Page 56 of Ruthless Reign

“Did what?” I ask, genuinely confused.

A second later, he leans forward and runs his finger under my eye. What he’s talking about comes into stark focus.

The bruise. The one Anatoly gave me the night of the dinner party.

I try to keep my expression flat. “Oh, that.” I shrug like it's no big deal. “I was half asleep heading to the bathroom in the middle of the night. Banged into a wall.”

Even though the bruise has faded, he looks at it with such outrage that I don’t know how to process it. I had been covering it up with makeup the entire time in London, but with everything going on today, I forgot. Bad move.

His chilling tone stifles my breath. “Must have been quite a powerful wall to bruise you like that.”

“It’s fine.” My face heats, and I seriously need him to drop it.

“Why?” he asks, dark energy rolling off of him in waves.

I stiffen. “Why what?”

“Why marry him? Surely, there are other rich men who can give you what you want.”

I flinch, his words feeling like alcohol on a wound, but I shouldn’t be surprised. I’ve led him to believe that money is the only thing important to me.

“Men like you?” I immediately regret my words.

“No, milaya, you should stay away from men like me.”

My heart sinks—we’re a story that ends before it even begins. I don’t know how to process all these emotions, so I lean into anger instead. “How about you mind your own damn business?”

“After last night, you are my damn business,” he growls.

My throat thickens with emotion, but I swallow it down as I always do.

Roman may have helped protect Sofiya, killed a man who disrespected me, paid a stupid amount of money so no one else could have me, and made me feel like I actually matter, but I need to end this now—before it threatens everything.

“Last night should’ve never happened,” I say, unable to look him in the eyes.

He releases a bitter laugh and rakes an angry hand through his hair. “Definitely not. Because an engaged woman shouldn’t have been selling off her virginity.” He leans forward so we’re eye to eye and grabs my chin. Our lips are inches apart. “Aren't you sick of the hold your parents have over you? Isn't it time you put yourself first?” He lowers to his haunches in front of me. “Let me help you. Just say the word, and I’ll do whatever it takes.”

His offer breaks open a part of me that’s been dead for a long time. Roman is no white knight—he’s dark and dangerous, and operates in the underworld—but I know he’d do what he could to protect me. My heart flutters at the thought, only to then clench in pain.

I can’t accept his help because it would mean giving another man control over my life. In the end, what could Roman really offer me other than money? Protection, maybe. But he's tied to Anatoly, and with their business connections, ending things won't be easy.

Sucking in a lungful of air, I cross my legs and fold my hands in my lap. Emptying my expression of all emotion, I give him a blank smile. “I enjoyed myself last night, but it was a terrible lapse in judgment. I blame pre-wedding nerves. I’m grateful you stopped things from going too far because it would have been a mistake I’d regret. You don’t owe me anything, Roman. From here on out, we go our separate ways.”

“Bull-fucking-shit.” His words come out sharp and pointed, like edges of a glass shard. “You enjoyed yourself? Understatement of the fucking year. You loved my hands on your body, my tongue in your cunt, and you were desperate for my cock. You may have done it for money, but there was nothing fake about the way you exploded on my tongue. And trust me, sweetheart, your taste is forever branded in my memory.”

It feels as though I've been sucked in by the ocean's current, tossed in the waves, and then thrown back onto the shore, weak and disoriented. But despite the undeniable pull between us, the explosive chemistry, I can’t let him believe that we can be anything more.

I lower my gaze, hiding my breathlessness caused by his words. “Like I said… I enjoyed myself, but I’m not looking for a repeat. I will marry Anatoly. You might not understand it, but I’m committed to him.”

His lip curls in disdain, and his hand tightens around his phone. If he squeezes any harder, I’m pretty sure it’ll break.

“Whatever you say.” He uncoils to his full height, straightens his leather jacket, and casually checks his watch. “Tell yourself whatever story you need to to sleep at night. It doesn’t change anything between us.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

ROMAN

The passenger door of my car swings open and then slams shut with a definitive thud as Pavel slides into the seat next to me.

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