Playfully, she swatted his arm. “But much too young for you. Come on, lovey, let’s get you settled in upstairs.” She reached out to loop her arm around mine, but her eyes were firmly set on Viktor. “The others are in your study.”
