Page 27 of Crown of Hate

Her throat bobs. “I-I do."

“Explore the city all you want. I don’t care, as long as you’re with your bodyguards.” It’ll also help keep her busy while I try to sort out my shit with Akim and Boris.

Her face scrunches up. “Bodyguards? Why do I needbodyguards?”

“You’re my wife now, Alya. And I’m wanted by the Bratva in Russia,” I explain.

“I know, but why do I have to suffer for it?” She closes her eyes for a moment and takes a deep breath. “I don’t want abodyguard. It’s creepy knowing some big guys will be following me everywhere. I won’t have any privacy.”

“You’ll hardly notice them, trust me.”

“No, I don’t need bodyguards!” she insists.

“Listen, Alya,” I say, leaning forward slightly. “You’re my wife. And believe it or not, your safety matters to me. You can either have them go with you or stay at home. I’ll let you choose which ones you’re comfortable having around when you’re ready.”

She fixes me with a fiery glare, her eyes practically shooting sparks. “Asshole.”

“Heard that one a lot,” I murmur, returning my attention to my breakfast.

The rest of the meal passes in stony silence. When Alya finally pushes up from her chair, I can’t help but let my gaze roam appreciatively over her form. Those long, slender legs, the way my shirt clings to her curves, accentuating every tantalizing swell and dip… and those pert, tempting nipples, straining against the fabric…

Fuck me…

As I watch her standing there, clad in nothing but my shirt, a fierce, possessive urge to shield her from prying eyes surges through me. The mere thought of other men ogling her has my blood boiling with jealousy.

I’ll rip the heart out of any man who dares look at her the wrong way, even if they’re one of my own men.

She’smine, and mine alone.

“One more thing,” Alya says, breaking the charged silence. “I need to go shopping. I can’t wear your shirts forever.”

“When would you like to go?”

She thinks for a second. “Tomorrow. And I need a phone. My mom has probably been trying to reach me by now.”

“You can always call her with my phone.” Akim will try to reach her the moment he realizes she’s truly all he has left to use against me. I can’t risk him trying to fill her head with some nonsense and turning her against me.

“No, Mikhail. I need myownphone.”

I hold her gaze, weighing the risks. Finally, I sigh. “No phones until I can trust you.”

She glares, fuming, but fortunately for me, she doesn’t argue any further.

“Oh, and actually, Alya…” I pause, clearing my throat. “I think it would be best if I came along with you.”

Her eyes widen, and a mixture of surprise flickers in their depths. “Why?”

“Would you prefer if I didn’t?” I push my plate aside. “If that’s what you want, I’ll respect your wishes.”

She rolls her eyes dramatically. “Whatever.” And with that she spins on her heel and flounces out of the room, her hair swishing tantalizingly behind her.

My cock jerks in response, and I can’t tear my eyes away as I watch her go. She’s pissed about last night, butgod, she has no idea how badly I wanted to pin her down and take her right here on the table.

9

ALYA

I’m two days into this marriage, and I swear I’m about to strangle my husband.

---