Page 14 of King’s Promise

His slender fingers tip the bottle filling another glass, and he hands my drink to me. I’m determined to not drop it as I confidently take it from him. Consequences be damned, I need to send a message of my own. I won’t shirk from him. If I’m to be his equal, I have to fake it until I can escape. Each day I spend here takes me a step closer to my future with Nikolay. I can’t deny he consumes my thoughts and being close to him makes my panties wet.

The home is swoon worthy and I’m becoming accustomed to Nikolay’s brief but approving words. I can’t wait to go shopping and use the swimming pool Hazel mentioned. My tabloid magazines were my escape from my repressive world. Now, I find myself living in the lap of luxury and it would be so easy to give up my old life and align myself with Nikolay. I can assume my role as his wife, but I refuse to be silent where our marriage is concerned.

I throw the liquor back. It’s smooth and I swallow it like a pro. This is where my nights of clubbing pay off.

5

Nikolay

Anya retires for the evening. I move to my living room with the darker grays and settle on my favorite couch. I remember Mother asking me what I wanted in this room. I thought it was a surprise for Dad. We’re so similar, I was the perfect person to ask. I have a minute of sadness at the loss of my father. I never wanted to become the leader this way.

The fact remains, I’m the oldest, and I’ve taken over as head of the Bratva. For now, I’m a king in another country, but in time we will network Russia with England as we solidify a more international network.

I pour myself a cognac, only the best. I stare out the picture window overlooking the massive backyard and take a sip. Looming to the right are rounded glass walls enclosing the pool which enables us to use it all year long. With the price of electricity, it makes quite a statement. I wonder when my parents decided on giving me this palatial estate. Maybe it was planned as a wedding gift. It’s the best area to raise a large family with private schools, international cuisine, and cultural events. I take another sip as I notice the lights along our high gates and return to my favorite couch where I kick my shoes off and prop my feet up.

“What do you think?” I look to the door as Pavel’s soft soled boots and limber build fill the doorway. He enters the room and pours himself vodka. He’s perceptive, otherwise he wouldn’t be my personal advisor. He’s also in charge of the spies we have placed in the cities where we operate. We have many within our organization and I hoped he would have turned over a stone by now. But atlas, nothing.

“We’re flying blind. I’ll feel better when your brothers arrive,” Pavel replies with his calm and steadfast voice before he drinks the shot. He slams the shot glass onto the glass table and lifts the bottle to his lips whereby he drains the last drop.

“It will be nice having them around. Who do you have to guard Anya?”

“Alex, he’s an enforcer and Liev’s friend. He grew up here, and he’s a worthy choice because he knows the area and I trust him.” Pavel’s gravely voice matches my somber mood.

“I like it. It will get him off the streets for a while. Why don’t you send someone to check on Baran? Go by his flat, see if he’s around,” I suggest. My eyes are tired. I refill my drink from a bottle I found hidden in the bar earlier. My Dad was probably the last person to touch it. My mind intends to wander down memory lane but Pavel’s voice brings my focus back.

“I’ll get right on it,” he clears his throat as if to convey his sympathy. I’m sure Dad is on his mind as well. He opens another vodka from the liquor cabinet, stands over the coffee table between us and takes a belt. “If that’s all, I’ll arrange for Alex to be here tomorrow morning to make sure our little bird doesn’t get any crazy ideas of escaping.”

“Don’t worry, she won’t be running home. I don’t think she had the life befitting a princess. I get the impression she’s not a fan of her mother. Anya, a young woman with potential,” I muse, wishing I had a cigar.

“And here we thought she would be easy to pacify.”

“I’ll take care of her and let her attend the university if it makes her happy and keeps her from running off.” I swirl the amber liquid the rock glass. It’s been a long day, time for me to turn in. “No alarms have gone off; I must be doing something right,” I joke. Then I find myself wondering if she’s sleeping and how she will look naked under me, and in my bed.

Hazel pops in to clear our glasses and the empty bottle placing the cognac in the wet bar where it belongs. Damn is she isn’t efficient.

“Anything else, sir?”

“That’s all Hazel, thank you.”

She nods her head to acknowledge me. She reminds me of my great grandmother, only Hazel has a British accent. She goes about her business tidying the pillows in a chair before retiring to the vicar’s cottage behind the house where she lives with her husband.

I walk up the steps, the endless steps in the four-story home, deciding to forgo the elevator hidden at the back of the house. It is fit for a king and, oddly, I’ll have a queen. Anya will need to take over the management of the property and create menus. Hazel knows what to do, but I’m sure Anya will enjoy giving a few orders of her own. I smile as I plan to give her the illusion of the independence she craves.

Anya is driving me crazy. She’s nothing like the women I frequent at the club..My cock fills my pants before I reach the first landing. Does she remember us, I wonder?

She’s a virgin and she’s mine. I haven’t decided when I’ll pop her cherry. I never go long without getting laid. I have no intention of changing my views on sex to accommodate one of celibacy and innocence. There is no way we’ll share a bedroom; I’m not breaking my one rule on intimacy. No matter what I might feel for her, I won’t let love through my heart of steel. It will be his and hers bedrooms. No pillow talk, no favors, nothing to weaken my resolve to be a great leader of men.

I strip and slide between the sheets on my overly large bed. I tuck my hands behind my head and stare at the ceiling. The room is so dark I can’t see my hand in front of my face. Anya is a modern young lady who thinks she can protect and provide for herself. I respect her working to make her life different from her mother’s. As far as protection, I hope she’ll learn how vulnerable she is being associated with me.

My cock makes a tent even with a heavy blanket covering it. I need to fuck her silly, maybe it will give her a dose of reality and tame her. I’m in control, she needs to get used to a world dominated by men. By that, I mean me.

* * *

My cock is hard,my balls, tight. I fantasize about Anya sucking on it. I can’t entertain the thought of her down the hall. I hop out of bed, deciding I need to busy myself and take some laps in the pool to work off my sexual frustration. I make my way to the recreational floor passing two rooms meant to house numerous guards who stay on the premises. Even with a bulletproof front door, I’m playing it safe. Only time will tell if I’m on someone’s hit list.

After an hour of laps, I sit in the sauna for a spell before I grab a thick towel. I dab my face, and spot dry my torso before wrapping it around my waist. I casually make my way to the stairs with only the damp cloth covering me as I enjoy the freedom of free balling it. It’s my house and I’m enjoying my new domain. I’m the king of the castle.

I saunter into the foyer, intending to shower and prepare for the day when I catch Anya ducking into the kitchen. My heart beats like a drum in my chest. I want to see her. I casually enter the kitchen, warmed by Anya as she talks to Hazel like they are best friends. I wordlessly pour hot liquid in a cup. I don’t need tea, but I pretend I do. Hazel is making breakfast. Anya appears uncomfortable as she sits at the marble island in the center of the room.

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