A beat. “Come in.”

I slowly open the door and find him leaning against his desk, his head bowed low. He glances up at me.

We stare at each other for a moment, and then Mikhail opens his arms wide, and I find myself crying and running right into him. He wraps me against him.

“Your punishment is over,” he tells me. I sag in relief.

“Mikhail, I need to talk to you.” I wipe my tears away. “The reason my sisters want to leave is because they don’t feel safe here. But you can keep them safe. Can’t you?”

He pulls away from me and walks around his desk, sitting down. Instantly, I feel the distance grow between us. “It was your sisters who convinced you to go. I don’t trust them. I don’t want them here. They’re leaving and going back to New York.”

“But Boris is there. He’ll force Mila or Vik to marry him. I can’t have that. Please. Please tell me they can stay, and you’ll protect them.”

“They wanted to leave. They’re free to go.”

“But I want them here. And the only way they’ll stay is if they know they’ll be safe. Please. If you care for me at all, Mikhail, you’ll do this.”

He flinches but quickly composes himself. I’ve never seen my husband look so uncertain before.

Meeting my gaze, he says, “I have a deal. I’ll let your sisters stay and offer them protection.”

My heart blooms. “Thank you.”

He holds up a hand, and all my hope is dashed. “But you have to give me something in return.”

“What?” I’ve already given him so much.

“Give me your virginity.”

I blink. And then it dawns on me. I’m not sure if I’m ready to have sex yet fully, but Mikhail’s and my chemistry is intense. I could do this for him if it meant saving my sisters.

“That’s not all,” he continues. “I like to frequent a BDSM club nearby. A lot of people attend it. Both men and women. People will put on shows for others.”

“Like …”

“Yes. Like have sex in front of other people. If you want me to keep your sisters safe, then you will give me your virginity and you will do it in front of a group of people at the club. You will let me be your dom when I do it. Not your husband.”

All the air leaves my body, and I have to take a seat in the chair opposite his desk. “And if I say no?”

“Then I won’t make you. But your sisters are going back to New York. They can deal with Boris on their own. Think about it. Don’t make a decision right now.”

But I have to. Because if I don’t, Vik will try to leave either way, and I have to protect her even though she’s too stubborn to see it.

I have to save my sisters at all costs, but what about me? Mikhail wants to claim me in front of a group of strangers. I’m his trophy again. Not his wife.

I stand up and leave his office, weighing my options. I could give him what he wants, and I’ll be bound to him forever. My sisters will be safe, but I don’t think I will be.

But if we escape, none of us will be safe. At least we’ll have each other.

And our freedom.

I walk back into the kitchen and look at my sisters. I can’t make them lose their freedom, and if they stay here, they’ll be a prisoner just like I am.

There’s only one choice:

“We’re leaving,” I tell them.

Even though it’s the last thing I want.

Chapter

Ten

SOFIYA

“How?” Mila asks as we head upstairs. “Will Mikhail let you?”

“No,” I whisper. “Now, we can’t talk about this more. Mikhail is busy during the day, so we’ll leave tomorrow. We’ll have to sneak past Mary, but we can do that. Now, no more talking.”

“But, Sofiya.” Mila grabs my hand. “Are you sure about this?”

“Of course, she’s sure,” Vik says. “She wouldn’t be saying it if she weren’t. Where are we going to go?”

“Let’s just focus on getting out of Russia first.” I give Mila a smile. “I’m ok. I’ll be ok.”

Will I? I don’t really want to leave Mikhail. He’s the only person who can truly keep me safe.

But I can’t be his trophy. I can’t let him use my body against me.

I pack a change of clothes in a small suitcase Mikhail has in the closet and store it under the bed. Surely, he won’t check under there. God, I hope not.

If he knew I was leaving him now, after he just punished me, I can’t imagine what he’d do to me.

For the rest of the day, I pace around the bedroom. Mary doesn’t come in here much, so I don’t have to worry about dealing with her. It’s better I don’t talk to my sisters right now. I can’t risk Mary overhearing us again.

When night comes, I force myself to lie in bed and pretend to sleep when Mikhail joins me. He gets under the covers and leans over, kissing me on the cheek. I hold perfectly still.

I can feel him staring at me until he lies back down and turns the light off. I don’t move the rest of the night, even when my shoulder starts to ache from lying on it for so long. Eventually, sleep takes over, and I have no choice but to listen to it.

I gasp when I wake up, thinking I lost track of time, but it’s only eight in the morning. Mikhail isn’t beside me. Good. He’s already up and working, which means he’ll be distracted.

I enter the kitchen, acting as normal as possible, and take the food Mary begrudgingly gives me. Mila and Vik are already there, picking at their food.

I want to tell them not to look suspicious, but then that would only make me look more suspicious.

Once we finish eating, the three of us head back upstairs and huddle in Vik’s room.

“So, now, what?” Vik asks.