“Let me talk to him. Let me convince him you won't get me into trouble. I will make sure he’ll keep all of us safe, ok? Just let me do that.”
Mila slowly nods. “I think we should let her do that, Vik.”
Vik’s face is ice cold. The Ice Queen.
“You’re not safe back in New York,” I remind her. “And you’re not safe in Moscow, where you don’t even know the language. Let me talk to Mikhail.”
After a moment, she sighs. “Fine.”
I brush past her and head to Mikhail’s office, passing Mary on the way. She’s aggressively cleaning the floor and glares at me as I go.
Standing before Mikhail’s office fills me with fear. I’m willingly going back to him after what he just did to me. I want nothing more than to run away from him. And I want nothing more than to have him hold me again.
I knock.
“Who is it?” he asks.
“It’s Sofiya.”
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.
