Combativeness drips from her lips as she spits one more time, “Fuck you.”

I grab her chin as I position my cock at her entrance. The wet heat beckons me closer, daring me to enter.

She wants to insult me? Fine.

I’ll fuck the attitude right out of her.

Chapter Twenty-Six

Liya

I don’t have time to react when Pavel descends upon me.

My protector. My husband. My entire world.

Those are the things he is to me.

Or at least, those are the things hewasto me.

He grips my chin while sliding his fingers over my slit, forcing me to moan into the palm of his hand. My eyes disappear into my skull. How many times has that happened when he touches me? Every time?

I hate it. I’m helpless to his charm. I’m utterly overwhelmed by the ease with which he commands my body.

Don’t get me wrong. Idowant him inside me right now. But I truly did mean everything I said.

Bastard.

Monster.

He’s both those things and more. He’s the devil trying to drag me into hell.

He’s always had horns. He’s just very good at hiding them.

My thighs clench when he rubs my clit. I focus on him again, noticing the tight lines of concentration masking his expression. I’m so wet that my slit makes an obscene slurping sound every time he dips between my glistening lips.

I can’t stop it.

And worse, I can’t stoplikingit.

I hate what being with him has turned me into. I’m as much a monster as him, maybe worse. I ordered my brother’s execution as well as that of many others. People have died—are dyingright now—because of decisions I’ve made.

Somehow, I’ve become just as bad as Pavel—the monster lurking around the corner.

They never suspect me.

And that’s what makes it all the worse.

Kind Liya, compassionate Liya, would never give in to such power. She would fight tooth and nail to do the right thing.

When did my choices become so perverted by power? Hunger?Desire?

Did Pavel really do this to me?

Or is this what I always was? Did I just hide it from the world until Pavel finally loosened my chains?

His thumb slides into my mouth, prompting me to suck. I obey without question as he nestles his fingers between my slit, teasing me and daring me to do something.

It’s taking all my strength to keep from begging him to take me. To use me. To make mefeelsomething.