Page 39 of Savage Reign

And then, as if on cue, Nikolai opens his mouth and ruins everything.

“Fifty-eight and a half seconds,” he whispers in my ear.

Heat floods my face as reality sinks in. I pull away, my mind racing. He can’t be serious—not after what just happened.

With a cocky grin, Nikolai laces his fingers behind his head. He looks like a man who knows he’s won, and I hate it.

I climb off his lap, desperate for space. “Are you sure that’s accurate?” I gesture to the clock on the wall.

“Completely.” His tone drips with amusement. “It’s military-grade.”

Goddammit.

My mouth goes dry as I grasp at straws. “Fifty-eight and a half seconds is basically a minute. I don’t think that’s a reliable number based on the margin of error.”

His brow arches, the look in his eyes downright sinful. “Are you suggesting we try again? I’d be more than willing. Although this time, I’d like to make you come with my tongue.”

Desire shoots through me, but I shove it aside. It’s a terrible idea. Clearly, this man has some kind of sexual superpower I overlooked. “I wasn’t suggesting that at all.”

He shrugs, unbothered. “A deal is a deal. And you don’t strike me as the kind of woman who goes back on her word.”

When he reaches for the tattoo machine, my stomach drops, and panic lodges in my throat. His symbol—his mark—will be on my skin forever. Tears well in my eyes, blurring my vision before spilling over. But I won’t break my word. My parents never followed through on theirs, and I swore a long time ago I’d never be like them.

I lift my chin. “Have you done this before?”

“Many times.”

“A symbol and your initials. That’s it?”

“That’s it,” he says softly. He steps closer, wiping the tears from my cheeks with a gentle touch. “Don’t be scared. It’ll be quick.”

“I’m not afraid of the pain. I’m crying because, once again, you’ve left me with no choice.”

He cups my cheek, his thumb grazing my lips. “Choice is overrated.”

“Your mark won’t change how I feel about you or this marriage. I’ll never submit to you. I’ll never sleep with you. It will mean nothing to me.”

“Again. You mean you’ll never sleep with me again.” He brushes a wisp of my hair behind my ears, his hand lingering on my cheek.

I squeeze my eyes shut, fighting the way his slightest touch ignites a fire under my skin.

“Do it,” I say, my voice brittle, because if this continues, I’ll lose more than my dignity.

CHAPTER

FIFTEEN

NIKOLAI

With a final strokeof black ink, the hum of the tattoo machine cuts out, and I set it aside, taking a moment to admire my work. My initials, entwined with the Zhukov Bratva’s crown, now permanently mark Sofiya’s pale skin. A reminder of whom she belongs to.

“Are you done?” she asks, her eyes still squeezed shut, not wanting to watch me tattoo her.

“One more minute.” Her skin is red and tender, the lines slightly raised. I need to apply the antibiotic cream and bandage it, but there’s something else I need to do first.

Beside her hand, I lay a folded newspaper, the date printed clearly at the top. I snap a quick photo with my phone—the proof of life Roman asked for, with a side of fuck you. A reminder that every day he drags his feet, Sofiya is the one to suffer.

Though it seems I’m the one currently in pain. I’ve had a case of blue balls since I made her come all over my hand. But it was worth it—not only to win the bet but because watching her shatter for me was the sweetest fucking thing I’ve ever seen.

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