Page 23 of Beautiful Beast

“Isn’t that the question?” He pulls me closer to him and re-grabs my hand. “We didn’t get to finish our dance.”

“You want to dance after that?”

“Why wouldn’t I? I don’t stay upset when people try to ruin my life. If I did, I’d probably be dead by now. I’ve learned to appreciate things when I they fall into my lap, and you, Anya, have fallen straight into my lap.”

“How much longer?” I whisper, hating that I sound so scared and weak.

“Are you that anxious to be away from me?”

“Yes,” I answer honestly.

Erik looks at me for a moment before letting me go. “We can be done. We should eat anyway. Wouldn’t want the food I paid for to get cold.” He still keeps his hand on mine and walks us over to our table, where my father and sister are seated.

Only one other person is already seated there—a young man, similar in looks to Erik.

“This is James,” he explains. “One of my men. My number two, actually.”

James nods in greeting but doesn’t say anything else.

“This must be Nadia,” Erik says, extending his hand out to her. Tentatively, she takes it and then promptly lets him go.

Erik pulls out my chair for me. Pretending to be a gentleman, I notice. But I know he’s anything but, and no act of chivalry will change my mind about him.

“So, Sergei, we’re officially partners now,” Erik says.

My father nods and dabs at his mouth with a napkin. “Good to see that we are. My daughter will make you proud.”

I canfeelErik’s gaze on me, but I keep my eyes locked to my plate. “I’m sure she will. Anything I need to know about her that you failed to mention before we got married?”

I look up at my father quickly. Will he tell Erik that he beats me? Or that Nadia might be the victim of my father’s anger now?

But it’s all too much to hope for, and my father smiles and shakes his head. “Not one thing. Anya will be a perfect wife to you.” That’s a subtle threat. Make Erik happy, or Nadia will be hurt.

“I have to use the restroom,” I blurt out, standing up so fast, I almost lose my balance. Erik catches my waist and gives me a look I don’t care for. It’s one of darkness and desire.

He wants me. Even though he doesn’t care for me, he wants my body. I know it. It’s at this very moment I realize I want the wedding reception to last as long as possible so our wedding night doesn’t have to happen.

“You didn’t ask your husband’s permission,” Father grits out.

“I don’t need Erik’s permission to pee. Nadia, come with me.”

“No.” Father lays his hand on her arm. “She’ll remain here at my side.”

“What if she needs to pee, too?”

“Stop saying that word. It’s vulgar.” He turns to Erik. “I’m sorry about my daughter. Anya can sometimes be …”

“A spitfire?” Erik offers. “I don’t mind it. In fact, it makes things interesting. And if the girls want to go talk, let them talk. It doesn’t bother me.”

It clearly bothers my father. He’s probably terrified I’m going to run again. Not now. Not when Erik owns me and knows who I am. He knows who Nadia is. She’s not safe, and I can’t risk that.

Slowly, Father lets Nadia go, and she rushes out of her seat to follow me to the restroom.

The moment we’re alone, I throw my arms around her. “Are you ok?”

“I should be asking you that. You’re the one married to …him.”

“I can handle Erik.” At least, that’s what I’m going to tell myself, even though I know it’s a lie. “But what about you? Has Father said anything? Does he plan on hurting you now that I won’t be living with you?”

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