I’m losing myself in him, and it’s the perfect salve to chase the baggage of the past away. He dives in with the tip, deep diving between my sensitive folds, my fingers massaging into his head.

Maybe it’s in my blood, and I’ve been denying everything I am. Maybe I’ve been fated to end up with a man in organized crime. Why else would I circle back to a man who works in its underbelly? As the peak of pleasure threatens to steal the show, I consider Ryurik might be the one to show me in his own way, not to judge an occupation. I drink in the intensity of Ryurik’s fire for me, letting his tongue work its magic, my legs shaking before I explode.

He comes up for air, sticky with sweat, a dirty grin on his handsome face. “That’s the type of work I like to do.” He wipes his mouth, his cock glistening, waiting for its turn.

Languidly, I open my eyes, sighing through the faint contractions of orgasm afterwards.

“Mmm,” I murmur, bringing my legs up to my knees as Ryurik groans at my open channel, my head and body ringing.

“Emily, Ryurik whispers hoarsely, the moment taking me right where it needs to. I watch as he gently inserts his glistening cock, stretching me out. All the pain disintegrates as his hips thrust forward slowly at first, his hand splayed over the folded ripples of my stomach as he pumps. I wrap my thick legs around him, wanting us to be one. Touching a hand to his chest, he thrusts his hips forward, but not before dipping to kiss my mouth.

There’s no more pain, only us. Good versus evil, the lines blurred, my attraction to the darkness, a self-fulfilling prophecy. Ryurik’s eyes meld with mine, the pace relentless, my body breaking under our bed of marital sin. We shatter together in climax, breaking all the rules and maybe this is why criminals like the forbidden, because it tastes so sweet.

Chapter Twenty-Two - Ryurik

Emily’s nervous about the operation for Laura, and no amount of reassurance or redirecting her at breakfast is enough to settle her nerves. “Do we have everything, Ryurik? Mom likes to read interior decorating magazines. I want to get her a fresh batch, just to keep her… you know, entertained once she comes out of the operation.” Emily’s dressed casually, but even dressed down she gets my heart to beat faster than ever. Her baby bump is growing, and every time I look at her, I can’t help but care for her more. If ever I wanted a woman to marry, she’s the best woman to be carrying an Utkin.

“I remember. Relax a little,” I coax warmly. “Viktor sent her a care package for when she’s out of surgery, so she’ll be able to recover in comfort. She’s got access to the best doctor’s in the country.”

Finishing my coffee, Emily sucks in a deep breath. “I’m sorry for worrying.” She holds a protective hand to her stomach, making me want to do the same. “I’m restless, but my mom’s life feels like it’s on the line. She’s all I’ve got,” Emily stresses, her hands wobbly as she picks up her juice, finishing the last of it.

Looking up, I pause.She still doesn’t know how much I care about her. I’m not making her feel safe enough.“No. She’s not. You’ve got me. Your husband. And you’re part of my extended family. You’re not alone.” Emily’s face falls as she nods her head.

“Sorry. Old habit. I’m used to having to handle everything by myself. And this isn’t exactly a normal situation.”

“Good point. But you won’t have to do anything alone anymore.” Checking my watch, I let go of her. “We can head to the hospital now if you want.”

She nods her head profusely, a smile appearing on her worried face. “I think that would probably ease my nerves.”

“Okay. Done.” I text the driver to come over. He lives on the property in one of the guesthouses, and it won’t take him but a couple of minutes to arrive.

I watch as Emily ties her hair up in a ponytail.Would she be here if it weren’t for Laura?Doubt creeps in, because deep down I’ve got a feeling she wouldn’t have taken me up on my agreement so fast if it weren’t for the woman she so dearly loves.

I wouldn’t have killed her ever if she tried to fight me on the verbal agreement.No.I wasn’t a brute in that way. That was more my cousin Dimitri’s strong suit. I worm my way into the psyche of others, chipping away, until I get what I want.

But if I had to take custody of my son or daughter, I would have. That in and of itself would be its own type of special death, especially as a mother.I would have worn her down eventually… but it’s better in the end that she willingly surrendered to me.

A pang of guilt nags at me when I see the empathy and loyalty she has for Laura. I manipulated Emily to my advantage, and I’m a lucky man to have her, but things are changing between us. We’re growing into each other day by day, learning more every step of the way. And all I know is the more time I spend with Emily, the more fascinated I am with her.

Without thinking she tries to stand up, her brain moving before her body, hitting her leg against the side of the kitchen table. “Shit!Charlie Horse. Oh gawd.”

In a quick movement, I rush over to her, my heart skipping a beat. “What do you need?” I ask roughly as she rubs the top of her thigh.

“Ugh. I’m just—a mess. I want to get to the hospital,” she groans as I step over to the refrigerator, but Olga’s already holding an ice pack in her hand, shooing me right back to Emily. She must have seen what happened. I nod silently in thanks, slapping the pack onto Emily’s leg over her jeans with a light smirk.

She’s bent over, holding her leg, and I want to kiss the top of her head in comfort, but don’t. I don’t know why, but it’s not a normal action for me, so I leave it alone, making sure the ice pack’s on her leg. “We need to get you there in one piece. Okay?”

She giggles, and I chuckle with her, the tension breaking for a second. “Okay. My bad. Promise I won’t bump into anything else.”

“Okay. Good. Let’s go. You can keep the ice pack on your leg in the car.” We head out the door, making good time to the hospital, but not without Emily texting Laura to check in.

“Is everything okay?”

“Yeah, all the nurses and doctors are coming around in droves, she’s telling me, to prepare her for the operation. Wow. I can’t believe this is happening.” Emily slides her hands back and forth on her knees and I say nothing.

I don’t have the words to make her feel better, so I don’t try, but I’ve grown attached to Laura in my own way. She saved a young girl a long time ago, who’s now my wife and bearer of my child. I want to honor that.

Instead, I grab the bags as we head into the hospital, and the medical receptionist slows us down, running us through a series of irritating questions before directing us to the waiting room where Laura will be wheeled out.