“How is Mikhail as a boss?”

Mary scoffs. “Why would I talk with you? I don’t like you, girl.”

“Why not? What have I done to you?”

“It’s not you. You’re just not her.”

I stand up straighter, my heart beating faster. “Who’s her?”

“The previous lady of this house. She was much more elegant. She also knew her place.”

“Wait. What lady?”

“Mikhail’s wife.”

I feel like I’ve been punched in the gut. “Mikhail was married before me? He never said.”

“Why wouldn’t he? She’s dead. It causes him a lot of pain.”

Knowing that Mikhail has been married before fills me with jealousy. I’m not the first woman he’s married.

I feel immediately bad. His previous wife died. I should feel sympathy.

And then a dark thought enters my head.

“How did she die?” Please don’t let it be at Mikhail’s hands. Please, please, please.

“I … can’t say.” Mary turns away from me and starts vigorously cleaning the counter.

“Why can’t you say? Did he … hurt her?”

“What?” She whips back around. “No! I can say that with certainty. Her death was not his fault.”

“Ok,” I whisper. At least, that’s something. “Is there anything else I should know about Mikhail? I am his wife now.”

“That’s it. Mikhail is a good boss. He treats me with respect. He pays well. I wouldn’t want to work for anyone else.”

I rub the welts on my arm. “Did you hit his previous wife, too?”

Mary gives me a withering stare. “She never did anything to deserve it.” Her words are a slap to the face.

“See you at dinnertime,” I mutter and leave the kitchen. So, Mikhail was married, and he didn’t think to tell me. Why? Was her death that painful he can’t talk about it? Or did he not love her and didn’t care if she died?

With a deep breath, I force myself to knock on Mikhail’s office door. I need to go to the source.

“Come in,” Mikhail says.

I open the door.

“Sofiya? What can I do for you? I’m in the middle of work right now.”

“I know. I don’t mean to bother you. But I was just told that you were married before, and you didn’t mention it to me.”

Mikhail tenses for a moment before nodding. “Mary. She told you.”

“Yes.” I wring my hands together. Standing before him while he sits behind his imposing desk is intimidating. He has all the power. “If I’m going to give myself to you, then you have to be honest with me. I have a right to know my husband.”

“You’re correct. You do have that right.” He sighs and leans back in his chair. “I didn’t tell you before because I didn’t see the need to. Natasha and I were in an arranged marriage, one my father set up for us. We married young. I was only eighteen. I lost her a few years later. We didn’t love each other. That never really came, but we tolerated each other. We even became friends. Then I lost her. I haven’t thought about her in years. Natasha was my past, but you’re my future. I don’t really care to look back.”

His words filter through my mind. “Ok. Thank you for telling me.”

“You’re welcome. Is there anything else you’d like to know?”

“Can I trust you?”

“You’ll have to figure that out for yourself. If you decide to join me later tonight, then you’ll know the answer to that. If you don’t, then you also have your answer.”

I grip my hands together to stop them from shaking. “But you want me to be submissive. Don’t you want to make those decisions for me?”

He smiles slightly, which makes his hardened face even more handsome. I push the thought away so I can focus on what he says. “When it comes to this, I need you to choose. I would never force you to become my sub.”

“But didn’t you force me into this marriage?”

“Did I? You didn’t have to marry me. You could have chosen Boris. But instead, you decided to come with me. I didn’t force you, Sofiya. I didn’t kidnap you. You’re here of your own free will.”

My heart is pounding so fast I can barely think. “So, if I wanted to leave, I could?”

He places his hands on his desk—so large and imposing. “I wouldn’t go that far. When you married me, you became mine. I want you safe. So, yes, you can leave the house if you want, but under my supervision or with a guard. Never by yourself. But you’re not going to leave me, Sofiya. You’re bound to me now.”

It’s an illusion of choice, which angers me. I’m just angry. Angry at him. Angry at the situation he’s put me in. Angry at losing my parents.

“I don’t know what you want from me,” I admit. “You want me to choose to be with you, but you chose that for me. So, which is it?”

“It’s both.” He sits back down. “I want you, so I took you. But I want you to want me, too. Which is why I’m giving you a choice now. Submit to me fully, and I will let your sisters come here. If you choose not to, then we can continue on as we are, but you’re sisters will not be joining us.”

Do I want to continue as we have been? With Mikhail intimidating me? With feeling lonely every day? If I submit to Mikhail, maybe I won’t be so lonely anymore. But I would be giving up every ounce of power I have.

And I’m still scared of what he’ll do with it.

“I need more time to think,” I say.

He nods. “Then I’ll see you tonight. Or not.” He turns back to his computer, silently telling me I’m dismissed.

I leave his office even more confused about how I feel.

How am I supposed to know what to expect tonight if I’ve never been in this position before?

Then a thought occurs to me—there’s someone who knows what Mikhail’s like as a dom.