Page 56 of The Lazarov Bratva

“Is it because I touched you? Wrapped my hand around your throat and moved you like you were a weightless doll? Is it because we’re holding the longest conversation you’ve ever had, hmm?” Her cheeks flush darker the more I talk. “Or is it because you already know what my cock can do? You don’t have to tell me. I’ll find out eventually.”

“Fuck you,” she mutters.

I chuckle. “If you want me to.”

She doesn’t reply.

“This will be easy if you meant what you said about coming willingly. But you should know by now, Alena, that things in our world hold actions higher than words. You want to be here with me? Prove it. I have you either way.”

Alena is silent, but she tilts her head and her long, blonde hair spills across one shoulder in a light caress.

“I did mean that,” she says stubbornly, and she huffs. “You don’t need to put me in a cage.”

“No, I don’t,” I agree. “But I want to.”

And that’s the kicker. The woman I have hungered for, that I’ve stripped my dick raw for, is now naked and locked away in my cage, waiting for whatever I want to do to her. The power trip is enough to make me almost dizzy. Slowly, I start to pace in front of her.

“I will make things clear, Alena. I will take care of you. The shower has hot water, and you will have three square meals a day. You won’t waste away here, and I will include vitamins to make up for the absence of sunlight. I want respect—no, I need respect. I have rules, and if you obey them, we will get along perfectly, understand?”

I glance at her, and while a debate seems to rage in her eyes, she nods just once.

“No talking back is the first rule. I’m not here to have arguments, understand?” I glance at her again but continue before she can answer. “What I say goes. That means if I want to keep you in there, I will. If I want to tie you to the bed, you’ll thank me for it. No bratty behavior. I can already tell that will be a struggle, but I deal with enough pushback and sarcasm at work. I don’t want to come home and face it here.”

Given her current responses, my whip will be getting a lot of use to tame that animal inside her.

“No eye-rolling. You’re not a child. No petulant behavior. If you have an issue about anything, then we will discuss it. I’m not against compromise, but I am against stewing and lying.” My steps halt, and I face her fully. She’s settled a little more now and is toying lightly with the pendant around her neck.

“No trying to escape. I have zero tolerance for that. Don't try to hurt me because you will lose and regret it, understand? No lying, either, even about small things. If I ask you how you are, I want an honest answer. I can’t help you if you hide things from me. And finally, for now, I want you to always address me as Sir.”

Silence hangs between us when I finish talking, and I watch Alena as she processes everything I’ve said. I’m no fool. There will be pushback, but that will be exciting. Alena is smart and savvy, so I will just need to guide her.

“Why?” Alena asks after a moment, and her eyes narrow. “Why shouldn’t I try to run away? You don’t believe me, you don’t trust me, and you’ve locked me in a cage.” She shoves one hand against the bar for emphasis. “So why should I want to stay?”

“I told you.” A curl of exasperation settles in my chest. “Actions speak louder than words. You need to show me that you can be trustworthy. Just as I will show you that I have no intention of—what was it? Oh, chopping you into itty-bitty pieces. I already know you want me in some capacity, Alena. I’m giving you the opportunity to tap into your full submissive potential.”

“And if I refuse?” She bites her lower lip, eyes still sharp and narrowed.

“If you refuse? Your alternative is going back home to be sold to Mikhail who will make me look like a fucking saint.” The thought sours me, and in the back of my mind, I know the truth.

I will never give her back. I will never give her to Mikhail.

Over my dead fucking body.

“And I will promise one thing.”

“What’s that?”

“I will not fuck you again until you ask me for it. Understand?”

Alena’s eyes widen, and she watches me, chewing on her lower lip. Part of me would give anything to know what’s going on in her mind, but I am not privy to her thoughts. I will make do with her body.

Finally, her shoulders lift and she takes a deeper breath as some of the attitude melts away.

“Okay,” she says.

I click my tongue. “Yes, what?”

“Yes, Sir.”

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