Page 4 of Reign of Four

Ice trails down my spine, dousing any fire left within me. I can handle a little smack here or there. The knife . . . is concerning, I’ll admit, but he shouldn’t get carve-happy. I need to keep a pretty face or the Bratva will revolt against our so-called marriage.

Liam’s fingers play with the ragged edges of my bodice. “Unless you enjoy a little pain with your pleasure, zhena. I’ll admit, it’s not something we’ve tried before . . . but I’ll do anything to please you.” His lips ghost over the shell of my ear, sending goosebumps down my arms. His voice rasps in my ear, low and menacing. “Did you let them fuck you, Valentina? Have you been a naughty girl while I’ve been gone?”

My heart beats wildly in my chest. No. That’s where I draw the line. Right there. I can handle a little physical violence. I can stomach being called a whore or a bitch or whatever else Liam can come up with.

I won’t tolerate anything in the realm of sex.

“This isn’t a real marriage.” I pull at the rope binding my wrists, gritting my teeth against the pain. If I could just get a hold of the knife— “This is not a honeymoon. We are not sharing any sort of—” I bite my tongue, forcing myself to stop. The words marriage bed and wedding night cut deep. I had plans for tonight that didn’t involve my ex-boyfriend forcing himself on me.

That might be the one thing that truly breaks me.

To my horror, a familiar slickness pools between my thighs, Andrei’s voice echoing in my head. I know fear gets you off. My stomach cramps, and I clench my eyes shut. This is not happening. This is not fucking happening.

My lip trembles and hot tears pool in my eyes. I don’t want to be a victim. I want to be a badass.

I want to be a queen.

Queens don’t cry. Not once did I ever see my mother or grandmother cry about anything. It’s my first unofficial day on the job, and I’m already failing at it.

“Malyshka. Look at me.”

If Liam heard a word I said, he ignores it, grabbing my bodice and tearing the rest open to bare my chest to him. Once it’s out of the way, he grabs a handful of my skirt and tugs, ripping what he can and cutting the rest.

“Valentina. Look at me.”

I force my eyes open, but I can’t see Mikhail through my tears. I blink rapidly until they clear and I can see my boyfriend’s face. His jaw is tight, the anger in his eyes burning hot. “Count your tears,” he reminds me, “and we’ll make him suffer for every single one. Won’t we, Ezra?”

A grunt through the speaker lets me know Ezra is still there. My heart seizes painfully. I suddenly wish they were anywhere else. I draw a breath, but I don’t know what to say. I can’t ask them to leave. I don’t want them to stay, but I don’t want to be alone with Liam, either.

Once my skirt is torn away, all that’s left are my lacy white panties—the ones I’d saved especially for tonight. I clench my thighs together, but it’s no use. Liam shoves them apart, cool air greeting the apex of my thighs and making me shiver.

I wait for something to happen.

I pray I’m about to pass out.

A snarl fills the air as Liam backs away from me, looking angrier than I’ve ever seen. He tosses the knife to the floor and runs both hands through his hair. “You’re fucking bleeding, Valentina. For fuck’s sake.”

The cuts on my chest sting. Of course I’m bleeding. He fucking cut me.

But then I feel it—a deep cramp in my gut, an unmistakable scent in the air, a wetness down there that can only mean?—

“I’m on my period.” I gasp in a breath as relief floods my system, fresh tears springing to my eyes. I’m not turned on. I’m on my period.

Liam looks offended, like I’d planned for this. In all our years together, he never initiated sex while I was on my period, and I never asked. It seems like that’s his limit.

I’m eternally grateful for it.

He presses the pads of his thumbs to the back of his eyelids and sighs. “You know, I was really looking forward to tonight. You just had to go and ruin it.”

I can’t control when I’m on my period, but if I could, I’d bleed for the rest of my life if it meant Liam would never touch me.

“But—” His eyes snap open. “This does mean I’ll be the one putting a baby inside you, after all.” He licks his lips and the corners of his mouth lift. “No more condoms for us, Valentina. After all, we’re married now.” He shakes his head with a small laugh. “I indulged you with them in the past, but there’s no reason for it now. As soon as you’re done bleeding—” his face twists with disgust “—I’m filling that womb of yours with my seed. Then we’ll see who your body belongs to once you’re bearing my child.” He crosses to the tablet and sneers at the screen. “Say goodbye, boys. Show’s over. I’m going to enjoy filling up my wife with my cum very soon. But you won’t be around to see it.” He sighs. “A shame, honestly. I’d love for you to hear her scream my name as I knock her up.”

“You won’t touch her,” Mikhail growls. “I’m going to kill you before you get the chance.”

Liam glances at me over his shoulder. “How long’s your period last, baby? Five days?”

“Seven.” I practically scream the word. “Seven days. Not five. I’m a heavy bleeder.” I can’t believe we’re talking about this. But if it keeps Liam off of me for longer, I’ll gladly tell him it lasts a whole damn month. “Sometimes it lasts two weeks.”

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