Page 73 of Sinful Games

I turned to leave, but Romaniev grabbed my arm, pulling me back.

He pressed himself against my back, his lips brushing my ear. “Oh, Caia,” he whispered. “We’re getting married today, whether you like it or not.”

His hands slid to my hips as he nuzzled my neck. For a moment, I almost gave in, tempted to close my eyes and lean into him. But then the image of that photo he took—of me in a vulnerable, intimate moment while I slept—flashed in my mind.

Acting on pure instinct, I slammed my elbow intohis gut, wrenching myself free from his grip. He just laughed, clearly entertained by my futile attempt to fight back.

“Save it,” he interrupted with a cruel smirk, his eyes narrowing as he extended his hand. “You’ll have plenty of time to curse me out later. For now, we’ve got to sign these papers.”

I pulled back, refusing to let him touch me.

My jaw clenched. “Why the hell would you want to marry me? I thought you were smarter than this—throwing your life away over a pathetic game just because your ego got bruised.”

His eyes narrowed further, brows drawing together in a scowl. “Ruin my life? Marrying you won’t ruin a damn thing. I need a wife, and I picked you. It’s that simple.”

“Are you out of your mind?” I threw my hands up in disbelief. “Why am I the only one who sees how crazy this is?”

He scoffed, a mocking glint in his eyes as he leaned closer, his breath hot against my face. “You’re the one who started this game. I’m just finishing it. Upset that you lost so quickly?”

A wave of confusing thoughts clashed in my mind as my eyes roamed over his face. His gaze was cold and distant, but something flickered—determination. He wasn’t going to let this go easily; I could see it.

I stepped closer. “Who says you’ve really won?”

His shoulder tensed slightly. “I do.”

Animosity filled the air between us, suffocating me.

I sighed, suddenly feeling drained. “I’m not going through with this, Romaniev.”

I swung open the main door, and the biting winter wind slammed into me like a cruel, icy slap. It cut through my layers and clawed at my skin, leaving me gasping for breath as the chill seeped into my bones.

“One of our men is in your babushka’s room right now as we speak,” Romaniev’s voice stopped me. "He’s waiting for a text from me to choke her to death. I thought choking might betoo harsh, but frankly, I don’t give a fuck. So go ahead, Caia—leave. The second you get into that car, your dear babushka will be gone for good.”

It felt like a bucket of ice water had been dumped over my head. I froze.

“You’re bluffing,” I breathed out.

“Let’s find out,” he said, pulling out his phone.

A few seconds later, a voice came through the line. “Da.”

“Show me her face.”

I turned back to him, my legs nearly giving out beneath me. He held up his phone, and on the screen was my babushka, sound asleep. Her mouth was slightly open, the cover tucked under her chin, her hands resting on her chest, rising and falling slowly and peacefully. In the corner, I caught sight of Valeria, tape over her mouth, her hands bound tightly with rope. Her face was pale, eyes wide with fear as she sat on the floor.

Oh no.

Panic gripped me, and I rushed towards Alexsei, desperate to take his phone away.

But he instinctively lifted his arm high, so high that I couldn't possibly reach it.

Frustration escaped my lips in a desperate sigh as I pushed against his chest multiple times in vain.

"Should I go through with it?" The man on the other side of the phone asked.

"Nyet!" I screamed. "P-Please, don’t hurt her!"

Romaniev put his arm around me as my legs started to give way, and I fell to the ground, my face pressed to his chest, and my arms hugging myself tight.

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